About the Author
Susan Lanz is an educator, writer, and advocate for God inspired living with more than twenty-five years of experience in education and educational leadership. She holds a master’s degree in education and has served professionally as a classroom teacher, school principal, Head of School, business owner, and is an advocate for God inspired, transformational change.
In 2016, Susan’s life changed dramatically after a life-threatening ATV accident left her with severe injuries and a prognosis that she would never walk or run properly again. Refusing to accept that prognosis as the final word, she embarked on a seven-year journey of physical rebuilding, spiritual surrender, and developing a new found mental resilience in the process. What began as recovery evolved into a complete transformation. In June 2025, she achieved her goal of completing the San Diego 100, fulfilling her goal of running 100 miles and ultimately finishing multiple ultra-marathons along the way.
Roles I cherish most: Follower of Christ. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Educator. Author. Speaker.
Everything else is simply part of the journey.
Passions: I am passionate about trail running, hiking, personal growth, writing, and encouraging others to live with purpose and courage.
The trails have taught me some of life's most important lessons: perseverance, faith, resilience, and the power of taking one more step when the path ahead feels uncertain. What began as physical recovery after a life-changing accident became a journey of transformation that continues to shape my life today.
I love learning, growing, and helping others do the same. Through writing, speaking, and everyday conversations, I hope to encourage people to overcome fear, embrace possibility, and take the next faithful step toward the life they were created to live.
With honesty, vulnerability, and encouragement, Susan shows that every setback can become a steppingstone—and that the most powerful finish lines are the ones that we once thought were impossible.
Her journey is not simply about endurance or athletic achievement—it is about developing perseverance in the face of adversity, and eventually a new reality, at any age, and what it means to be truly alive. Susan’s story of resilience has been featured on ABC News and in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Beyond running and writing, Susan is active in her school, church, and ultra-running communities. She is also the founder of 100 Miles for Hope, a charity dedicated to providing clean water and education for underserved children in the reconciliation villages of Rwanda. Through her efforts, she has raised thousands of dollars to support Cindi’s Hope Academies, which serve 1300 children of genocide survivors, Her goal is to fund two new schools in Mwiri, Rwanda that will serve over 500 more children and their families by with Christian education and clean water.
Susan is married, the mother of two grown children, a son and daughter in law, and the proud grandmother of three. When she is not spending time with her family, she can often be found outdoors—running, hiking the PCT, and enjoying the local San Diego trails where she finds both solace and adventure. She is deeply passionate about helping others unlock their potential by reframing obstacles as opportunities for profound growth—by taking one small, faithful step at a time.
Susan lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and family, where she continues to write, speak, run, and encourage others to take their next faithful step forward.
