Marie Dunn teaches ‘marathon-life’ lessons in new book

Social worker and author, Marie Dunn, describes herself as deeply influenced by motivational speaker and ultra marathon runner David Goggins, a retired United States Navy SEAL, and a New York Times bestselling author who was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Dunn, who embodies resilience, grit, and an unrelenting drive for personal growth, has run an ultra marathon; she is intimate with the pain and the hard-won lessons that marathon-running can teach; and she is a fighter. She survived a near-death experience in 1996 and a violent physical attack at the hands of a client and continues to chase her dreams.

“David Goggins is my idol. I listen to his podcasts, I have read his book, Can’t Hurt Me, I watch his videos. I love his ‘creating a callous mindset’ philosophy because pain for me is a motivation, I don’t see it as crippling, the more I feel pain, the harder I go,” she said.

As an ultra-marathon runner, Dunn knows that most participants experience some level of discomfort. Once, she completed a marathon despite excruciating pain as a result of blisters on her toes. Dunn said her friends and family members are befuddled at her willingness to push her body to such limits.

“This mentality is something I have learned and developed ... if I block my mind from the pain, that is a psychological game, and that’s been working. My family thinks I am crazy, my brother is like ‘I am over you’,” she recalled, laughing.

She details some of her marathon-life philosophies in her latest book, Don’t Wait, a memoir that explores what it means to overcome. But this book is more than just a story about marathons.

“This isn’t just about running shoes and finish lines ... It’s about finding your voice, trusting your steps, and daring to start even when you’re unsure. It’s about reclaiming your own story,” Dunn said passionately.

The book itself is framed by the author’s journey training for and completing both the 2023 New York City marathon and the Philadelphia equivalent a year later. The St Ann-born Dunn’s participation in both events was especially impressive given her ongoing struggle with chronic shoulder and neck pain, as well as a persistent ankle sprain.

With a graduate degree from Fordham University, Dunn has skilfully combined clinical expertise with a deep passion for serving others. Her work is driven by a clear mission: to create positive, lasting change.

Don’t Wait is her fifth book.