Medica’s Post

Transcript

(gentle music) - So, when you got into running, what was it like just to kind of start that journey, and now you are an official 15-time marathon runner? (Andrew laughing) - Wow. Time flies. - Well, welcome to our latest episode of "Unscripted." I'm here with Andrew Marshall, Market Leader for Minnesota and the Dakotas. We are here at Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie. What a beautiful day. - It's perfect. A little hazy 'cause we have some smoke coming through, but a good day for a run nonetheless. - I am looking forward to it. Well, talk to us about your leadership here at Medica. You know, obviously you have some big responsibilities with the Minnesota and Dakota markets and just kind of what that's been like. - I just, you know, had the pleasure of being at Medica for almost 18 years now in roles that are really focused on building relationships in the market, and this role just kind of takes that to another level and the responsibility of doing that really across all the business that we write in the region and connecting employers and providers and regulators and community leaders all with a focus on growing our presence and really ensuring that we're delivering on our promise to the market and delivering affordable and equitable access to healthcare, and it's just the most fun in the world. It's just about relationships and what a better way to build relationships and connect with people. - You're a big runner. You love to run. That's something that's just you're very passionate about. - Yeah, so you know, I've always been involved in athletics and just kind of physical competition since I was growing up, and a lot of it was around team sports and played basketball through college at St. Olaf, and that was a lot of fun. But then kind of got out of that, and you grow older and you don't have those same networks to be able to do some of those things and didn't kind of have a way to scratch that itch, so to speak. And then kind of got to a point in my life where there were some challenges and was a little bit lost, if you will, and had an unhealthy relationship really with alcohol at that point. And, ultimately, through the support of my family and Medica and my employer and friends, kind of got the support that I needed to navigate my way through that and some treatment. And then came out of that and just realized that I needed something to fill that space physically and competitively. So marathon was on kind of a bucket list, so I thought I'd try one of those and started training around in this area. We have a townhouse still in Eden Prairie, but this is where we got married and where we got our start and where I got my start running. So kind of checked that off the list and did the first race and then kind of figured out that maybe more importantly than the physical side was what running did for me from a mental health perspective and then just kind of got hooked and 15 marathons later, here I am kind of still doing it on a daily basis, and I just love it. - You're a dad of three girls. Talk about home life and what that's like. - Yes, I'm a girl dad. So three girls ages 8, 11 and 13, and it's a lot of fun and just a fun time, fun package of ages, I guess. I say my 13-year-old hasn't abandoned us yet, and my 8-year-old is, you know, self-sufficient, so we can have a lot of fun. They're so different. You know, we were talking about this earlier, but just with their personalities and they're all into different things, and I think that the fun is trying to incorporate some of what you learned in growing up and things that were important to you, and one thing that we're focused on right now is just, and as a leader, I feel like you always have to have some acronyms or something silly, but it's the three Ms. Like move your body. Find something you're gonna do through a sport or otherwise exercise your mind. So my kids are into reading which their dad wasn't. So it's fun to see them do that. And then do something musically. And so they've all found an instrument and different things to do. So that just means there's plenty going on, and I'm just trying to, the running's good, I'm trying to chase them down. I'm trying to keep up with them along the way. - Well, how about we go take advantage of this day, - Let's take a run. - and go for a little run. - Sure. - Okay. (bright upbeat music) Was running kind of an outlet for when you were going through some challenges with, you know, your physical and mental wellbeing? - One is my wife, Maya, who's amazing. When I needed it, she found a way to ensure I had the space to kind of figure things out. And then the other is running. And just from kind of the way it makes me feel and obviously gets the good chemicals moving and whatnot, the outlet it gives me away from hectic life and job and kids and whatnot to the, I guess, the accomplishments that, you know, I get to fulfill on my own. And that's part of the great part is you can always get faster or even, as you get older, there's another goal you can kind of always achieve. So it's given me this thing to pursue kind of on my own. - What I love so much about your story is second chances are always available, and that redemption, and that you hit rock bottom, but now here you are really doing well. I mean, just talk about that because that's life, and not everybody rebounds like you did. Just talk about that resilience. - Oh yeah. Wow. Well, I think, I appreciate that by the way, the competitive piece of me has been an important part of that as well. So I'll never forget, I was at treatment at The Retreat on Wayzata which is just an amazing place. There's a room of 40 or so people, and there was someone speaking to us, and that person said, "Just so you know, "like only one of you in this room "is likely to have really any sort of long-term sobriety." And I was like, "Wow, that's a jump ball. "Like, I want to win that!" So that kind of got me started on this path, and the support of Medica, honestly, and my family and then running, these kind of pieces kind of allowed me to get started, and then it just has become a little bit of a winning streak for me. So I think about the last 14 years versus the 14 years before that, the things I've gotten to accomplish: getting married, having kids, promotions at work, running marathons, getting to run Boston a couple of times, and it's just a winning streak that I wouldn't have had without the support of others or, to your point, a second chance or some people that believed in me to give me the opportunity to do that. - Yeah, well thank you so much for the transparency and the authenticity. We appreciate it. - Oh, it's been a blast to be here. Thanks for having me. (bright upbeat music)