The only – if not the biggest – downside to fame is that millions of strangers dissect everything about you in the most public way (thanks, social media). While it can be hard to shed a tear for the rich and famous, the constant judgment can affect anyone’s sanity. But Bachelorette Runner-up Tyler Cameron has found a way to block out all the negativity: running.
“Running is a release from all of that,” Cameron tells me on Zoom. “That’s why the race was so important to me. it was a way to get away from it all, clear my head and just focus on the next mile.
A sportsman by nature, he only started running two years ago. The reality TV star quickly transcended Bachelor Nation fame and entered the pop culture zeitgeist with a high-profile relationship with model Gigi Hadid, a strong social media presence (n’ never forget the Quarantine Crew) and the writing of his first memoirs. You deserve better. Dealing with that amount of attention as well as the emotional toll of a pandemic and the loss of his mother, the race became his healthy outlet after being thrown into the public eye.
“I’ve been put in a lot of uncomfortable situations since then; lots of growth [and] learned situations, and I’m grateful for each of them,” Cameron says. “Even the things that I was really depressed and upset about that. I look back at each of those things now and I’m like, ‘I’m very blessed and grateful that it happened like this or like that because it made me stronger [and] better today. So whatever you’re going through now, you’re gonna look back in five years [and be] like thank god i got through it that way.
So when beauty and personal care brand Degree was looking for someone to help put together its special team of runners, the Not Done Yet Marathon team, for the 2022 San Francisco Marathon, Cameron was a natural choice. As Team Not Done Yet coach, Cameron will help three amazing people get their second chance at finishing a marathon.
“I am delighted to encourage them; be part of their team,” Cameron says. “Their stories moved me.”
The three runners are Sagirah Ahmed Norris, a Chicago native who battles multiple sclerosis (MS), New Yorker Michael Zampella, who suffers from a degenerative eye disease, and Ashley Zirkle, a Florida native who is a donor. you’re welcome. Each has faced complications in their previous marathons that prevented them from making it to the finish line. With this second chance and Cameron’s help, they are more motivated than ever to complete the 26.2-mile race on July 24.
“When I was talking to them, I was like, ‘I have no excuse. What these people have been through and what they are doing, I have no excuse,” Cameron said.
In addition to this initiative, Degree is also donating $50,000 to the nonprofit Achilles International, an organization that provides sports programs and social connections for people with disabilities, to help up to 100 athletes start in marathon training.
Cameron’s role as coach of Norris, Zampella and Zirkle involves regular check-ins and calls, with Cameron giving them advice on how to prepare for the big day. There’s the typical nutritional and physical training advice he gives while pointing out ways to conserve energy. (He says he got too excited during his first marathon in Chicago and ran almost too quick).
He personally enjoys running in a group, but if you’re a solo runner, he says he currently listens to Lil Baby’s “Grace” with 42 Dugg or Eric Thomas’ (aka ET, The Hip Hop Preacher) podcast when he runs alone. . He also advises finding a partner to hold you accountable during training, as consistency is key.
But the biggest piece of advice he gives them — or anyone really looking to get into running — is about the mental aspect of running: you have to have a reason to do it.
“What is your why? What is your motivation ? When I run now, it’s ‘Come on, make mom proud, make mom proud, go on, go on, go on.’ That’s why I run,” Cameron said. “I just tell them to lean on that when you get to those tough miles because that’s what will get you through this. When your body breaks down, you can take a minute; take a break. Do what you have to do, pull yourself together and let’s continue.
