Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly embrace movement as a lifestyle, not just an obligation? 

In this episode of BariNation, April speaks with longtime bariatric friend, Casey Kilduff, whose journey as a runner is nothing short of inspiring. Casey opens up about the determination it took to run after bariatric surgery, how she had to adapt her training and nutrition to fit her new body, and why movement—no matter what form it takes—is deeply personal. They talk about consistency, finding joy in the process, and ditching the judgment that often comes with fitness. Whether you are just starting your movement journey or looking for motivation to keep going, Casey’s story proves that small steps lead to incredible transformations. Tune in for an inspiring story of determination in a no-judgment zone, and check out the BariNation Community to discover the resources we provide.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Opening and BariNation community
• (01:13) April introduces Casey, and they talk about their long-lasting friendship
• (03:34) Casey discusses training for a marathon after bariatric surgery
• (13:36) Consistency and taking baby steps toward your bariatric fitness goals
• (17:24) Using a chalkboard to track and motivate and finding the movement right for you
• (25:11) Tweaking movement for the bariatric lifestyle and removing the judgment
• (37:23) Casey creates her life around running and talks about listening to a positive voice
• (43:13) Visit BariNation to join a community of resources that will empower your wellness journey 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• ​Transitioning from an active lifestyle before surgery to becoming a dedicated long-distance runner illustrates how movement is a deeply personal and evolving journey. Beginning with small steps—walking and participating in fun runs—and gradually progressing to half marathons and eventually a full marathon demonstrates that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to fitness; it's about discovering what brings joy and motivation. 
• Movement should be a sustainable and enjoyable part of life rather than something dictated by rigid expectations. Fitness, particularly in the bariatric community, should not be defined by pace, performance, or external benchmarks but by personal growth, participation, and joy.
• Casey discusses the unique challenges bariatric patients face when training and fueling their bodies compared to non-bariatric athletes. She underscores the value of working with professionals who understand these needs and adjusting expectations to fit one's body and abilities.

RESOURCES:

• BariNation Website 
• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment. https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community
• Want to see bonus content? Head over to https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast to get more and support the podcast for as low as $5 per month!    

GUEST RESOURCES:

Casey Kilduff - Instagram

BIOGRAPHY: I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery in March of 2021 and lost half my body weight. In December of 2023 I had revisional surgery to Roux n Y RNY due to severe GERD and a hiatal hernia. Movement has been my biggest growth point post op. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my sweet old lady rescue dog, Olive.

ABOUT:

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Jason Smith: [00:00:00] Hi. Welcome to BariNation, where we support the bariatric community with humor, humility, and honesty.

Natalie Tierney: Our goal is you leave us today feeling hopeful, inspired, and ready to live your best bariatric life.

This member exclusive course will help you rebuild your trust with your body, break free from food guilt, and find true food freedom [00:01:00] on your terms. Spots are limited and only open to Berry Nation members for an investment of $40. Head to Berry Nation dotn.co to join or click the link in these show notes to learn more.

We've been, we've been friends a long time now. We, we kayaked together. Like years ago, you were the first, if not one of the first members of the, of our BariNation community, and you have been extremely involved even when maybe publicly you didn't. [00:01:45] Share as much as what you do now. You have always been on the ground with us as we've been building this amazing, uh, bariatric community.

So before we kinda get into the meat of our conversation, will you introduce yourself for those that don't know you? Sure.

I had a revision on December 12th of. 2023. Gosh, I can't believe it's been that long, uh, because I was experiencing, uh, hiatal hernia and some extreme acid reflux. And so, um, my [00:02:30] medical providers all felt like revision would get me to a place that would make me more comfortable. And so I had gastric bypass and yeah, been a member of variation since the very beginning.

So it's exciting to be here.

All these discussions, and now we are in completely different movement places and we know movement is one of our pillars in Bury Nation. It's movement, mindset, [00:03:15] metabolic wellness, and community. And there's no, there's no ca, no caveat here. There's no time amount, there's no type of movement that is the right kind.

Casey Kilduff: know, I was thinking back to early post-op days. I'm trying to remember, well let's be real. I was looking through my phone at pictures 'cause I take pictures of everything.

On the other hand, I definitely saw I see a difference in my pre-op life versus my post-op life. [00:04:15] But I thought back and I think I got back into strength training about four months, four to six months after VSG, and I just. Started lifting weights and getting back into movement just to see kinda where my body [00:04:30] was postoperatively.

Um, which is small group personal training style. So it was very hands-on with a trainer and just really worked with what my body [00:05:00] could do, and I saw some gains. I don't remember what sparked it though. I just, I think about a year later, I ended up at a Turkey trot, uh, you know, a little, uh, a Thanksgiving day.

I have no desire to try and win awards by any means. [00:05:45] I like my participation medal and I will take it. Um. But, you know, I ended up at this Turkey trot back in 2022 and was like, oh, this actually feels kind of good. Maybe this is what I wanna do for here and there. And so, you know, it was, I [00:06:00] was signing up for these, um, holiday based five Ks.

There's, there used to be lots of clubs, there's a couple now, and I'm a part of one and a couple of Turkey trots and St. Patty's day dashes turned into in 2023. I ended up running 23 races. And then in [00:06:45] 2024, my, I said, well, gosh, I'm running these five and 10 k. I hear about half marathons. I don't know.

And I [00:07:15] don't pressure myself to. Be the first one across the finish line. I don't pressure myself to set a pace and follow a pace. I have this shirt on that says, you know, forward is a pace. And that is something that I [00:07:30] have really embraced through running, is I get to go out there. I am fortunate enough that I can put on a pair of running shoes and I can move my body.

Walk if I want to, I can stop. Nobody's forcing you to be there. You know, one of my favorite run signs, like from a race supporter was like, you know, nobody's [00:08:15] making you do this. Right? And it's so true. Nobody is forcing me to drag my butt out of bed at six o'clock in the morning every Saturday morning to run five to 20 miles, you know?

There's this magic that happens when you commit to something because you love it and [00:09:00] because it makes you feel good. You know there. It's different when you build a habit and you're like, I have to brush my teeth every day. Now mind you, that's a habit I've had for a long time. I. But do I really enjoy brushing my teeth?

But when I get out there and I. Put my headphones in and I start listening to music that makes me feel excited and I [00:09:45] just go and see what happens. I don't know. There's this switch that turns on for me where like I'm present in my body and I feel strong and capable and like I've just found something that [00:10:00] fits.

But yet I've embraced this. I'm a runner [00:10:30] personality, and you know, when you've done that, it's, you make decisions based on, well, what would a runner do? I'm, I'm going to a bariatric meetup in a couple of weeks and it's out of state and [00:10:45] I signed up for a half marathon the morning of the event. Because that's who I am.

If you told me five years ago that this would be who I am, I would've smacked you or laughed at you or said, yeah, like I would bet a million dollars that that will [00:11:30] never be me. Not because I was never active, but I just never saw myself as a distance runner, you know? And now I'm like, I guess I'm there, you know?

And it's fascinating how you got there because I think some people are gonna be listening and watching this, and they're not going to quite understand how you got there because they haven't tapped in, they haven't found the thing that [00:12:15] brings them the same level of joy that running brings you.

Casey Kilduff: Yeah. And you know, I think about that because I didn't always love it.

Last [00:12:45] year, not my current fastest time, because that was last a couple weeks ago. Mm-hmm. Um, but we would run, um, in my neighborhood sometimes and I'd pass my house and I'd look at it and go, I mean, nobody's gonna know if I just jumped ship. Right. You know? [00:13:00] Like, I, but I didn't. And I think that, I think that, how do you get to that point of feeling?

April Williams: milestones. Right? You start and you started by walking, right? Like you, the first step in running is I'm gonna sign up for this 5K and I'm just gonna walk [00:13:30] it.

And there was something in your brain though that was like, I wonder if I just like jogged this for a little bit. That was really where it started.

I mean, it was like mile marker type stuff, but like 500 feet, you know, it's, but I think for me, like I. I didn't love it at first. I just was [00:14:00] kind of interested in it and thought, could I love this? And I think it was that repetition and then trying and seeing and seeing the challenge of it, but also like finding in it.

Might as well go see if I can run that thing. And, and I think it was just [00:14:30] the repetitive trying and trying and seeing what was gonna happen and not judging myself through the journey of like. Okay, well, so what if you can't run? I mean, I remember running around the lake downtown and thinking, [00:14:45] I wanna see if I can run around the whole lake.

And I, I think I just. Told myself, you know, if it's not for me, if you don't get to a point where this is enjoyable, don't do it. Like, I don't know, how many times have you joined different gyms or [00:15:15] weight loss programs, or nutrition plans or fad, anything challenge. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. We're gonna do a squat challenge this month and you get like a weekend and you're kind of like, I don't really like to do squats.

And it's. And I don't feel like if I stopped doing it [00:16:15] today that my life would crumble.

I love every month when you show your calendar right on, like on Instagram, and I know, and you share it in variation too. You've got like a, a big chalkboard and it's the calendar and you write on the calendar how you moved your body that day. [00:16:45] And some days I don't. Very few days. It's nothing. Nothing. But there's stretching, there's yoga, there's lifting, there's running, there's like all these other, you know, aerial yoga.

Yeah. That is a part of it, but it's not the only part of your identity that is making you this holistic person.

And that was okay. The walk went on the calendar. Mm-hmm. And the day before that, I went for a run and [00:17:45] then I went to yoga. And it's like that was on there too. And I think not setting myself up for this is the way I have to do something and just opening it up to, let's see what I feel like [00:18:00] doing it today.

Doing today. You know, it's. What's within my wheelhouse today? And with that added piece of, I am someone that values movement, and I will get movement of some sort today.

We commit to something and then. Yeah. And then because it's not perfect, we, we stop doing it. Or like what you [00:18:30] said, we commit to something, we realize we don't like it, and then we feel guilty that we've committed to it. So we stick with it even though we don't, don't love it, but we know deep and down this wasn't really the, the thing for us.

Casey Kilduff: You know, it's funny, I, I started, uh, working with a therapist a couple years ago who [00:19:15] really encouraged me to find that voice, who is that authentic voice inside of me that tells me this feels right, and I didn't know who that was. Before then I [00:19:30] would question my intention. I would question why I was doing something.

And it, it takes some time to get there because we don't wanna trust ourselves. Mm-hmm. We don't wanna believe [00:20:00] that We know inherently what our answers are to things. And for me it was, I'm gonna experiment. I'm gonna try something and I'm gonna see how it feels and I'm gonna just listen. And for me, [00:20:15] it feels like.

And so. I think it's just this trusting that, like I don't feel, I mean, when the alarm [00:21:00] goes off in the morning or when I'm on the road and it's pouring rain or snowing or hailing, and I'm looking out the window going, why am I doing this? Like I have those moments of like, is this the right thing? But I think when it comes down to [00:21:15] actually doing the activity.

It's a gruel sport to be a part of, but. You know, when I listen to the cadence of my breath and I feel my feet hitting the pavement and I just am [00:22:00] mobile, I don't know it. There's just something that clicks, and so I think that I would encourage people to try. 'cause you have to try things. You have to try them to know, yeah, I, you know, I'm doing this [00:22:15] Trape yoga class.

And I just kept going back saying, I don't know. I'm either gonna find my groove or I'm not. And that's okay. And that's like that piece of like taking out the judgment and taking out the [00:22:45] expectation was. Huge for me when with, with running it's, people are like, well, what's your race pace? I'm like, I don't know.

And then you just kind of pick yourself back up and dust yourself off and say, all right, well either we're done with this or we just keep going. You know, we try again another time. I don't know, I think that's like a treat that we get out of like hobbies [00:23:30] or. Things that we find as a temporary lifestyle change.

'cause you know, I do go out there wanting to finish and I wanna, I don't [00:24:00] wanna be yanked off the course by the people that sweep you. Yeah. But like that's a pretty low bar as far as like as long as I finish and I'm not pulled off the course, hey, then it's a good day. And then those do happen. You could have happened at Disney.

April Williams: I could not agree with you more. I, myself, [00:24:30] others. Hold ourselves back in this arena because we feel like we have to do this, we have to meet these certain things, and if we don't do them perfectly, then we have to stop doing them. And that pressure builds and builds and builds, and then we blow a, a gasket and we [00:24:45] walk away from something that we could actually really, truly enjoy.

Casey Kilduff: Yeah.

Yeah.

April Williams: They have different hydration schedules.

Casey Kilduff: more. Right. And you know, I. I saw that challenge, uh, especially being a part of this run club that does the training where, you know, they're giving you recommendations of how to move your body, how often to move your body, as well as how, what to eat and [00:25:45] how to fuel.

And I mean even down to like, I can't eat a heavy, fat, heavy [00:26:15] like carb. Meal the night before and not worry that it's not, it's gonna not, or that it's gonna digest properly. You know, like our body's just differently. So, you know, there's been a lot of accommodation that I've had to make for what [00:26:30] my life is as a bariatric patient and how that applies to being a runner.

And it's, yeah, I think that's like a huge part of it though, is like we can find our niche [00:27:00] communities in Berry Nation or in Instagram and. And it can revolve around the way that we eat or the way that we move. And it's like, yeah, I don't know. There's just so many layers to it that have just really become a huge part of my life.[00:27:15]

Yeah. And all they are focused on is pace, time. What am I gonna finish? Right. It, it's a very [00:27:45] different, they have a very different approach to it, and every time I talk to you, it's like, oh yeah, no, I ran a great race. Either you prd or you didn't. You're like, I finished, look at this cool medal. Like I wore these fun shoes.

Casey Kilduff: Yeah. And I think I face a lot of, uh, pushback with that perspective too. I. When I've shown up on the [00:28:15] first day of run club for the year, they're like, what's your goal this year?

When I saw that I was finishing my race a couple weeks ago under the, the fastest time I'd had before, it was exciting. Yeah. It was so [00:28:45] cool to be like, holy, I'm, there's progress. Like that's, I mean, that's an aspect of athleticism, but I don't. I don't define myself by that. You know, like if my race, I'm running a race this weekend, if my race this [00:29:00] weekend is slower than it was two weeks ago, then it's slower than it was two weeks ago.

Yeah, it's removing the judgment piece and removing the expectation. Like, I [00:29:30] don't know, the rigidity of the expectation, you know, the, I have to complete in this time, and if I don't, or if I walk, or if I can't, or, you know, it's like you can hope for the best and you can hope that. That you want or you can try to achieve [00:29:45] certain things.

April Williams: Yeah. Well, it seems like this approach is just much more approachable and the thing that I just keep thinking in the back of my brain is I, I wonder if, if part of your, I.

Casey Kilduff: Mm-hmm.

Yeah. So to have that background that, that we have as, as obese patient patients, as [00:30:45] bariatric patients, right. To, to know that life, to know not only what life. Looks like, but feels like in a bigger body. Maybe it helps us just kind of say like, you know what? I'm good with all of that. I'm just [00:31:00] thrilled to be in this spot, in this size, at this level of fitness.

I'm just thankful that I can walk now and not lose my breath, so whatever I can do today is a win.

And if I could only be on the field for 10 or 15 minutes and they had to sub me because I was winded or. You know, just couldn't tolerate it, then they, we could, you know, that's the thing is like, you find what works for what you've got going on. [00:31:45] Mm-hmm. And now I'm in this smaller body. I, I don't think you need a small body to run by any means, but it's a different feeling.

It's just enough to be out there and doing it. And I think that's just really a lucky place to be in a. A privileged place to be [00:32:30] in because I just can, and I just, I love it. I'm like, Hey, it, it, it feels good right now.

April Williams: And you are working really hard at that. It, it is something that you are choicing into every day.

Casey Kilduff: of work. Yeah. And it's not [00:33:00] perfect. I have those moments.

And I was like, yes, I'm done. And they pointed at me and they're like, half marathons go [00:33:30] that way. And I was like, wait, what? And it was a double loop. And I went and I knew that, I knew that when I signed up I had read the map course. Like I, it wasn't like it was a big surprise, but when you're in the like flow of things and like you're doing, [00:33:45] I don't know, your part of your brain turns off your logic brain or something.

And I had neither so. You know, so it's not like it's easy every time I go, it's hard. It's a struggle and I just keep pushing because I'm like, yeah, but why not? [00:34:30] Not what's the worst that could happen? It's what the, what's the best that could happen and the best that could happen is something I don't even know, you know, like feeding my best time by 15 minutes blindly.

I'll meet up with you on a Saturday night, Saturday night, or a Sunday night. Like I'm [00:35:15] making choices that are aligned with what is most important to me right now and. I mean, you know, in the grand scheme, like for movement, right? Most important right now for movement is marathon training, running and [00:35:30] racing.

And, and, but also like a [00:36:00] runner's gonna go on a vacation and run a race while she's there. You know, it's like, it's twofold. It's like they're the, like the non-negotiables.

April Williams: Yeah.

Running a race, I'm going to Croatia in a month, running a race and some other stuff. Like I try to look at it from that, like, yeah, you gotta get up in the morning and go run and it's gonna be [00:36:30] uncomfortable at times. And guess what? You're also gonna do all these other cool things and see all these places and meet these new friends.

Inspiring me right [00:37:00] now that is, you know, fueling me. That brings me a lot of joy. That brings me happiness, that fuels my fire that I'm drawn to do.

Casey Kilduff: Yeah, you

Casey Kilduff: And I think that's why I. Do feel the way I do about running is [00:37:30] because I am listening to what works for me. I am creating a life around this, and I'm just trusting that it's where I'm supposed to be, you

April Williams: know?

Casey Kilduff: Yeah. Not forcing it.

Just like what you talked about before. Yeah. Um, but I understand what you say when you get really quiet. And you just listen. To what is bubbling up on the [00:38:00] inside, it's there. You just have ignored it or you have pushed it down, or you have just purposely decided to not, you know, tune into that. But it's there.

Casey Kilduff: Yeah. And you know you're going to hear the negativity too.

Those are the voices that are maybe trying to protect you from change, from struggle, from pain. But they're not always [00:39:15] right. Like you have to find that place where. You know, you just kind of see the water calm and, and just settling and, and you like, you just know, and it's, I don't know. I, I didn't think I'd get to the point where I would [00:39:30] hear that voice inside of me.

And, uh, my bariatric journey is by no means [00:40:00] perfect. I. I Food is hard at times. Meds are hard at times. Your vitamins, you know, I don't always get my water intake properly, but man, I've got the movement dialed in. So like, I'll take it. Right? [00:40:15] I'll take it. I'm, I always move. That's a,

April Williams: I

Casey Kilduff: always move.

April Williams: Yeah. And perfection is a misnomer.

It helps us [00:40:45] battle the disease. And I, I really appreciate what you're just talking about. You know, it's tapping into that and it's. Tapping into to you and, and to what you enjoy and to what your body is calling for and to what feels good and what feels right. Letting go of that judgment and [00:41:00] that shame, choosing the voice that you're gonna listen to, acknowledging that this is not going to be pain-free and, and I think acknowledging that pain is just a part of life pain.

Casey Kilduff: it's sometimes needed and necessary. Well, and it's in those struggles where we grow so much. Yeah. You know, you, you, you can cruise along doing the [00:41:45] same thing that you've always done, or you can push the edge and find the stress point and say, I'm gonna push through this and see what's on the other side of it.

Yeah, I get it.

So I appreciate you being willing to, to share that story with us. Uh, if somebody's watching and listening to this podcast and they [00:42:45] want to connect with you, they wanna follow you. Sure. Where can you do so,

Casey Kilduff: yeah. I'm on Instagram, Casey's Journey to Health, and I'm a very nation follower, so you can find me there.

Yes. If you can't find me directly, find me through Very Nation

Casey Kilduff: Show up at a race somewhere. I might be standing around. Right?

April Williams: There you go. There you go. Awesome my friend. Truly. Thank you. This has been amazing. Appreciate you.

Casey Kilduff: Thanks for having me.

I know you are inspired listening to Casey's movement story. I also know it can be one of the hardest pillars to implement after bariatric surgery. If you need a little dose of movement, motivation, or inspiration, you can find it in the Bar Nation membership community. [00:43:30] There you can connect with movement minded peers just like Casey, and tap into on-demand movement resources when and where they are right for you.

That wraps up another empowering episode of the BariNation Podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, keep the conversation going by joining the BariNation [00:44:00] Membership community where you can attend live support events, access on-demand resources, and find a caring community.

Natalie Tierney: Join us@barination.mn.co.

Jason Smith: And just remember at the end of the day, you've got this. We've got you. And we'll see you next time. Bye [00:44:30] everybody.