New Balance professional and two-time World Championship qualifier Stephanie Garcia, who earned a silver medal for the U.S. in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2010 NACAC U-23 Championships, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her first competition in 315 days, as she is scheduled to compete Dec. 4 in the 5,000 meters at the Sound Running Track Meet. Garcia reflects on reuniting in the past year with coach Robert Gary at Furman and shares the benefits of her recent training program in Greenville, S.C., which has included working out with fifth-year senior Gabrielle Jennings, who will also be competing at the event in the 5,000. She shares the benefits of the meet being held after the Dec. 1 window opened for athletes to achieve Olympic standards or U.S. Olympic Trials standards, and how important racing and competition is for the mental health of all athletes during the Coronavirus pandemic. Garcia provides an update on how her stride is continuing to develop and evolve following injury setbacks in 2018, and analyzes the impressive depth of the women's steeplechase in the U.S. in preparation for next year's Olympic Trials. She also shares insight on working with Darren Rovell in promoting WAALC and the Global Mental Health Alliance, as well as her desire to partner with organizations that are shining a light on giving athletic opportunities to underrepresented communities, especially young Latino and Hispanic students. In addition, Garcia looks ahead to a career beyond racing and competition as an administrator in a Power Five Conference, hoping to open the door for more women to be hired as athletic directors and make significant contributions in NCAA Division 1 athletic departments.