St. Pius’ Brady running through adversity
ATLANTA (BVM) — For some, running is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For others, it’s simply a way to stay in shape. Then for a select few, running is everything. For Mary Brady, the Gatorade Georgia Girls Cross Country Player of the Year, the latter is true.
Brady has been running since she was just a little tyke, going on mile-long runs with her mom as a kindergartener. It’s a passion she’s had from day one.
But before running was a healthy part of her life and before winning this prestigious award, Brady was weathering a vicious storm. At 11 years old, the now-elite runner was learning to cope with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that consumes the mind and makes it obsess about body weight and eating habits.
“I used running as a way to lose weight and calories,” Brady said “Mentally I was in a dark place and I did not find life very beautiful … it took me years to recover from it. The hardest part was recovering and getting a new mindset.”
It was a process that took time and patience, but eventually, Brady overcame this roadblock to become the star she is now. And along the way, she realized that running could actually be used as a resource to defeat her condition. By changing her mindset and leaning on the people close to her for support, Brady rose from the struggle.
“I would just say I have to credit my support system, family and friends and use running to give myself a healthy relationship with my body,” Brady said. “I would say running gives me confidence and confidence is the biggest tool against body image and eating disorders.”
Brady has been fully delivered from her previous turmoil now as she is a member and big-time contributor to the back-to-back state champion St. Pius X Catholic Golden Lions. She was unbeaten by Georgia competitors this season, winning six of nine meets and clocking the state’s two fastest 5K times by a female.
She was also the Class 5A individual champion this year, with her resume earning her second-team All-American honors. Now, Brady will get to continue her running chronicles at Georgia Tech.
“I want to be a biomedical engineer and it’s a good school to become one,” Brady said. “I actually made my decision, though, after I met my future teammates and the freshmen at Georgia Tech. I ran a race there a really long time ago and fell in love with the campus and the team was there to cheer all of us on and I’ve always had good feelings about Georgia Tech.”
Between beating anorexia and racking up the cross country accolades, Brady has been through a lot. There have been plenty of real and figurative finish lines for her to cross. The future Yellow Jacket’s strong faith is something that has helped her along the way.
“Having a strong faith background no matter what religion or belief helps keep your mind focused and believing in something bigger than yourself,” Brady said. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe you can do something but it’s easier to believe something else is helping you so I always pray before I race and I believe something else is helping me get to that finish line.”
With so many life experiences lived for a young person, Brady is well-spoken and intelligent. She is positive and optimistic. She’s willing to help others get to the stage she is at. Brady can now quickly recognize the warning signs of eating disorders, and always offers a listening ear.
Chances are she’d suggest her lifelong passion, running, to anyone going through something.
“It gives me space to be alone in my thoughts and to explore new areas,” Brady said. “I’ve always loved a change of scenery and getting energy out. It’s kind of perfect for me.”
