On January 8, 2025, Mary is thrilled and delighted to be recording her interview with Bill Burke on the Optimism Institute's podcast, Blue Sky. It's a podcast we need now more than ever. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform. Here is the link to the Optimism Institute's website. It's a podcast meant to inspire people with an optimistic and hopeful vision of the world and our future.
Mary is thrilled and excited to be speaking at the Cohasset Elder Affairs at Willicutt Commons on January 15th from 1-2pm. She'll be sharing her remarkable journey of transformation, leaving behind her award-winning career as a VA social worker to heal her life in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome 18 years ago. She looks forward to having a lively discussion about how we continue to celebrate life and age strong whatever challenges we face. It's open to the public and everyone of all ages. Be sure to RSVP at 781-383-9112 or www.mvactivecenter.com
Mary is once again thrilled and delighted to be an Ambassador for the 2025 Boston Run Show. What an exciting line up of speakers that include Des Linden and Meb! Use Code MMCMANUS to get your FREE tickets while supplies last. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on all the show's happenings and offers.
Here is the link to Mary's Ambassador page. . The Boston Outdoor Expo is co-locating with the Boston Run Show next year. It's going to be an epic weekend of inspiration, community, connections and exhibitors.
On December 12, 2024, Mary had a book signing with Bill Rodgers of her 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" at bib pick up for the 45th Annual Bill Rodgers Somerville Jingle Bell Run 5K. Bill's brother Charlie joined in the celebration with memorabilia on hand at Marathon Sports. Race Director, Paul Collyer gathered new runner Keith, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, and Mary's daughter Ruth Anne who is running the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab to take this photo filled with inspiration.
Hilary Topper shares a historical perspective on Polio and provides information about Post-Polio Syndrome. She welcomes guest Mary McManus who will inspire and motivate you with her remarkable journey with Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome. Here is the link to listen.
Mary was the guest on Ep 229 of the Justa Runners Podcast "Mary McManus shares her story of going thru Post polio syndrome to running the Boston Marathon. Mary shared her story in “A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From the Heart of a Warrior." Mary takes you through her magnificent journey of transformation with poetry and narrative that will uplift and inspire you. After a setback in 2021/2022 and, after a 6 year hiatus from participating in events, Mary set her sights on tackling the Bermuda hills in the 2024 10K celebrating 17 years of healing, and her 70th birthday intent on sharing her powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities!"
Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform. Here's the link to the episode webpage https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/justarunner/episodes/A-Most-Unlikely-Runner-Ep229-e2p0lvm
Mary shared her incredible journey of transformation on the Women's Running Stories podcast, "Mary McManus: Running a Marathon, Healing From Childhood Polio and Trauma. Here is the link to her episode. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform.
Enjoy this brilliant video from Raccoon Media Group in celebration of Global Running Day 2024. Mary and her daughter Ruth Anne celebrated their joy of running with runners from around the Globe.
"A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" was published on 5/25/2024. Her book is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.
Here is the link to Hilary Topper's book review of "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" on her blog. Hilary has an amazing journey as a once couch potato to endurance athlete. Subscribe to her blog, podcast and learn more about this amazing woman at www.hilarytopper.com
Mary was thrilled to share her remarkable journey on the Proud to BU Podcast. One of Mary's favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." In this riveting interview with Jeff Murphy, Director, Alumni Career Engagement, you'll hear about how Boston University played a critical role in Mary's life. You can listen to the episode by following this link. Be sure to subscribe to their newsletter so you don't miss an episode. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform.
"For Mary McManus (COM’76), contracting polio in kindergarten was just one of the many challenges she faced throughout her childhood. Despite her difficult upbringing, Mary went on to have a long career in social work until, in her early-50s, she was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome—a neuromuscular disease that doctors said could cause Mary to lose her mobility.
In this episode, hear how this devastating diagnosis inspired Mary to defy the odds and complete the unlikely goal of running the Boston Marathon, and how she has channeled her health struggles and personal trauma into a successful second career as a poet, author, and motivational speaker. Her 7th book, “A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior” will be released on May 25, 2024. Find details on her website and don’t miss the profile of Mary in Bostonia Magazine.
Please note: this episode includes a discussion of a family member’s suicide. If you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline."
Mary's story was featured in the February 2024 issue of Bostonia Magazine, "Their Second Acts" story. Here is the link to the article. Be sure to listen to Mary share how running transformed her life in her second act after receiving a devastating diagnosis.
Mary was thrilled and delighted to be an Ambassador for the inaugural Boston Outdoor Expo Show. Scott Jurek and Mike Seaman were excited to receive author copies of "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior."
Mary's riveting story about how she got started running was a clip featured on the On The Runs podcast Best of 2023. Here's the link to listen to the full episode for inspiration, motivation and runners' overcoming incredible odds.
"Join us on episode 56 for lovely Mary McManus as she shares her remarkable and inspiring story of hope and unimaginable possibilities that she made happen after being diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome and being told she would live the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But at the age of 53, Mary wasn't going to let that happen and she started doing something for the very first time in her life, Run. However before she could start that journey, she needed to get a pair of running shoes first."
Mary was a guest on Episode 56 of the On the Runs Podcast. Here is the link to listen to the full episode. Be sure to subscribe to their podcast on your favorite platform and to their Youtube channel for stories to uplift and inspire you! Follow this link to see the excerpt from the interview when Mary shares her personal trainer's reaction to her next goal of wanting to run the 2009 Boston Marathon despite never having run a day in her life.
Mary was featured in Boston University's Fall 2023 Bostonia Magazine Alumni Class Notes. “Hearing the powerful healing story of another,” she writes, “gives one hope and ignites a spark of what’s possible, despite all appearances to the contrary.”
Mary had an amazing adventure at the 2024 Boston Run Show as an Ambassador. Be sure to follow her blog for all the details. She reunited with old friends, made new friends and met up with friends she'd known only through social media. Here is Mary reunited with champion Bill Rodgers:
In March 2023, Mary's story was featured on Mike Reilly's Stories from the Finish Line Presented by CURAD Performance Series. Read the full story by following this link.
On 8/28, Mary was the guest on the AdaptX Podcast with host Brendan Aylward. Here is the link to listen. "This week, Brendan is joined by Mary McManus, an author, runner, and advocate for Post-Polio Syndrome whose impact on the world of endurance sports is undeniable. Listen to Brendan and Mary's conversation on the complexity of her diagnosis, her resilient approach to life, and her involvement in making endurance sports more accessible."
Mary's journey on the Road to the 2009 Boston Marathon in the wake of the devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome was featured in the Brookline Tab in two articles; one in May of 2008 and one in April of 2009. Links to articles in caption.
Mary was a guest on the LA Tribune Show All Things Rex Worldwide in October, 2022.
"The Takin A Walk Podcast Series is about cool people, telling their stories of life lessons, business advice and triumphs. It is also about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
That is the story of Mary McManus on the latest episode of Takin A Walk.
Mary has known tremendous challenges during her life. From a family situation that ended in tragedy to her personal health challenges with polio the road has not been easy. At the age of five she contracted paralytic polio and at the age of 53 she was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. She was told then to be prepared to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
Mary would not be brought down!
She took to writing poetry and used the pen as a divining rod for healing. Mary harnessed the power of mind/body connection through her writing and has been able to achieve amazing things in her journey of hope.
She has become a motivational force in the Boston community from achieving a goal of finishing the Boston Marathon in 2009 to continuing to share her story of resilience and hope as a speaker and an author.
I hope you can enjoy her uplifting spirit as much as I did on our walk at the Brookline Reservoir on this episode available here." ~Buzz Knight July 11, 2022
The Cardinal Cafe was a podcast borne out of the pandemic, presented by Greg Chastain, Founder and President, and Ed Siegel, Vice President of Voices of Hope Boston. Mary recorded her interview for the podcast on 5/25th which marked the 14th anniversary of when she took a leap of faith leaving her award winning career as a VA social worker to heal her life from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma. They chat about how she overcame seemingly impossible obstacles in her life, and her newest book, "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic." Listen by following this link.
In July 2021, Mary was interviewed by Liz Brunner on her podcast, "Live Your Best Life!"
Mary was a guest on Bernie Siegel, MD's Mind Health Matters radio show. Mary, Bernie and Deborah Beauvais, visionary behind Dreamvisions 7 Radio and TV Network talk about Mary's latest book, "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic." Follow this link to be inspired as Mary shares her incredible journey of transformation from enduring childhood paralytic polio and severe abuse at the hands of family members through the gift of poetry, the power of the mind/body connection. running and her good fortune of finding her way to Bernie's work and wisdom. Tune in to be uplifted and inspired and rekindle your sense of hope and optimism regardless of the challenges you may face.
Mary's healing story was featured in the Heal Documentary newsletter and under Healing Stories on their website.
In September 2020, Mary was part of the Virtual Boston Marathon Expo speaking about her journey as a most unlikely runner as part of the Late Life Running-Whole Life Running Panel. Internationally renowned runner and running historian Roger Robinson moderated the panel with guests Gail Kislevitz, Jonathan Beverly and consecutive Boston Marathon record holder Ben Beach. They answered questions and offered insights about the benefits and joys that come with “even more miles.” You can watch the panel by following this link.
Mary was the special guest speaker at the Hyannis Marathon Weekend in February of 2020 at the Pre-Race pasta dinner. It was an honor and a thrill for Mary to share the stage with runner icon Bill Rodgers.
Her blog post, “Embrace the Possibilities” captures the event.
David R. Hamilton Ph.D.’s “Tenth Anniversary of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body” features Mary's journey of transformation harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to heal from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma. It's available on Amazon.
"Polio Survivor and Brookline Resident Mary McManus has led a life of determination, running Boston, writing books and helping others along the way." Mary's life of being "scrappy and determined" was featured in the October 27th 2021 edition of the Brookline Tab. "Brookline Post-Pan (Not Quite): Mary McManus - A Life of Determination" by Susie Davidson paints a powerful portrait of Mary's journey. Read the article by following this link.
