I’ve had the privilege of watching my wife, Giovanna Valdivia (Gio), grow through every chapter of her running journey. What began in 2014 as a simple attempt to run three miles — miles that felt impossible at the time — became a transformation that reshaped her life and inspired everyone around her.
Back then, she was 39 years old, learning how to breathe, how to find rhythm, how to believe she belonged in the sport. But even in those early days, I saw something in her: a quiet determination, a spark that told me she was capable of far more than she realized.
In 2015, the Weston Run Club welcomed her with open arms. That community became her home — the place where she found support, friendship, and the confidence to grow. That same year, she became a pacer, guiding others through their own miles. She didn’t just run; she lifted people. She encouraged them. She helped them believe in themselves the way she was learning to believe in herself.
Her journey began like many do:
with doubt, with fear, with the feeling of “maybe I’m not enough.”
But step by step, mile by mile, she discovered something powerful:
Confidence is built in motion.
That motion carried her across the world.
It carried her through the 7 World Marathon Majors.
It carried her into versions of herself she never imagined she could become.
And today, it carried her into a new chapter — one she earned through 12 years of discipline, growth, and heart:
Gio is officially a USATF Certified Running Coach.
This isn’t just a title.
It’s the culmination of a journey that started with three difficult miles and grew into a life of purpose, service, and resilience. She has lived every lesson she now teaches — from the struggle of starting to the joy of achieving what once felt impossible.
Now she’s ready to help others transform their running the same way she transformed her own.
If you’re looking for structure, accountability, guidance, or simply someone who understands what it feels like to start from zero and rise, Gio is offering her coaching services to runners of all levels.
Learn more about her coaching here: coach.unalunashop.com
Follow her journey and daily inspiration on Instagram: @unalunashop
For Those Near Weston, FL — Come Run With Us
Every Wednesday at 7 PM, we meet at the Clock Tower in Weston for a 3 to 3.5‑mile community run. This session is part of Baptist Health’s free wellness program, and it’s open to everyone — no cost, no pressure, just a welcoming group of people who love to move.
We offer two pace groups:
• Under 9 min/mile
• Over 9 min/mile
Gio is one of the pacers, and she’s always happy to talk with any aspiring runner — whether you’re just starting, returning after time off, or curious about coaching. It’s a supportive, friendly environment where everyone runs at their own rhythm.
If you’re nearby, come join us. It’s one of the best ways to meet the community, get active, and experience firsthand the encouragement and energy Gio brings to every session.
I’ve admired her since the beginning — not just for the miles she’s run, but for the courage, discipline, and heart she’s shown along the way. I believed in her goals because she never stopped believing in herself. And now, I couldn’t be prouder to see her step into this new chapter, ready to help others discover the strength she found within herself.
She has always been someone who defies limits.
Now she’s helping others do the same.