The ZenRUN Podcast

Episode 641 - Suzanne Rath - Running, Resilience & Really Big Adventures

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In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Suzanne Rath - Irish farm girl, physio, business owner, leadership coach, trail runner, adventure collector, and someone who seems to casually say yes to things like cycling across South America, running from Sydney to Newcastle, and possibly signing up for Delirious WEST.

As you do.

Suzanne grew up on a farm in Wexford, Ireland, where resilience, self-reliance, and a “how hard can it be?” attitude were basically part of daily life. From there, her story takes us through physio study, hospital work, Uganda, Sydney, a serious cycling accident, concussion recovery, Katherine in the Northern Territory, and eventually Cairns - where she now runs a multidisciplinary allied health clinic.

But this conversation is much more than a running story.

It’s about what happens when life knocks you sideways.

It’s about rebuilding after injury.

It’s about adventure, identity, leadership, values, community, and learning that running doesn’t have to be about pace, PBs, or proving anything.

Sometimes running becomes the place where we get space to think.

Sometimes it becomes the thing that reminds us what we’re capable of.

And sometimes it becomes the reason we find ourselves surrounded by people who think running 270km from Sydney to Newcastle sounds like a perfectly reasonable personal challenge.

Which, obviously, it is not.

But also… I get it.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

In this conversation, Suzanne shares:

  • What it was like growing up on a farm in Ireland
  • How running first became part of her life through community and connection
  • Her time working as a physio in Uganda
  • The serious bike accident that led to a broken jaw, post-concussion symptoms, pain, anxiety, and a long recovery
  • Why trail running helped her fall back in love with running
  • How she built a whole-person allied health clinic in Cairns
  • Why running and leadership have more in common than most people think
  • Her Sydney to Newcastle trail adventure - including flash flooding, leeches, getting lost, wet feet, and a very patient support crew
  • Why she believes organised 200-mile races might actually be easier than self-supported chaos
  • How she fits running, business, travel, speaking, leadership coaching, and big adventures into real life
  • Why motivation is not the thing to rely on
  • Why running is a privilege - especially when it’s hard
    • Suzanne’s Running Tips

    Suzanne shared so many great reminders in this episode, including:

    Minimise the friction.

    Have your gear ready. Know what you’re doing. Remove as many tiny obstacles as possible so getting out the door doesn’t become a negotiation.

    Put your running in the calendar first.

    Suzanne plans her week around the things that matter - including training, adventure, family, and recovery - rather than waiting to “find time” later.

    Don’t rely on motivation.

    As Suzanne says, if she waited until she felt motivated, she might never run again. Make it easier to start instead.

    Have something to aim for.

    It doesn’t have to be a huge event. It can be a small goal, a race, a trail, an adventure, or simply something that gives your running a little spark.

    Stay connected when you’re injured.

    If you can’t run, don’t disappear. Go to breakfast. Cheer people on. Stay part of the running community.

    Remember what a privilege it is.

    Even when it’s hard, even when you’re tired, even when your feet are wet and your brain is questioning your life choices - it’s still a privilege to be able to move, explore, and do these things.

    A Favourite Moment

    One of my favourite parts of this conversation was Suzanne talking about how the joy came back into running when it became aligned with her values.

    Not when she got faster.

    Not when she ticked off another race.

    Not when she proved anything.

    But when running became connected to adventure, community, potential, and living in a way that felt true to her.

    And honestly, that feels very ZenRUN.

    Listen To This Episode If…

    You’ll love this episode if you’ve ever:

    • Come back from injury
    • Lost your running mojo
    • Wanted more adventure in your life
    • Felt like your business, work, or responsibilities were swallowing all your time
    • Used running as thinking space
    • Wondered whether trail runners are all slightly unhinged
    • Signed up for something before fully understanding the logistics
    • Needed a reminder that running can be about joy, freedom, and possibility

      • This is such a rich, funny, thoughtful conversation with a woman who has lived a lot of life, taken a lot of brave turns, and somehow still has more adventures planned.

      I loved this chat.

      And I think you will too.

      Suzanne’s practice in Cairns - Wellness Embodied:

      https://www.wellnessembodiedcairns.com/

      💛 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

      🙏 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 [email protected]

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      The ZenRUN PodcastBy Michelle Frost