We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe the most important factor behind our success is that we serve our community. We are a social philanthropic run club. Not only do we work to provide a space for every body to make fitness a part of their daily lives but we deeply believe in providing a welcoming, positive, and accepting social network for all who join us. Though out the year we also partner with other nonprofit organizations in Pasadena, and the greater Los Angeles areas, in order to make a bigger impact on the world around us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At SoCal Social Run Club (DBA, Dog Haus Running Club) our work, as I see it, is simple but the impact is far reaching. We’ve created a culture of fun, fitness & philanthropy that is built on a foundation of acceptance. Acceptance of every body who wishes to make fitness, and a bit of philanthropy, a part of their lives.

It is known that running (or walking) can change a persons life for the better. We’ve seen this with the boom in running clubs that have popped up in the last few years. Every club has a different goal & vibe. If running can change one persons life for the better and one person can change a community than just imagine the impact that could be made with a large community of socially minded philanthropic runners.

I’d like to let the world know that everything starts with a single step. No matter your fitness level all are welcome. Come run or walk with us. Come celebrate and cheers with us. Come give back with us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend coming in for a week long trip we would be stopping by Run With Us to get them some new shoes & then joining them for their weekly Monday Fun Run. After that we would go have pizza a Settebello’s on Lake Street in Pasadena. On Tuesday we would do an early walk and get coffee at Cordova Cafe. Later that evening we would join the Dog Haus Running Club for it’s weekly Tuesday run and delicious food. Wednesday we would pack a good lunch and snacks and then head out to enjoy a beach day at my favorite beach in Malibu. Here we would hang out a the beach all day. Thursday we would get coffee at Jones in South Pasadena and walk around at the farmers market later in the afternoon. Friday we’d go walking around old town Pasadena stopping by Kings Row for lunch and then heading to the Cellar for a late afternoon glass of wine and charcuterie board. Saturday morning we would go run at the Rose Bowl before going to Republik for coffee and brunch.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shout out my VP’s Jennifer Cornejo and Anthony Tam who were instrumental in helping me turn our club into a nonprofit organization. I’d also like to thank the rest of my board (Kelly Leyva and Lauren Moulton) as well every single one of our ambassadors. They are my “Dream Team”. Their dedication to this community is what drives this club. We could not do half the things we do without them.

Website: https://sites.google.com/ffprunningclubs.org/doghausrunningclub

Instagram: @doghausrunningclub

Facebook: Dog Haus Running Club

Other: Strava: Dog Haus Running Club

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