The Why Behind the Work

Lisa Larson, founder of Rooted 23, has been a passionate runner throughout her life. She’s completed numerous 5K, 10K, and half-marathon races, along with four full marathons—most notably qualifying for and finishing the 2019 Boston Marathon. She is also a 2-time runner for The 437 Project, a run across South Dakota dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

But perhaps the most significant race Lisa has ever run began fourteen years ago: a marathon for her own survival. Battling the effects of years of alcoholism, she found recovery—and in the process, discovered that running became more than a physical outlet. It became her “meditation on the run.”

Through each mile, Lisa found clarity. Running gave her space to process thoughts, spark creativity, and connect to her higher power through prayer. Over time, she realized that the mental strength she gained through training was just as powerful as the physical benefits.

As her recovery journey deepened, so did her advocacy. Lisa began speaking openly about the realities of addiction—a disease that knows no boundaries and is often hidden behind a well-kept façade. Aware of the link between addiction and suicide, she became a strong voice for mental health awareness, using her story to inspire others and bring hope to those still struggling.

Lisa believes that life—like running—is a journey of transitions and challenges that reveal one’s true strength. She lives by the words of marathon legend Amby Burfoot:
“As runners, we all go through many transitions—transitions that closely mimic the larger changes we experience in a lifetime. First, we try to run faster. Then we try to run harder. Then we learn to accept ourselves and our limitations, and at last, we can appreciate the true joy and meaning of running.”

Rooted 23 is a reflection of Lisa’s values and life mission—to spark meaningful conversations around mental health and offer hope, one soul at a time. It's okay to not be okay.