Customer Spotlight: Liz Briones
We recently caught up with PR customer Liz. She is such an inspiration! She started running when she was just 11 years old and ended up running collegiately at NC State. After college, Liz battled some medical issues that caused her to gain weight. Since 2019, she has lost over 300 pounds! In addition to running, you can find her spinning on her Peloton bike. She's about to reach her 2,500th ride! Outside of running and cycling, Liz has been a teacher for the past 19 years and is a mom to two sons. Read on to learn more about Liz!
I know you are currently injured, but tell us about how you got started running and all about your running/fitness journey.
I initially started running with a private coach at the age of 11 because my older sister, Victoria Jackson, was a very talented runner and they coached her which meant I got to come along. I fell in love with running at that time even though at first it wasn’t easy.
You mentioned that you are into biking? Tell us how you got started biking and what you love about biking!
I first got into cycling in 2019 when I started Spin Classes at a local gym. They cancelled their early morning classes which was the only time I could ride. I really loved doing those spin classes even though I have only had done them a few times. I knew I wanted to keep cycling but needed to ride during off hours so I invested in a Peloton. Now I'm about to reach my 2500th Peloton ride! I ride every morning around 3am which helps me start my day and has become part of my regular routine. The Peloton instructors and the whole Peloton community pushes and motivates me. I am on an endurance team called the Unbreakable Links who talk daily and ride together. They have each other's backs and support each other through everything and I am so thankful for them.
You also mentioned that you have lost a lot of weight. If you are comfortable sharing, do you mind talking about your weight-loss journey?
I have lost over 300 pounds since 2019 and it has been quite the journey! I was a collegiate cross country and track athlete while at NC State. Post college I had several medical issues resulting in a very large weight gain. Enough was enough and I missed running and exercising so much. I couldn’t fit into booths at restaurants anymore and wasn’t able to play with my toddler son which wasn’t fair to him. So I decided to start my journey to get my life back and reached out to Dr. JR Salameh who later performed weight loss surgery on me. Weight loss surgery is no joke. It is anything but a simple answer. It takes hard work and is only a tool but when used correctly can change lives… even save lives like it did mine! With a change in diet and mentality, I was able to start riding the Peloton and walking more and more. Gradually I added in longer distances. Then I started running again in which I started with the Couch to 5K program and eventually raced 3 half marathons last year. My main goal is to run a marathon and although I’ve recently had some setbacks, it is still my main goal and I am still determined to make it happen one day!
What inspires you?
My boys, Jackson (9) and Bentley (4), are my biggest inspiration. Even my Peloton Leaderboard name is thanks to them and their motivation - #RunMamaRun22. The reason I went with the Peloton Leaderboard name of #RunMamaRun22 is because that’s what my oldest son would yell during my races and rides to cheer me on. “Run Mama Run” melts my heart and means so much to me. I try to lead by example and the way I was living before is not the life I wanted for them. Now they see a confident, healthy, goal setting mother who works so hard. They are my biggest fans and are at every race cheering me on and supporting me. Both boys were preemies and are the strongest people I know. They inspire me to be the best person I can be.
What is your favorite piece of running gear?
My favorite piece of running gear is my NC State Track Jacket. I worked so hard to get to that point and became a Division 1 Student Athlete at the age of 16 after graduating high school as a Junior. That jacket means the world to me and fits again so I rock it with pride!
If you could go on a run with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
First and foremost, I would run with my older sister Victoria Jackson. She lives in Arizona so I don’t see her often but she runs everyday. She is the reason I started running in the first place and was a NCAA Champion in the 10,000 meters for Arizona State University and later on ran for Nike. She is a true inspiration to me.
The other person I’d run with is my local training partner Ashley Burris. I currently can’t run because I am recovering from meniscus root repair surgery that I had in the fall, but before that my highlight of the week was always my long runs with my training partner Ashley. She has known me since the beginning of my weight loss journey and has always cheered me on and pushed me to be my best. She is so inspiring and I miss our long runs together but cannot wait to do them again one day!
Outside of running and biking, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
I am very passionate about fundraising. There are 3 foundations I work closely with. They are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, March of Dimes, and ZERO Prostate Cancer. I’m celebrating my 40th Birthday this year by hosting a huge fundraising raffle and party at Clare and Don’s in the City of Falls Church to raise money for ZERO Prostate Cancer which is a cause near and dear to my heart as it hits close to home.
I also love spending time with my family, friends, and love being a teacher which I have now done for 19 years.
Tell us about your future goals!
My main goal is to become a Marathoner. I was so close this past fall until I tore my meniscus. It will happen one day however. Another goal of mine is to ride 250 miles in 1 day for charity on my Peloton. I have done a 200 mile consecutive ride in 2024 on the Peloton in an event called Pelofondo so I know I can do it!
What advice do you have for people who are currently struggling with injuries and unable to run?
Stick to your passions and joys in life or venture out to find additional ones! I was crushed when I had to have surgery weeks before what would have been my first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon this past fall), so I decided to be part of the marathon in a different way. I made hundreds of bracelets that said “Marine Corps Marathoner” and handed them out to runners during the race. I was in a wheelchair at the time and made huge posters and runners were coming up to me and taking them left and right and even stopping to take pictures with me. I wrote about it in the Marine Corps Marathon Facebook group prior to the race, so many people knew I was going to be doing this and sought me out. People sent me celebratory pictures of them with their bracelets after the race with their medals or wearing them while holding a celebratory beer. People sent me letters about how my story and the bracelets got them through the race. It meant the world to me. The running community is like none other and I love being part of it!
Also - remember - you can handle anything thrown at you. You have made it through even your hardest days and we are all stronger because of our past challenges. This is only a hump in the road, not the end of your story so keep going and you will get through this!
Anything else you want us to know?
I just want everyone to know that you can do anything you put your mind to. Just breathe, persevere, and believe in yourself. My word for 2025 is “resilience”. I thought this was the perfect word to motivate me for the year because it is the year of my comeback after some real tough times. It motivates me to keep going, power through and have hope. Hope is a strong thing that can be the extra push one needs so I try to stay hopeful and always think positive, even at the hardest times.