Sports
When Running Becomes Happy Hour: Community and Balance
Gabi Mafra and Thaís discuss daily routines, striking a balance in training, and turning sports into a space for connection.
In this episode of Girls Who Run, Gabi Mafra and Thaís share their road running journeys, overcoming performance pressure, and the power of friendship. Explore key takeaways from their conversation on wellness, balance, and athletic consistency.
In episode #75 of Girls Who Run, hosts Mari Real and Marcela Fanti welcome Wellhub employees Gabi Mafra and Thaís Makita to discuss a lighter, more welcoming approach to road running. The conversation explores how running can move beyond rigid training schedules and target times, becoming a genuine opportunity to unwind, socialize, and enhance daily well-being.
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Who Gabi and Thaís are inside and outside running
Opening the episode, the guests share their career paths and their roles at Wellhub. Gabi, a recent marathoner, describes her unhurried approach to chasing PRs and highlights her outgoing personality while juggling work, family, and training between São Paulo and Atibaia. Thaís explains her work in product marketing at the app, calling herself a multi-sport enthusiast who uses new physical activities to break the monotony of everyday life.
How running started in each of their lives
The second segment looks at how both women got into sports. Thaís recalls starting on the treadmill at age 15, playing competitive tennis in college, and getting into road running at the Volta da USP race before shifting away from intense running groups toward a more moderate pace. Gabi reveals that she took up running through Marcela Fanti's encouragement, learning to push through the challenging first minutes of each run and building endurance with structured walk-run intervals.
The importance of community and friendships in sports
The discussion moves to how running groups and collective environments transform athletic commitment. The guests emphasize the vital role women's running collectives and coaching groups play in welcoming runners and offering support during demanding training cycles, such as marathon prep. Having friends with shared goals boosts accountability and keeps loneliness at bay during long weekend runs, turning the sport into a social hub.
Running as a "happy hour" and a moment to disconnect
In this section, the guests explain how workouts offer a much-needed break from demanding corporate and remote work routines. For Thaís, a lunchtime run paired with podcasts provides a relaxing mental escape. Gabi uses outdoor runs to step away from computer and phone screens, while Mari Real and Marcela reflect on the joy of running in parks on sunny days and share go-to strategies to stay entertained on the treadmill.
Pressure-free consistency and trying new sports
The conversation redefines consistency, debunking the myth that athletes must follow rigid, punitive workout regimens. The participants argue that sustainable routines come from fitting workouts into real-life schedules and finding joy in movement. Wellhub is highlighted as a great tool for those wanting to explore activities beyond running, including strength training, Pilates, CrossFit, climbing, and indoor workouts.
Milestone challenges: From first marathons to open-water crossings
The guests reflect on the major athletic milestones that shaped their journeys. Gabi walks through the physical and mental prep behind finishing the Buenos Aires Marathon, supported by strength training and the camaraderie of running friends during difficult personal times. Thaís shares her tradition of tackling an athletic challenge for every birthday, highlighting her open-water swim at Fuga das Ilhas, the Rio Half Marathon, and a demanding cold-weather cycling race in Chile.
Final Sprint: Quick-fire Q&A with the guests
Wrapping up the episode, a rapid-fire Q&A reveals Gabi and Thaís's running preferences and insights. They discuss favorite race distances, optimal training times, and the value of letting go of strict pace targets. Both name dream races—such as the New York City and Chicago Marathons—reaffirming how athletic goals and social celebrations go hand in hand.
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