Conversations with Freddie Collins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Freddie Collins.

Hi Freddie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always worn a lot of hats. I’m a music teacher, a dad, a runner, and now I spend a lot of my time building RunWell Georgia and We Run Gwinnett. Looking back, though, none of that really happened the way I planned it.

Music has always been my first love. I’ve spent years teaching elementary music because I genuinely believe every kid deserves a chance to find something they’re proud of. Seeing a student who was too shy to sing suddenly perform in front of hundreds of people—that never gets old.

Running didn’t come until much later.

A few years ago, I weighed over 350 pounds. I was prediabetic, exhausted all the time, and honestly just tired of feeling like I wasn’t in control of my own health. After waking up the morning with eyes so blurry that I could hardly see my youngest daughter, I knew I needed a change. I started with Couch to 5K because it was literally the only thing that seemed possible. I wasn’t trying to become fast or run marathons. I just wanted to be around longer for my kids.

Somewhere along the way, running stopped being about losing weight and started becoming part of who I am. Every race gave me a little more confidence. Every mile taught me something about discipline, consistency, and believing I could do hard things.

Now I’ve run over 100 races, including a marathon, and lost well over 100 pounds. But what I’m most proud of isn’t the medals or the finish times. It’s seeing someone else realize they’re capable of something they never thought they could do.

That’s why I started the We Run Gwinnett Race Series and help co-found RunWell Georgia. I want people to know you don’t have to look like a runner to become one. You just have to start.

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 hasn’t been smooth.

People see the before-and-after pictures, but they don’t see the setbacks in between. There have been injuries, races that didn’t go the way I wanted, weeks where I questioned everything, and plenty of mornings when I didn’t feel like getting out the door.

One of the hardest things has honestly been changing my mindset. Losing weight is one thing. Believing you’re actually a different person takes a lot longer.

Building RunWell Georgia has been another challenge. Organizing races isn’t just showing up on race day. It’s fundraising, finding sponsors, talking to businesses, permits, volunteers, budgeting, marketing…and sometimes hearing “no” over and over before someone finally says yes.

I’m also still learning to ask for help. I’ve always been the type who tries to carry everything myself. That’s something I’m still working on.

But every challenge reminds me why I started. If my story can help one person take that first walk, sign up for their first 5K, or believe they’re capable of changing their life, then every setback has been worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I’m an elementary music teacher, and I honestly love what I do. Music gives kids confidence in ways that go far beyond learning notes on a page. Some of my favorite moments are watching students realize they’re capable of more than they thought.

In 2021, I started Harper Rose Sweet Shop, a baked goods business that specialized in cookies and candy bars. It was a successful business for 2 years that I discontinued when I resumed teaching after the pandemic.

Outside of school, I founded the We Run Gwinnett Race Series and helped co-found RunWell Georgia because I wanted to create that same feeling for both children and adults through movement.

We’re building more than races. We’re building a community where everyone feels welcome, whether they’re chasing a Boston qualifier or walking their very first mile. My goal has never been to create the biggest race series—it’s to create one where people feel like they belong.

I’m probably most proud of the people who come back and tell me, “I never thought I could do this.” Those conversations mean more to me than any PR I’ve ever run.

I think what sets me apart is that I’m still on the journey myself. I’m not someone who has it all figured out. I’m still training. I’m still learning. I’m still trying to become a better runner, teacher, father, and leader every day. I think people connect with that because it’s real.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
In 2010, I was a part of a college ensemble that went viral for our original performance, “The Carol of the Bed Intruder” a mashup of Carol of the Bells and the Bed Intruder song.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/we-run-gwinnett/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millsrunsmiles?igsh=MTNiZGwzY3hzcmcyNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr