Dr. Joanna – Running Toward Purpose

Some people volunteer because they have extra time. Others volunteer because they've discovered something transformative and can't help but share it with others. Dr. Joanna Consiglio falls firmly into the second category.

As a chiropractor and avid runner, Joanna understands the profound connection between physical movement and mental well-being, which brought her to Girls on the Run in 2021. We’ve been fortunate to have her energy and expertise ever since.

Finding Her Why

When we asked what inspired her to get involved, Joanna didn't hesitate. "I've experienced firsthand how running can change your life, even past the physical benefits," she shared. "Running helped me build confidence, manage stress, and connect with an amazing community."

For Joanna, our mission struck a deeply personal chord. "I love being a part of an organization that helps young girls experience those same benefits," she explained. "Girls on the Run combines everything I love about running with the important lessons of confidence, resilience, and life skills. A program that helps girls discover their inner strength, both physically and mentally, is something I wish I would've been introduced to at a younger age."

That authentic connection has translated into three seasons of dedicated service on our 5K Committee, where she's helped create memorable experiences for countless young girls.

Expanding Her Impact

Recently, Dr. Joanna took on an additional role by joining our Caregiver Empowerment Coalition supporting the families of our program participants – a natural extension of what she witnesses daily in her chiropractic practice.

The Caregiver Empowerment Coalition is a new initiative for Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio this fall and is dedicated to equipping parents and guardians with the knowledge, tools and community they need to thrive alongside their children. “Rooted in the belief that empowered caregivers create empowered families,” shared Erin Mathews, Girls on the Run NEO Marketing & 5K Director, “we wanted to provide resources, strategies and support that mirrored the transformative experience their children receive through Girls on the Run. When we invited Modern Motion Chiropractic and Dr. Joanna to help create this coalition, she didn’t hesitate, even with all the hours she had already dedicated to our 5K Committee. She’s gone above and beyond at every turn.”

"In my clinic, I've seen how deeply connected our overall well-being is to the habits we build and how much kids learn by watching the adults around them," Joanna noted. The coalition's mission resonated immediately: supporting caregivers who so often put themselves last.

"I wanted to be part of something that helps them recognize that caring for themselves isn't selfish, but essential," Joanna explained. "When adults model healthy routines and self-care, it sets the tone for the next generation to grow up valuing balance and true health, physically and mentally."

The Gift of Giving Back

While Joanna has given so much to our organization, she's quick to share how volunteering has enriched her own life in return.

"It has reminded me why I fell in love with running in the first place," she reflected. "Watching the girls build confidence, support each other, and realize they're capable of so much more than they thought has been incredibly inspiring."

The experience has also shifted her own relationship with running. "It's helped me slow down and appreciate the joy of movement, not just the competition or performance side of it."

Perhaps most meaningfully, volunteering has given Joanna something many of us seek: "A deeper sense of purpose and community. It has reinforced how powerful positive role models can be in shaping a young person's mindset and has made me want to become the role model I wish I had when I was younger."

A Ripple Effect

Joanna's story reminds us that the best volunteers often come from a place of wanting to give others what they themselves discovered. Her dedication to both our young athletes and their families creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond 5K day, touching lives in ways that will echo for years to come.

Thank you, Dr. Joanna, for being the role model you wished for and the one our community needs.