If Anthony Ramos is going to take on a new endeavor, chances are he’s going to be successful at it. He’s already thrived in acting, as evidenced by his efforts as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the iconic stage play Hamilton, which he also took home a Grammy for. He’s also been prominent on the big screen in A Star is Born, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Twisters.

Now he’s set to do something completely different: run the 2025 New York City Marathon. Ramos has played baseball and is usually active but has never been an avid runner. However, he woke up on his last birthday and made a snap decision.

“I was just ready to make some changes in my life and live a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to lock in a different way.”

Not one to do anything on a small scale, the NYC Marathon seemed like a perfect opportunity to do just that. He may not have had experience running long distances, but he’s adapted since he started.

“I wasn’t a runner, but I’ve grown to love it,” Ramos said. “I understand why people do it.”

Preparation is Key

The journey has not been an easy one for Ramos. He’s still been very active traveling, working, and helping his family start a new bar in his hometown of Brooklyn. In between the takes, flights, and establishing Milly’s, named after his mother, Ramos has been working with Olympic coach Des Linden to get the runs in and prepare for running the streets of the City that Never Sleeps.

“She’s been really encouraging. She’ll send me workouts every week and remind to get in speed work, or focus on this.”

Considering Ramos’ busy schedule and being a running rookie, he didn’t become a seasoned runner overnight, but thanks to learning from Linden and being as consistent as he can, he’s gotten better and more comfortable with longer distances.

“In the beginning, even three or four miles was hard. But as I stuck with it and stayed locked in, now even a half-marathon is light work.”

A key to that progress is making the most of opportunities to run whenever and wherever he can.

“I’ve had to run in Venice, not even knowing where I’m running, I’ve had to do ten miles in Toronto after a film festival. You just go.”

Ramos has also found that there is more to running than just the basic runner’s high. He has found it to be a time for meditation and mental clarity, which is one reason he won’t stop running after he races on Sunday, November 2, the weekend of his 34th birthday.

“Some of my best ideas come on these runs too. It’s crazy.”

Ramos also made sure he had the best gear to run with, including Brooks shoes. Ramos plans to run with their Glycerin Max shoes, but they have several options for runners of all levels. Ramos also suggests snack gels and making sure you’re following a sound nutrition plan if running is in your future.

“You gotta have electrolytes, lots of water, and carbs. I will be carbing up over the final couple of days before the marathon to be ready.”

Having an app like Strava to help you track your runs can help you gauge your progress. Ramos just advised not to get overwhelmed comparing your times with others.

“I will see Des’s times on there like six or seven-minute miles, and I said ‘I gotta stop looking at this,’” he joked.

Last, but certainly not least, is recovery. Staying off his feet when he can is crucial, and quality sleep is non-negotiable. He’s also been using any options that are available to him as well.

“I got a Thai massage recently as well. You don’t have to do that, but it also doesn’t hurt.”

Running For More Than Himself

Running may be an individual endeavor, but having people working with you or running with you definitely can make you accountable and push you further than you may go on your own. Ramos has more people in his corner beyond Linden. He will have his brother as well a former teacher running alongside him as well as others. They will also be raising money for his scholarship, making this a passion that others can benefit from.

“I’ve got a scholarship through an organization called Scholarship Plus. There’s been a lot of amazing opportunities that have come through this.”

Ramos already has his sights set on future events as well, such as a half-marathon in Puerto Rico that he intends to enter after the NYC Marathon. He will also be busy professionally as well with promotion of his next film, A House of Dynamite. As for the near future, he only has two items on his to-do list once he crosses the finish line this Sunday.

“I’m gonna hug my mama to thank her for giving me legs to run with, then go take a nap.” You can follow Ramos on Instagram.

Young Americans have more opportunities to succeed and thrive than ever before. One avenue that has seen growth in recent years is service through the military. The nation’s future will be riding on the shoulders of the brave men and women that choose to serve in all branches, and the leaders of each have faith that the heroes in waiting will be ready to answer the call.

One shining example of this is Yale Air Force ROTC Cadet-Captain Samantha Tishler. The native of Glastonbury, CT, is studying Mechanical Engineering, has a certificate in Russian, and is already well on her way to reaching some big goals that she has made for herself.

“My goal is to become a pilot in the Air Force,” said Tishler, who knows what it will take and is preparing herself for what lies ahead on that journey.

“I am incredibly passionate about all things related to leadership, fitness, and aviation.”

When Tishler was looking for a school to go to, Yale was one of those she got to visit and knew it would be a perfect fit.

“It is a great community, and I chose them because of the great education as well.”

Fitness as a Foundation

Knowledge is power, but the physical requirements of serving in the military are great. Fortunately, Tishler has already invested many hours into becoming her best physical self because being active was a big part of her growing up,

“My family does a Turkey Trot every year, and I’ve done the Manchester Road Race. Our family loves to run, bike, and hike.”

She’s played soccer for as long as she can remember but also took up softball in high school. That commitment to self and a team has carried into college where she played intramural sports like soccer and basketball. She has also run in three half-marathons and participated in a 9/11 stair climb.

Tishler expressed that sports can be a great avenue of learning skills that can apply to being a part of a team as well as leading one.

“You have to obviously compete both physically and mentally. Pairing up those two things is a really good practice.”

Tishler got to take her focus on fitness and leadership to a new level last year when she served as one of two Squadron Physical Fitness Officer, which meant she worked under the Head Physical Fitness Officer and got to lead her squadron through Tuesday and Thursday morning workouts.

Many would feel pressure from being ready at 0600 for this role, but Tishler excelled because she knew the workouts, could set the tone, and was very capable of showing others what to do and how to do it.

“I loved this role as it gave me the opportunity to set the tone on bringing energy, morale, and camaraderie to ROTC training,” she stated. “It boosted my leadership skills a ton.”

Leading From The Front

Tishler takes on any opportunity that helps her grow and make a difference. Her role as President of the Peace and Dialogue Leadership Initiative, a fellowship between Yale students and West Point cadets, does just that. They have recently been studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which provides a chance for her to learn about international matters. Knowing you can learn more by listening and observing, she also pays attention when other leaders are speaking to constituents and each other.

“I also frequent political union debates to sharpen my ideas and how I communicate them,” she shared. Tishler isn’t sure if she will have a role in politics in the future, but the debates do serve as a learning tool for leadership.

“I’m not sure where my career will take me, but there are so many opportunities in the Air Force that I’ve started to discover. I think it would satisfy a lot of my interests.”

She has been in positions to learn from leaders that came before her. Two sources of inspiration she credits as influences are Air Force Lieutenants Nita Qiu and Thomas Nardini, who were both seniors during Tishler’s first year.

“They were always looking out for me,” Tishler recalled. “They both saw I was really dedicated and guided me by giving me a lot of tips. They also gave me the opportunity to be their first salutes at the commissioning ceremony.”

Whether it’s from the front of the room, behind leaders that mentored her, or during a game, Tishler has learned and shares the importance of making the most of whatever position you are in or where you stand in a room.

“You can lead from anywhere, regardless of your title or situation.”

Ready To Defend Freedom With Others

Tishler looks forward to the day she is officially a pilot and begins her military career. She’ll be ready to put the work in but understands that being a part of the Air Force means working for and alongside many other patriotic people like herself. That is more than a goal for her, it will be ways to satisfy several passions that she’s had her whole life.

Tishler said, “I’m already studying Mechanical Engineering, I’m interested in the political side, I love flying, and I love leadership. My interests are all over the place.”

The prospect of service excites Tishler because she knows with every assignment, mission, or other chance to put her skills to good use, she is not only serving herself but those that are making the same commitment she is and ultimately, the American people. Being a part of something bigger than herself and doing important work that will benefit others is a chance she does not intend to waste. The experience she has gained at Yale will be put to good use because she has proven that she can thrive when helping others.

“You can do a lot as an individual, but when you start to put the success of the group above your own, you can do so much more as a team.”

You can learn more about Yale University’s ROTC program at their website.

M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article