Pressure is something every runner, athlete, and high-performer faces - but how we experience it and respond to it can make all the difference. In this episode, Rob breaks down what pressure really is, where it comes from, and why most of us unknowingly create it ourselves.

You'll learn:

The psychological roots of pressure and how your brain reacts to it

Common ways athletes build pressure on themselves

Practical strategies to work with pressure instead of letting it overwhelm you

Mindset shifts that help you perform at your best, even in high-stakes situations

Whether you're chasing a personal best, tackling an ultramarathon, or just feeling the weight of daily expectations, this episode will give you actionable tools to turn pressure into performance.

Resources:

Mindset For Runners Community– Join the community for support, coaching tips, and exclusive mindset content.

Follow me on Instagram: @RobMasonRuns for daily insights on running and mindset.

Time Stamps:

Have you ever wondered why your mind seems to turn against you right when you need it most — in the middle of a tough race, a big workout, or standing on the start line? In this episode, Rob breaks down the three parts of your brain — the Human, the Chimp, and the Computer — and shows you how understanding this simple model can completely change the way you think, feel, and perform as a runner.

Drawing on Professor Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox and A Path Through the Jungle, plus The Brave Athlete by Lesley Paterson and Simon Marshall, you’ll learn how your “chimp brain” can hijack your thoughts, create chaos, and trigger self-sabotage — and how to calm it down when it does.

This episode is all about practical mental skills you can use right away: tools to manage nerves, deal with negative self-talk, handle pressure, and find clarity when your emotions take over.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Key Takeaway:

You don’t need to silence your emotions — you just need to understand who’s driving your thoughts. Once you know how to recognise your chimp, manage it, and step back into your Human brain, running (and life) gets a whole lot simpler.

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about Rob and his course and community:

https://www.robmasonruns.com.au/

With the 2025 Coast to Kosci ultramarathon just around the corner, I’m re-releasing one of my most meaningful conversations — recorded shortly after I won the 2022 Coast to Kosci 240km ultramarathon.

In this interview with the amazing Bex Vandenburg, I share what was really going through my mind during the race — the mental tools, emotional shifts, and lessons that helped me push through fatigue, doubt, and pain to reach the finish line first.

Whether you’re lining up for this year’s race, crewing a runner, or simply fascinated by what it takes to perform at your best in extreme conditions, this episode will give you:

Practical mindset strategies for the toughest parts of the course

Insights into managing fatigue and staying composed under pressure

The importance of self-talk, presence, and purpose in long ultras

How to reconnect with your “why” when things get hard

I’m re-sharing this now to help this year’s runners and crews prepare mentally for the journey ahead — and to remind everyone that Coast to Kosci isn’t just a race… it’s a test of character, heart, and belief.

Tune in before race week, take what resonates, and may it serve you out there on the road from the coast to the summit of Kosciuszko.

Links to my mindset coach, Claudine Chi's, website and Instagram:

A short movie about the 2013 Coast to Kosci made by the talented Filmmaker Pete Davies:

Most runners start for personal reasons — fitness, freedom, challenge, or escape. But there’s a deeper, more powerful layer available to every runner: service.

In this episode, Rob explores how your running can serve others — from the people closest to you, to your broader community, to causes that matter deeply. When you shift your focus from what running gives you to what it gives through you, everything changes: your motivation, your resilience, your sense of purpose.

Rob shares stories from elite and everyday runners, practical ways to reframe your training, and reflections on meaning, gratitude, and connection. You’ll walk away seeing your running as more than a sport — it becomes a form of contribution.

You’ll learn:

How purpose and service transform your motivation and mindset

Why chasing happiness is less fulfilling than pursuing meaning

How to “own your gift” and express it through your running

Stories of runners using their miles to create change

Practical ways to dedicate runs, serve others, and run with gratitude

The sacred shift from self to others — and how it changes everything

Check out: https://www.robmasonruns.com.au/

In this episode Rob dives deep into one of the most powerful — and underused — tools in running: reframing.

When fatigue hits, when the mind wants to quit, or when a long run feels impossible, reframing lets you change the meaning of what’s happening — and that changes your experience. It’s not about pretending it’s easy; it’s about choosing a different lens to see it through.

Rob breaks down how reframing works from both a brain and performance perspective, drawing from:

Then, Rob shares a full toolkit of reframes inspired by NLP, coaching, and mindset research — simple phrases that can change everything when your mind is screaming to stop.

You’ll Learn:

Key Quotes:

“Runners who reframed rated the same hard run as easier — nothing changed physically, only mentally.”

“When fatigue says ‘I can’t,’ answer back with ‘I won’t quit.’ That flips control back to you.”

“Reframing is about choice: the run is the same, but how you talk to yourself changes everything.”

Learn more about Pete Shaw’s excellent NLP training (and more) here:

https://www.scaryandexciting.com

Read the full study from the episode here:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6232759/

Benn Coubrough is a top Australian ultra-trail runner, coach, and awesome human. In this interview, we learn about his journey from personal challenges and family influence to elite racing. Benn shares his ‘three Ds’ philosophy — desire, determination, discipline — plus insights on training, strength work, nutrition, and race-day mindset. Highlights include his 2024 Coast to Kosci victory, UTMB and Tarawera experiences, DNFs, and preparation for the Moab 240 mile in October 2025.

Learn from Benn's practical advice on building consistency, adapting during races, strength training, and planning for ultra events.

Follow Benn on Instagram here:

bennycoubs_ultrarunner

For more information on Benn's Coaching:

www.strokenolimitscoaching.com

Your long run isn’t just about building fitness — it’s a masterclass in mental training. In this episode, Rob dives into the mindset tools that make your long runs more purposeful, manageable, and powerful.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why purpose matters (5:17) – discover how giving your long run an “intention” changes everything.

The truth about fatigue (8:23) – it’s triggered mentally, not physically, and you can train for it.

Chunking strategies (14:00) – how to break down a long run into achievable sections.

Self-talk skills (16:58) – practical examples to keep you steady when it gets tough.

Running as a test of self (32:36) – why every long run is more than just training.

Rob also shares how the Mindset for Runners Community will now help shape the podcast  — so if you’re not yet part of it, now’s the time to jump in.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, ultra, or just want to get more from your weekly long run, this episode gives you the mental tools to go further than you thought possible.

Join the Mindset For Runners Course, the complete mental skills program designed for everyday runners who want to unlock their potential. As a podcast listener, use the discount code MFRPODCAST at checkout to save 10% on your enrolment.

👉 https://www.robmasonruns.com.au/course

Rob delves into the challenges of overcommitment and how it impacts athletes and their training. He shares personal insights and community experiences to explore why we often say 'yes' to too many tasks and commitments.

Listeners will learn about the psychological underpinnings of overcommitment, including fear of missing out and the pressure to be reliable. Rob offers practical strategies to help identify when you're overcommitted and provides tools to manage your commitments effectively, ensuring alignment with personal values and goals. Discover how to implement circuit breakers, the 'Yes-Damn Effect,' and other techniques to maintain balance between training and life's other demands.

Join Rob as he encourages listeners to reassess their commitments, make informed decisions, and create more time for intentional training and personal fulfilment. Whether you're juggling family, work, and training, or just seeking a more balanced approach to your passions, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice to achieve your true potential.

Join the final cohort of the Mindset For Runners Course for 2025 here:

https://www.robmasonruns.com.au/course

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the world’s first self-belief mental training program-it’s unlike anything else on the planet. It’s transforming the way I think, train, and run–and you’re getting an exclusive first look with me! 

Created by my mindset coach, Claudine Chi–a high-performance mindset coach who has worked with Olympic athletes, world champions, and elite performers–this mental training program is the most transformational habit I’ve ever built, and it takes just 5 minutes a day. Our conversation is packed with insights, practical tools, and self-belief applications you can start using straight away. You won’t want to miss this one!

Here's where to get The Athlete's Ultimate Self-Belief Journal:

https://www.claudinechi.com/journal/

Welcome to the Mindset for Runners podcast, where we explore the mental tools and mindsets that assist athletes in pushing through challenging moments in races. In this episode, Rob shares invaluable insights into handling the toughest parts of running by exploring the power of resilience over mere toughness.

Drawing from a wealth of sports psychology resources and expert opinions, discover strategies to manage your inner "chimp brain," reframe your perception of effort, and utilize powerful self-talk. Whether you're tackling an ultra-marathon or improving your daily running routine, learn how to bend, adapt, and overcome mental hurdles.

Embrace techniques from Leslie Patterson, Matt Fitzgerald, and more to redefine how you perceive pain and fatigue. Create your alter ego, shrink your world during trials, and draw on your purpose to keep moving forward.

Join the community at robmasonruns.com.au for more empowering content and to connect with fellow mindset-focused runners. Enjoy this episode and harness the insights to enhance your racing mindset!