The ZenRUN Podcast

Paul Watkins describes himself as having “close to zero sporting ability”, which makes the rest of his story rather entertaining.

Running started as the sport he could actually get into at school. Somehow, that eventually led to mountaineering expeditions, Arctic ultra marathons, dragging sleds through ridiculous conditions and, most recently, completing the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler.

Paul came into Delirious this year wanting to experience the event rather than chase a result. He loved it so much that he’s coming back in 2027 with a slightly different question: now that he knows the course and knows he can finish it, what might he be able to do differently?

We chat about his fascination with doing hard things, why running became an escape from a life dominated by work, what those huge adventures have taught him about himself, and why sometimes the most useful lesson in an ultra is simply remembering that nothing lasts forever.

There’s also a rather excellent discussion about sleep strategy and Paul’s plans to become an “aggressive dirt napper” next time around. 😂

There’s a lot still to unfold between here and the start line.

Paul’s links:

• Website - https://www.paulwatkins.com.au/
• His Substack - https://paulwatkins.substack.com/
• Paul’s books - https://www.paulwatkins.com.au/books
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-watkins-92125499/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the.rogue.scholar/

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

• Delirious WEST event website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/
• Event Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

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💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Gabe Alves is back for another Delirious West adventure.

After three starts at the 200 miler, including finally making it all the way to the finish in 2026, you might think he’d be happy to tick that one off and move on.

Apparently not. 😂

In this first catch-up for the 2027 series, Gabe talks about why he’s heading back and the slightly dangerous question sitting in the back of his mind: was last year’s finish a fluke?

There’s also a new twist this time around. His usual race setup may not be available, which could mean tackling Delirious very differently in 2027.

And when your nutrition approach is a little different from the average ultra runner, that creates some interesting problems to solve.

We also get into why these huge multi-day races keep pulling him back, even when they don’t go to plan, and why the uncertainty is actually part of the appeal.

Gabe always brings plenty to think about, along with a healthy dose of ultra-running logic that probably makes perfect sense only to other ultra runners.

This should be a fun journey to follow.

Gabe’s 2026 Delirious video
https://youtu.be/-nQBIw3xFaM?si=vZ5Yen9FDjqcSL0Y

Gabe’s podcast episodes
https://fitmindfitbody.co/?s=gabe

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website
https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Have you ever noticed the exact moment during a run when you start actually enjoying yourself?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is about something that sounds obvious, but most of us probably miss it: notice when you start enjoying yourself. There’s often a point where the run shifts. Your body loosens up. Your breathing settles. You stop thinking quite so much. Maybe you even catch yourself smiling for absolutely no reason at all.

That moment matters because it reminds us that running isn’t only about fitness, pace, distance, or ticking off a session. Sometimes running gives us freedom. Space. Relief. Joy. And when we deliberately notice those moments, we give our brain a chance to remember that running can feel good, rather than always associating it with effort, pressure, or something we “should” be doing.

On your next run, don’t try to force the enjoyment. Just stay curious. Notice if there’s a moment when something shifts and you realise, “Actually… I’m really enjoying this.” Let yourself stay there for a little while.

Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do, Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

A couple of small favours

1️⃣ If you're enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I'd love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

What happens when running has always been part of who you are… and suddenly your body changes what running can look like?

This week on the ZenRUN Podcast, I’m chatting with runner, triathlete and physiotherapist Alissa Wilkinson.

Alissa grew up in the little surf town of Crescent Head before moving to Virginia in the US as a teenager, where swimming was replaced by cross country and track, and she really started to see herself as a runner.

Since then, running has taken her through triathlon, age-group success, injury, motherhood and a return to sport that looked very different from anything she’d expected.

After the birth of her first child, Alyssa suffered a serious pelvic floor injury that left her unable to run and dramatically changed both her everyday life and her career. She shares very openly what that period was like, the long road back, and how she eventually returned not only to running, but to competing in triathlon again.

We also chat about the frustration of having physical limits when you still have a very competitive brain, why strength has become such an important part of Alyssa’s running, and her belief that sometimes we need to stop asking whether our body is “made for running” and start looking at whether the way we’re training needs to change.

Alyssa also shares some really practical tips for runners:

• Have a plan. She finds training much harder to get done when she doesn’t know exactly what she’s working towards or what the session is.
• Strength doesn’t have to take hours. Alissa says you can get a lot done with two half-hour strength sessions a week.
• Adjust strength around your running. If you’re racing, strength may play more of a supporting role. When you’re not racing, there may be room to make it more of a priority.
• Feeling stiff doesn’t always mean the run will feel terrible. Alyssa suggests spending two or three minutes doing simple running drills or stepping exercises before you head out, or even stopping briefly during the early part of a run to do them.
• If running feels like a struggle, add some walking. Starting with a little walk/run can help you get moving without turning the session into a battle.

And of course we finish with Pass the Baton, where Frank Collins asks Alissa to describe one of her worst foot injury stories in as much graphic detail as possible. 😳

Let’s just say Alissa’s running feet have been remarkably well behaved… but her surfing feet have a story or two. 😂

Alissa's Running Programs:
Run Resilience - www.runresilience.com
Bounce Back Mamas - www.bouncebackmamas.com

Alissa's Physio app website:
www.pursuitlab.io

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do—Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode
Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Have you ever noticed that your breathing has its own rhythm while you run?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about becoming curious about your breath, not trying to control it. As you head out on your next run, simply notice what your breathing is doing. Does it speed up on the hills? Settle into an easy rhythm on the flats? Become shorter when you're feeling stressed or pushing the pace? Your breathing is constantly giving you clues about what's happening inside your body.

Think of your breath as your own personal running weather report. It reflects how you're feeling in the moment without judging whether that's good or bad. The beautiful thing is that when we stop trying to force our breathing and simply notice it, it often begins to settle naturally. Instead of battling against your breath, you start moving with it.

This simple practice can help you feel calmer, more connected, and more present on every run. Rather than getting caught up in pace, distance, or what your watch says, your breath becomes a gentle anchor that keeps bringing you back to the present moment.

On your next run, let your breathing guide your awareness for a few minutes. You might be surprised how much easier and more enjoyable your run feels when you stop fighting your breath and start listening to it.

Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do, Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

A couple of small favours

1️⃣ If you're enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I'd love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

Frank Collins hated running growing up.

These days, he seems to have a habit of looking for running challenges that appear slightly ridiculous and thinking, that sounds good. 😂

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Frank about how someone who didn’t enjoy school sport or road running found his place on the trails, and eventually discovered that the harder and more technical the challenge, the more interested he became.

We chat about his rather eventful introduction to ultra running, the races that have tested him physically and mentally, why he’d rather take the hard path than the easy one, and what keeps drawing him towards challenges that initially seem impossible.

Frank also shares why he genuinely enjoys the training and preparation as much as the event itself, how he handles those inevitable moments when things start going badly during a long race, and why running with other people can be one of the simplest ways to get yourself out the door when motivation disappears.

We also talk about his upcoming Harry’s King of the Hill challenge, which has a very personal meaning for Frank as he raises money for MND Victoria in memory of his dad.

And, of course, there’s Pass the Baton.

Frank answers the question left for him by his wife Nida:

How do you pick yourself up in a race or event when things aren’t going well?

Then he leaves a question for my next guest which suggests we’ve finally moved on from toilet stories…

…and entered the world of gruesome runner feet instead. 😂

You’ll have to listen to hear exactly what he asks.

Frank’s MND fundraising page
https://www.mnd.org.au/conquering-the-hill-for-mnd

Frank and Nida’s reno business
https://www.facebook.com/FNRandD

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do, Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Not every difficult run is caused by tired legs.

Sometimes it's our thoughts that make the run feel harder than it really is. We start telling ourselves we're too slow, not fit enough, or that we should be running better. Before long, our mind is working against us instead of with us. This week's ZenRUN Moment is about recognising those moments and responding with kindness instead of more pressure.

If you notice your thoughts starting to spiral during a run, try something that might feel a little unexpected - slow down. Not because you've failed. Not because you're giving up. Slow down because you're choosing to reset. Take a deeper breath. Lift your eyes. Notice what's around you. Give your body and mind a chance to reconnect.

It's amazing how often thirty seconds of easing off can completely change the emotional tone of a run. Rather than fighting your body or arguing with your thoughts, you create space for them to settle. More often than not, you'll find your rhythm again naturally.

Running doesn't always need more effort. Sometimes it needs more awareness. On your next run, if your mind starts racing, see what happens when you respond by listening instead of pushing. You may discover that's exactly what your body needed.

Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Want to feel like a runner again?

If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again will help you get back to enjoying your running. It’s packed with practical tools and guided runs to help you quiet your mind, run with less pressure, and reconnect with the runner you already are.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

A couple of small favours

1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with trail and ultra runner Nida Collins.

Nida grew up in Bangkok, where heading out the door for a run definitely wasn’t part of everyday life.

In fact, her own running journey didn’t really begin until years later in Australia, thanks in part to a Kelpie Labrador called Arnold.

Since then, running has taken Nida a very long way from those early jogs.

She’s discovered a love of trails and ultras, taken on some seriously challenging terrain, run in some beautiful places around the world and, more recently, completed 24 yards and 162km at Melbourne Front Yard Ultra.

But what I really enjoyed about this conversation is Nida’s approach to running.

We talk about fear and what happens when you keep going back to something that scares you. We chat about the strange mental game of backyard ultras, dealing with the moments when a race isn’t going the way you hoped, and why sometimes the best strategy for getting yourself out for a run is simply not to think about it too much!

We also talk about running as a way to explore when you travel, why Nida always packs her running gear, and some rather impressive Thai trail race aid stations. Let’s just say Australian aid stations may have some catching up to do. 😂

There are plenty of simple, practical little lessons in this conversation too, particularly if you’re someone who thinks you’re “not a runner” or that running longer distances is something other people do.

And Nida shares one lesson running has taught her about life that has stuck with her well beyond the trails:

Nothing lasts. The good or the bad.

Plus, of course, there’s our Pass the Baton question for the next guest.

You’ll have to listen to find out what Nida asks them. 😉

---

💛 Want to feel like a runner again?

If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again is a simple, practical program designed to help you rediscover the joy of running. You’ll learn how to quiet the mental noise, let go of the pressure, and make running feel like your escape again, not another thing on your to-do list.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Do your shoulders seem to climb the hill before the rest of you?

Hills have a funny way of creating tension without us even noticing. As soon as the gradient increases, our shoulders creep towards our ears, our jaw tightens, our fists clench, and our breathing can become short and choppy. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple reminder to check in with your body every time you reach a hill.

As you begin a climb, take a quick mental scan. Can you drop your shoulders? Loosen your grip? Relax your face? Take one deeper breath? None of these things will make the hill disappear, but they can make the climb feel much more manageable. We often create extra effort by holding unnecessary tension, and releasing it can help you move more smoothly and efficiently.

This is a great reminder for life as well as running. When things become challenging, our instinct is often to tense up and push harder. Sometimes, though, the better approach is to soften first. Relaxing doesn’t mean giving up. It means using your energy where it matters most.

So next time you see a hill, don’t just prepare your legs - check in with your whole body. You still have to do the work, but you might be surprised by how much easier it feels when you climb with awareness instead of resistance.

Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Want to feel like a runner again?

If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again will help you get back to enjoying your running. It’s packed with practical tools and guided runs to help you quiet your mind, run with less pressure, and reconnect with the runner you already are.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

A couple of small favours

1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the incredibly inspiring Bart Campbell.

Bart grew up in the Adelaide Hills and, by his own admission, wasn’t the sporty kid. He was the chubby kid hanging out the back of the softball field, more interested in computers, movies and gaming than running.

By his early twenties, he weighed around 130 kilograms, had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and spent most evenings sitting at a computer while his wife brought dinner to his desk.

If you’d met Bart back then, you probably wouldn’t have picked him as someone who’d go on to develop a real passion for ultra running and backyard ultras.

But that’s exactly what happened.

This is one of those conversations that reminds us how much a life can change through small decisions made consistently over time.

Bart shares the remarkable story of his dad, a Vietnam veteran who transformed his own life after years of struggling with trauma, addiction and alcoholism. That example became one of the biggest influences on Bart’s belief that people are never stuck where they are.

From there we follow Bart’s own journey as he slowly started taking better care of himself. It began with simply jogging to work, then hiking Mount Lofty, then entering a trail race… and discovering that maybe he was capable of far more than he’d ever imagined.

These days Bart has completed countless ultras, developed a real passion for backyard ultras, and loves sharing what he’s learned through his running videos and daily Running Wisdom series.

We also chat about:

• growing up in a blended family in the Adelaide Hills
• being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early twenties
• losing a significant amount of weight and changing the direction of his life
• why tiny daily improvements matter more than massive changes
• his love of storytelling and creating running videos
• his Running Wisdom series, which he’s recorded every single day for more than two years
• what backyard ultras have taught him about himself
• why he believes everyone should find “their thing”, whether that’s running or something completely different

As always, there are plenty of laughs along the way, including stories about jumping off sheds into swimming pools, accidentally meeting his future wife while chasing another girl, travelling the world, filming ultras, and why Ross Noble unexpectedly became part of one of Bart’s favourite running stories.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change your life, Bart’s story is a wonderful reminder that your next step can take you somewhere completely unexpected.

Links mentioned in this episode

• UltraRunning Statistics (UltraRunning Stats)
• Bart’s Running Wisdom videos

Bart’s Tips for Runners

Bart shares some beautifully simple advice throughout this conversation.

Start before you feel ready.

You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to know where the journey ends.

Sometimes all you need is the first step.

He also reminds us that real change rarely happens because of one massive decision.

It’s the tiny choices, repeated consistently, that completely change your life.

Whether that’s jogging to work, walking up a local hill, joining parkrun or simply putting your running shoes on, those little actions eventually become something much bigger.

And perhaps Bart’s biggest message is this:

Find your thing.

For him, it was running.

For someone else it might be something entirely different.

Find the activity that helps you become a better version of yourself, then keep showing up for it.

Pass the Baton

Bart answers Kat Cacavas’s question:

“What is your most precious memory while running?”

His answer might surprise you.

Rather than choosing a podium finish or a major race, Bart talks about throwing up after one of his first trail races because it was the first time he’d truly discovered what he was capable of when he pushed beyond what he thought were his limits.

Bart also leaves a fantastic question for my next guest…

You’ll need to listen right to the end to hear what it is.

Enjoy! ❤️

---

💛 Want to feel like a runner again?

If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again is a simple, practical program designed to help you rediscover the joy of running. You’ll learn how to quiet the mental noise, let go of the pressure, and make running feel like your escape again, not another thing on your to-do list.

👉 Feel Like a Runner Again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

---

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.