What do you do when the world tells you you’re not enough?

As a 10-year-old boy, Dr. Gladson Johnson was forced to migrate from Bahrain to a small village in South India due to the Gulf War. He didn’t know the language. He wore shoes while the other kids ran barefoot. He was mocked, excluded, and slowly slipped into anxiety and asthma. But this isn’t a story about staying broken. It’s a story about rising barefoot.

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformational journey of Dr. Gladson Johnson:

🏃‍♂️ From bullied child to barefoot ultra-runner

🥋 From physical weakness to Kyokushin karate black belt

💡 From fear of movement to a Doctor of Physiotherapy

❤️ From personal healing to helping 600+ HIV-infected children become strong

He’s run 25 marathons (24 barefoot), 3 ultra-marathons up to 110 km, and triathlons — and he’s the founder of Fitmasters, a global fitness movement spanning 5 continents.

You’ll hear stories of:

• Overcoming childhood trauma through martial arts
• Using exercise as a tool for social empowerment
• Coaching HIV-infected children to run 10Ks in 35 minutes
• Building a community-based race called TROT
• Living by “Role Modelism” — the principle of becoming the example

Who is this podcast for?

• Runners and endurance athletes
• Strength coaches and physiotherapists
• Anyone recovering from physical or emotional trauma
• Parents, educators, and mentors
• People seeking real, rooted inspiration — not perfection

⚡️ Connect with Dr. Gladson Johnson

Instagram: https://bit.ly/4jnL4Ye

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3SopdVv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3HgSjnn

Check out our previous episode

S2 Ep13: The Second Chance: How Running Gave Sapna Her Life Back https://youtu.be/PRX1Ir9_t_Q?si=F52wDTQetp_U4Yzh

Expect a story that will make you pause, reflect, and move. Watch it. Share it. Live it. Comment your favorite moment or quote from Dr. Gladson’s journey.

About Intentionality

Life's more than just a random drift, it's about purpose, intentionality, and making waves 💫

Join us on our podcast "Intentionality," where we dive deep into purpose-driven living. We’re on a mission to explore stories of resilience, discipline, and purposeful living. Each episode dives into the journeys of remarkable individuals who redefine success by pushing their limits in life, sports, and business.

Tune in, get inspired, and start living with intentionality ⚡️

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