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In this powerful episode, I sit down with Richard Loftus, founder of Well Run Brum, a Birmingham-based men's mental health movement using social 5K runs to spark real, honest conversation.

Richard shares his deeply personal story of hitting rock bottom, discovering running as a lifeline, and building a movement that helps men connect, open up, and break the stigma around mental health, one run at a time.

We cover:

• How running helped Richard recover from a mental health crisis
• Why conversation is easier shoulder-to-shoulder
• The psychology of why men isolate, and how to break it
• What “conversational pacemakers” are and why they’re game-changers
• The power of turning a personal struggle into community action
• Why don’t you need to run fast, you just need to show up

Whether you’re a solo runner, part of a club, or someone who’s felt stuck, this episode will hit home in all the right ways.

🎧 Follow Richard’s work at @wellrunbrum
 or visit well-runbrum.co.uk

Follow John at @12monthstomarathon
 for more coaching, community and support for runners over 35.

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