The Million Dollar Fundraiser: A Fundraising Masterclass From Wilson Kriegel

Wilson Kriegel is no ordinary runner. His journey is a powerful story of resilience, focus, and determination — shaping both his professional life and his remarkable running career. Having raised over $1 million for charities across the U.S. and beyond, Wilson takes fundraising to another level.

In this inspiring episode, he joins host Tim Rogers for a candid conversation about his extraordinary adventures, the challenges he’s overcome, and the mindset that keeps him moving forward. Wilson also shares invaluable, practical tips on how to maximise your fundraising impact. A must-listen for anyone looking to be inspired and make a difference.

Wilson has supported many charities but focused on supporting these three:

Rise Alliance For Children -  Early stage education using science based play learning in environment of trauma and displacement. They have over 40,000 children in our school programs in 8 countries through more than 150 local partners. He is a Board member and has raised six figures for the charity during his challenges.

 

Kyle Pease Foundation -  focused on inclusion of young athletes with disabilities into sports. Over 140 disabled athletes over 1300 finish lines crossed in 2024.

He has raised and donated nearly $40,000 over 2 years racing 10+ times 

 

ZERO Prostate Cancer has supported millions of people at risk, diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy and support - with an urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care. He has raised over $25,000 over several races.

 

You can follow Wilson on Linkedin and on Instagram @harleydav

 

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have two channels, this one and for members only. If you'd to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords

running, mental health, fundraising, community, challenges, distance running, personal growth, charity, resilience, ultra marathons

Summary

In this episode, Tim Rogers interviews Wilson Kriegel, who shares his inspiring journey from struggling with mental health issues to becoming a successful distance runner and entrepreneur. Wilson discusses the profound impact running has had on his life, particularly in managing depression and anxiety. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, community, and the transformative power of setting and achieving challenging goals. Wilson also highlights his commitment to fundraising for various charities through his running endeavors, illustrating how personal challenges can lead to greater societal impact. The conversation delves into the significance of vulnerability, the joy of giving back, and the motivation to encourage others to run for charity.

Takeaways

Running is a daily commitment that prepares you for challenges.
Mental health can be positively impacted by physical activity.
Community support is crucial in endurance sports.
Fundraising adds meaning to personal challenges.
Vulnerability is a strength in the journey of self-discovery.
Setting and achieving goals builds self-confidence.
Every race is an opportunity to impact others' lives.
The journey of giving back is deeply rewarding.
Running teaches discipline and resilience.
Choosing to do hard things can lead to personal growth.

Titles

From Struggles to Strength: Wilson's Running Journey
Running for a Cause: The Power of Fundraising

Sound bites

"You have to choose the hard."
"It's about doing something bigger than yourself."
"It's about the intention behind it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wilson's Journey
07:24 Building Discipline and Resilience
16:45 The Impact of Running on Mental Health
29:24 Fundraising and Giving Back
35:11 Fundraising Through Personal Challenges
45:44 The Art of Asking for Donations
51:12 Incorporating Charity into Personal Goals