Brian's Run Pod

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We talk with adventurer and writer Belinda Coker about how hiking helps her rebuild fitness, confidence, and joy after a tough decade. We connect hiking to running by breaking down endurance, strength, mindset, and the practical skills that keep you safe and steady on the trail.
•an outdoors childhood in New Zealand with hiking and school trips
•a COVID-era reality check that sparks change
•joining a hiking group and learning from older, fitter walkers
•using regular day hikes to build fitness before multi-day hikes
•finding an inclusive hiking community and making trail friends
•confidence coming from knowledge, planning, and skill-building
•why hiking trains more muscles than pavement running
•fuel, hydration, and electrolytes as core trail skills
•mindful walking and managing pack weight to protect joints
•Greenland’s Inuit trail, free huts, and meeting locals in harsh weather
•dreaming big with the Pacific Crest Trail as a future goal

Belinda Coker's Website

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We bring you a best-of highlight reel of ten powerful moments that can change how you start, train, recover and think about running. We move from simple reasons people fall in love with running to practical tools for pacing, sleep, mindset and long-term progress.

• running as the most accessible way to build a healthy habit
• a late-life spark that leads to ultrarunning goals
• consistency built through small daily actions that add up
• keeping easy runs easy by using the talk test
• challenging limiting beliefs and rebuilding confidence
• running as transformation through grief, humour and identity shifts
• sleep and recovery as the foundation for fitness adaptation
• progress made through the small habits nobody sees
• starting yoga later in life and still seeing rapid progress
• mental strength, mantras and choosing “didn’t finish” over “didn’t start”

Please do keep listening to Brian's Run pod, and you can go back and explore the full conversations in our library.

Brian's Run Pod Website

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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If you’ve ever wondered why your body can handle a training block for a few weeks, then suddenly feels stiff, fragile, or niggly, the answer might not be in another running session at all. I’m joined by Wendy Welpton, founder of Reclaim Movement and author of Move Well for Life, for a grounded chat about what modern life removes from our bodies and how runners can rebuild it through everyday movement.

We dig into the quiet loss of play in adulthood, and how “convenience culture” trains us to avoid bending, squatting, balancing, climbing, and getting up and down from the floor. Wendy shares a refreshing mindset shift: don’t beat yourself up, just notice the moments you can choose a slightly richer movement option and then actually applaud yourself for doing it. Those tiny reps, repeated daily, are what shape your joints, tissues, and confidence as you age.

Wendy also lays out her MOVING wheel, a practical framework for runners and non-runners alike: move more frequently, oppose repetition with variety, vary levels (including spending time on the ground), integrate load at the right time, nurture joy, and get outdoors. We talk through why the floor is such a powerful tool for mobility and longevity, how to start gently with cushions and short bouts, and why a body that moves in more ways tends to run with fewer repeat problems.

If you want to keep running for life, this is the kind of conversation that changes what you do between runs. Subscribe for more, share this with a mate who’s always “too stiff for the floor”, and leave a review telling us what small movement choice you’re trying this week.

Below is a link to Wendy's Website where you can more information about her books, courses and memberships

https://reclaimmovement.co.uk

The Kindle version of Move Well for Life is 99p throughout June 2026.

Wendy's Instagram

Happier Hips Website

Wendy's Book

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We talk with Wendy Welpton about how a love of running turned into years of chronic pain, and why healing starts when we stop treating the body like separate parts. We dig into natural movement, movement variety, and the small daily changes that help runners rebuild confidence and move well for life. 
• Wendy’s early relationship with exercise, outdoor time, and solo sports 
• getting into running as a practical way to move around family life 
• the sudden injury that ends running and triggers chronic pain 
• gaps in diagnosis and why symptom-led rehab can miss root causes 
• treating movement as a whole system, including alignment and patterns 
• mindset, fear of flare-ups, and rebuilding trust in the body 
• why “nothing wrong on a scan” can still leave real pain 
• pain cycles, nervous system sensitivity, and constant pain checking 
• natural movement as an antidote to modern sedentary habits 
• adding variety beyond linear walking and running through everyday movement.

Below is a link to Wendy's Website where you can more information about her books, courses and memberships

The Kindle version of Move Well for Life is 99p throughout June 2026.

https://reclaimmovement.co.uk

Wendy's Instagram

Happier Hips Website

Wendy's Book

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We dig into why recovery is the part of training that actually makes you fitter, and how sleep can be the difference between steady progress and repeat injuries. Dr Michael Betler breaks down modern therapies and timeless basics so recreational runners can heal faster, train longer, and age with strength.
• sleep routines that drive growth and repair
• what shockwave therapy is and what it targets
• dry needling for muscle spasm and overloaded tissue
• treating glute medius tendon pain with balance and healing support
• osteopathic manipulative treatment for realignment and symmetry
• why heat and blood flow matter after the first swelling phase
• strength and balance training for injury prevention and healthy ageing
• anti-inflammatory eating patterns and the obesity inflammation link
• access to healthy food and why inequality affects health outcomes
• practical runner advice on shoe replacement and responding to niggles
• limits of AI and online self-diagnosis plus when to get imaging

Michael Betler's Website

Michael Betler's Instagram

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We dig into why runners keep getting trapped in the pain, rest, repeat loop and how small “not quite an injury” warning signs turn into bigger setbacks. We also hear how Dr Michael Betler moves from surgery into evidence-led sports recovery so we can stay healthy and keep running long term.

• why ignoring a niggle often creates compensation and chronic issues
• Dr Bettler’s background in sport, engineering, osteopathy and surgery
• the shift from late-stage fixes to prevention, lifestyle medicine and healthspan
• building a clinic that sits between primary care and surgery for pain and performance
• evidence based thinking, avoiding gimmicks and using research well
• runner basics that matter, shoes, mileage, insoles and gait analysis
• what realignment aims to do, restoring symmetry and reducing overload
• why strength training supports bones, tendons and long-term running
• recovery as the builder, sleep, rest and adaptation after training stress

Michael Betler's Website

Michael Betler's Instagram

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We talk through why runners can feel exhausted and slower despite solid training, decent food, and real effort. Dr Jess Armine helps us connect fatigue, brain fog, burnout, and plateaus to cellular energy, gut function, stress load, and sleep so we can rebuild from the inside out. 

• why “wired but tired” can spiral into self-blame 
• how modern life adds constant stress that the body treats as a threat 
• mitochondria as cellular batteries and why energy drops over time 
• the cell danger response and why some people do not rebound after illness or chronic stress 
• why absorption matters and why some supplements do very little 
• liposomal vitamins and minerals as a practical starting point 
• leaky gut, chronic inflammation, and why digestion quality affects performance 
• simple gut support basics: digestive enzymes, acacia fibre, sensible probiotics 
• hydration choices that support recovery without excess sugar 
• sleep quality, circadian rhythm, and reducing night-time stimulation 
• training tweaks: pulling back, focusing on form, and adding cross-training you enjoy 
• key takeaways: performance is not just willpower, ageing is not a sentence, intuition is useful data 

Soc Media Links:
Website: www.drjessarmine.com
Link for a complimentary 30-min Discovery Session for prospective patients. This is used to determine if I can help their condition and if we are a good fit.
https://drarmine.as.me/getacquainted
Social Media Links
www.linkedin.com/in/jess-armine-dc-rn-a0537329/
www.instagram.com/drjessarmine724/
www.youtube.com/@DrJessArmine

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We dig into why easy running can feel tougher than hard sessions and why slowing down is often the most important training skill. Ken Graham shares practical coaching advice on effort, motivation, plateaus, and recovery so runners can improve without obsessing over data. 
• easy runs as discipline and recovery, keeping the effort genuinely comfortable 
• walk run approach for complete beginners, building fitness and strength safely 
• heart rate zones as a tool with limits, factoring in heat, sleep, stress and illness 
• running by feel, learning perceived effort and occasionally ditching the watch 
• staying motivated midweek, adjusting timing, fuelling and training structure 
• dealing with a 5K plateau, making training more specific and iterating changes 
• using social media to teach simply, the work behind creating helpful content 
• favourite interval sessions, solo running versus group accountability 
• rest days as essential for adaptation and mental freshness 
All my athletes, at least one, if not two days of complete rest a week 

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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We talk with running coach Ken Graham about how everyday runners can stay consistent without letting training take over their life. We dig into simple planning, cutting through online noise, and the small technique and strength choices that keep running feeling good. 
• enjoyment first to build long-term consistency and progress 
• Ken’s path into running and coaching from a non-athletics background 
• social media overload and how to judge what is relevant to your situation 
• AI as a helpful tool that still needs common sense and context 
• what a structured training plan looks like for busy runners 
• tempo runs, interval sessions and long runs explained in plain terms 
• why there is no single perfect running form or cadence target 
• glute activation, hip flexor dominance and using strides to improve efficiency 
• targeted strength and conditioning for hips, mobility and stability 
• plyometrics for running economy and how to start with the basics 
• the biggest mistake runners make with easy runs and the talk test cue 
anybody who's listening and is kind of struggling with I guess mobility or lack of stability in round hips, feel free to go and check those out

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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Unlock the power of your mind to elevate your running, conquer anxiety, and transform setbacks into fuel for success. 

In this episode, hypnotherapist Craig Meriwether reveals groundbreaking mental exercises that elite athletes—and everyday runners—are using to push beyond physical limits. Discover how simple breathing techniques, visualization, and mindful self-hugs can rewire your brain for confidence, calmness, and joy in every stride.  

We break down the neuroscience behind stress and performance, showing you why your mind often pulls you back before your body tires. Craig shares practical strategies—like the 321 reset and bilateral stimulation—that activate your parasympathetic nervous system, turning off anxiety and fostering a sense of safety. Whether you're training for your first 5K or aiming for a marathon PR, you'll learn how mental rehearsal and emotional alignment can help you run faster, more enjoyably, and with less self-criticism.  

Key insights include the role of subconscious programming in endurance, how to use visualization as mental practice—even during sleep—and why shifting your feeling state from frustration to peacefulness can unlock your full potential. You'll also hear inspiring stories of athletes and runners managing injuries, performance anxiety, and life challenges—showing how these techniques accelerate recovery and boost motivation.This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to make running a joyful, stress-free part of life—and for athletes ready to harness their mind as the ultimate training partner. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro, Craig’s simple yet powerful tools will help you break mental barriers, stay present, and enjoy every moment on the road. Tune in and discover how a few minutes of mindful technique can forever change your running experience.

 Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.

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Brian's Run Pod