For 32-year-old Herbert "Remmy" Gibson, running is more than just exercise. Three times a week, Gibson runs through the Dallas streets not only for physical health, but to work his way toward a better life.
Gibson, who served in the Army for 10 years, is a member of the Dallas chapter of Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization that uses a running-based model to combat homelessness and promote confidence, strength and self-esteem.
"Life kept telling me to just stop, give up, don't worry about it. You’re not going to make it," Gibson says. "Then my roommate told me about this program called Back On My Feet. He said he did it for a while and it really helped him out."
That's when things changed for Gibson.
"The first morning kicked my butt," Gibson admits. "But the camaraderie and being part of a community again—that was what I was missing."
In addition to his three runs per week, the group does trail runs and local races, which Gibson hopes will prepare him for his next challenge.
"Hopefully I'll be training for my marathon," he says. "That's where I see myself in a year."
And as a testament to his determination and the power of community, Gibson has now completed the Back On My Feet program, secured a job and is still running, working toward his 26.2 goal.