I Did A Runner Podcast

Joining me on the podcast is TV personality, online fitness and nutrition coach, David Birtwistle.

Several years ago David came up to me and said something that left a mark, and is why I hold him in such high regard.

In this episode we discuss what defines masculinity, and if it’s something that must be adaptable. We chat about understanding gratification within the process and not just the outcome, and how we should look at failure is the first step to succeeding.

David’s attention for years was very much focused on strength, now his passion for running makes him a very versatile athlete. His ambitions of running his first sub 3 hour marathon are edging closer, but is the desire to achieve this going to distract him from enjoying the process, in this conversation you’ll find out.

Joining me on the podcast tomorrow are two members from one of the fastest growing Run clubs in the UK - Ant and George, introduced to me through my ambassadorship with Samsung and the Samsung Health App. 4 Friends came together with little to no background in running, they have created a movement that has gone on to inspire 1000s of people from around the world to join them, and working with the most recognised brands in this space.

Pana Run Club is about breaking barriers and giving opportunities to people when at a times, it feels like there is little.

In a time where the world is becoming more divided, they create connections, it’s not a run club dedicated or defined by a person's colour, but by the love for the community and sport they succeed and suffer from together.

In this episode we talked about turning lifes harships into energy for growth, to overcoming challenges like a lack of funding within society and shifting cultural norms.

This story is one of resilience and vision.

To find out more about Samsung Health: https://www.samsung.com/uk/apps/samsung-health/?cid=UK_PPC_1559134832_ID~GLB00061BW_CN~Health+HQ+AI+Generic_BS~mx_PR~mxmulti_SB~mocross_PH~on_KS~ba_MK~gb_OB~conv_FS~hobl_FF~-&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvyv_tl-cQUHFhVU6iKaZXrHfik6ufJ4x7YqKbI1kEVp4_3D8dOpI7FRoCIzoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

And Pana Run Club: https://www.instagram.com/panarunclub/

Joining me on the podcast today is qualified run coach, PT, James Stirling AKA the London fitness guy.

Imagine running to spread a message and find a cure for a condition that you suffer with and may not even benefit from in your lifetime, but knowing what you’ve done will improve if not save future generations lives.

Joining me on the podcast are two remarkable brothers Jordan and Cian Adams who are doing just that.

Having lost their mother to dementia, they both find themselves diagnosed with the same condition. What is most powerful about this episode is how they have overcome the fear they both face to utilise the time that they have. Their story is one of bravery, determination, resilience, and inspiration.

We all will face something in life we have no control over, but both brothers are testament that we can dictate how we wish to respond to it.

With over quarter of a million now raised for charity, the momentum has not slowed down, if anything it’s only just starting to build.

If you find yourself in a situation where you find yourself saying I can’t, think of brothers and remind yourself of what you can.

Joining me on the podcast is one of the most recognised faces in fitness, peloton instructor & high performance coach Ben Alldis.

This episode really signifies how taking risks into the unknown can change your life forever. Do you find yourself in a position that doesn’t fulfil you, taking that first step can be difficult, Bens story highlights what taking that step can look like.

Trauma is something that we all incur, it can affect us in different ways. Ben opens up about navigating the heartbreaking loss of his best friend and his wife's subsequent cancer diagnosis, revealing how these experiences reshaped his approach to life.

Ben has been instrumental in the success of peloton, now a billion dollar business, we hear how that success has changed his life at such a young age, and what that looks like.

With so much influence around the world it’s fascinating to hear what direction in which he wishes to take it.

This episode was inspired by a conversation I had with my coach where for the first time I said I can’t. I have been so open about my struggles in the past with my mental health and I have found myself in that difficult place once again. Recording this was incredibly tough, but something I felt I needed to do. 2024 has been a testing year with many lessons learnt. Although I wish I didn’t feel this way, I know with hard work on myself something special can come from it. Some of my biggest achievements have come from some of my toughest times. 

I really hope this episode will contribute to normalising how we feel, and enable more people to find the strength to speak out when in need. 

Nothing lasts forever both good and bad, this is just one of those bad moments which I believe in my heart will eventually turn good. This episode is the beginning of me getting myself back into the place I wish to be, happy and in peace. 

Joining me on the podcast today is Fatima Painda, her story is one of the most powerful I’ve come across as to why she became a runner.

Fleeing Afghanistan from the regime to live a life of freedom is a reminder of what a gift each day is. Coming from a life so restricted she finds herself invested into a sport that empowers her and offers freedom.

Running isn't about winning for her, every step she takes is a step of hope for her friends and family who remain in her native land. Fatima is a beacon of hope and is a pillar of strength for so many. When you think of resilience, think of Fatima.

Joining me on the podcast today is elite marathon runner, coach, and content creator, Phily Bowden. Phily is joining us fresh off her most recent marathon in Berlin which catapulted her presence in the sport running an impressive time of 2.25, and a PB. Phily is not your typical athlete, with an unconventional journey to get her where she is today. Her openness and honesty is what has drawn so many to be invested in her journey. You can’t help but want her to succeed and achieve her ultimate dream of performing at the highest stage, the olympics. 

Running has changed her life and the person she wants to be, from a disruptive childhood, it has given her a purpose, and enabled her to channel her energy into something positive. Like many others, Phily has faced personal challenges, including battling an eating disorder at a young age. In a high-pressure career, the question arises: how can she maintain her well-being and prevent facing such a difficult struggle again, in this conversation she shares how?

Returning to the podcast today after his toughest challenge yet is Jonny Davies. Jonny recently completed RUN THE CAPITALS running all 5 capitals in the UK and Ireland, covering 960km in 12 days.

This conversation so close to the challenge was an incredibly vulnerable and an honest one.

I saw a different side to Jonny I’ve never seen before, with some time to reflect on what he’s done, it really unearthed some profound moments that clearly had a deeper impact on him.

It really highlights how powerful your past can be on your future self, and the decisions that you make.

To donate to Jonny's challenge see the link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jdrunthecapitals?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fjdrunthecapitals&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Joining me on the podcast today is Maliha Abdul-Hakim, known to most as the Marathon runner.

But there is so much more to her and her story of how she got there. In this episode we hear for the first time the adversity she has had to overcome to even step foot on that start line.

She was subjected to parental abduction as a young child, before being rescued by her mother. She and her five siblings moved with their mother from the Middle East to England for a new beginning, and to support her mothers health condition affecting her sight, which later Maliha too would be diagnosed with the same condition.

Maliha’s outlook on life is an incredible powerful one, her past is what makes her ambitions even stronger, with her heart set on representing the middle east, it’s not a case of if, but when.