Meet Amy, Khalya, Margot, and Zoe! These former Girls on the Run participants have chosen to give back and coach the program that once inspired them. Learn more about each woman’s experience, why they returned to coach, and how our program helped shape the compassionate people they are today.
Full-circle moments have a special kind of power. They connect our past and present and meet in a way that feels both nostalgic and groundbreaking. Returning to a place that once impacted us often presents clarity that taps into a greater sense of purpose. For Amy, Khayla, Margot, and Zoe, Girls on the Run represents that experience.
As girls, they crossed the GOTR finish line and later, as adults, came back to coach teams of their own.
Amy, a Nursing Assistant at Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Khayla, a SLHS Student Researcher at Purdue University; Margot, a Leadership and Development Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania; and Zoe, an Impact Coordinator at Girls on the Run Chicago, realized that the lessons, skills, and relationships that inspired them as youth were destined to impact more than just their lives.
They returned to where their journey began and committed to unlocking courage, connection, and confidence in local girls like the caring coaches who once motivated them. By stepping back into GOTR as coaches, they’ve become part of a positive ripple effect of building strong, compassionate women in communities from coast to coast.
Discover how these four incredible GOTR alumni and the power of the GOTR program!
Making the Choice to Give Back and Support the Next Generation
Amy (Coach at Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey): “After graduating from Ohio State and entering the real world on my own, it was a tough transition. I often felt lost navigating this phase in my life, but during that time, I found myself reflecting on moments that had shaped me—especially my memories with Girls on the Run. I remembered feeling full of light and joy, and I remembered how much support I had as a kid. That’s why I came back—to help girls embrace who they are and protect their own light. Even on hard days, I show up for them. After every practice I always feel better because my girls spark some joy. When I see my team, I think of my younger self, and I know she’d be proud that I’m now coaching a new generation of GOTR girls.”
Khalya (Coach at Girls on the Run Northwest Indiana): “I became a coach to be the trusted adult I once needed. Coaching at the very site where I once participated feels full circle. Every season, I see a younger version of myself in the girls, and it reminds me why this work matters. My hope is that through our practices, each girl walks away knowing that her dreams, goals, and aspirations are not only valid but completely attainable.”
Margot (Coach at Girls on the Run Philadelphia): “Returning as a coach felt like a full-circle moment. I wanted to give our students the same supportive, uplifting space I experienced as a girl. As someone who didn’t enjoy running at first, I always lead with empathy and encouragement. My coaching style focused on making it fun, celebrating effort, and building confidence regardless of pace. My own GOTR experience helped me see how powerful it can be to simply show up and support one another.”
Zoe (Coach at Girls on the Run Chicago): “After I ‘graduated’ from GOTR as a middle schooler, I returned as a coach because I experienced how shell-breaking GOTR was for me and my teammates throughout the years. I felt compelled to give that opportunity to others!”
How Girls on the Run Inspired Them from the Very Start
Amy: “As a kid, my GOTR coaches were more than mentors—they were role models who went above and beyond for me. They knew my mom was a single parent balancing work and night classes, and supported me when things were hard. GOTR became a safe space where I felt seen and free to just be a kid. I’ll never forget the day it poured rain during practice—we still ran, we still set lap goals, and I hit mine: 10 laps. That day stuck with me because it showed me I could accomplish my goals, even when circumstances were tough.”
Khalya: “Girls on the Run has been one of the most transformative parts of my life. As a participant, I looked forward to every practice. From the lessons to the energy of the coaches, each session taught me something valuable about how to navigate the world. Even now, as an adult, I use those skills, which speaks volumes about the lasting impact of the program.”
Margot: “I participated in Girls on the Run as a child when my mom’s best friend helped start the program at our school. My mom signed my sister and I up, and even though I didn’t love running, being in a club just for girls made the experience special. What stuck with me the most was the sense of community and belonging. It wasn’t about being the fastest—I was usually the slowest! It was about showing up, supporting each other, and discovering your own strengths. GOTR gave me an early lesson in perseverance and self-worth that’s stayed with me.”
Zoe: “I initially joined because my mom started the council in Northwest Indiana. Despite not being a runner, as I went to practices, I grew to really enjoy it. I learned it was okay not to be a runner and that as long as you keep moving forward it’s cool! I still employ lessons I learned in the program today, especially those about conflict navigation and emotion regulation.”
Embracing that Confidence Throughout Every Chapter That Followed GOTR
Amy: “As a young girl, Girls on the Run taught me kindness, goal-setting, and self-belief. It showed me the power of perseverance, self-confidence, and uplifting those around me. Through the support of my coaches, teachers, and peers, I realized that there are people beyond your family who genuinely want to see you grow. The impact has stayed with me. I continue to challenge myself, now training for my third half-marathon with a goal of completing a full marathon one day. Coaching has strengthened my confidence as a leader, and being part of my team has helped me reconnect with the joy and resilience of my younger self. GOTR continues to shape the person I am and the one I aspire to be.”
Khalya: “Returning as a coach has deepened the lasting impact of the program even more. I’ve learned just as much—if not more—through coaching. Many of the skills we teach, such as confidence, communication, goal setting, and asking for help, have become part of my daily life. As an educator, I find that the GOTR lessons translate seamlessly into the classroom and have made me a stronger leader and mentor.”
Margot: “Girls on the Run planted the seeds for values I carry with me to this day, especially perseverance, community, and self-confidence. When I was teaching in Philadelphia, I was inspired to help start a GOTR program at my school to give our students the same empowering experience I had. At the time, I still didn’t consider myself a runner, but I was determined to run with the girls. I trained on my own outside of practice, and that commitment sparked something in me.
After completing that first 5K as a coach, I was so inspired that I signed up for a local community 5K the next weekend. From there, running quickly became a regular part of my life. I started attending local running clubs and built a network of runner friends. Since then, I’ve completed 5Ks to a half marathon, and I even kept running during my pregnancy. GOTR didn’t just help me cross finish lines—it helped me find strength, joy, and a new sense of self.”
Zoe: “GOTR has impacted my life in a huge way. GOTR first came into my life when I was 7 years old and now, I am 25 working for Girls on the Run Chicago and helping in any way I can with Girls on the Run Northwest Indiana. If my mom hadn’t brought GOTR to Northwest Indiana back in 2007 (starting at our kitchen table) I honestly do not know what I would be doing today, but I doubt it would be this fulfilling and joyful! Shout-out to my mom!”
The journeys of Amy, Khalya, Margot, and Zoe show us that the true impact of Girls on the Run goes far beyond running shoes and lap counters. Instead, the experience is about building and embracing lifelong confidence, community, and the courage to lead with heart. Each of these women carried the GOTR lessons they learned as 10-year-olds into adulthood, choosing to return not just out of nostalgia, but from a deep desire to uplift others. Their full-circle experiences reflect the enduring power of the program: when girls are supported and empowered early in life, they grow into adults who instinctively do the same for others.
Learn more about other awesome alumni by visiting our GOTR Alumni Community page!
