Sammie Bennett

Sammie Bennett is a Grand Rapids, Michigan, running community leader and certified running coach with a passion for giving back. Through her passion, Sammie is on a mission to create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all runners, including women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Sammie’s mission was born out of her journey in which she found the courage to share her mental health journey, which included a poor relationship with food and running, coming out as queer, and navigating the confusing amounts of information on how women should approach their training. What started as a simple hobby to get in shape has propelled Sammie to find more alignment in her life and help others do the same. 

As an experienced athlete who has conquered 80+ races, including two ultra-marathons and three Kilimanjaro summits, Sammie offers a unique perspective and an abundance of passion. Though she has accomplished several incredible feats, the simple joys of routine and community support her greater goals. 

“Life is all about creating balance and knowing when to push, but also when to slow down.”

As a certified running coach specializing in women’s health, LGBTQ+, and female activism, Sammie aims to help others slow down and approach the less is more mentality with confidence. Additionally, she is a community leader acting as co-captain of Lyon Street Run Club and founder of Trail Sisters Grand Rapids. Sammie is a friend of Gazelle Sports, a HOKA flyer, and a community leader for Mountains and Marathons, a Global Leadership program.