Running with the Right Mindset
Table of Contents
Intro
Meet Shelley: The Lawyer Who Runs Miles and Breaks Barriers
Mindset Over Matter: Training the Brain Before the Body
Lessons from the Track: What Running Teaches About Life
Balancing Life’s Marathons: Lessons in Time and Energy
Redefining Wellness: Beyond the Finish Line
Key Takeaways
Conclusion
Running with the Right Mindset
Everyone wants to achieve their goals. Maybe for you, it’s running a marathon, building a career you’re proud of, or simply staying consistent with your daily habits. We all start with excitement and motivation, but as time goes on, challenges show up. That’s when the real question comes in: what separates the people who keep going from those who give up?
For Shelley Aniciete, the answer lies in mindset. She’s a public defender, marathon runner, and running coach who has learned that success is not just about physical strength or talent. It’s about mental toughness, discipline, and the belief that you can keep moving forward even when things get hard.
In this blog, we’ll explore Shelley’s journey and the lessons she shared on On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories. Her story is full of wisdom about resilience, balance, and purpose, and how these qualities can shape every part of your life, not just your time on the track.
Meet Shelley: The Lawyer Who Runs Miles and Breaks Barriers
Shelley Aniciete is not your average runner. By day, she’s a dedicated public defender who fights for justice and fairness in post-conviction law. By night, and often early morning—she’s out on the road training for marathons, coaching other runners, and spreading the message of health and wellness.
Her journey is proof that you can pursue more than one passion if you have the right mindset. In the courtroom, Shelley advocates for people who deserve a second chance. On the track, she helps runners find their confidence, strength, and discipline. Both worlds may seem completely different, but for her, they are connected by one powerful belief: persistence pays off.
Shelley’s dedication to law shows her heart for people. She understands the importance of standing up for others, especially those who have been overlooked or misunderstood. That same compassion shows up in her work as a running coach. Whether she’s guiding someone through their first 5K or helping them prepare for a marathon, Shelley encourages everyone to believe in what they’re capable of.
Her approach to life is simple but powerful: you don’t have to pick just one passion. You can be both strong and kind, logical and creative, disciplined and compassionate. With purpose and focus, it’s possible to live a life that reflects all the things you care about deeply.
Mindset Over Matter: Training the Brain Before the Body
Shelley believes that success in running, work, or life starts in one place — your mind. For her, mental strength matters far more than natural talent or physical ability. You can have the best running shoes or the most detailed training plan, but if your mindset isn’t right, you’ll stop the moment things get hard.
She often says that running is not just a physical sport; it’s a mental one. Every long run, every uphill climb, and every tired morning is a test of focus and attitude. Shelley has learned how to train her mind to stay calm, confident, and determined, even when her body feels like giving up.
So what does “the right mindset” actually mean? Shelley breaks it down into a few simple but powerful ideas:
Stay consistent even when motivation fades: Motivation feels great at the beginning, but it doesn’t last forever. There will be days when you don’t feel like running or working. Shelley says the key is to show up anyway. Success comes from discipline, not from waiting until you “feel like it.”
Reframe pain as progress: Instead of seeing discomfort as a sign to stop, Shelley chooses to see it as proof of growth. Every sore muscle and every challenge means she’s getting stronger. It’s the same mindset she applies in her legal work — tough days mean she’s making a real difference.
Set small, achievable goals: Shelley doesn’t just focus on the finish line. She focuses on one step at a time. Breaking big goals into smaller ones helps her stay encouraged and see progress along the way.
Interestingly, Shelley applies these same principles outside of running. In her legal career, she faces tough cases and emotional days, but she treats them like long runs, pacing herself, staying present, and never losing sight of the purpose behind her work.
Her story reminds us that the biggest marathon we’ll ever run isn’t on the road — it’s in our minds. Once you train your thoughts to stay focused, patient, and positive, everything else becomes possible.
Tune in to “Running with the Right Mindset” on the On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories Podcast
Lessons from the Track: What Running Teaches About Life
Shelley believes that running is one of the best teachers you can have. It’s not just about finishing races or beating personal records, it’s about learning habits and mindsets that carry over into every part of life. What happens on the track often mirrors what happens in your personal and professional journey.
Here are some of Shelley’s biggest lessons from running that anyone can apply:
Consistency builds confidence: The more you show up, the stronger you become, not just physically, but mentally. Shelley often says that confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It grows from showing up again and again, even when you’re tired, busy, or unmotivated. Every small effort adds up over time.
Progress takes time: In running, there are no shortcuts. Improvement happens slowly, one step at a time. Shelley compares it to life, whether you’re working toward a promotion, building a healthy habit, or healing from something tough, you can’t rush the process. Patience is part of the journey.
Rest is part of growth: Runners often forget that recovery is just as important as training. Shelley emphasizes taking care of your body through proper rest, good nutrition, and listening when you need a break. She sees it as a reminder for everyday life, burnout doesn’t equal success. Resting doesn’t make you weak; it helps you come back stronger.
Community matters: Running can feel like a solo sport, but Shelley says she wouldn’t have made it this far without her running community. Training with others keeps her motivated, supported, and accountable. In the same way, surrounding yourself with positive people in life helps you stay focused and encouraged when challenges come.
When Shelley reflects on these lessons, she sees how they apply far beyond the track. The same habits that make strong runners also make strong people — commitment, patience, and discipline.
She reminds us that life, like running, isn’t about being the fastest or the best. It’s about steady growth, learning when to push and when to pause, and staying connected to others who help you keep going.
Balancing Life’s Marathons: Lessons in Time and Energy
It’s one thing to chase big goals. It’s another to balance them with real life — work, relationships, and rest. Shelley Aniciete knows that struggle well. Between her demanding job as a public defender and her commitment to marathon training, she’s had to learn that success isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing what truly matters with intention.
Shelley often compares life to a series of marathons. You can’t sprint through all of them at once. Instead, you need pacing, focus, and the wisdom to know when to slow down. Here’s what she’s learned about finding that balance:
Prioritize what truly matters: Shelley doesn’t try to fill every minute of her day. Instead, she focuses on the things that move her closer to her goals — her clients, her training, and her health. She knows that when you say yes to everything, you eventually burn out. Learning to say no is part of building a life that lasts.
Create structure but stay flexible: Between long work hours and running schedules, Shelley has found that routines are her best friend. But she’s also learned to give herself grace when things don’t go as planned. Some days call for early morning runs; other days require rest or family time. Flexibility doesn’t mean you’re losing focus, it means you’re learning to adapt without giving up.
Recognize when to rest, not quit: There were times when Shelley pushed herself too hard, thinking rest was a form of weakness. Over time, she realized that rest is what allows growth. Whether it’s a break from running or a weekend to recharge, stepping back often gives you the clarity and energy to move forward stronger.
Show up with intention: Shelley believes balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose. You don’t have to give 100 percent in every area every day. What matters is being fully present where you are. When she’s at work, she’s focused on her clients. When she’s training, she’s focused on her body and breath. That presence keeps her grounded.
For Shelley, balance isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about knowing what deserves your time and energy right now. She reminds us that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and rest isn’t laziness; it’s preparation for what’s ahead.
Redefining Wellness: Beyond the Finish Line
For Shelley Aniciete, wellness goes far beyond running fast or lifting heavier weights. It’s not about chasing a perfect body or a finish line medal, it’s about creating a balanced life that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit. Over the years, Shelley has learned that health isn’t a single achievement; it’s a lifestyle built on small, intentional choices every day.
She believes that true wellness comes from the combination of four key elements:
Mindset: Everything begins in the mind. Shelley teaches that the way you think about yourself shapes every other area of your life. When you focus on progress rather than perfection, you start to enjoy the journey instead of constantly judging yourself. Whether she’s facing a tough race or a demanding workday, Shelley keeps her thoughts rooted in gratitude and growth.
Movement: For Shelley, movement is more than exercise, it’s self-expression. Running helps her clear her head, connect with her body, and process emotions. She encourages people to find a form of movement they enjoy, whether that’s walking, dancing, yoga, or sports. The goal is not to punish your body but to celebrate what it can do.
Nutrition: Shelley doesn’t believe in strict diets or quick fixes. Instead, she focuses on nourishment, fueling her body with foods that give her strength and energy. She often reminds her coaching clients that what you eat isn’t just about calories; it’s about caring for yourself from the inside out.
Rest: Rest is the most underrated part of wellness. Shelley learned this the hard way after years of pushing through exhaustion. Now, she protects her rest as much as her workouts. She reminds others that recovery is where the real growth happens, both physically and mentally.
Through her coaching and mentorship, Shelley helps others find balance in their own wellness journeys. She doesn’t preach perfection; she models consistency, self-awareness, and compassion. Her approach shows that being healthy is not about doing more, but about aligning your actions with what truly serves you.
Key Takeaways
Shelley’s story reminds us that success, whether in running or in life, starts from within. Her journey is full of lessons that anyone can apply, no matter your goals or challenges. Here are the biggest takeaways from her experience:
Mindset is the foundation of success: Everything begins with how you think. Shelley’s achievements didn’t come from luck or talent alone; they came from training her mind to stay focused and positive, even when things got hard. The right mindset turns obstacles into opportunities to grow.
Rest, nutrition, and recovery are just as important as effort: Working hard is valuable, but so is knowing when to pause. Shelley emphasizes that pushing yourself without rest only leads to burnout. Taking care of your body through good food, sleep, and downtime helps you stay strong for the long run.
Purpose fuels perseverance: When you know why you’re doing something, you can push through anything. Shelley’s “why” keeps her going through tough races, long days in court, and challenging seasons in life. Purpose gives your effort meaning and helps you stay grounded when motivation fades.
Wellness means balance — not burnout: True wellness isn’t about doing everything or being perfect. It’s about finding a rhythm that allows you to thrive without draining yourself. Shelley believes in balance — working hard, resting well, and creating space for joy and peace.
Growth begins when you start moving, one small step at a time: You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. Every big transformation begins with one simple decision to move forward. Shelley’s journey shows that consistency, even in small steps, can lead to incredible progress over time.
Each of these lessons is a gentle reminder that success is a journey, not a sprint. Whether you’re chasing a personal goal, building a career, or just trying to live healthier, the key is to stay consistent, stay kind to yourself, and keep moving, one step at a time.
Conclusion
Shelley’s journey shows that life is full of marathons — some physical, some emotional, and others deeply personal. Through her story, we see that the right mindset can help you push through the hardest miles, both on the track and in everyday life.
She reminds us that real strength doesn’t come from running faster or working harder; it comes from staying steady, believing in yourself, and remembering why you started. Whether you’re chasing a goal, healing from a setback, or just trying to become a little better each day, your mindset is what keeps you going when motivation fades.
And the truth is, you don’t have to be a runner to think like one. Runners know the value of patience, pacing, and perseverance. They understand that growth takes time and that showing up — even when it’s hard — is what makes the difference.
