Human Being School

Have you ever felt like your ideal life is always just out of reach? Like the goalposts are constantly moving?

This week on Human Being School, we unpack "The Illusion of More"—the trap of believing that pushing harder, buying better gear, or hitting the next milestone is the only way to feel complete.

We kick things off on the track, contrasting Forest’s recent 5km at the Tiger 5 with my own Achilles blow-up. Chasing the "fast track" of a synthetic athletics surface over the slow adaptation of grass taught me a hard lesson: when your ego refuses to take an off-season, your body will manufacture one for you. Forest brings his coaching lens to the table, breaking down the "Strava Trap" and how athletes treat their Garmin data like high school ATAR scores to validate their worth.

But this isn't just a running problem. From the education system demanding constant "growth," to the modern dating market, to the Victorian teacher pay dispute, the Illusion of More is the core operating system of modern life. We discuss Steve Magness's Arrival Fallacy, the Hedonic Treadmill, and why the highest form of resilience isn't pushing through the pain. It’s having the psychological strength to sit perfectly still in the "10-Minute Void" and realize you are already enough.

Regular Segments:

• 📚 The Books: The Creative Act: A Way of Being - Rick Rubin and Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

• 🎧 The Podcast: Turning them off. The luxury of silence and escaping the "Optimization Spectacle."

• 💬 The Quote: "You get used to how great your life is." — Jimmy Carr

"We spend so much time scheduling our work and our commitments, and not enough on the good stuff."

We’re back for 2026. To kick off the year, Forest Robinson and I headed down to Elsternwick for the Carman’s 10k. It wasn't about the PB or the pace—it was about pinning on a bib, feeling the local energy, and practicing the two themes that are grounding us this year: Patience and Acceptance.

In this episode, we dive into the "Calendar of Life." Why do we treat our professional meetings as non-negotiable but leave our joy to chance? We explore how to reclaim your schedule for the things that actually nourish your nervous system, and why "doing less" with more intention is the ultimate performance hack for the long game.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The Carman’s 10k Recap: The "cold start" feeling of the first race of the year.

• The Architecture of Joy: Why we struggle to schedule the "good stuff" and how to stop treating hobbies as "if I have time" tasks.

• Patience vs. Waiting: Learning to sit with the slow build of a new season without the rush for instant results.

• Radical Acceptance: How letting go of "should be" allows you to actually be present in the mile you’re in.

• The Nervous System Audit: How protecting your joy prevents the burnout we often see by mid-year.

Connect with Human Being School:

• Instagram: @humanbeingschool

If this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone who needs a reminder to put some joy on their calendar this week.

In this final episode of the year, Nick is joined by Forest Robinson for a reflective look back on 2025 — the lessons, the miles, the moments that mattered, and the ones they’d rather forget.

This conversation isn’t about highlighting perfect performances. It’s about honesty, perspective, and what a year of running, training, and life actually teaches you when you slow down enough to reflect.

Together, they unpack:

• The biggest lessons 2025 had to offer

• The top runs of the year — and the ones that hurt the most

• Performances they’re proud of, and ones they learned from

• The best running shoe, gel, and accessory of the year

• New discoveries that changed the way they train or think

• Favourite book, podcast episode, and quote of the year

• How their relationship with running evolved over the past 12 months

They also reflect on why the toughest days often leave the deepest lessons, and why taking time to look back matters just as much as setting new goals.

This episode is part reflection, part recap, and part reminder that progress isn’t always measured in PBs — sometimes it’s measured in perspective.

In this episode of Human Being School, Nick and Forest unpack a marathon that didn’t go to plan.

Forest reflects on his race at the Valencia Marathon, where things began to unravel around the 28km mark after severe stomach issues forced him into survival mode. What follows is an honest conversation about the physical breakdown, the mental negotiation to keep going, and how the definition of success changes when the original goal disappears.

Nick also shares a brief reflection on his own 2XU 10K, using it as a contrast to highlight how different race distances create different forms of discomfort — but often teach the same lessons.

Together, they explore:

• What to do when a race falls apart mid-run

• The mental toll of endurance sport and decision-making under fatigue

• Control vs acceptance on tough race days

• How athletes redefine success when the plan no longer applies

• Why difficult races often leave the deepest lessons

They finish with their regular segments — Book of the Moment, Podcast of the Moment, and Quote of the Moment — tying the conversation back to growth, perspective, and long-term development.

This episode isn’t about perfect performances. It’s about resilience, reflection, and what endurance sport reveals when things don’t go your way.

In this episode of Human Being School, I’m joined by my mate and fellow runner, Dan Kokken — ultra runner, father of four, and owner/operator of Recovery Lab Hampton and KX Pilates.

We start the conversation with Dan’s recent experience at the Kosi 100 miler, using it as a jumping-off point to explore the mental roller coaster of ultra running and the constant decision to keep going when things get hard.

From there, we zoom out into a wider discussion on:

• The mindset required to endure ultra-distance races

• Navigating the highs and lows that come with long days on your feet

• Training for longevity rather than short-term performance

• Recovery strategies that actually matter

• Balancing running, business ownership, and family life

This isn’t just a conversation about running further — it’s about learning how to stay present, resilient, and grounded while pursuing big physical goals alongside real-life responsibilities.

If you’re interested in endurance sport, recovery, mindset, or simply how to chase something meaningful without burning out, this episode will resonate.

Ten days after race day, Nick, Foz, and running physio Ky Wynne sit down to unpack three completely different race experiences.

Ky finally cracks the sub-3-hour barrier at the Melbourne Marathon — redemption after coming so close in Sydney just five weeks earlier.
Foz runs 68 minutes for the half, just shy of a personal best and full of quiet confidence.
And Nick… hits the wall hard. After going through halfway in 1:32, the back half unravels — a lesson in what happens when the nervous system calls it quits before the body does.

Together, they break down:

• The science of nervous system fatigue and why “no fight left” isn’t mental weakness

• How recovery, stress, and tapering shape your performance more than you think

• Post-race reflections, mistakes, and what each of them will change next time

It’s honest, raw, and full of takeaways for anyone chasing their own finish line.

🎙 Human Being School — lessons in growth, endurance, and self-discovery.

This week on Human Being School, we chat with Ky Wynne, physio and an expert in running injuries, rehab, and performance. Based in Melbourne, Ky has a background in elite sport and a Doctor of Physiotherapy + Exercise Science. He’s also training for his second marathon, having made his debut at Sydney earlier this year.

In this episode, we cover:

• Common marathon injuries and early warning signs

• Prehab strategies to stay injury-free

• Recovery tools, from massage guns to sleep and nutrition

• Race week preparation, tapering advice, and race day warm-ups

• Rapid-fire fun: running shoes, playlist picks, physio myths, and more

Whether you’re chasing a PB, tackling your first marathon, or just want to stay healthy while running, Ky shares actionable tips and insights to help you train smarter and recover better.

Links & Resources:

• Ky Wynne – Website

• Follow Ky on Instagram for running & physio insights

🎧 Episode Overview:
This week on Human Being School, it’s all about race day lessons and the beautiful (sometimes brutal) process of chasing performance.

Nick and Forest each ran races recently:

• Nick lined up for the Lakeside 10km, testing his wheels and mindset over a fast, flat course.

• Forest took on the Sunshine Coast Half Marathon, battling the Queensland heat and the long grind of 21.1km.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Our pre-race goals and expectations

• The moments that went to plan—and the ones that didn’t

• How we handled discomfort, doubt, and mid-race decisions

• The surprising takeaways that came after the finish line

Plus, we finish with our usual segments:

• Books of the month

• And a few off-topic tangents you didn’t ask for (but might still enjoy)

Whether you’re chasing a PB, your next starting line, or just curious about what goes on inside the heads of two weekend warriors—this one’s for you.

Instagram: @⁠⁠cosi.nick⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠@humanbeingschool⁠⁠

⁠⁠Human Being School⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Linktree

⁠⁠⁠Modex Natural⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Instagram

⁠⁠⁠⁠Modex Natural⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Website (code: NCOS15 for 15% off your first order)

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review "Human Being School" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts!

In this short solo episode, I reflect on two of the biggest lessons from our 6 months away: the trap of comparison, and the ancient practice of negative visualisation. I share how comparing our present experience to past adventures or expectations affected my mindset, especially early in the trip. Then I explore the Stoic-inspired strategy that helped me reclaim presence—drawing on the ideas of Tim Ferriss and William B. Irvine.

If you want to learn more about fear setting you can watch Tim here

Connect with me:

Instagram: @⁠⁠cosi.nick⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠@humanbeingschool⁠⁠

⁠⁠Human Being School⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Linktree

⁠⁠⁠Modex Natural⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Instagram

⁠⁠⁠⁠Modex Natural⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Website (code: NCOS15 for 15% off your first order)

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review "Human Being School" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts

In this episode, we sit down just days after running the Great Ocean Road Marathon to unpack the experience — the highs, the struggles, and the reflections that followed.

We break down the race itself, including pace strategy, conditions, and performance — but more importantly, we explore how this event became a reminder of what running means beyond times and splits.

⛰️ In This Episode:

• Race Breakdown
• Pre-race mindset & goals
• The conditions on the day (including wind and pacing)
• Fueling, heart rate, and body feedback
• When things started to unravel — and what we did next
• Lessons from the Road
• How setbacks during the race revealed gaps in training and mindset
• The role of long run distance in marathon prep
• Recognising how checking out mentally can impact physical performance
• How illness and context matter — and why self-compassion is key
• Putting Performance into Perspective
• Using reflection to find growth in disappointment
• Why times don’t tell the full story
• Reframing effort as a win — especially when conditions are stacked against you
• What this means for the next block of training (and Melbourne Marathon in October)

This Month’s Mentors

We share the books, podcasts, and quotes that kept us grounded and inspired during the last month.

🏃‍♂️ Why We Run

At its core, this episode is a reminder that running is about more than a finish time — it's about connection: to yourself, to others, and to something greater.

Whether you’re a marathoner, a weekend jogger, or just someone navigating life’s long roads — we hope this one hits home.

🎤 Got a question or takeaway? Message us @HumanBeingSchool or leave a review to share your thoughts.