Welcome to Tri The Athlete Life!

This series will explore the realities of life as a femaleathlete as it follows two GB triathletes on their journeys over the next 6 months. Anna and Beth will share their highs and lows through a series of monthly chats as they balance life with competition at the highest level.

Anna Hedley

Asics sponsored Scottish/GB international triathlete currentlytraining full time and working as a nanny and model on the side. She competes at British and European series level.

Beth Cook

4endurance sponsored English/GB international triathletecurrently training full time out in Portugal, having recently moved there. She is the 2026 British Elite Triathlon Champion, European triathlon junior silver medallist, 2x British champ XC & 3 x medallist, and u23 world championship relay champ triathlon. She is also the 5x British Triathlon Champion and competes at European and World level events.

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@beth.cook01

@ahedleyruns

@thefemalerunnerathletepodcast

Dan Robinson is a sports scientist and coach, who began his career as a history graduate, later switching onto a sports psychology PhD. Dan also runs at a fairly high level, with a marathon PB of 2:29. He’s involved in the England Athletics marathon development programme as participant and researcher.

In this episode, we cover the physiology and psychology that enables a female athlete to be healthy and top performing. Dan provides expert insight into a field that is still being carved out, providing game-changing tips and raising awareness.

Dan also shares the science between why training might differ from runner to runner, explaining what VO2max is, and what a lactate threshold is: and why this is important for you. We also explore the double threshold training method, also known as the “Norwegian Method”, dissecting the basics of the method, and its implementation.

The impact of sleep and stress can be vital to training and adaptation, and Dan shares his expertise towards maximising sleep and minimising stress, in order to optimise your performance as a runner. We also probe the relationship between being healthy and performance; debunking the common misconception that being ‘lighter’ is the solution.

#running #femaleathlete #sportsscience

Gretta and Honor Morton are twins, who love running and both have dreams of competing internationally for GB. But there is more to their dreams. They are campaigning for equality on and off the track for deaf athletes, with Honor herself being a deaf athlete. The twins want to help bridge the deaf world and the hearing world together as they believe with the right approach and understanding, this is possible which is something they show through their joint reflections around Honor’s experience with being deaf.

Having been born at 28 weeks they may not have been written on paper, onto a trajectory for such high success, but through this episode the twins demonstrate the power of mindset and support systems as they show whatthey have achieved together despite the different challenges they have faced.

Honor was recently selected for her first GB vest at the European Youth Deaf Games in Germany next year, which the twins plan to vlog to shed light onto the deafathlete experience. In the episode they demonstrate how many additional challenges Honor has had to overcome as a deaf athlete, including the lack of funding and attention given to deaf athletes, with deafness not being a category at the Paralympic games, excluding deaf athletes from the world stage of Paralympic sport.

Gretta talks about her experience in the world of sprinting, as a multiple times county champion, TSO, and U Perform athlete. She shares her own challenges with episodic non-diabetic Hypoglycaemia contributing to performance dips and plateaus as a result of puberty in girls, and her reflections around the deaf athlete experience from her point of view, as Honors twin.

Gretta and Honor show exceptional maturity, and, as a testament to how they have navigated and reflected upon their experiences, they are able to bring wisdom beyond their years to this episode. The twins have an incredible bond which is evident in the way they talk and provides a heart-warming undertone to the whole episode. 

Lots to think about and learn from in this fantastic episode, which will leave you feeling nothing but inspired and motivated.

About the Twins

Gretta- (Furness Schools Champion 2017, 75m, Double Schools County Champion 2023, 100m and 200m, 3 times 100m County Champion: 2021, 2023 and 2025, Represented Cumbria 4 times in the100m, 200m (and the Relay) Ambassador for U Perform and TSO athlete as of 2025. 

Honor –Silver medallist Cumbria County Championships, 2025, Silver medallist Cumbria County championship 2km Steeplechase, 2025, Northern Inter County Schools 1500msteeplechase, 2025 3rd , 10km U18 Female course record, Hoad Hill Summer 10km 2025, Part of the 2026 GB Team for the European Deaf Youth Games.

#deafathlete #femaleathlete #running #success

Bryony joins the podcast as this year’s English NationalChampion over the 5000m, a school PE teacher, a newly-wed, and currently managing a niggle.

Bryony is an athlete who has consistently performed at ahigh level over many years collecting titles such as BUCS indoor 3000m champion along the way. Although with such a high quality of athletes in the UK, Bryony secured her first England vest just two years ago when she represented England in the 10k in Valencia finishing in 33.02.

In this episode Bryony shares her secrets to consistency andhow she balances life with running. She talks around the importance of racing races and training in training, and how she has seen the positive results of the work she has done on her mindset. She also shares her reflections around what makes for a good coaching-athlete relationship, having herself been with her coach for over 10 years.

Bryony demonstrates that with enough time and effort, you can work towards and achieve your goals.

Domi Corradi is one of the UK’s top national runners, havingbeen finishing within the top 10 at major national championships throughout her junior years and now competing domestically as an elite female. But she is alsoa med student, friend, daughter, and more…

In this episode Domi shares the challenges of being drivenand passionate about running, and how at times her desire to reach the ‘next level’, which for her has often been that international vest just a few places away, has driven her away from true success and happiness. We cover the idea ofidentity and balancing time between different priorities and areas of life.

Domi is vulnerable and open in sharing her struggles withbalancing running successfully and as a result of working through these challenges in the past, she now speaks very articulately on how she found happiness and success and how society can influence us away from finding this.

A really uplifting and insightful episode, which will leaveyou with lots of food for thought.

If you are a driven, ambitious, and high achieving female athlete then this episode is absolutely for you, as we peel back the layers behind that typical ‘high achiever’ to find out what really lies behind, and how this can be harnessed for the good.

#femaleathlete #typeA #happiness #lifeathletebalance

Instagram - @domicorradi @thefemaleathletepodcast

Sarah Calvert recently outkicked Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir to become the British 1500m champion, just days after taking a world silver medal in the World University Games.

Sarah always showed promise and talent, with a number of national titles and notable performances as a junior. However, her success was intermittent and sporadic at times as a result of a number of challenges she faced.

In this episode Sarah shares how she fell in love with running at the age of 8, and how her phenomenal mindset carried her through some really difficult, and almost career ending times, to being the world class athlete she now is.

Sarah reflects on her recent training changes, and how she has made some difficult decisions in order to stay true to her own values.

A really inspiring and eye-opening episode, which makes for a heart warming listen.  

Having won podiatrist of the year (Australia 22); extensiveclinical experience with runners and athletes; and an endorsement in Scheduled medicines; Joe Keain joins the podcast for a deep dive on all things feet andthe lower limbs.

This episode sheds light on the what, and why of podiatryand how it is relevant to every person and every runner. We discuss the impact of feet on injuries and running, including the specifics of plantar fasciitis, shin splits, and a range of Achilles tendon related issues. Joe also shares tips and tricks around choosing the correct running shoes and shoes for your feet; as well as some good practice for general foot health.

There are a number of key exercises and steps that Joe shares, that you can easily implement to stand strong against any issues which might stem from the feet.

Joe also talks about how podiatry can be often missed, withphysio’s being the frequent go to. This episode might be just the thing you need to help you find answers or solve a problem that physio or other options hasn’t been able to yet resolve.

Joe Keain works at Pod Fit Adelaide and more details can befound here:

Instagram: @joekeainpodiatrist 
TikTok: @joekeainpodiatrist 
Website: https://www.podfitadelaide.com.au/

Lillie Bleasdale joins the podcast to talk about herexperience being an athlete and women with both Endometriosis and Adenomyosis – two life long diseases which affect around 10% of the female population. Theseconditions massively impacted every area of life for Lillie, and until recently, she was bounced around various standard treatments with no full resolution or clarity, leaving her to believe the pain she was experience was unjustified. Fast forwards some serious self-advocacy in pursuing answers, in belief that something more was going on and severe struggle with her symptoms; she is now a New Balance athlete who is London marathon championship-qualified, and has founded her own coaching business which focuses on supporting women.

In this episode Lillie sheds light on the unknown andfrequently mis-understood conditions: Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, and how these have shaped her as both a women and athlete. The conversation highlights the power of knowing, and barriers that women can face with regard to being taken seriously in the healthcare system, and more importantly women not allowing themselves permission to have grace and advocate for themselves. As we explore the latter challenge through Lillie’s experience, it reveals just how complex this becomes, with the impacts included reduced self-confidence, which can negatively impact every area oflife. As Lillie says – receiving the diagnosis was one of the most empowering things.

This episode is absolutely for everyone, not only providinginsight into a challenging area of women’s health, but demonstrating how the impacts can extend well beyond these physical symptoms. There is further generaldiscussion around women in sport.

Lillie speaks very openly and honestly about her experiencewhich is nothing but inspiring, empowering, and beautiful.

To follow Lillie and her journey, as well as find out moreabout what she does over at PASSA check out the links below:

@lilliesfitness, @trainpassa

PASSA

PASSA is the online training solution that puts women at theheart of their goal. Our holistic training plans incorporate strength training,stretching, and recovery. Our team has helped thousands of women progress ontheir running journeys by delivering personalised support at all levels, fromguiding them through their first-ever mile to helping them hit the race goal oftheir dreams. At PASSA, our priority is our people - and community is at theheart of everything we do.

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#endometriosis #adenomyosis #female #athlete #women #health

Lucy Jones, the  2025 London Marathon Female Mass winner (2.30.23) and 2025 England 1500m champion, joins the podcast to share her reflections around her recent rise to the top and diversity of success.

From a 2.05 800m to a 2.30 marathon, Lucy really is standout in both her range and quality. But this episode is much more than simply success on paper, this episode demonstrates the power of mindset and the power of trying.

Lucy was a talented junior, but after being burnt out from her time in the NCAA, she thought she was done with running for good; but with the persuasion of a friend, and the true supportive atmosphere of her local running club, she found her way back.

Lucy shares how she now approaches running with confidence, fun, and enjoyment first, and how this has led her to realise her potential more than just the training she is doing.

She shares her thoughts around the importance of the club environment; why shame and embarrassment around having a ‘bad day’ for athletes needs to go; and the challenges of sport for female athletes.

Lucy further works a full-time job and talks about how she balances these two large parts of her life, alongside life in general. A really inspiring, motivating, and uplifting episode, with a good dose of food for thought.

Lucy’s running profile can be found here

Lucy is currently an unsponsored athlete, but is supported by UKWS (UK roofing and cladding company) which helps offset training and competition expenses.

Lucy on Instagram - @lucyamberjones_

The Podcast and more @thefemalerunnerathletepodcast#female #athlete #runner

Beth Cook, European triathlon junior silver medallist, 2x British champ XC & 3 x medallist, world championship relay medallist triathlon, joins the podcast for a highly insightful episode.

Beth comes with a unique angle, having grown up the child of two world class, world renown triathletes, and the youngest of all her sisters, who have also competed in triathlon.

She had high levels of success within the sport right from the get -go, and was also 'down the track' as soon as she could walk.

However, like all athletes and people, Beth has encountered her own fair share of struggles, challenges, and set-backs. Including a freak injury, which had her on crutches for a while; and a run in with an eating disorder.

The eating disorder in particular is something Beth was keen to share, to help breakdown the stigmas, and show that finding a way through is possible.

Beth certainly has a world-class mindset which is for sure a factor behind her world-class performances. In particular Beth's approach to finding and re-finding enjoyment, focusing on the process, and using logic over perfectionism, are potential game-changers.

Follow Beth on Instagram

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