106: Behind the Magic with Guest Creator Amanda from Once Upon A Marathon
On this episode of The Well Hello Magic Podcast, I’m so excited to welcome Amanda Kass from Once Upon a Marathon back to the podcast.
Amanda is a certified running coach, an incredible content creator, and one of my favorite people to talk to about all things Disney. She’s not only a trusted expert in runDisney, but also someone who genuinely pours her heart into helping others reach their running goals — no matter where they’re starting.
This conversation blends motivation, practical advice, and smart Disney insight, making it a must-listen for runners, Disney fans, and anyone who loves thoughtful, well-explained information.
Amanda’s Running Journey: From Graduate School to the Dopey Challenge
Amanda shares how her running journey began during graduate school and slowly grew into something much bigger than she ever expected.
Over the years, she has completed countless Disney races, including the legendary Dopey Challenge — a four-race, four-day challenge that’s considered one of the most intense accomplishments in the runDisney community.
She talks about:
How her relationship with running evolved
What it really takes to train for multi-race weekends
Why consistency matters more than speed
How mindset and confidence play a huge role in endurance racing
Her story resonates with runners who don’t see themselves as elite athletes, but are committed to showing up and doing the work.
Training Plans, Race Weekends & Practical runDisney Advice
A major focus of this episode is Amanda’s work through Once Upon a Marathon, where she provides runners with clear, detailed, and practical resources they can truly trust.
Runners often ask:
How do you train for a runDisney race?
What should you expect during race weekend?
Is the Dopey Challenge realistic for everyday runners?
Amanda breaks down:
Training plans for different race distances
Registration timelines and strategies
What race weekends are really like
How to approach training so you feel confident at the start line
Her guidance is especially valuable for first-time runners and parents juggling training with real life.
Disney Business News & Strategy, Explained Clearly
Amanda’s expertise goes far beyond running. She’s also widely known for her deep dives into Disney business news and strategy.
She has a unique gift for taking complicated topics — including major updates, policy changes, and high-profile lawsuits — and explaining them in a way that’s easy to understand without oversimplifying.
We talk about:
How she approaches Disney news research
Why context and clarity matter
How she decides what’s important to share
Why her audience trusts her breakdowns
Her coverage of the Disney lawsuit is a standout example and a go-to resource for many listeners looking for smart, thorough updates.
Community, Encouragement & Loving What You Do
More than anything, Amanda has built a supportive and knowledgeable community around running and Disney.
We talk about:
Encouraging runners to dream big
Supporting people through setbacks
Building confidence over time
Why her genuine love for Disney and the running community shines through everything she creates
Her warmth, honesty, and encouragement are a big reason people keep coming back to her content.
Why This Conversation Matters
This episode isn’t about hustle or pushing harder — it’s about progress, consistency, and believing in yourself.
Whether you’re training for your first runDisney race, curious about the Dopey Challenge, or looking for clear explanations of Disney business news, this conversation with Amanda Kass offers insight, reassurance, and motivation.
Questions We Answer in This Episode
These are high-intent SEO questions runners and Disney fans are actively searching — and exactly what this episode covers:
Who is Amanda Kass from Once Upon a Marathon?
What is runDisney and how do you train for it?
What is the Dopey Challenge?
Is the Dopey Challenge worth it?
How do you train for runDisney races?
What should first-time runDisney runners know?
How do you prepare for runDisney race weekends?
Where can you find reliable runDisney training plans?
Who explains Disney business news clearly?
What is the Disney lawsuit everyone is talking about?
Guest: Amanda Kass
✨ Certified running coach
✨ runDisney expert and Dopey Challenge finisher
✨ Creator of Once Upon a Marathon
✨ Known for clear Disney business news breakdowns
Find Amanda online:
📸 Instagram: @onceuponamarathon
🌐 Website: https://www.onceuponamarathon.com
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is especially helpful if you:
Are training for a runDisney race
Are considering the Dopey Challenge
Want practical race weekend advice
Enjoy Disney business news explained simply
Love thoughtful, encouraging creator conversations
