The ZenRUN Podcast

In this Delirious W.E.S.T 2026 athlete wrap-up episode, I catch up with the wonderfully tough, funny and no-nonsense Sym Mercer after her 200-mile adventure.
Sym had a chilled drive across the Nullarbor - complete with a very questionable golf performance along the way - and arrived at Delirious ready to finally get moving after months of build-up, planning, podcast check-ins and travel.
But, as we all know, 200-mile events rarely go exactly to plan.
Early in the race, Sym’s pack wasn’t sitting quite right, then a couple of unlucky battles with sticks jarred her knee - the second one changing the whole direction of her race. From there, running became difficult, downhill became seriously painful, and what was meant to be a much faster finish turned into a massive hike, grit-fest and full-body exercise in determination.
There were dry retches, bile, dirt naps, warmed-up coconut chocolate water, crew checkpoints, toddler-style food negotiations, squeaky pain noises, and one very clear thought from Sym: she did not want to spend another night out there.
But at no point did she decide she was done.
With her amazing crew - Paul, Ed, Libby, Trace, Ali and her dad - helping her regroup, sleep, eat, hydrate and keep moving, Sym found a way to get herself to the finish line around 1am Sunday morning. It may have been about 10 hours later than planned, but in true Sym style, the job was done.
We also chat about coming back to reality after a huge event, the strange brain fog of returning to work, why these big adventures are such a powerful mental reset, and what Sym learned about fuelling in cooler conditions.
And because apparently resting is optional, Sym already has more adventures on the horizon, including pacing at West Macs, heading back to Coast to Coast in New Zealand, and taking on Race Across Scotland.
This is a brilliant, honest, funny and quietly powerful conversation about problem-solving, crew support, digging deep, and getting it done even when the original plan has completely gone out the window.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Sym’s very casual approach to driving across the Nullarbor and playing golf badly along the way
• The moment a simple trip changed the whole race
• How she managed knee pain for a huge part of the 200 miler
• Why fuelling in cool weather caught her by surprise
• The incredible role her crew played in keeping her moving
• Dirt naps, emergency bivvies and “squeaky noise” monitoring
• The mental simplicity of ultra events - eat, move, change socks, repeat
• The shock of returning to real life afterwards
• Sym’s reflections on finishing even when the race doesn’t go to plan
• A sneak peek at her next big adventures

Tips from Sym’s 200-Mile Adventure
1. Things can change in a split second
You can be fit, prepared and ready - then one little trip, fall or jar can completely change the race. That doesn’t mean the race is over. It just means the plan has changed.
2. Fuelling still matters when it’s cold
Sym was eating and drinking, but not enough. Cooler weather made it harder to read her body’s needs, and that caught up with her later in the race.
3. A good crew is everything
Sym’s crew didn’t just cheer her on - they made decisions, adjusted pacing plans, got food and fluids into her, monitored her condition and helped her keep moving safely.
4. You don’t have to feel amazing to keep going
Sometimes finishing looks less like running strong and more like walking, squeaking, swearing at bitumen and refusing to stop.
5. Big events strip life right back
No emails. No work decisions. No legislation. Just: what do I need to eat, how do I get to the next checkpoint, and can someone please tell me which socks to wear?

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/
Interested in the 2027 DW? 
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?
If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.
👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.
👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

⸻

🙏 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.

In this Delirious W.E.S.T. 2026 athlete wrap-up episode, I catch up with Matthew Farrand after his huge journey from London to Western Australia to take on the 200 miler.

And what a journey it was.

Matthew arrived from the other side of the world, dealt with jet lag, pre-race nerves, cold nights, rain, tracker issues, tired legs, sore knees, sleep deprivation, and the small matter of trying to keep moving for more than 100 hours.

As Matthew says in this episode, Delirious doesn’t really feel like four days. It feels like one very, very, very long day - with some day and night mixed in.

We talk about the early calm at the start line, the mental battle that hit much earlier than expected, the moment he questioned whether he was out of his depth, and the advice from Scott and Shaun that helped get him back up and moving again.

From Broke Inlet to Mandalay, Walpole, Giant Tingle Tree, Conspicuous Cliffs, Peaceful Bay, Monkey Rocks, Lowlands, Cozy Corner and finally into Albany - Matthew takes us through the highs, lows, odd little moments, painful steps, and unexpected boosts that carried him forward.

There were sleep stops in marquees, on air mattresses, in tents, and even a glorious little dirt nap on a sand dune. There were double espressos from his dad, beautiful volunteers, hot food, pancakes, Eccles cakes, whales, wind turbines that seemed to go on forever, and a knee that decided to make the second half of the race “interesting”.

But this episode is also about much more than sore legs.

It’s about resilience.

It’s about family.

It’s about how far the body can go when the mind has already tried to quit several times.

And it’s about the power of having a reason to keep going - including a note from Matthew’s daughter reminding him not to forget to bring home that medal.

Matthew also shares how the Delirious podcast helped him believe this race was even possible in the first place, which honestly made me a little emotional. Because that really is what this series is all about - showing that everyday people can take on extraordinary things when they train, believe, keep moving, and surround themselves with the right people.

This is a beautiful, funny, honest, and very real 200-mile wrap-up.

And yes, Matthew may have said he’s retired from 200 milers.

We’ll see 😆

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Matthew’s honest account of travelling from London to WA for a 200-mile race
• The mental wobble that hit surprisingly early - and how he kept going
• The role of volunteers, sweepers, race directors, and other runners in getting him through
• The brutal knee pain that followed him for the second half of the race
• His first ever dirt nap - and why it was surprisingly lovely
• The beautiful support from his dad along the course
• The note from his daughter that helped pull him toward the finish line
• The strange relief of finally seeing the finish arch
• A reminder that ultra running is rarely neat, tidy, or glamorous - but it is deeply meaningful

Tips from Matthew’s Journey

1. Break the race down.

Matthew quickly got into “one aid station at a time” mode. When the whole distance feels impossible, the next checkpoint becomes the only job.

2. Sleep can save the race.

A couple of hours at Broke Inlet, an hour here and there, and even a dirt nap on a sand dune all helped Matthew keep moving.

3. Volunteers matter more than you think.

Hot food, blankets, alarms, encouragement, blister care, and simple kindness became a massive part of Matthew’s race.

4. Your mind may quit before your body does.

Matthew says his mind gave up long before his body did - but he kept stepping forward anyway.

5. Have a reason to keep going.

For Matthew, one of those reasons was bringing home the medal for his daughter. Sometimes the smallest note can become very powerful at 2am.

6. Crew changes everything.

Matthew had support from his dad during the day, but reflected that having crew available more consistently - especially for sleep - would have made a big difference.

7. Never underestimate the final stages.

Cozy Corner may feel close to home, but those wind turbines and final kilometres still make you earn every step.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Interested in the 2027 DW? 
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

⸻

 

🙏 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.

This week’s mindful moment is beautifully simple: do something small with total attention. Choose one everyday task—zipping your jacket, peeling a mandarin, tying your shoes—and give it 100% of your awareness. Slow it down. Feel each movement. Notice the sounds, textures, even the subtle shifts in your breath. Let the task become a ritual instead of just another thing to get through.

This is how we practise presence in real life—not in perfect silence, but in the middle of ordinary moments. Because mindfulness isn’t about adding more to your day. It’s about noticing the day you’re already living.

This small habit can become a quiet anchor in your day — a moment to pause, breathe, and return to the present without needing to stop everything you’re doing.

Little moments like this add up. And often they’re the beginning of something bigger.

💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

If you enjoyed this Mindful Moment, you might love The Running Reset — a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

⸻

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

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club

In this Delirious 2026 wrap-up episode, I catch up with Gabe Alves after his huge 200-mile finish - and what a journey this has been.

After two previous attempts at Delirious, Gabe came back for round three with one mission: get to that finish line. And in true Gabe style, he didn’t just train for it - he absolutely scienced the heck out of it.

We talk about the chaos before the race even started, including a campervan “upgrade” held together with duct tape, gaffer tape and hope. We also dive into Gabe’s race from the early kilometres, where a sock-related leg swelling issue threatened to derail everything far too early, through to the drowsy overnight sections, dirt naps, magical beach moments, snake sightings, the infamous sleepy shake/wakey shake mix-up, and that final emotional run into Albany.

A huge part of Gabe’s story this year was his keto experiment. He tracked glucose and ketones throughout the race, stayed incredibly steady energy-wise, avoided the big highs and lows, and finished feeling physically better than he ever has after a massive event.

This isn’t presented as “everyone should do keto” - even Gabe is very clear about that - but it’s a fascinating example of someone being curious, disciplined, and willing to find what works for their own body.

We also get to hear from Belinda, Gabe’s amazing crew, about what it was like supporting him across the event, managing the logistics, and being part of a journey that so many people had become invested in.

This episode is about persistence, problem-solving, community, stubbornness, science, humour, and the beautiful madness of going back until you finally get the job done.

Gabe crossed the line in 99 hours and 57 minutes - with almost no wiggle room - after years of learning, adjusting and coming back again.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Gabe finally gets his Delirious 200-mile finish after two previous attempts.
• The campervan story is ridiculous - duct tape, broken fridge, dodgy doors and all.
• Gabe shares how he managed an early leg swelling issue by cutting into his very expensive socks mid-race.
• We talk dirt naps, sleep deprivation, drowsy walking, and why 10 minutes on the ground can sometimes save the day.
• Gabe explains his keto race strategy and what he learned from tracking glucose and ketones.
• Belinda shares the crew perspective - including snakes, sleep deprivation and trying to calculate arrival times while exhausted.
• There are plenty of classic Delirious moments: beaches, aid stations, Monkey Rocks, jet ski chaos, sunsets, snakes and finish-line emotions.
• It’s a great reminder that sometimes the “limit” isn’t the real limit - you just need to find another way.

Tips from Gabe’s Journey

Keep experimenting until you find what works for you.

Gabe’s strategy wasn’t random. It came from years of learning, testing, failing, adjusting and trying again.

Don’t ignore small problems early.

The sock pressure issue could have ended his race if he’d tried to push through it. Instead, he stopped, problem-solved, cut the socks and kept going.

Plans matter - but flexibility matters more.

Showers, sleep, food, aid station timing, crew logistics - so much changes during a 200-miler. The plan gives you structure, but adaptability gets you through.

Short naps can make a big difference.

Gabe didn’t always feel better after a dirt nap, but his pace improved. Sometimes the body just needs a tiny reset.

The work shows up.

Gabe doubled his training distance and vert compared with previous years, and he could feel that strength late in the race - especially over Monkey Rocks.

Find your own formula.

Keto worked beautifully for Gabe, but the bigger lesson is not “do keto.” It’s “pay attention, be curious, and figure out what works for your body.”

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Interested in the 2027 DW? 
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

⸻

🙏 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.

In this Delirious WEST 2026 wrap-up episode, I catch up with Ben Pyman after his 100-mile adventure - and what a run he had.

Ben takes us right back to the start line in Walpole, the nervous energy, the familiar faces, the late-night race briefing, and that feeling of finally being let loose into the dark. From there, we follow him through the beautiful, brutal, hilarious and slightly ridiculous journey that is Delirious WEST.

There’s the early buzz of running with others, meeting fellow podcast guests Warren Page and Jason, the stunning sections through Conspicuous Cliffs, Peaceful Bay and Boat Harbour, and of course - the very important aid station food reviews. Risotto, creamy chicken and potato, bacon and egg sandiches, soup, brownies… honestly, this episode may make you hungry as well as inspired.

But it wasn’t all smooth running. Ben talks honestly about the soft sand that absolutely smoked him, the long lonely night sections, the hallucinations, the sleepy shuffle from Lowlands to Cosy Corner, and the very real difference a pacer or crew can make when your brain has gone on holiday.

One of the most powerful parts of this chat is hearing Ben describe how he came good again after a short sleep, food, rest and sunrise. After hours of dragging himself along, he suddenly found himself running freely through the windmills, feeling like it was a brand-new day - and then, somehow, finishing the final stretch with strength, emotion and a massive sense of pride.

Ben finished the 100 miler in 39 hours and 37 minutes, hitting his secret sub-40 goal and coming away with a whole lot of lessons, a black toenail caused by a chair rather than the race, and a very strong suspicion that the 200 miler might be next. 

We talk about what worked, what he’d change, why sand training may need to become a thing, how his feet survived almost perfectly, and why Delirious WEST is about so much more than just the kilometres.

This is a beautiful, funny, honest episode about community, resilience, food, fatigue, emotion, and those strange ultra moments where you wonder how on earth you’re still moving - and then suddenly realise you’re running better than you thought possible.

Previous episodes mentioned:
Jason Phillips - https://fitmindfitbody.co/episode-600-running-through-lifes-toughest-moments-jason-phillips-journey-back-to-the-start-line/ 
Warren Page - https://fitmindfitbody.co/episode-583-warren-page-walk-the-hills-build-the-legs-play-the-long-game/

 

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Interested in the 2027 DW? 
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

 

🙏 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.

In this Delirious WEST 2026 wrap-up episode, I catch up with Kylie Bell after her 100-mile adventure - and as always, Kylie brings such a calm, honest and experienced perspective to the conversation.

Kylie has done plenty of big ultras before, but this year surprised her in one very specific way: she got properly tired. Not just “ultra tired” but weaving-on-the-trail, seeing-smiley-faces-in-rocks, cupboards-and-benches-in-the-bushes tired. 😄

We talk about the moment she decided to let go of the “I don’t nap in 100 milers” ego, take a 10-minute sleep at Cosy Corner, have a coffee and toastie, and get herself back on track. Sometimes the most experienced runners aren’t the ones who push blindly - they’re the ones who know when to reset.

Kylie also shares what she loved about the course, including the technical Monkey Rocks section, the beach running, the rhythm of moving through the night, and the strange quietness of this year’s race where she spent a lot of time alone.

We chat gear, shoes, socks, nutrition, gel fatigue, the incredible Delirious aid stations - which are basically like being invited into someone’s kitchen for dinner - and that slightly cruel moment near Albany where runners get close to the finish line… then have to turn away from it again. Rude. Very rude.

And of course, Kylie’s finish line involved champagne, a cheeky fireball, a sleep, and then - because apparently running 100 miles wasn’t enough - she came back the next day and set up a massage table to help other runners recover.

This episode is full of everything we love about Delirious: the humour, the hallucinations, the food, the community, the “I’m not coming back next year” comments that no one really believes, and the beautiful madness of ultra running.

Why You’ll Love This Episode
- Kylie’s very funny hallucination story involving smiley-face rocks and imaginary furniture
- The power of a tiny 10-minute nap in a massive race
- Why even experienced runners still get surprised by ultras
- The magic of Delirious aid stations and the “moving picnic” energy
- Kylie’s thoughts on the 7pm start and running through the night
- Gear and nutrition lessons from the 100 miler
- Why the Delirious community feels like one big family
- Kylie’s next adventures, including Birdy’s Backyard and GPT100 in the Grampians

Tips from Kylie’s 100-Mile Adventure
1. Don’t be too proud to reset - a 10-minute nap, coffee and a toastie can change everything.
2. Know your own race style - Kylie doesn’t obsess over watch distance or aid station kilometres. She focuses on where she is and what comes next.
3. Nutrition works best when it has variety - gels helped, but too many sweet things can lead to serious gel fatigue.
4. Test your gear, but also trust what works - Kylie stuck with her usual Hoka Challenger ATRs and toe socks, and had a great result with no blisters or toenail drama.
5. The race isn’t just the race - the finish line, the volunteers, the chats, the community, and even helping others the next day are all part of the experience.

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

Interested in the 2027 DW?
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

🙏 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.

This week’s mindful moment invites you to slow down inside a stretch. Instead of rushing through your usual routine, choose one simple stretch—after a run, when you wake up, or anytime during the day—and hold it a little longer than usual. Not to force it. Not to chase flexibility. Just to breathe. As you stay there, notice what shifts. What feels tight? What softens? What feels surprisingly good? Let your body guide the depth and the release.

This practice isn’t about performance—it’s about presence. When you hold a stretch with curiosity and kindness, it becomes more than physical. It becomes a pause for your whole nervous system.

This small habit can become a quiet anchor in your day — a moment to pause, breathe, and return to the present without needing to stop everything you’re doing.

Little moments like this add up. And often they’re the beginning of something bigger.

💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

If you enjoyed this Mindful Moment, you might love The Running Reset — a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

⸻

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

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Explore all episodes

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

What happens when a mother and daughter take on one of Australia’s wildest ultramarathon adventures together… and get interviewed about it by one of their fellow Delirious athletes?

In this very special wrap-up episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, Ben Pyman jumps into the host chair and chats with Michelle Frost and Nikki Frost about their experience tackling the Delirious West 200-miler side by side.

This conversation is full of everything that makes these events so unforgettable - the laughs, the planning, the sleep deprivation, the hallucinations, the community, the crew chaos, the deep lows, the little wins, and the strange things that become very important when you’ve been out on the trail for a very long time 😄

Michelle and Nikki talk about what it was like to take on such a huge event together despite being very different runners, how their race unfolded out on course, the challenges they each faced, and the powerful bond that comes from sharing something this big as mother and daughter.

It’s also a beautiful look at the Delirious community itself - the support, the banter, the generosity, and the way these events get under your skin in the best possible way.

There’s plenty of honesty in this one, plenty of laughs, and a lot of heart.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Nikki ended up on the Delirious start line with Michelle
• Why Michelle came back after last year’s race
• The reality of racing such a huge event together as mother and daughter
• Crew planning, race logistics, pacing plans and aid station strategy
• Hallucinations, sleep deprivation and weird trail moments
• Foot issues, breathing struggles and the challenge of making smart calls under pressure
• The magic of the Delirious community and why it leaves such a mark
• What this experience revealed for both Michelle and Nikki going forward

Why you’ll love this episode

If you love real running stories - the kind with grit, humour, heart, and honest reflection - you’ll love this one.

It’s not just about the race.

It’s about family.

It’s about sharing something hard and meaningful.

And it’s about what happens when you put yourself in the middle of a big, messy, unforgettable adventure.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

⸻

🙏 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.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

In this week’s mindful moment, we turn everyday doorways into tiny reset buttons. Pause at the threshold. Each time you walk through a doorway today - at home, at work, even into the fridge for a snack - stop for just a second. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice your breath. Become aware of the shift from one space to another.

This small act transforms a mindless transition into an intentional one. Doorways are thresholds - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Let them remind you that you can reset your attention and step into the next moment with clarity and presence.

This small habit can become a quiet anchor in your day - a moment to pause, breathe, and return to the present without needing to stop everything you’re doing.

Little moments like this add up. And often they’re the beginning of something bigger.

💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

If you enjoyed this Mindful Moment, you might love The Running Reset — a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

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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

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club

What happens when a kid who just wanted a motorbike ends up falling in love with endurance sport instead?

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Rick Prince, founder of UESCA (https://uesca.com/) - the organisation where I completed my Ultra Running Coach Certification last year. Rick shares the story of how a cool red cycling helmet, a job in a local bike shop, and a love of being outside helped shape a lifelong passion for endurance sport. 

We talk about Rick’s early years growing up in Pennsylvania, racing bikes seriously as a junior, studying kinesiology, and eventually building a business that set out to raise the standard of education for endurance coaches. He explains why he started UESCA, why so many people told him it was a terrible idea, and why he stuck with it anyway - even through those early years when it felt very hard and success was far from guaranteed.    

We also dive into the world of endurance and ultra sport more broadly - why more people seem drawn to longer events, trail running, gravel cycling and getting off the road and into nature. Rick shares some great insights around challenge, community, social connection, and why getting outside may be more important than ever in a world full of screens, notifications and constant input.    

One of my favourite parts of this chat is Rick’s honest take on motivation. He talks about the value of having a goal, trying new things when training feels stale, and not being so rigid with ourselves. He also makes a really strong case for occasionally ditching the data, ignoring the Garmin, and going out for a run or ride simply for the joy of it. Honestly, I think a lot of us need that reminder. 

This was such a fun conversation - thoughtful, practical, and full of little gems for runners, coaches, and anyone who’s ever wondered why we keep choosing hard things on purpose.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• The unexpected story of how Rick first got into endurance sport

• What led him from cycling and kinesiology to founding UESCA

• Why the early years of building a business were so tough

• Thoughts on why ultra and endurance sport keep growing

• Why trail and off-road sports feel so appealing right now

• The power of community in endurance sport

• A very honest look at motivation, injuries, stubbornness and burnout

• Why sometimes the best thing you can do is leave the data behind and just go

Tips from Rick

• Have a goal - but it doesn’t have to be a competitive one. 

• Keep things fresh by trying new events, trails, or even different types of training. 

• Don’t assume feeling stale means something is wrong - sometimes it just means you need variety. 

• You do not need to be rigid all the time. 

• Every run or ride does not need to be about metrics. 

• Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is go out there, unplug, and do it for the fun of it. 

Next Big Adventures

Rick shares that UESCA is continuing to expand internationally, including translated certifications, and is also developing new specialist courses around self-defence and trail self-autonomy. He’s also launching a new fitness education business, the Academy of Integrated Human Performance, focused on the fitness industry.

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💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

 

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

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🙏 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

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

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✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club