Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Mota.
Krystal, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started running when I was 15 years old, beginning with cross country. From there, I also got involved in track, soccer, and powerlifting. I’ve always been an active person, and I’ve always had a passion for movement, competition, and challenging myself. Over the years, running became more than just a sport for me—it became a habit that stuck with me and, honestly, kept me sane through different stages of life. Haha!
When I was younger, I was invited to run at Houston Baptist University, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the financial means to pursue that opportunity. Even though that chapter didn’t happen the way I had hoped, running continued to be a big part of my life.
As I got older, I met more people who would invite me to different runs and running groups. I loved the feeling of being around people who shared the same passion and energy. As life became busier and I moved closer to the city, I found myself wanting to create something of my own.
One day, a close friend and I randomly decided to start our own running group. We didn’t really know where it would lead, but we took the chance—and it has been an amazing experience ever since.
What started as simply wanting to run with others has grown into a community filled with like-minded, supportive, and inspiring people. That community is really the reason we continue to do what we do. It’s not just about running or getting a workout in; it’s about creating a space where people can come as they are, meet new people, have fun, and feel like they belong.
Looking back, it’s crazy to see how something I started doing at 15 has followed me through so many different stages of my life and eventually led me to creating a running community of my own. I am now 25 and I never really planned for it to turn into what it is today, but I’m incredibly grateful that it did.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of my biggest struggles has been dealing with anxiety and the fear of not knowing what I’m doing. There’s no real manual for starting and running a run club—it’s technically like running a business, and there are so many things you have to figure out along the way.
At first, I had a lot of anxiety, especially as more people started showing up and I realized I had to step outside of my comfort zone. I had to learn how to speak in front of groups, connect with people I didn’t know, put myself out there, and even become more comfortable with social media and being seen. Things that might seem small to someone else sometimes felt like a huge deal to me.
There were also moments when I felt completely stuck. Sometimes my mind would go blank, and I felt like my creativity and motivation had disappeared. At the same time, I was adjusting to living on my own, taking on more adult responsibilities, and trying to balance everything happening in my personal life with building the run club. There were definitely moments when I thought, “I just want to give up and run away from everything.”
But I kept reminding myself that that’s not who I am. I’ve never been someone who gives up, no matter how tough things get. Running has taught me that you don’t stop just because the course gets difficult—you keep going.
I’ve learned to give myself grace and remind myself that I’m human. My feelings are valid, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed or unsure. But I also remind myself that I’m not doing anything harmful. I’m trying to create something positive. I want to spread love, positivity, motivation, and community.
So whenever things get hard, I remind myself that I have to keep going until I “run” the full course of this run club and the vision we have for it. I don’t know exactly where that finish line is yet, but I know I’m not ready to stop running toward it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pushing P. Run Club is a Houston-based running community that was created to bring people together through running, movement, culture, and genuine connection. What started as a simple idea between two friends has grown into a community of people who come together to run, meet new people, support each other, and have a good time.
We’re not just focused on running fast or being the “best” runner. We want running to feel accessible and welcoming, whether you’ve been running for years or you’re showing up to your first mile. We’re known for creating an environment where people can come as they are, push themselves at their own pace, and feel like they’re part of something.
One of the things that sets us apart is the way we incorporate Houston culture, Latino culture, music, and community into our events. Our signature event, Corridos y Kilómetros, is a perfect example. It’s a 5K inspired by our Mexican roots and love for corridos, but it’s intentionally welcoming to everyone. We combine running with music, local vendors, food, cars, bikes, and other elements of our culture to create an experience that feels bigger than just a race.
We’re also proud of how much the brand has evolved organically. We didn’t start with a big business plan or a manual telling us how to build a run club. We learned by doing, listening to our community, making mistakes, and continuing to grow. Seeing people come back, bring their friends, make new friendships, and feel comfortable being themselves at our events is something we’re incredibly proud of.
I think what makes Pushing P. Run Club special is that there is a genuine sense of community behind it. We want people to leave our runs feeling motivated, supported, and maybe even a little more confident than when they arrived.
Our goal is to continue growing while staying true to who we are. Eventually, we would love to turn Corridos y Kilómetros into an official race and create opportunities to give back to our community through scholarships, donations, and other initiatives. For us, the ultimate goal is not simply to build a bigger brand—it’s to build something that has a positive impact on the people and community around us.
How do you think about luck?
I think luck has definitely played a role in our journey, but I also believe that a lot of what you put out into the world comes back to you. We try to lead with good intentions, positivity, and genuine energy, and I think that has opened a lot of doors for us.
One thing we always say is, “It WILL happen.” Whether it’s something small, like finding a parking spot at the park when we thought there was nowhere to park, or something bigger, like a collaboration or opportunity coming together, we’ve learned to trust that things will work themselves out.
At the same time, I think there’s something to be said about letting things flow naturally. We’ve learned not to force every opportunity or feel like we need to have everything figured out immediately. Sometimes the best things have happened when we simply stayed open and allowed things to happen.
Of course, there are days when everything feels overwhelming. When you’re trying to build something, it’s easy to let one problem turn into another and create a domino effect in your mind. I’ve had to learn that I can’t let one difficult moment convince me that everything is falling apart.
So maybe we’ve been lucky—but I also think we’ve put ourselves in a position to recognize and receive those opportunities. We show up, we put good energy into what we’re building, we stay open to new possibilities, and we keep moving forward.
For us, luck isn’t just about waiting for something good to happen. It’s about believing it can happen, doing the work, and trusting the process enough to let the right things find you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pushingprunclub – CorridosyKilometros – Krysta_Mote
