A Mother and Daughter Strengthen Their Connection and Their Community by Coaching Girls on the Run Together

When a Girls on the Run season was at risk of being canceled due to a lack of coaches, Olivia "Liv" Schmelz stepped in without hesitation. Worried the program might not happen, she turned to her mom, Janine with a simple ask: "Would you coach with me?" The answer was an immediate yes and what followed became a powerful, full-circle journey for them both.

For Liv, Girls on the Run isn’t just a program, it’s a big part of her elementary school years that shaped who she is today. She still vividly remembers her very first 5K in Sparta. As she ran the course, something unexpected happened, "Everyone came out of their houses and sat in lawn chairs to cheer us on. We had duct tape on our shirts that had our names written on them, and I remember all of these strangers cheering all of our names; it was magical."

That sense of encouragement and belonging stayed with her long after the race ended. It’s part of what inspired her to return years later as a coach. A big influence was her former coach and mentor, DJ Neill, whose leadership left a lasting impression. “She was an amazing mentor, and I couldn't wait to co-coach with her.” Liv said. 

Executive Director Maureen Dykstra knew Liv was exceptional, long before she was old enough to coach.  "Right after Liv completed Heart and Sole, she asked to volunteer at the 5K.  It's unusual for someone so young to volunteer.  I knew that Liv had a special connection to our program and that she felt strongly about furthering our mission.  As soon as she was 16, she signed up to be a junior coach which was another way she gave back to our program and the girls in her community.  We are extremely grateful to Liv and her dedication to Girls on the Run."

Now, taking on a leadership role in the program, Liv brings a unique perspective. Having completed the program many times herself, she was familiar with the lessons which helped. “As soon as I read the first couple of sentences, I knew what I was doing, because I've gone through the lessons myself!”

One, in particular, has never left her. During a lesson about the power of words, Coach DJ squeezed toothpaste out of a tube onto each girl's finger and challenged them to put it back in. Of course, no one could. The message was clear: think before you speak.  "The point was that once words are said, they cannot be taken back," Liv said, "and that really stuck with me.” 

Coaching alongside her mom has added another meaningful layer to the experience. "It's definitely a weird experience coaching with my mom. She didn't really know anything about the lessons, as she always just dropped me off and picked me up from Girls on the Run."  Liv continued,  "Now, it's really cool to see her go through and experience the lessons for the first time, just like I did years ago."

For her mom, the experience has been equally eye-opening. While she always knew how much Liv loved the program, seeing her step confidently into a leadership role has been inspiring. “I always knew how much Olivia loved going to the Girls on the Run program but seeing her coach is truly where she shines.” she said. “Seeing Liv lead as an extremely motivated, confident and organized woman, it makes me so proud!”

Together, they’ve found a rhythm. Liv shares how lessons were taught during her time in the program, while her mom draws from her background as a preschool teacher. They collaborate, blending experience and fresh perspective to create meaningful practices for their team.

Their shared history with Girls on the Run runs even deeper. When Liv was younger, her mom was often her running buddy, cheering her on through practices and races. “Running those 5Ks with her was magical,” Liv said. “I think coaching together brings back a little of that magic from the 5Ks.”

That magic shows up when they are coaching the girls, like watching their team begin to connect the dots between lessons, or hearing girls speak up with thoughtful, meaningful answers. “When they start really understanding and participating, you can see how special the program is,” Liv said.

At its core, Girls on the Run is about more than running. It’s about helping girls navigate the challenges of growing up, building confidence, forming healthy relationships, and learning to believe in themselves. "Growing up as a girl is challenging in so many ways.  Janine shared, "Learning strategies to help them deal with friendships, family and school in healthy ways as early as  possible will give them the confidence they need to get through the obstacles they will face throughout adolescence."

The impact is clear in Liv herself. Once self-described as extremely introverted, she now stands in front of a group, leading with confidence and purpose. “It was intimidating at first,” she admitted. “But I wanted to be someone I would have looked up to when I was younger.”

And that’s exactly who she’s become.

For the girls on their team, this mother-daughter duo offers more than instruction—they provide a living example of teamwork, encouragement, and authenticity. The girls see that we don’t have to be perfect and neither do they, they just have to show up and do their best.   “The girls can see all how we work together," Janine shared, "and that we can laugh at ourselves if we make a mistake." 

When asked what she hopes the girls take away from their experience, Liv doesn’t hesitate: friendships. “I hope that they will all leave as friends instead of leaving as girls who were on the same team."

And her message to current participants is simple but heartfelt: “Enjoy it. You don’t realize how fast it goes by.”

In stepping up to coach, Liv and her mom didn’t just help save a season—they strengthened their bond, rediscovered shared joy, and are now helping a new generation of girls find their own confidence, voice, and stride.