In a testament to human resilience and the power of community, Suzan Brydon, a managing director of PBM operations for Express Scripts by Evernorth, has spent 90 days running 2,000 miles across the Midwest.

Her extraordinary journey, in partnership with Girls on the Run, is part of The Cigna Group’s Community Ambassador Fellowship (CAF) Program. Brydon set out April 26 in southern Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed the American Discovery Trail to Denver, Colorado. Along the way, she made stops in communities across five states to talk with girls and families about their limitless potential, share stories of empowerment, and inspire people to embrace their strength and potential through running.

A personal journey of inspiration

Brydon’s story is deeply personal and rooted in her upbringing in a rural Midwestern community. Growing up with limited understanding of the importance of exercise, her perspective on health and fitness underwent a profound transformation when her husband, a former cross-country runner, was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago. He set a goal to run a half marathon after he completed his treatment. This act of determination and resilience inspired Brydon to explore her own potential.

“I had never even run a 5K,” she said. “But seeing my husband set such a challenging goal during a difficult time made me wonder what I was capable of achieving.”

Motivated by her husband’s example, Brydon set her first running goal: to complete a 5K on the same day as her husband’s half marathon while raising money for cancer research. Over the years, Brydon progressed from running 5Ks and 10Ks to half marathons, full marathons, and eventually ultra-distance races. She incorporated charitable giving each step of the way, which fueled her determination and courage.

Brydon’s running journey is a testament to the limitless potential within each of us. “We don’t need to be restricted by arbitrary limits we set on our potential,” she said. “Through my running journey, I’ve realized how amazing we humans truly are.”

The Community Ambassador Fellowship Program

Brydon’s cross-country run was made possible by The Cigna Group’s CAF Program. This program encourages employees to propose projects that leverage their unique strengths in partnership with nonprofit organizations to improve the health and well-being of people around the globe. The company selects up to 15 Fellows annually and awards each person up to three months of paid leave and up to $20,000 to develop and launch their programs.

For Brydon, this meant combining her love of ultra-distance running, her desire to give back, and her passion for addressing public health issues. Her education at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her role at The Cigna Group have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact.

Empowering girls and communities

Girls on the Run’s mission to help girls recognize their limitless potential resonated deeply with Brydon. Through her fellowship, she aims to amplify this message and inspire not only girls but also the adults in their lives to recognize their own potential. She believes that it is never too late to stretch into one’s potential and achieve greatness.

Brydon’s run is not just a physical challenge; it is a journey of inspiration and motivation with stops in rural and urban communities in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. She has connected with individuals and families, sharing her story and the mission of Girls on the Run. “I hope that I’ve encouraged adults to not just help girls elevate but also recognize their own limitless potential,” she said. “It’s never too late to stretch into your potential.”