Your 3 am Running Party Starter: Inspiration and Completing the runDisney Experience with DJ CJ

Getting the athletes energized, entertained, and going at the crack of dawn, that's our guest for this show, Christian, aka DJ CJ. Known for his vibrant energy, DJ CJ has enhanced the runDisney experience into a lively, musical fiesta, making marathoners dance their way from start to finish. He reveals how he spins magic with music and the most memorable moments from these races—including an inspiring encounter with an 87-year-old woman and a life-changing moment with one of your hosts.

Brace yourselves as DJ CJ takes us on a thrilling journey of his experiences with corporate races and team building events. He shares the camaraderie that is born when individuals push their physical limits together and the intriguing growth of corporate wellness. Also, we delve into something we all love—food! We discuss three simple hacks like adding citrus to iron-rich food, crushing garlic before cooking, and avoiding coffee with meals that could help maximize nutrient absorption.

Lastly, DJ CJ opens up about how a simple philosophy of positivity has not only shaped his career but also transformed the runDisney experience. He shares how his contagious joy and high-spirit have become the driving force behind runDisney's lively atmosphere. Tune in to explore Christian’s journey, to learn about nutrient absorption hacks, and to draw motivation for your own fitness journey. Christian is not just a DJ; he is the living embodiment of positivity, inspiring people across the globe. Join us for this inspiring session with DJ CJ, the man who makes us believe that even marathons can be a party!

Get your office moving! Sign up for a free 8-week training program for a corporate run here or even better sign your office up virtually or in person here

Transcript

John Pelkey: 0:03

Welcome to 321 Go the Podcast. I'm John Pelkey.

Carissa Galloway: 0:07

And I'm Carissa Galloway and we're bringing you stories from start to finish to keep the everyday athlete motivated, to keep moving towards the next finish. Hey guys, we have an awesome show today with the man that keeps run, disney athletes dancing from 3 am to the very end and the family reunion lot, christian, aka DJ CJ. I've got three nutrition hacks to help you get more nutrients from your food and we'll open the mail bag. Let's do this.

John Pelkey: 0:50

Well, hello once again, Carissa. How are you?

Carissa Galloway: 0:53

I'm good, we just went back to school.

John Pelkey: 0:56

When you guys are listening to this Today is the first day of school, which is a Thursday, which is very odd to me, very odd. My assumption is like, for the first day, they just get their locker, if that's a thing, or find out where their classes are and don't really do anything, and then they hit the ground running on Monday, I guess.

Carissa Galloway: 1:11

I don't know. I mean, I'm from Virginia, you are too. We started the day after Labor Day, so we always started on a Tuesday. It was very easy to know. I just kept. I think all the moms like wait Thursday, we're starting on Thursday. Yeah, we're starting on Thursday, you know. So it's odd. Yeah, Sent Claire off today. Eliud went up to her classroom with her because you're allowed to walk them in the first day because she's in elementary school, and he wore his woody hat.

John Pelkey: 1:31

Nice, so very, very nice.

Carissa Galloway: 1:33

Very stylish, but yeah, we've been doing well. The summer is I guess over, but we went on our second Disney wish three day cruise.

John Pelkey: 1:39

I was going to ask you you tried out the ship for me because I'm going to be going on. In about a month, less than a month. At this point, we're going to DVC cruise. What is your overall impression of the wish?

Carissa Galloway: 1:51

Well, we've only been on one Disney cruise and it's been on the wish twice. So, from all my digging into social media and trying to learn about it, right now it's the biggest ship, yep, and the one you've been on a lot in Alaska is the smallest ship. I've been on every other ship other than the Wings Spancy Pants Pelkey, that's right.

John Pelkey: 2:08

I get paid to go on the other ships. That's all I'm saying.

Carissa Galloway: 2:11

I don't get paid. I need to get paid to go on any more Disney cruise. They're phenomenal but, as we all know, they're expensive. So I don't have a frame of reference. But what I've heard is that it doesn't feel like as big of a ship, but after two times there are even places that we haven't seen yet. Yeah, so it's a big ship 4,000 sun passers, and it's always sold out. But that's all we've ever known. We haven't been on another cruise. It's absolutely beautiful, it has a Cinderella theme and my kids just love every detail. I mean, you open the door to go out and there's Disney music playing, which for you, might be threatening, might not be enjoyable.

John Pelkey: 2:44

It's fine. I have no issue with Disney music. It's not enough from the heuristic cats ever. But ever.

Carissa Galloway: 2:49

But you know, my son comes out the door and he's already dancing and grooving, so it's really fun. Now our first cruise, which we talked about. I didn't go into details, but we had some met mechanical issues, if you will, that prevented us from getting to castaway key.

John Pelkey: 3:03

Right.

Carissa Galloway: 3:03

So we got to go this time. It's amazing.

John Pelkey: 3:06

It's great, it's great.

Carissa Galloway: 3:07

It was hot but that's fine. Yeah, but it was just the best day and so leaving it was just such a sad thing. But we did the castaway key 5K I didn't mind it. 10 am. Westin did his around 2 pm. Yes, but he still was like 12 minutes faster than me. But it is, it is hot.

John Pelkey: 3:24

Well, because he wanted to get off the course at that point he probably did.

Carissa Galloway: 3:26

I mean, he was just looking good, looking like he was looking for an electrolyte beverage. But I want to shout out Tracy, who we saw out there, another Tracy who was a perfect seasoner last year. She said this was she considered the castaway key also part of her perfect season.

John Pelkey: 3:40

Okay.

Carissa Galloway: 3:41

Alisha was there, and then another perfect Rebecca. So all of them out there. There's a lot of run Disney love out there at castaway key.

John Pelkey: 3:47

I have been. I've tried on actual Disney cruises that I've paid to go on because we've done that as well.

Carissa Galloway: 3:52

Oh, you have, so you've paid. And then paid, we have.

John Pelkey: 3:55

Yes, I've done both, I'm quite the veteran.

John Pelkey: 3:56

I'm quite the veteran. The only thing I haven't been is on the wish, and again I'll be there in a couple of weeks with run Disney start line and really show director Mark Ferrera as my comedy partner. He has checked out the ship. I have not and what I hear is just the venues are a little different from us. We usually do shows in smaller venues, but now it's going to be in the atrium area. They're going to be bigger shows because it's a little bit of a different way.

Carissa Galloway: 4:20

That's interesting. It's a little bit of a different area. I mean, again, I've been on one ship. You know it's three floors high and you walk by and you're going to get a little side eye, I think.

John Pelkey: 4:28

Yeah, oh, absolutely.

Carissa Galloway: 4:30

What is going on Do?

John Pelkey: 4:31

you think that I don't get a lot of side eye anyway.

Carissa Galloway: 4:33

No, I'm just preparing more or less mark. Yeah, I want to prepare his tough outer shell. That, like people may be walking by and what you're doing may not be interesting to them, it will be interesting to some people.

John Pelkey: 4:42

Well, most of the things we do actually have talented, notable people involved.

Carissa Galloway: 4:47

Oh, that's, that'll be helpful.

John Pelkey: 4:48

So we're just ancillary to guys standing there. Right, it's not going to become. See John and Mark in the atrium as they get nutty. No, we will be doing it with with with name folk.

Carissa Galloway: 5:00

Cannot, cannot speak about the named folk, but the named folk shall be there.

John Pelkey: 5:03

Yeah, I could, we could speak about the name.

Carissa Galloway: 5:06

My friend Ashley Eckstein will be one of our shows and name drop. And then we get very nice.

John Pelkey: 5:12

Now. David Eckstein would be a bigger name drop for me, given as a baseball fan. I'm not sure if David be there. He was on the last cruise that we did. And then Josh Strickland, the Broadway kids. He's very popular, oh yeah. Josh, he's great, great guy, so we're doing shows with them, so we don't have to build a crowd Understand.

Carissa Galloway: 5:29

This, this, this makes the OK, if they want to empty a room.

John Pelkey: 5:31

There's a voiceover and now the comedy stylings of John Pelkey and Mark Ferrera, and then that'll clear out the room and they can use it for something more more exciting and important, that's exciting Two questions for you. Yes.

Carissa Galloway: 5:42

One. It's a sidebar. We're going to go back to the beginning and then go back around. So you talked about Ashley Eckstein.

John Pelkey: 5:47

Yes.

Carissa Galloway: 5:49

My daughter's boyfriend. Quote unquote third grade boyfriend his mom is friends with her.

John Pelkey: 5:54

Wow.

Carissa Galloway: 5:54

So we've gone around the back to the train and we're back. Will you have time to do the castaway key 5K?

John Pelkey: 6:03

I will have time. Yes, I will probably not have the motivation. No, I don't know what our show schedule is, so quite possibly I could have time, but often, if we're doing a show that evening, we have morning rehearsals, so I could use that as an excuse. Now, previously, when I was on and was paying to be on the ship, I tried to sell to them that they should give me some large discount, as noted run Disney race announcer, and they said you don't look like Carissa and you get nothing.

Carissa Galloway: 6:37

I don't get a discount either, but I anybody wants to pay me to bring my children back to a Disney crew, as we would absolutely love that. And we are looking at Alaska, but it's just not going to be our one for next year, but it's so close right here and they love it and I want to take them. But the podcast not making that much money yet. But we'll let you know when it is.

John Pelkey: 6:54

Alaska is so is so cool, particularly if you live here in Florida, because, let's face it, the Bahamas are amazing, jamaica's amazing, all the islands down there are great, but they're not that different from just going to see us to key or longboat key or something, whereas Alaska we don't get a lot of that sort of topography here, so very different. But you do have to throw in all the travel stuff. You're right, just being able to drive over to Canaveral in 45 minutes and jump on the ship, very, very exciting.

Carissa Galloway: 7:24

Well, we will have to catch up about your DVC cruise and then maybe, like it doesn't have to be the 5k, maybe like a one mile walk.

John Pelkey: 7:30

Well, there will be a one mile walk, because normally we wrap up shows when we're on on the island. I know we have a show on the island that we'll do out on the beach area and we usually wrap that up and are at that point so in need of an adult beverage that we just walk our way to the adult beach instead of waiting for the tram. So I'll get some steps.

Carissa Galloway: 7:52

All right, all right, start your watch. We'll get some steps in. All right, well, we love the cruise.

DJ CJ: 7:58

We're going to get some stuff in all kinds of good things. Okay, civilians, it's time for the goods. Let's get on to the interview.

Carissa Galloway: 8:06

All right. Today we are so excited. This is our first member of our Run Disney Entertainment team to be on the podcast. He's a performer, a DJ, a family man, the guy at the family reunion stage at any Run Disney race and he is an all around amazingly positive, kind, human. Welcome to 321 Go, dj CJ Christian. What's up?

DJ CJ: 8:31

Yo so excited. Hello, Carissa, John, Thank you guys so much.

John Pelkey: 8:38

So good. It's so good to see you and it's so weird not to be seeing you at either 1 45 in the morning or over in Tampa at a Raptors game. We'll talk about that later. We want everybody to get to know you, christian, because they more people see you for a longer period of time than probably see Carissa and I or any of the race host. So who is DJ CJ?

DJ CJ: 9:04

Well, chris was very kind as the guy came right into this, right. But, man, I'm a person just like everybody else, who loves the community, right? I love that. We're all a part of this together.

DJ CJ: 9:16

There's so many moments which I hope we get a chance to talk about a little bit more here on, you know, as we chat. There's so many moments that build what this is, and I think it has a lot to do with the people, right? So I'm just another one of these people that love getting together, celebrating fantastic running events or you know, if it's triathlon or a swim meet, and I'm glad in on the day. And, and you know, I love music, I love my family, I love the job that I get to do, which obviously it's not even work, right? We can't call it work, they say, and someone told me this when I was 12 years old man, you find a job you love to do, figure out how to get paid to do it. You never work a day in your life, right? We've all heard it. Well, man, I feel like I'm living the dream every single day.

Carissa Galloway: 9:59

You know you do so many different things. You know you're a DJ, you are, you're a race announcer and we allow you to dabble in that announcer area with us. But what about on the weekdays? I know you do so work a lot on the weekdays, you know, do you have a real job or is performer your real job?

DJ CJ: 10:17

Your is my real job, you know, as the years go on, right, well, you, you understand very quickly that there's a lot more to it than what's happening in front of the camera or on the stage or, you know, on the podcast that we're talking now, right, there's a lot of time and effort that's put into what we do. So my Monday to Friday, nine to five, is preparing for these moments, right, preparing the music in the studio, working on creative projects with, with you know, different clients, and then the paperwork man guys, the paperwork side, the emails Right, that's that's what I'm doing on the other side. But recently I've actually just merged with a larger company that does a lot of the Fortune 100 companies and they do high end audio visual work, right, so we're always providing cameras, lighting, audio, but again, high end audio and at the highest caliber. And they decided, and I agreed, that they needed an entertainment department. So I've merged into there and now there's a whole bunch more happening Monday to Friday, from nine to five.

John Pelkey: 11:26

That's. That's outstanding. And you know Christian, always always a positive guy, always looking forward. That's one of the things that we love about you. People always ask us how we got involved with run Disney. He uses a lot of DJs over a lot of events over over the years, has used, does use. How did you actually get involved with the run Disney portion?

DJ CJ: 11:50

Man, that's a great question. Disney gives you an opportunity to do events and they send you the email and say hey, I would like you to be a part of this. And the very first time I saw a call time at 1 am, John, I was like wait, what's happening? What are we doing? What's going on? No, actually, I had already been part of several race events and, as I think I'm sure some of the folks here know, John Hughes and Betsy Hughes and Track Shack, the Track Shack team, Alicia they all are supporting the Run Disney races in the events Right. So, being a part of Track Shack, naturally they were able to make that connection and help me become a part of the Run Disney family also.

Carissa Galloway: 12:35

Oh, so did you. I should know this. Did you start? You know finish line area, or is that always where you were, were you ever on the course? And then you kind of got like I don't know, promoted.

DJ CJ: 12:45

You know what? Yes, Carissa, that's exactly how I had it.

Carissa Galloway: 12:47

I should remember, but I just feel like you've always, you've always been there with us.

DJ CJ: 12:51

No, no, it's the very first Run, Disney. I was on the walk out to start line, right, I think. If I remember correctly, they didn't actually have a spot for me. So, again, right, the Track Shack team making that connection, and they said, hey, we want to have this guy out. They brought me out. They didn't have a spot for me. Carissa I was. I showed up and the team said, oh, that's right, you're coming, and so well, you know what? This would be a great place where you can give some of that great energy, and it was, honestly, for me, such a wonderful opportunity. I gave it all, I've got right. And so, as people are getting out to the race, they hadn't even started yet and I'm like you guys are amazing, you're fantastic, we love you, and so that was the very first one that we, or that I, got an opportunity to do, and then, from there, I got to be right in front of Spaceship Earth. That was the next one that they brought me to. I think it was Half-Marathon, right, is that?

Carissa Galloway: 13:51

I'm starting to come together, yeah.

DJ CJ: 13:52

Okay, okay. So they had me out and again right, we have a whole weekend of fun. But they allowed me to be in one location and they took me over to the area in front of Spaceship Earth and I think right after that, quickly, I had the privilege of hanging out at the family reunion space man I love that space. It's so awesome.

Carissa Galloway: 14:14

I think, and remembering that you kind of it was maybe your dance parties at the posterist after party, that helps solidify your space as, like the dance guy.

DJ CJ: 14:26

You know, yeah, I definitely they did. They did like the dancing that we were doing or that I was able to do, john Phelan, we remember those days right.

Carissa Galloway: 14:34

One of our older directors?

DJ CJ: 14:36

yeah, yeah, yeah, one of our old directors and John was always really into the dancing and he said hey, you can bring some of that out here. Feel free to jump out on the front of the stage and get that going. And so I did, and that was definitely how we move forward from the dancing and became really, I think, a warm up, so to speak, for a lot of the runners, you know.

John Pelkey: 14:58

All right, take us through a typical day for you. On a run Disney day, whatever weekend, you know you're there every time. Tell people when all of the pertinent information Christian, what time do you have to get up? What do you have to do? Because you actually you know you have to bring some equipment. There are things that you have to do that you know we're just. They pour us out of bed into a truck and carry us into an RV and try to slap us in the face and give us coffee to wake us up. What is a typical day for Christian like for a run Disney weekend?

DJ CJ: 15:33

Man. Well, let's do so. This is, for me, the favorite because I sleep the least. I feel like the runners on this one, right, when we get into that January marathon weekend. Man, that's the one that everyone always says right, the challenge is waking up all the days. Right, so I get to, because obviously I DJ as well. So I have the privilege of celebrating New Year's Eve at the castle, and that's already a very you know. We have soundcheck really early, then we come in to show and we for those of you that don't know we actually do it two days in a row. We do it on the 30th and the 31st, same show and all the fun, right, well, that continues for me right into marathon weekend, because we have what two days between. Marathon weekend is usually on like the fourth, I think. Right, yeah, generally.

Carissa Galloway: 16:23

It's the first weekend, yeah, and this year it's. Let me just tell you, I want to get you ready. This year it's real, real early, so oh, okay, so that's good New. Year's is on the Monday, the first, the 5K is on Thursday, the fourth. So you're just rolling right in this year.

DJ CJ: 16:37

You're putting it on the calendar right now.

Carissa Galloway: 16:39

You're like wait a minute?

DJ CJ: 16:40

I'm definitely putting it in right now, karissa. Thank you, I needed the heads up. So it's usually and that's exactly why I bring that point right I get to roll right from New Year's Eve, basically have about a day to recover, then, like John saying, get the gear together and make sure I've got the plan and the understanding of our program as we set up for the marathon race weekend. And then I get there on the first day at 2 am we start our sound check. Generally, believe it or not, people John and Karissa show up very shortly after that or they've already been there, I'm not sure but after they get trucked over they go through their rehearsals and they get all their stuff going on. I get to watch that and get the laughs and get a feel for what's about to happen. Then I finish up my sound check and shortly thereafter here come the runners baby. So that happens right after the, I think, the three o'clock opening or the 4 am opening, whichever day it is, and I get right into it.

DJ CJ: 17:38

Man, I get to hang out with the people immediately, of course, always excited to see people make their way towards the characters, and for me it's a surprise each morning I tell the teams not to tell me who's coming. So I'm always surprised as to what our characters are going to be and who's going to be there with us. So I get to celebrate that with the runners, kind of in that same excitement, and then, of course, all the family and all the friends and the people that we get to know through this awesome community come to say hello. So we get into those moments, jump into, of course, the show and the program, and Carissa, john and all the friends show up Riley, tracy, carolina, I'm not sure who else right, I hope I'm not missing anyone, but everyone shows up and they get the program going. Then I get right into the warmup and the fun.

DJ CJ: 18:23

We've wore, usually about an hour before we get the race started, you know. So we jump up on stage, get everyone excited, which I'll just say thank you. Let me take a moment. Thank you all so much for all of your amazing, phenomenal, fantastic energy at 4 AM. Nowhere else would I rather be if it weren't for you people getting there, getting excited, dancing. It really makes me feel like we're connected and I love that right. That's why I love being on stage is connecting with people like yourselves. So thank you all. So much for that. But after the warmup then I have to send everyone, and that, for me, is the sad part.

Carissa Galloway: 19:00

Just send them to us. Like, please go listen to.

DJ CJ: 19:02

John and.

Carissa Galloway: 19:02

Kersa for an hour or two hours.

DJ CJ: 19:05

Of course, of course. But I mean I'm only sad because obviously I'm there for the people, you know, and at that point, understandably they have to go to the start line, you know.

Carissa Galloway: 19:15

They come back. It's like a boomerang. Then they come back to you. So when they finish the race, they make their way through, which you'll know sometimes when you run, you finish, you get the medal, you thank the volunteers, you get your little food box or water, you walk through, you take the picture and then, boom, we come back to you, right? Yes? Yes, how long on marathon day. When are you done on marathon day? Let's say Marathon day.

DJ CJ: 19:40

oh my gosh, I think it's a 12 o'clock noon.

DJ CJ: 19:43

It's about 11, right Like 11 in the morning, 12 noon, cause I've made it a personal goal to just ride it out no matter what. And obviously Disney is great about the timelines. They know when everyone's coming in. They want to get everyone there safely and make sure everybody's doing their thing. But even if the time has come that I was contracted until if there's one other person out there that's making their way in, I try to ride it out and I've been able to do that on a couple occasions. Until that last individual comes, it makes it to the lot and we celebrate that everyone's here. We're all good. Big cheers across the lot.

Carissa Galloway: 21:38

So for new runner listening to this that they're getting ready for their first run Disney race, Tell them where they're going to find DJ CJ on race day.

DJ CJ: 21:46

Ooh, so I get to be at what is now referred to as Gamora lot, right? So you guys, look on your maps, find out what's going on. Gamora lot is where it's at All the old school runners, right? We? You may hear people refer to it as reunion lot. That's where everybody comes back. You reunite one another. Actually, back in the old days, man people, you know their phones batteries didn't last as long, right, and we didn't have all those cool plug-in chargers. Man, my very first I think it was one or two races People would come to the stage and say, hey, could you please call for so-and-so? I've been looking for them for three hours, I have no idea where they're at. And then, you know, get to make a little magic man. I'd call them out and, sure enough, it'd do exactly what the lot was meant to do Reunite families and people and, yes, bring them together.

John Pelkey: 22:32

Yeah, I tell you what I've always said it would have been a great and back in the day it would have been great if you had a trailer with like 400 outlets and you just charged people like five bucks to charge up their phone. I think you could have put a kid through college on the amount of money. Now, it's all those long-lasting batteries. So I'm always great at having a fabulous idea about four years too late. All right, speaking of fabulous ideas, our costuming department does a great job. It's always fun to see what you're wearing when we come over to the stage, and I know you enjoy seeing what we're wearing. We all know that my favorite costume is anything that's a onesie that I can put on very, very quickly. Do you have a favorite costume that you've worn? Because there are times, christian, where you've looked better than me, which you generally do anyway, given your much more youthful countenance but do you have a favorite?

DJ CJ: 23:24

You know I do have a couple of favorites, John, and like you, I like comfortable. Right, I'm certainly into comfortable, but there's been goodness. I mean the Donald look that they put me in. This is just me loving the Fab Five. I'm a little old school, right. So they've given me the Donald look that I've gotten a chance to be good looking and get my little bow tie on you know that sort of thing and my yellow shoes that they brought me, that was fantastic, cause you know they're all about detail, man, all about detail. And you know I'd have to look back at photos, john. There's probably two or three others, they're not coming to mind at the moment. I'm so sorry.

Carissa Galloway: 24:08

All right, fine, Donald you've said it now for the rest of the time.

DJ CJ: 24:12

Christian wants to be, Donald so there you are. I know you are, that's great, we're loving it.

Carissa Galloway: 24:17

So the Famer Union lot which is what I wrote in here, the Gamora lot, you know, you send people away and then they kind of trickle back in after the race when they finish. Maybe they're waiting for people or maybe they're hanging out with friends. What's the craziest or we can say, the best thing that you've experienced there at the Famer Union lot post-race? What's the craziest, best thing that's happened?

DJ CJ: 24:39

The best thing that's happened. Oh, so there's this wonderful group and they they're the Mouse Keteers. Right, I'm not. I hope I'm doing them justice by calling it the right thing, right? Or the name of the group. It's a club, right, they're the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and or not Clubhouse. Sorry, that's for the kiddos, my bad. Now, mickey Mouse Club with the Mouse Keteers.

DJ CJ: 25:03

They had this moment and, as they told me the story, they came together kind of like misfits, so to speak, like there was this word that kind of went out, they sent her message and then more people got excited about it and the story goes that more of them showed up than expected, dressed the way that everyone had agreed, right. So, of course, naturally, I see a group of people dressed the same, and so I gravitate towards that. I love what they're doing and I'm trying to figure out more about it. Well, you know, I've got power with the music, so I got to make this happen. So we go right into the alma mater. Mind you, this is pre-race, where normally I'm like keeping it super pumped up and we're all jumping up and down and you know moving and stretching. But it just felt like a really sweet moment.

DJ CJ: 25:49

So I played alma mater and, sure enough, our awesome DPI teams out there, the Disney photography team, right, they're catching all of this and people got their phones out recording one another as these people are swaying hand on shoulder and they're kind of hugging each other, holding hands, swaying back and forth and before you know it, the whole lot is singing the alma mater. That was by far a phenomenal moment that morning, right? Well, I'm thinking cool, the moment happened. Let's get back to the partisan everybody start line. Apparently, they tell me the story later these ladies and I think there's a couple of guys that are part of the group, right, they've become so close now in real life as we say, that they have all these new bonds, phenomenal friendships that have developed just from that morning where some of them didn't even know one another they just happened to be dressing, right. So I mean a tribute truly to the Run Disney family and how it all comes together. That was by far one of my favorite moments that I've learned of.

Carissa Galloway: 26:48

That's super cool, and you did that, though, like you, you know that's what makes you so great at your job, as you see something and then you kind of process it quickly. Okay, are we going to be upbeat, are we not? No, I'm going to do this, and you made a moment that we can say change lives, because you brought people together in a way that you know we need more social human connections that are real. You did an awesome job with that. Speaking of songs, at the end of the race, I come up I say Christian, I want to hear this song. Do you take song requests?

DJ CJ: 27:17

Ooh, that's. That's the question, carissa, that everyone wants to know the truth, we do want to know.

DJ CJ: 27:24

Well, you know, I the answers. The answers come to the next race and I'll let you get nothing. I'm not going to go down that road. No, the answer is yes, the answer is absolutely yes.

DJ CJ: 27:37

And you know, in the, in the true spirit of community, I've tried to do it in a way where not only myself but all the Run Disney DJs could be a part of this right. So I started kind of shouting out hey, hashtag Run Disney DJ and let us know what your song request is. Or if you've got a photo or video to attach to it, do it there. And if you want to hear something because obviously the lot's so huge and when people are waiting in line, I don't want them to feel the obligation of leaving the line, right, you know how that goes. But, yes, I will definitely take song requests at the front of the stage, but I do love if we could do Run Disney DJ and just throw your request in there for all the DJs, because I've kind of, you know, shared it with a couple of friends.

DJ CJ: 28:19

On the course, you might not hear the reunion lot because I've only have so much time, right, I have a limited amount of time, but if you could hear your song on the course out there, or maybe you're coming into that 13.1 on your full marathon day and it's like, hey man, we're about halfway there and you hear your song. I think that'd be so much more magical than you know just my little space. So, yes, I think all Run Disney DJs, if you're asking my opinion, should take song requests. And obviously you know we're pro, we know what to play, we want to give you all the top heads, but I think there's just moments where people need that one song.

John Pelkey: 28:53

You know, all right brings up a good question. Then, is there a song that you won't play? And I'm not talking about something that's inappropriate, obviously like that but is there anything? Because, as you know, it is in my contract that if the YMCA is played at any point during any event that I do, I am allowed to leave property and uncontrollably angrily tear up a room somewhere. I hate that so much.

DJ CJ: 29:21

Is there a?

John Pelkey: 29:21

song you won't play.

DJ CJ: 29:24

Oh man, oh John, you know.

John Pelkey: 29:27

Knowing full well that you're now going to play the YMCA in November when I see you. But that's. I understand that so.

DJ CJ: 29:35

I wasn't going to say it, I was going to leave a surprise for you. No, truly, truly, I'm a lover of all genres. Man, there isn't a song, like you said, of course, aside from the inappropriate stuff or things that are online, right, there's really not a song I won't play, and more so because I believe my position there is to give the people you and Riley say, the people right. My position there is to give the people what they, what they need, man, what they want. I mean, they're about to go on this amazing journey and you know whether it's the run Disney family or if it's, you know, a triathlon or whatever they're going through. People, people need, I believe, that song because there's a special connection there, you know, and it might not mean anything to me I'm, you know, I'm just the guy who's making that possible, but it certainly for me is not an issue to play a song, even if it's the YMCA. But, john, because I love you, I'll try not to play it when you're there.

Carissa Galloway: 30:32

It's fine. I'll just ask that we play Christmas music in November, and that will make me very, very happy. So John and I have talked about different times in the podcast and not about the run Disney family. You know, that's a phrase that I don't know. We started using maybe five or so years ago and after the pandemic, when we came back, it felt to us that the family was just so much stronger and so much truer in that sense of community at run Disney was stronger. Did you see that from your point of view as well?

DJ CJ: 31:02

100%, my goodness, and I think we're talking post pandemic, right?

Carissa Galloway: 31:06

Yeah, yeah and we came back in that, you know, November of 2021 for that first wine and dine and since then, you know, have you felt that the community is stronger?

DJ CJ: 31:16

100%. I mean, wow, chris, yeah it's, it's stronger and I feel I feel it's stronger than ever, Right? I don't know all the history of the run Disney family, as you guys are you're saying it right but I know for a fact people were so genuinely excited to come back together and now cherish this even more than what we did before Absolutely.

John Pelkey: 31:38

All right. One of the cool things about doing what we do is that because run Disney is so visible and we we meet a lot of people. We run into them at other gigs that we do. I know, chris. So when you're out doing races, just like me somewhere else, somebody's like hey, are you from run Disney? Oh my gosh, let me get a picture. Where can folks in the Orlando area Christian see DJ CJ out and about Disney, not withstanding?

DJ CJ: 32:05

Ooh Well, I do a lot of corporate events, right? So those are generally private and I may be DJing four or five nights a week and not ever be in the public eye, so to speak. But I do get to play periodically in the parks, so New Year's Eve, 4th of July, at the castle, then there are other parks out there.

Carissa Galloway: 32:31

You can say then, that you can say that this is not a Disney podcast.

DJ CJ: 32:36

I figured I want to be sure I didn't get the nudge, I didn't get the go ahead right. Good yeah, man. No, there are other parks out there. I do get to play very often at SeaWorld, who got some phenomenal contracts over there. We do their well. What was previously called Electric Ocean, now Club Seaglow, that's like an EDM festival for the family, so we do that all summer long there. We're doing events with Coke. At this time they got this thing called Coke Studio, which is really cool. The Silent Party is what it's called Silent Disco.

Carissa Galloway: 33:08

You guys ever know one of those oh my gosh they're so fun.

John Pelkey: 33:10

Oh my God, they're hysterical Kiss Crews for my 50th birthday. Honestly, one of the greatest things ever.

DJ CJ: 33:18

Well, so then you get it. You get the magic of that right. Oh yeah, there's a company called Silent Party USA I get to rock with every once in a while and have some fun with them. We are certainly loving the Silent Disco thing that, like you guys are saying, has really become a big deal everywhere. So we're putting actually on a series of events with Coke right now. That's a whole Silent Disco feel and those are happening, I think, on Thursdays if I'm not mistaken. So if you're ever out of SeaWorld on a Thursday right now, that's what's happening Coke Studio, silent Disco come party.

John Pelkey: 33:52

All right, you know what you brought it up and I was actually you anticipated my question talking about the corporate gigs. I am seeing more and more corporations who are using races as team building exercises when they're at their conventions and everything it's become. You know, I do quite a few of those. I know you do a lot of them as well. Are you surprised, as surprised as I am, that it's become such a big, big part of conventions?

DJ CJ: 34:21

Yeah, you know absolutely. There's an awesome company and a phenomenal guy named Danny Rhino, right Laughing Rhino Productions. No one went. I mean, yeah, of course, right. So, Danny, well, Carissa, so here we're talking. Dj CJ, can we do that for a second? Can we go back on the history wheel?

Carissa Galloway: 34:38

Sure, yeah, we can. That's what we're here for. That's what people want to know, like how does this all make sense?

DJ CJ: 34:43

I love it. I love it. Well, back it up. Just a step then To the very very first race.

DJ CJ: 34:48

Carissa, being as phenomenal as she is, had some other events that she needed to be a part of. So, danny, from Laughing Rhino Productions she had worked with on some of these corporate races, john, that you're talking about, right? Well, carissa says hey, danny, you know, get in touch with Christian If you would. He's great, I think you're going to like him. So Carissa gave me this opportunity and Danny, knowing that I hadn't done any races, he knew I had done plenty of events but no races Danny said hey, well, yes, sure, come on out, and you know I'll talk to you through it.

DJ CJ: 35:20

Well, it was for me a huge awakening, john, to the fact that corporations were doing this at all. Right, I thought all corporations were just boring, stuffy meetings, right, and you know, they go to like their one gallon night and then move on. But there's a whole bunch of corporations that are doing it now and, danny, you know, thanks to Carissa, thanks to Danny, I got my first opportunity and my first taste of that 5K and the race community, how that works. But, man, that was fantastic there and I've done gosh, I mean at this point over 300 of those, just to speak to how many corporations are doing it, john, like you're saying, on a regular basis you know, yeah, it's become ubiquitous in the corporations.

John Pelkey: 36:04

It's really part of what they do, which is really really great to see. And, as, too, as we've talked on this podcast, the fastest growing participation sport in America is people running races, whatever they be 5K, 10k, half marathons, triathlons and it's certainly in the corporate area. It's become a very big deal.

DJ CJ: 36:25

Well, in John, I was just gonna say I love what John's talking about, right, there's this bond that happens naturally when you press your body physically to the limit, right? Nobody's at the office going to that extreme, no one's like you know. They're trying to contribute and trying to build team or trying to do all this. When you get out and you all get into this challenge together and everybody's pushing to you know, to whatever their limitation is, man, there's a bond that happens out there. That's just magical, right. So I think that's why people are doing it, john.

Carissa Galloway: 36:56

And then corporate wellness. We know that that fitness and getting moving is so beneficial in so many areas of our lives too. It's nice when corporations can see that and maybe put a little background into it. Help the people train, help them get there, you know, to do this movement, and whether it's at a conference or it's like you know, orlando, we have the IOA corporate 5K. Atlanta, they have the Kaiser Permanente corporate 5K. So shout out to the corporations that do that and if you're in human resources, think about maybe getting one of these going.

John Pelkey: 37:22

No, I will ask this next question. And prior to us starting this, Chris, I did mention to you, Christian, that there we have a lot of good questions. There are no wrong answers. That's not necessarily true. This question has a right or wrong answer, Christian. My friend, my fellow Toronto Raptor, Tampa Bay experience entertainment buddy, who's your favorite race announcer?

DJ CJ: 37:52

Oh man Guys, why would you do that to me? Is this multiple choice? Can I get it?

John Pelkey: 38:00

I'll give you the names you can choose from. I think you know them anyway.

DJ CJ: 38:05

I do, but let's tell a little bit, John. What are the names?

John Pelkey: 38:08

It could be Karissa Galloway, it could be Riley Claremont, it could be Carolina Garabova, it could be Tracy Woo, it could be Kree Kelly or it could be John Pelkey.

DJ CJ: 38:26

Wow. Well, John, I think I've had the opportunity to make excellent bonds with all of these excellent people, and so I'll tell you what. If they want to know the correct answer, they'll have to check next podcast.

Carissa Galloway: 38:41

You guys will have to just let them know what I sent you. All right, so to be determined. But, john, I really feel like you did a great sort of game show host audition right there. I felt a lot of good vibes there from you.

John Pelkey: 38:53

If somebody needs a game show host, I'm your Huckleberry.

DJ CJ: 38:57

You know, karissa, as you say, game show host. I don't know if John would do excellent for the game show host thing, but you know what he does do amazingly well Gigantic arena, voice of God, when it's just that voice that you hear at the arena and you're not sure where it's coming from. Well, john does that and I learned that when we were done in, like he said, tampa With the Toronto Raptors. Now I know some of you seem probably confused on how Tampa and Toronto Raptors are tied together. Well, if you all remember right, we were all in pandemic times and the Raptors will be the fall of the NBA. They are outside of the US but needed a stadium because they couldn't play anywhere else from Canada or Toronto specifically, right? So they had to come down to Tampa Bay and John and I got to party with them every single game for that season, right, john?

John Pelkey: 39:49

Yeah, absolutely. 2021 season and the travel restrictions into Canada made it impossible for them to play in Toronto, and both you and I were lucky enough to actually get a gig working for them. You were playing all spin and all the great tunes you got your own. I was so, so upset that you got this and I didn't the little wrap around digital video things that go around the stadium. There was this DJ CJ thing and everything. I never got that. No one ever said my name during the whole thing, but it was great. I'm not complaining. It was one of the great jobs ever to sit at the table and watch an entire NBA season down there in Tampa. We about half the season we had fans. About the other half the season it was you and I and like three of our closest friends watching these guys play. Just a just a great, great experience. The commute on I for on a consistent basis not withstanding, it was. It was a really, really fun event and, yeah, a great time was had down there and go Raptors.

DJ CJ: 40:54

Yeah, man, go Raptors 100%. And I'll tell you, john, I was. I was thrilled to see you, right, I wasn't sure who I was going to see when we got into that and it would have been very lonely without you, man.

John Pelkey: 41:04

So right back at your brother.

Carissa Galloway: 41:06

And I did come to a game Western. I did come to a game. You guys are both great. It was really fun to watch and both you guys far too talented for just this podcast. So I'm sure more great opportunities like that will come your way.

Carissa Galloway: 41:18

We've got two standard closing questions, Christian, that we've implemented to kind of continue that theme of you know our guests inspire us. How can we inspire everybody listening to continue to be their best and get towards that next finish line? So our usual first question is about motivating yourself through a hard race or a workout. Now, we know we're still getting you out there, you know, on the workout course, but I think you are one of the most positive, motivating people I know and I remember working with you back at Universal Studios. We were the opening people where they came in and we were the first couple to greet them in the park, meaning we had to be there very early. I did not like very early, so I was usually not the happiest person, but I would get there and you would just be like let's go, let's have a great day. I mean, you were so motivating to me then. So how do you do that? How do you keep such a positive attitude, and how can we all learn to be more like DJ CJ?

DJ CJ: 42:13

Wow, carissa, that, first of all, it's very kind of you and I appreciate that. You know, man, I try to live on a couple basic standards, right, I think everyone has to have. I think someone called a mantra, or you know whatever it is, that keeps their focus. And number one I don't believe in stress. I think everything can be resolved somehow some way.

DJ CJ: 42:35

You don't always get your way right, it's not always perfect, but somehow, some way things will always get resolved, and so if you trust that, then you can make the most out of every single moment that you encounter, no matter what time of the day it is, no matter what the situation is that you're facing right. So the focus for me on positivity really comes from my father and he, as often as he could, every single conversation we had, he would just remind me how important it is to be positive and stay upbeat. And you do find that you enjoy your day more when you're trying to focus on the good things or focus on the positive things you know. So I would say and, mind you, I'm not as amazing as all of you phenomenal runners or you triathletes that are listening out there I'm working on getting there right, but just in my small space I picked up Peloton right, I think, carissa, do you put it on?

Carissa Galloway: 43:30

Yes.

DJ CJ: 43:31

I do it's right there, I know Not also not sponsored by Peloton.

Carissa Galloway: 43:33

Peloton and Delta on the list.

DJ CJ: 43:35

On the list. Put them, get them going, so that I've encountered some really tough workouts, right, and one of my favorite instructors again not sponsored, right, but Ally Love, have you had a chance, Carissa? Yeah, definitely.

DJ CJ: 43:48

Oh my goodness, so, so good, right, and she's just giving you all she's got as you're in it, and when I've reached the most difficult parts of that workout, I remind myself why I'm doing it. I think that's a big key, right? I? You know, I've seen people and I've read articles on hey, don't work out because you hate the way you look. Work out because you care about yourself.

DJ CJ: 44:09

Work out because you want to make sure you're staying healthy and doing better for you so you can live longer and love the people that are around you, you know. So I'd say that if you're in the hardest part of your training, if you're on the hardest part of the course, like, remind yourself why you started, remind yourself why you're out there and then take a moment to breathe and look at what's around you. I mean, if you're on a course I've, you know, I've gotten a chance to do a couple small races, no extreme races, but in those small spaces and what I've heard and learned from other people look at the people around you and enjoy that. Forget what mile you're on, just enjoy where you're at and keep going. Take another step and keep moving.

John Pelkey: 44:49

Yeah, that's such great, a great thing to say, christian. And like going back to my running the 5K, I was really really shocked all the years of doing this and how positive everybody on the course was in, really really encouraging everyone. It's a beautiful thing. Now there are millions of stories that we could tell from the races, so I'm going to ask you a difficult question Can you narrow it down to the, if not the most inspiring thing, because that's difficult to say, but one of the most inspiring things that you can remember from a race?

DJ CJ: 45:22

My goodness, wow, yet you're right, john. There's millions of stories right, more and more than ones that I've heard, but there's probably two moments that stand out for me particularly, and I there's a young lady, karissa, that reminded me her name Sahar. Right, have we talked about Sahar, yet you guys?

Carissa Galloway: 45:43

We have not. No, I'm not going to tell the story that, because I don't feel like. I feel like I'm so close to it that I feel like almost strange telling it.

DJ CJ: 45:50

But you can tell it because we haven't told me and I and I'd love to write, so, let's, let's give you that one in a minute, right? But here's the second one, and this this actually just recently happened. This past season, we were at a triathlon out here in beautiful Claremont, right, lots of lots of people that train know about Claremont and I'm sure, lots of you listening. There's this amazing individual and I don't remember her name, but I do know that she's 87 years old and for a young person, right, like like John Karissa and I, you know, we see these these folks that are wiser in us and have more experience in life and they encounter these amazing challenges. Well, this lovely lady comes to me before the event even started and says, hey, I don't, I don't know when I'm going to finish, but I do know that when I finish, generally I'm completely forgotten about and the award ceremony is already taking place, just because I take a while, you know. And she says hey, you know, today's a, really it's a mile markers, right, or like a moment that she didn't want to just let pass by. I think it was like her 50th race or something like that right? So she really wanted to remember the moment. She says hey, if you get a chance, that'd be amazing if you could at least, you know, stick around so I can be a part of the award ceremony. I said, hey, sure, we'll be glad to do whatever we can, right? Well, this was one of those really long try try events and she had gone through all the parts and pieces of it at this point. We didn't start early, we started just later in the day, right, it was kind of like a mid morning, mid afternoon thing. Well, now the sun's gone down and she's completing her course I don't know where she's at.

DJ CJ: 47:36

We get to the awards. I'm trying, because you know, when you do age groups, you can try to go from either direction and get everybody going right. Well, I generally try to use those that are more experienced, right, a little older, to give them a chance to go on about their business how they usually prefer it. I think, well, I was mixing up the ages and I'm trying to hold out and she hadn't shown up yet. Carissa, john, my heart's breaking, right. I'm thinking man, well, we got to finish this up, I can't keep everyone here. Well, I get word that she's literally on the last leg. She's starting to make her way towards those last few steps. I turn around, she's there.

DJ CJ: 48:11

I pause the entire awards ceremony, which is taking place near the finish area. I'll tell you and this isn't because of me, this is literally because of all the people that were there I mentioned something about what she's celebrating and how this is a mile mark erase for her. The entire thing explodes and cheers and we get her to the finish line. You guys, I have not in many other moments felt more connected to a group of people, of strangers right, than in that amazing moment she finishes.

DJ CJ: 48:39

Of course, you know how those finish lines go, man, she's crying, we're crying, everybody's excited, right. And then, coincidentally, that was one of the age groups that I had left, so of course I bring her right into the age group awards. She hits the podium and the cheers continue. It was just such a beautiful moment that for me it's so memorable and helps me understand no matter a couple things right, no matter who you are, no matter what your age, you absolutely can do things that you're determined to try to accomplish. And then number two if we support one another, it means so much more when we reach those goals.

Carissa Galloway: 49:17

That's awesome, christian, that's beautiful. I mean it is beautiful and we always say that that's the happiest place on earth when we get to that finish line and when other people see that and recognize it because we're all in this together. It was a memorable moment for her and hopefully it was a memorable moment for those people as well, and it just reminds us to take time to see and I mean that not just visually, but to see other people, to really make them feel valued 100%, 100%.

DJ CJ: 49:39

And then, if I could, I'd go to the other moment with Sahar. She's a friend that Carissa made out there, the Run Disney family, and, as we normally do, the story goes it's early in the morning, they're out there doing the awesome show that we bring everyone and give the information and the sponsors and the cool videos to remind us of what's coming up. Well, they're getting to the interview part and it was Riley, if I recall correctly, that's interviewing Sahar, and she comes just to share and talk about whatever she's there for that day. Well, riley gets to.

DJ CJ: 50:17

He's got a way of getting to the people's heart, right. So he says hey, sahar, you shared a story with me about a time that was difficult for you out here. What is it that's going to keep you going and how does that work? Well, give the advice to these other runners. And so she starts to give advice, but she goes deeper than Riley, I think even intended people. She starts to tell us about a race she came to on her own and she's wearing her St Jude shirt. Is that right, karissa? Yep.

Carissa Galloway: 50:49

St Jude hero.

DJ CJ: 50:50

Absolutely, and thank God for the St Jude people and all they do. I think she guys appreciate you. She's out there with her St Jude shirt on. There wasn't really anyone else with her. She didn't come with the group necessarily. She was just running for that cause.

DJ CJ: 51:03

Well, there was a race, she said she came to and was ready to completely give it up. Like she hadn't even started the race, she had already been defeated in her mind and said I'm not going to do this, I'm just going to go walk around. I guess and since I already paid to be here, that's kind of how the story was going. Well, something she says that Karissa said that morning inspired her and the other announcers were just giving that upbeat message she said, ok, I'm going to do this race. Well, she does the race and she loves it. Fine, right. So I think we can all say, wow, what a great morning, thanks for the announcers, and we love that. We all get to be a part of that as announcers. Well, she starts to follow Karissa on social media, and if you guys don't yet, please do my goodness. She's always got interesting, fun, amazing things, john's on social media, I think, like me, maybe twice every month. Is that what we do, john? What's our regular right now?

John Pelkey: 51:56

That'd be a good month for me, frankly, and that would be a very good month if I'd twice.

DJ CJ: 52:00

Well, john and I are working on it. People but follow Karissa definitely on social media, but she's given some inspirational, phenomenal tips on what to do, how to train. Well, sahar is going through a really difficult time in her personal life. She shares a story with us, saying that she really was just kind of giving up, giving up on life, giving up on herself, giving up on even why is she working out that sort of thing? But as Karissa was just being herself which this is a tribute to all of you out there just be yourself.

DJ CJ: 52:31

Sometimes People say the things you're thinking. If they're positive, say them. Love the people around you. Just do that, because you never know whose life you're going to pour light into.

DJ CJ: 52:39

Well, karissa, unknowingly, was pouring all sorts of light into Sahar's life over the course of weeks at this point and, I think, months, if I'm not mistaken. So Sahar had gotten to a really dark space in her personal life. She shares that she just wasn't sure what was coming next and how she was going to be able to continue. Well, the words Karissa shared completely helped remotivate her and pull her out of this terrible space that she was in personally, to the point where now she's continued and she's run all these races. Well, imagine being in a lot this morning at 4 AM. We're doing the regular thing. Sahar goes way deeper than any of us are ready for, shares all of this with us. And now the entire lot is connected to Sahar, connected to the amazing moment and that, for me, was so memorable Karissa just being again, people, being herself, runs off the stage over to Sahar, and now we're on camera so everybody in the lot can see it.

DJ CJ: 53:39

They're hugging, we're crying I'm trying to get a video while crying. It was just amazing to understand what these two people were able to accomplish together in their connection. You guys, and again, unknowingly, just being yourself, just loving the people around you and I'm sure you all know Karissa and John are such genuine people all together, which is likely part of the birth of this podcast, just giving you a light that you could see further in, because that's who they are and that for me, you guys, was so transcending. And just help me understand why we do what we do repeatedly, and I continue, I'd say, regardless of whatever circumstance comes forward, I intend to be a part of what we're doing today in some way in the future, always.

John Pelkey: 54:26

Yeah, it really was a moment. She was very deep into a depression and some of the things Karissa put out there really really helped pull her out of that and it was, yeah, it was magical. And she, yeah, all the years doing this, that was one of the most memorable. So, all right now, as I try to come up with an upbeat ending after that, it was really really amazing.

Carissa Galloway: 54:52

Well, the upbeat ending is that she finished dopey. She completed it. She got that. Moment I finished, I walked across the line with her, asked her if that would be OK, so I finished with her. I've still been in contact with her. She's had some challenging times, fighting through cancer a little bit. So still send out those good vibes to Sahar. And then, if you're out there, just know that the Rundisnit community, we, john, christian, I, everybody here, when you come to a race, you are supported. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter who you love, no matter what you do, we are here to support your singular goal of getting towards that finish line. Whether it's fast, whether it's slow, maybe it's a day where you don't even make it to the finish line, but you made it out of your car Like. Those are the victories that we're here to support, right, john?

John Pelkey: 55:32

Absolutely, absolutely. Because I always say signing up is one thing, showing up is something completely different and whatever your experience is like, we're there to get you as far as you can go and to praise you for doing that. So send us some praise to my man, cj. Listen, brother, it's so great to see you. This is the dog days of summer. We don't generally not a lot of races out there, so we don't run into one another.

John Pelkey: 55:58

It's a little ugly in Central Florida to run right now. For any of you who aren't here, if people want to follow you and as well they should where can they follow you on social media? I know it's if Carissa has to help walk us all through of this. Where can they follow DJ CJ if they want to hang out with you online a bit?

DJ CJ: 56:20

Hey man, so I am DJ CJ De Leon, my last name like Pond De Leon. I think we're connected and related, but check it out DJ CJ De Leon on Instagram, and then our company, LRAVcom, where we do lots more, lots of awesome entertainment. I've got all sorts of fun happening here, you guys.

Carissa Galloway: 56:45

Check it out. Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Christian. Thank you for taking the time to be with us. We'll have our song requests and everything ready for you come November. We can't wait to see you there and folks will be able to see you, I'm sure, before that if they're here in Central Florida one of many track shack races as well.

DJ CJ: 57:02

Yeah, that'd be awesome. I can't thank you, too, enough for this awesome time. Thank you for letting me be a part of what you're doing. Listen people. If you're listening to John and Carissa, I guarantee your life is going to be better. That's all I can say. Ok, my life is better every single time I get a chance to encounter them, work with them, see them anywhere and even here on this podcast, where all we're doing is talking, but my day has already been improved thanks to them. So I appreciate you guys and thank you all for listening. Thanks for your time. Let me know what I can do for you if there's ever anything you need. Holla, thank you.

John Pelkey: 57:32

Thanks brother, good stuff All right athletes.

Carissa Galloway: 57:35

Here's the drill Time to shape up your diet. Carissa, give them the goods. All right, let's be honest, we all have to eat right.

John Pelkey: 57:42

We do.

Carissa Galloway: 57:42

What if you could make food you're already eating more nutritious or better for your body? Are you interested, John?

John Pelkey: 57:48

I am very interested.

Carissa Galloway: 57:50

And I think you actually do like some healthy food. You're not a terribly unhealthy eater all the time.

John Pelkey: 57:56

No, no, no. In fact, I like all foods. That's the one thing I have going for me is I really do. There's nothing that I don't like. There are certain preparations that I don't love, but I generally I am a foodie to the nth degree. I love food and I do try to eat healthily most of the time.

Carissa Galloway: 58:14

All right. So we're going to talk about three ways that foods maybe you're already eating. We're going to make them not necessarily better for your body, but they work better in our body, and some of that requires synergy. So first, next time you're having a green salad or a dish with legumes, you want to squeeze a little lemon on it. That's because pairing vitamin C, which the lemon has, with iron-rich foods like lentils or spinach or kale, aids the nutrient absorption in your body. A lot of us need more iron Non-heem iron, the kind not from animals like the spinach and the cantalentals is harder for your body to absorb. So adding in a little bit of healthy vitamin C whether it's tomatoes, whether it's a squeeze of citrus on your next salad is going to help increase the absorption. So, john, does that sound like something you can do?

John Pelkey: 59:00

Absolutely Big fan of lemon was the kid who would eat the lemons from my parents' iced tea when we go to restaurants when I was a kid. So I am a big fan of lemon and there's a lot of lemon in my diet already not just the ones that I put in a gin and tonic either actual food lemons.

Carissa Galloway: 59:15

All right. Next tip tell me if you do this, you chop or crush your garlic before cooking and then you leave it for 10 minutes. The reason why is it releases an enzyme called alanase, which helps ease inflammation and blocks free radicals that may harm cells or tissues.

John Pelkey: 59:31

I don't always do that. Sometimes it just works out in the preparing, pre-preparing for cooking. But now that I know I will definitely do it, because a lot of garlic in my diet as well.

Carissa Galloway: 59:43

If that's what I love about food, little things can make it a bit more beneficial. Garlic is already good for us, onion's the same kind of thing, but leaving it out just that 10 minutes. Think about that Last one. And we talk about coffee a lot on the podcast. Didn't talk about it yet today, so good thing that we're talking about it. Avoid your coffee and green tea with meals. Have it either one to two hours before or one to two hours after, because some of the tannins in both of those can block the absorption of the vitamins and minerals in your food. So I know that's not possible all the time, but just something to think about as you're planning out your day, knowing that, especially again those iron-rich foods, the tannins they're going to fight for absorption in your body and you're not going to get everything in.

John Pelkey: 1:00:24

That's really, really interesting. I did know about the post-meal thing with coffee, but I did not know that the pre-meal thing was the same. Now can I ask you a question? This is unscripted. I want to ask you a question because there are also tannins in red wine and it is the same thing. So in truth, you really should not drink your red wine with your meal.

Carissa Galloway: 1:00:49

If you're looking to get the maximum nutrient absorption, no, you're gonna block some of that. But if I'm having a good meal and I'm having red wine, then what I'm concerned about is having a good meal and red wine and not my mineral absorption. But that's what I always say with nutrition it's an understanding, it's an awareness and doing our best when we can.

John Pelkey: 1:01:04

Yeah, and people will. It's a good thing to know too, because there are heart healthy reasons to have a glass of red wine. I think we've all determined so if you're gonna do that daily, then unless it is something to pair with the meal you have, you should probably try to keep that outside of that window so that you get the most benefit out of your food.

Carissa Galloway: 1:01:25

And it also interferes with sleep. So maybe having it beforehand, a little more on the day drinker side Up for dinner, I could be better for you. But if you want more tips about how to maximize your nutrient absorption, the effects of alcohol or more join Healthier you, it's my 12-week nutrition course. We've just added it to the Jeff Galloway training hub, so when you get the 12-week course, which you have a year to access, you also have a year of the training hub and a year of monthly chats with me to ask your own personal questions. Go to gallowaycoursecom and use the code podcast to save $150.

Carissa Galloway: 1:01:58

Athletes listen up, it's mail call time. Announce a free present.

John Pelkey: 1:02:04

All right, sarge, let's do this. Our mailbag question today comes from Matthew Does-Diz, husband of Michael Does-Diz, who was on this podcast just a few weeks ago. Here's the question, and I love this question If one of you gets sick on a race weekend and a celebrity guest fills in, who is that celebrity, chris, before you answer, I think there are a couple of things we need to lay down here. Do you think this means it's a celebrity that we would get to meet, who is filling in for us? Or if we're sick, we don't get to meet them, so it's somebody who we think would be good at what we do, would be closely, would do it sort of the way that we would do it. It's a great question and an interesting one. So, given any of those caveats or use none of them, who would you have replaced you as a celebrity or on Disney racers?

Carissa Galloway: 1:03:04

It's really a hard question because of how do you approach it, like I think everyone's expecting me to just say Taylor Swift, which would be great and fun, but then I wouldn't be there. I was also inclined to say Lady Gaga, but I can't get one person out of my head and I guess it's just because I like them, and this has nothing to do with whether they would be a great race host. They're great at everything they do. I would like Tom Hanks to replace me for the day, and you'd be thrilled, wouldn't you?

John Pelkey: 1:03:29

Yeah, oh my gosh, are you kidding me, could?

Carissa Galloway: 1:03:31

you imagine.

John Pelkey: 1:03:32

I'm not saying I'd rather work with Tom Hanks than you. I'm not saying that.

Carissa Galloway: 1:03:37

I would love to see his take on it. How would he do it? Would he wear the glitter lipstick Like? What would he do?

John Pelkey: 1:03:44

Well, I think he'd be fabulous, I think it would be absolutely fabulous, but everyone and everyone dressed as Woody would want to get pictures with him, so that might actually hold up the proceedings a little bit. Now mine comes down to two people, and I think the first one will not surprise you at all and that would be John Stewart. I would want John Stewart because he would also, I think, imbibe it in that perfect sort of John Pelkey. Are we all sure we want to be here doing this sort of vibe? But in the end, I think would be inspirational and entertaining and I hope that in some way that I'm at least entertaining.

John Pelkey: 1:04:24

The other person would be, and it's simply because I'm obsessed with the show and also one of the photos that you sent me that you were going to be using on our social media. I sort of looked like him, which is not good because he's in his mid to late 70s. But I think I would love Brian Cox from Succession who plays Logan Roy, because I just absolutely am obsessed with the show and I'm obsessed with him and, man, he would get it done. It would get done. It may have to bleep the large percentage of the show, a large percentage of the show, but that would be mine, so some sort of hybrid John Stewart Brian Cox character. But if I had to pick one, I'd go with John Stewart. So the show is now John Stewart and Tom Anks, in which case you and I never work again. No, because they would be so amazing.

Carissa Galloway: 1:05:20

And I feel kind of I should have picked a woman, but I just couldn't get Tom Anks out of my head Like everything he does is amazing.

John Pelkey: 1:05:25

So just like standing there, being all Tom Hanksy, I think I don't know, and Anne Hathaway was also a choice if we were going Hollywood for me, charlize Theron, not going there, because you bear a certainly a great resemblance to her, so she might be, though her vibe is a little more me.

Carissa Galloway: 1:05:43

We don't. I mean, do we know the real Charlize? Maybe we would find out.

John Pelkey: 1:05:47

I have a friend who worked on Monster. I'll check that out. I have a lot of friends who've worked with Tom Hanks. When he co-produced from the earth to the moon here a number of years ago the mini series, a lot of actors from Orlando worked with him. He gets nothing but high marks. He's generally considered one of the nicest people in the business. So great question.

Carissa Galloway: 1:06:05

Matthew, Tom John, come on out. You're invited anytime. We'll pretend to be sick and then we'll still be there.

John Pelkey: 1:06:11

So that's true, that's true?

Carissa Galloway: 1:06:13

Well, this is an amazing show. It was great to talk to Christian, get to know him a little more, and man, he's positive, isn't he?

John Pelkey: 1:06:19

He really, really is. He's just one of those guys. He's Ted Lasso-like. He just brings a lot of positivity to a weekend. He's great. One of the things that I wanted to say to him, and obviously I would say or will say the next time that I see him, is that he is also great at following what's happening and keeping the music in that vein, if that makes any sense. He's not just playing one techno song after another. He follows the conversation, he follows the things that are being discussed and he's just a great member of the team and it wouldn't be the same without him in the pre-show. A lot, definitely.

Carissa Galloway: 1:06:58

No, I mean, and we probably it doesn't get to happen anymore, but we would sometimes get him on the start line with us and the energy he brings. He just knows, like you're just saying, when to chime in we see somebody in a costume. I can think about Shinee from Moana. He's already playing it, he's already gone there and that makes the experience better. He makes the experience single-handedly better himself, Like you and I are doing a job. We have a bit, but Christian makes the run Disney experience better and we are excited to have him as part of the team.

John Pelkey: 1:07:25

Absolutely.

Carissa Galloway: 1:07:27

All right. Well, thank you guys for listening. Keep running, keep moving, subscribe, share and we'll see you next time Bye-bye.

John Pelkey: 1:07:36

Three, two, one go.