The Josh Speidel Family Foundation

Every journey of recovery is worth celebrating.

Inspired by Josh Speidel's courageous journey, we champion individuals affected by traumatic brain injury through the healing power of faith, sports, movement, and community. We empower survivors to run their marathon — stride by stride, mile by mile.

Our Story

Our Story

Every recovery is a marathon, and Josh Speidel has run every mile with courage. After a 2015 car accident left him with a traumatic brain injury, the path forward was unclear. Yet, Josh pushed through the toughest "miles" of his life with faith and community at his back. From the basketball courts of the University of Vermont to his graduation in 2020 and his wedding in 2024, Josh has turned a tragedy into a triumph. His story is the heartbeat of this foundation—a reminder that with support, we can all run our life's marathon.

That journey sparked a calling: to build a bridge for others walking a similar path. What began as one family’s private fight for recovery evolved into Run Your Marathon — The Josh Speidel Family Foundation. Our mission is to help TBI survivors and their families reclaim hope through the healing power of sports, movement, community, and faith. We believe the same strength that carried Josh can empower every survivor to reach their fullest potential and beyond.

We believe no one should have to run their marathon alone. Whether you’re a survivor taking those first difficult steps toward recovery, a family navigating a new reality, or a community rallying around a loved one—we are with you. Stride by stride, mile by mile, we’re here to help you run YOUR marathon.

For Survivors & Families

Need Support?

We provide grants to help TBI survivors and their families run their own TBI marathon. Whether it’s reclaiming physical strength or finding peace through faith, we’re here to support your goals. A small sampling of ways we provide funding: *Adaptive Sports & Equipment: Getting you back in the game. *Movement & Rehab: Therapy sessions or gym memberships to keep you moving. *Community Support: Connecting you with local resources and networks. *Spiritual Growth: Resources to help navigate the emotional toll of recovery. *Everyday living expenses. Your marathon is unique. Tell us what you need to take that next stride.

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What We Believe

What We Believe

A world where TBI-affected individuals find strength, purpose, and hope through sports and community engagement.

01

Faith-Driven Service

Guided by our faith, we lead with compassion and integrity.

02

Resilience and Hope

Every story matters. We honor perseverance and foster optimism.

03

Empowerment Through Sports

Movement heals. Sports as tools for recovery and growth.

04

Community and Connection

No one runs alone. Inclusive spaces for support and celebration.

05

Integrity and Compassion

Honesty, kindness, and respect for each individual's path.

News & Updates

Latest News

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Moments

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Benjamin
Benjamin
Caitlyn
Caitlyn
Salem Junior Senior High School
West Washington High School
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Champions

Grant Recipients

Benjamin A.

Benjamin A.

Benjamin experienced a brain injury that resulted in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, and microcephaly. He has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, meaning all four of his limbs are affected. Benjamin continues to make incredible progress. "We are incredibly grateful for this grant. It is being used to help cover the cost of a physical therapy intensive, where Benjamin will work on skills such as weight bearing, sitting, crawling, balance, and overall mobility. Unfortunately, intensive therapy programs like this are not usually covered by insurance. This grant is helping make this intensive possible for Benjamin. Opportunities like these are often financially out of reach for many families and we are incredibly grateful! Thank you for believing and supporting Benjamin." Run Your Marathon is honored to join Benjamin, his family, and therapist in his marathon. Keep going Benjamin...the sky is the limit!

Tess E.

Tess E.

There are times when I look at my daughter and wonder how I made it through everything that brought me here. Hello, my names Tess and I'm 27 years old and this is my story. I was adopted and spent my childhood moving through multiple foster homes. While other children had the comfort of knowing where they belonged, I spent years feeling like I was searching for a place to call home. My biological mother struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Even after I was removed from her care, I continued to see her through visitations. I loved her and always hoped things would get better, but eventually those visits had to stop because she couldn’t overcome her addiction. As a child, that kind of loss leaves a wound that never completely disappears. My biological father struggled with schizophrenia and severe mental health issues. Today, I live in the house he left behind. Never knowing the day I’ll have to leave. The house is falling apart in many ways, and some days it feels like I’m carrying the weight of every hardship that came before me. But I stay because it’s what I have, and every day I fight to make the best life possible for my daughter. Then, in 2016, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I underwent brain surgery in July of that year, and although the surgeons did everything they could, they were unable to remove all of it. When I woke up, my life would never be the same. I lost movement on the left side of my face. I had to relearn how to walk. I had to relearn how to eat. I had to relearn how to talk. I had to relearn how to smile. I also became deaf in my left ear. My vision was affected. My balance was affected. To this day, I struggle with symptoms that most people will never see. There are days when the migraines are so severe that they make me vomit. There are days when my vision blurs, when my balance feels off, and when simply getting through the day feels like a battle. The hardest part is knowing that this isn’t over. My brain tumor is recurring. It will continue to grow, and there will likely be more surgeries in my future. Right now, my doctors are monitoring it closely and allowing it to grow as much as safely possible before another operation becomes necessary. Every scan comes with fear. Every appointment comes with uncertainty. I know there will be more challenges ahead. Then on May 15, 2026, my daughter Oakley was born. The moment I saw her, everything changed. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t fighting only for myself anymore. She became my reason. My reason to get up when I’m exhausted. My reason to keep going when I’m scared. My reason to push through the pain, the migraines, the uncertainty, and the struggles. When I look at her, I don’t see everything I’ve lost. I see everything I’ve gained. I didn’t have an easy childhood. I grew up in foster care. I experienced loss, instability, and heartbreak. I’ve battled a brain tumor causing a TBI. survived brain surgery, and continue to face challenges every single day, but my daughter will always know she is loved. She will know that no matter how hard life gets, her mom will never stop fighting for her. Some days I feel overwhelmed. Some days I cry after everyone else has gone to sleep. Some days I wonder how I’m going to make it through the next obstacle. But then I hear Oakley laugh, or I watch her sleep peacefully in my arms, and I remember why I keep going. My story isn’t one of an easy life. It’s a story of surviving things that should have broken me. It’s a story of finding hope after heartbreak. It’s a story of choosing to keep moving forward when giving up would be easier. Most of all, it’s a story about a little girl who gave her mother a reason to believe that the future can be better than the past. No matter what challenges come next, I will keep fighting. For myself. For my future. For Oakley. Because she deserves the childhood I never had, and I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to give it to her.

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