In this episode, Tim Buxton sits down with ultra-runner and coach Mario Buchs just two weeks after his second successful finish at Coast to Kosciuszko. What unfolds is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most iconic endurance events: a 240km nonstop journey from the ocean at Eden to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.

Mario takes listeners inside the physical, mental, and emotional realities of the race, from starting with soaked shoes at sunrise, to navigating hailstorms, sleep deprivation, nutrition pivots, blister management, and a perfectly timed 10-minute nap that changed everything. Along the way, Tim shares reflections from crewing and pacing Mario through the night, offering rare insight into what it truly takes to finish strong.

This conversation goes far beyond running. It explores leadership, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and how small, consistent “one percent” choices compound into extraordinary outcomes.

Key Moments & Themes

• Touching the water to touching snow

  Mario begins the race by intentionally soaking his shoes in the ocean, symbolising the full arc of the journey ahead.

• Preparation over perfection

  From nutrition plans to heart-rate discipline, Mario explains why having a plan — and being willing to adapt it — is everything.

• The power of crew and community

  A deep dive into the critical role of a crew chief, pacers, and trusted teammates who remove ego and keep the project moving forward.

• Night running and mental clarity

  Why Mario thrives in the quiet hours, and how staying in motion becomes a form of active recovery.

• The 10-minute nap that changed the race

  A perfectly timed decision that took Mario from empty to energised and made a safe summit possible.

• Weather, uncertainty, and timing

  Hailstorms, race stoppages, and the razor-thin margin between pushing on and waiting wisely at altitude.

• Summiting Mount Kosciuszko

  Snow, ice, wind, emotion, and the payoff for months of disciplined training and sacrifice.

• Finishing strong — by design

  How Mario executed his visualisation and crossed the line on his terms.

The One Percent Lesson: Just keep moving — with intention.

Progress beats perfection. Whether in ultrarunning, work, leadership, or life, stopping without purpose is often more damaging than slowing down. Movement, however small, keeps momentum alive.