The Runna Podcast

How do you come back from a career-threatening injury when giving up isn’t an option? This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Tim Don—a two-time Olympian, four-time World Champion, and the man who set the Ironman World Record in 2017 before a devastating accident changed his life.Days before the 2017 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Tim was hit by a truck while cycling, breaking his neck. Instead of surgery, he chose an extreme recovery method—the halo brace, a metal frame drilled into his skull—giving himself the best chance of returning to elite competition.We talked about:🏆Breaking the Ironman World Record with a time of 7:40:23💔Overcoming a devastating cycling accident and recovering with a halo brace🏃‍♂️Running the Boston Marathon just six months later in 2:49:42⏳Pushing through pain, setbacks, and the mental toughness that keeps him goingJoin us as we talk about Tim’s record breaking career, his grueling recovery and his journey since becoming ‘The Man with the Halo’. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. We’d love to hear your thoughts—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱✨ Don’t forget to use the code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♂️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to run 572km across all 11 London Underground lines in just 11 days? Or cover 960km across the UK and Ireland’s capitals in the same amount of time? This week on the Runna Podcast, we sit down with Jonny Davies, a true ultra-running champion whose dedication to both endurance sports and mental health advocacy has left an indelible mark on the running world.Jonny’s incredible feats of endurance have included: 🏃‍♂️ Completing the London Underground challenge: 572km in 11 days with over 8,500 meters of elevation gain. 🏙️ Running 960km across the capitals of the UK and Ireland for Calm Zone💪 Leading Scrambled Legs, a run club that's creating a powerful community of runners. 🧠 Championing mental health through his ultra-running journey, proving that running isn't just physical—it's mental too.In this episode, we discuss: 👟 What drives Jonny to take on his extraordinary ultra challenges. 💥 How he manages physical exhaustion and mental fatigue during his most intense runs. 💬 The importance of mental health advocacy and how his running journey ties into that. 🏆 Leading Scrambled Legs: Why Jonny is passionate about building a supportive running community. 💭 How ultra running has changed his life and perspective on resilience.Jonny’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and how one person’s journey can change the lives of many. Tune in to hear about the highs, lows, and the mindset behind tackling monumental challenges—both on and off the running trail.We’d love to hear your thoughts—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱✨ Don’t forget to use the code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♂️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your greatest athletic achievements came after having triplets? This week on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Clare Elms, a multi-time world record holder and one of the most dominant Masters runners of all time.Despite discovering her talent later in life, Clare has gone on to:🏆 Win five European indoor gold medals and multiple world records.⏱️ Break the W60 Mile World Record with an incredible 5:26.13.🇬🇧 Set 14 UK age-group records🏃‍♀️ Dominate ParkRun—she’s been the fastest female finisher in all 158 ParkRuns she’s done!In this episode, we talk about:👟 Winning races at 45+ and staying at the top of her game.🥑 Why she eats avocado with every meal.👩‍👧 The joy of training and racing with her daughter.🆕 How new shoe technology has given her a second wind.💪 The mindset behind "slowing down the getting slower.”Clare’s story is a powerful reminder that age doesn’t define your potential—it’s all about mindset, training smart, and loving the sport.We’d love to hear your thoughts and what keeps you motivated—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱✨ Don’t forget to use the code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♀️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Steph Elswood—former professional dancer and soon-to-be mom. During a challenging period navigating an eating disorder, Steph turned to social media as an outlet for accountability and healing. What started as a personal journey has grown into a vibrant, safe space for healthy living, positivity, and joy. Steph now uses her platform to inspire others, sharing her experiences of living alcohol-free, embracing running for pure joy, and cultivating balance in life.We talked about:💃 Life in the Spotlight: From starting as a professional dancer at 14 to battling the toxic pressures of the industry and using her experience to inspire others.🌱 Navigating an Eating Disorder: How Steph used her platform to hold herself accountable, rebuild her relationship with food, and advocate for healthier conversations around body image.🏃‍♀️ Running for Joy: How running became Steph’s outlet for mental well-being, from her first marathon for Alzheimer’s to celebrating movement without pressure.🍹 Life Without Alcohol: Her journey of sober curiosity, the unexpected benefits of going alcohol-free, and embracing a healthier lifestyle.Steph’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-love, balance, and finding joy in movement.We’d love to hear your thoughts and your running stories—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♀️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to go from thinking you’ve run your last race to standing on the Olympic podium? Today on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Georgia Hunter Bell, Olympic bronze medalist and National record holder. Georgia’s journey is anything but ordinary and we unpacked it all…What we spoke about:🌟 The Lowest Point: How Georgia’s dream seemed over after stress fractures, injuries, and an identity crisis during her U.S. scholarship experience, leading her to leave running behind for the corporate world.🔥 Her Astonishing Comeback: From quitting the sport entirely to returning as an unranked, unsponsored underdog—and transforming into a Nike-sponsored Olympian with a national record to her name.🏃‍♀️ The Thrill of the Final Straight: What went through her mind in the last 100 meters of the 1500m final as she battled with four others to claim her bronze medal.💡 Belief as a Game-Changer: Why self-confidence was the key to her success and how it can make the difference between winning and falling short.🚺 Women Leading Women: Georgia shares the importance of female coaches, the strength of role models, and the positive environment women leaders create in sport.🎯 What’s Next: How she plans to navigate life as a medalist and her relentless drive for what’s still to come.Georgia’s story isn’t just about medals—it’s about grit, courage, and the power of staying true to yourself. We’d love to hear your thoughts and your own running journey—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♀️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Deo Kato, a Ugandan-born trail runner, coach, and campaigner, who has completed an incredible journey running over 12,000km from Cape Town to London. Deo’s monumental journey was driven by a purpose: to retrace the history of human migration from Africa to the rest of the world. By doing this, Deo campaigned to end racism and show the world that all humans migrated from Africa.We talked about:🌍 Tracing Human History: How Deo’s journey brought to life the story of human migration from Africa to the rest of the world.🏃‍♂️ Running Across 21 Countries: The incredible challenges and triumphs of crossing diverse terrains, including being jailed for three weeks in South Sudan.🚢 The Final Push: The powerful emotions of arriving in the UK after 18 months of running.💪 The Power of Resilience: Deo’s journey as a testament to determination and courage and the fact anything is possible.Deo’s story is a remarkable celebration of human perseverance, the spirit of exploration, and the transformative impact of running.We’d love to hear your thoughts on Deo’s inspiring journey—email us at PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♂️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Yee, Olympic champion, British triathlete, and a true embodiment of resilience and love for sport. Alex’s journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring—marked by humility, grit, and an unyielding passion for triathlon.We talked about:🌟 The Humble Champion: How Alex’s love for triathlon fuels his journey and keeps him grounded, even at the pinnacle of success🥇 Inside His Olympic Victory: The mental battles during his iconic gold-medal fight against Hayden Wilde—moments of depletion, disbelief, and the ultimate decision to seize his chance at glory🚴 The 2017 Bike Crash: How a devastating accident nearly ended his career, but instead became the spark for his incredible British 10K Champs comeback🌊 Rebuilding for the Seine: How he prepared for four years to overcome the challenging currents of the Seine River, even reconstructing his stroke to become more hydrodynamic⏰ Facing the Unexpected: Alex shared how the postponement of the Olympics impacted him, including waking up at 3 am on race day only to find it had been delayed, and how he coped with this🏊 Inspiring the Next Generation: From idolising the Brownlee brothers to becoming an icon for young athletes, Alex shares his excitement for triathlon’s growth and the power of inspiring others💑 Training with His Partner: The unique joys and challenges of sharing a life and sport with his partner💭 The Limitless Possibilities: Alex’s relentless drive to push boundaries and embrace the future of triathlonAlex’s story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and finding joy in what you do.We’d love to hear your thoughts and your triathlon stories—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♂️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Colleen Quigley, an Olympic steeplechaser, model, and our very own Runna coach who embodies resilience and balance in both sport and life. Known for her iconic “Fast Braid Fridays,” Colleen shares her journey of grit and growth—on and off the track.We talked about:Nature vs. Nurture: How growing up with supportive parents shaped her running journey.Making Sacrifices as an Athlete: and the choices she’s made along the way.Balancing Modelling and Running: The challenges and joys of straddling two demanding careers while staying true to herself.Dealing with Injury: The mental and physical tools she uses to navigate setbacks and come back stronger, including the importance of patience and self-care.Colleen’s story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of a supportive community.We’d love to hear your thoughts and your running stories—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♀️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Phily Bowden, an incredible marathon runner with one of the top 10 fastest times ever by a British woman—despite having only run four marathons!We talked about:How a dislike of maths led Phily to running, eventually earning her a sports scholarship in the USThe mental health challenges she faced during her time in the US and the pressure of figuring out life after universityRunning her first marathon in an astonishing 2:34 and how she improved to 2:29 in just her second race, earning a podium finish for England.The importance of staying busy, finding balance, and making a living as a full-time athlete.Setting her sights on the LA Olympics and conquering the Marathon Majors.This episode is an inspiring blend of perseverance, ambition, and insight from a rising star in the marathon world.We’d love to hear your thoughts and your running stories—send them to PODCAST@RUNNA.COM or connect with us on Instagram. 📩📱Don’t forget to use code ‘PODCAST25’ for 2 weeks free on Runna! 🏃‍♀️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Warnock, a marathon runner who turned to running for mental health after his father's passing, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses how running became a vital coping mechanism and emphasizes the importance of enjoying the training process. James also talks about fostering meaningful adult friendships, highlighting the role of shared values in relationships. To keep motivated during festive seasons, he offers tips for fun runs, even considering whimsical holiday costumes. This conversation blends heartfelt insights with practical advice for runners.