One Bad Session and an Identity Crisis

• A rough workout had me questioning my fitness and comparing myself to everyone else on Instagram and Strava.
• A reminder that one bad session does not erase months of consistent training or mean you have suddenly become unfit.
• The head cold probably played a role, but naturally I still turned it into a full-blown identity crisis.
• Reflections on race weight, nutrition and the uncomfortable conversation around getting lighter to improve running performance.
• The difference between chasing performance deliberately and promoting unhealthy or unsustainable weight loss.
• Being called an “influencer” and trying to work out how I actually feel about that label.
• Why I started the podcast: to document the journey, put myself out there and create something Evie can listen back to one day.
• Plans to properly document the build toward Osaka Marathon rather than only sharing the polished sessions and race results.
• Some discussion around gels, supplements and ExoLactate—and my ongoing willingness to experiment with anything that might save me three seconds.
• The main takeaway: stop comparing, get healthy, turn up again and trust the work already completed.
• Fitness has not disappeared—it is apparently just taking a slightly longer lunch break.

The Finale

I recorded a Gold Coast Marathon recap and realised I didn’t actually want to talk about splits for 30 odd mins

So this episode is more about the bigger question I was asked after the race: what has actually changed over the past 12 months that helped my running improve?

I talk through the 2:42 at Gold Coast, chasing 2:39, not giving up when the goal slipped away, the boring consistency behind improvement, training, lifestyle changes, fuelling, mindset, the people who helped me get here, and what’s next.

There was no secret. Just a lot of work, stacked over time.

This week I unpack one of the most controversial topics I've covered yet: has running become too soft? From the old "runner vs jogger" labels at Bridge to Brisbane to social media's obsession with participation over performance, I dive into whether we've started lowering the standards in the sport and why I think authenticity is disappearing.

I also give an honest update on my final week of Gold Coast Marathon training. After my biggest training block yet, I'm feeling physically and mentally cooked, reflecting on what I've learnt from chasing high mileage, and sharing how I'll approach my next marathon build leading into Osaka.

As always, these are just my opinions. Agree or disagree, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

• Marty reflects on the mental roller coaster of dealing with injuries and uncertainty. He shares his thoughts on getting blood tests and the psychological aspects of training. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics like sleep and nutrition.

• Marty shares his observations on trending topics like peptides in the running community. He discusses the overhyped nature of shortcuts and emphasizes the importance of consistency and fundamentals in training. He also reflects on his personal experiences and the lessons learned from marathon training.

• Why I've been missing in action and the reality of completing my biggest training week ever

• The mental battle of being 5 weeks out from the Gold Coast Marathon

• Fatigue, self-doubt, pressure and the anxiety that comes with chasing big marathon goals

• Why motivation is overrated and discipline becomes the real difference-maker

• A full breakdown of my training week including key marathon sessions, a calf scare and some confidence struggles

• Whether I'm starting to question my marathon goal pace

• The impact of stacking multiple 140km+ weeks and whether I've bitten off more than I can chew

• My thoughts on the Red Bull Race The Sun Strava controversy and how social media can sometimes tell a different story to reality

• Why transparency in training data matters

• A reminder that marathon training is basically one giant game of "f*** around and find out"

As always, let me know what topics, trends, products, races or influencer takes you want me to rant about next week.

This week’s podcast is a shorter episode but probably the most honest I’ve been yet.

Spoke a lot about how doing this podcast is slowly making me more confident in myself and more accepting of who I am and who I’m becoming. Turns out saying your thoughts out loud every week forces a bit of self reflection. Who knew.

I also spoke about trying to improve my sleep after years of broken 5 hour nights, the things I’ve been experimenting with to help that, and how much better I feel mentally and physically because of it.

We went into my training week, fuelling high mileage properly, why I’m intentionally reducing protein to reduce muscle mass for marathon performance, and the criticism that came with that decision. Poor diddums apparently.

And of course I threw a few light jabs at the fitness influencer world because I’ll always respect the quiet people consistently grinding away over the people trying to sell motivation and fake discipline online.

Short episode this week. Less polished, more honest. 🎙️

Discussions Love of all things sport Why I’m passionate about protecting the running image Riine getting into a fight with a Suzuki swift (hence the photo) Why I have varying opinions on doping Why I think rest days are for the weak Recapping my training week of 142kms

Episode 3 is up 🎙️

This one’s a proper mix of:
🏃‍♂️ Marathon training breakdowns
🍚 High carb / low calorie balancing
🧠 Realisations during long runs
🍺 Why I quit alcohol
🧂 My rant on the electrolyte industry becoming the biggest fitness scam on earth
🔥 Plus the reality of trying to chase performance while sitting in a massive calorie deficit

Also talk about:
• Getting accepted into Sydney Marathon
• Sauna / Bryan Johnson rabbit holes
• Training confidence starting to build
• Why consistency beats talent long term

Honestly… probably the most open and unfiltered episode yet

This podcast is basically a bit of a personal experiment pushing myself to get uncomfortable, speak more openly, and stop overthinking what people might think. It’s not about being polished or having all the answers; it’s about documenting the process, sharing my thoughts around training and life, and opening myself up to feedback and criticism so I can actually grow. If it resonates with people, great if not, that’s kind of the point too.

• Caffeine research – performance sweet spot ~3–6mg/kg
• Cheap source – Allmax tablets (~$11.50/100, 200mg each)
• Trial plan – ~300mg mornings, 3x/week
• Race strategy – ~250mg pre + top-ups → 350–400mg total
• Tablets vs powder – tablets win for convenience
• Shilajit – separating claims from evidence
• Chiropractors – calling out questionable practices
• Podcast controversy – Aussie show under fire
• Nedd Brockmann – “elite” debate
• Overtraining – term thrown around too easily
• + more – training thoughts & unfiltered takes

This is a self-development experiment, just happening in public.
Unfiltered thoughts, weekly reflections, and a willingness to say things before they’re perfectly formed.

It might not always be polished or insightful and that’s kind of the point.
I’m opening the door to feedback and criticism, because that’s where real growth comes from.

Not just becoming a better runner but a better communicator, partner, and person.