Peak2Soon

Ryan Downs has an incredible ability to push himself to places other people don't dare to visit. After telling this podcast he was going to run from Wagga to Canberra in honour of his mum, in early October he made it happen! An incredible journey filled with a mix of different people along the way. Hear how Ryan went, how much money was raised for an incredible charity Rise Above.

We also draw Ryan's raffle for those who donated. Skip to 1:05 to listen there. I can't wait to see what Ryan does going forward. This was a lot of fun the second time around.

Cassie Cohen is back on the show nearly three and a half years after her first appearance, and what an incredible journey she has been on.

She has run at two 24-hour world championships and was part of the Aussie women's team that finished second in 2025, before that she surprised many (including me and I am still eating humble pie) when she become the 2024 Asia Oceania 24-hour women's champion.

That same year she was part of one of the most epic finishes at Coast to Kosci we may ever see, when she led all comers heading up to Australia's highest peak, before finishing third, making her the second fastest woman to ever run the race, in a time that would've won the women's race in any other year.

It's fair to say she's no longer a rising star, but now a bonafide star of the Australian Ultra running scene, it's no secret she's one of my favourite runners, this was an absolute pleasure, and one of my favourite episode's in the podcast's history.

Shard Malchow is a runner that brings a very unique resume into this year's Coast to Kosci. Having been rejected multiple times, he has since built a resume that includes running at Marathon De Sables, UTMB and Cocodona 250. Pair that with some really solid finishes at UTA, UTK Miler and the 50 mile at Lonely Mountain, and you have someone that could surprise many at this year's race.

His mindset and drive is evident throughout this podcast, brought through from more than 17 years of military service. His insights have certainly left an impression on me, particularly his ideas of being able to have an anchor during your longer event.

I loved this chat and I know you all will as well. You can follow Shard at smendurance.coaching on instagram.

Adrian Whatmore's journey into ultra running is anything but conventional. In this podcast you'll learn about how Six Foot Marathon helped spark his passion for ultra running. Since then, Adrian has made a significant mark in Australia's ultra running community, completing the North Face/UTA100 an impressive ten times, as well as last year finishing his fourth Coast to Kosci.

We talk about a changing landscape in the sport of ultra running, the shift in Coast to Kosci and its growing interest, however his journey to get his first pin is one that will inspire many, particularly those that may have been left disappointed with not getting in this year.

Adrian's story is a profound reminder of the resilience and spirit that defines ultra running. His journey of transformation to becoming a celebrated ultra runner inspires many, proving that passion and determination can lead to remarkable achievements.

Don't forget to leave a review and share where you can. Many thanks!

Dan Donegan is coming back for her second Coast to Kosci after finishing last year under inclement weather conditions.

This year Dan has already had impressive runs at Buffalo Stampede in the 10 and 100k events and most recently at SUM100 in Sydney.

Prior to that she has completed Tarawera Miler, West Macs Ellery Monster as well as the Sri Chinmoy 100 in Canberra.

She's as tough as nails and someone I'm proud to have as an adventure buddy.

You can follow her journey at dan.runs.long on insta.

Ryan Downs is only new to the sport of ultra running, but in a short space of time he's set big goals and hit them.

Running his first ultra at BRUTUS last year, Ryan got a taste for what its like to go long. Last year he also completed an incredible run streak, which he took on 10 years since he lost his mother Tereze following a five year battle with cancer.

This year Ryan become one of a small handful to secure 30 laps at the GUMBY at Blue Range Hut in the ACT. An achievement so incredible for someone so new to the sport.

His next big challenge is Ryan's Long Run 220km+ staged event over three days October 9-11th from Wagga Base Hospital, where Ryan's mum was born to Gungahlin Cemetery, where she is buried. A physical line drawn between beginning and farewell.

Everyone who donates goes into the draw to win incredible prizes, and your support will go directly to Rise Above. A charity that financially supports families with loved ones battling cancer.

As always thank you for your support.

Edwin Smith's journey into running didn't start with a marathon or a grand race, it began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns in place and little to do, he decided to run laps around his home in Sydney. What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a passion that has transformed his life. In this podcast I talk with Edwin about his growth in running, which has seen him go from running newbie to completing a 100K run with friends.

But, Edwin is also a specialist in social media working on shows like Survivor and I'm a Celebrity have helped him have a great understanding of how social media works. With his @running_with_edwin page continuing to go from strength to strength on instagram.

He is also entering his first backyard ultra, so it was good to talk about how he is preparing for that.

Ultra running is not just about the physical challenge; it’s a profound journey that tests the limits of mental resilience and community spirit. In this episode I dive into the experiences of Tom Curry, a passionate ultra runner, who recently completed the UTA Miler. His journey is not just about crossing the finish line, but about the lessons learned along the way.

In this you'll learn that a DNF isn't the end of the world, and see that Tommy’s reflections offer valuable insights for both seasoned and aspiring ultra runners.

You can follow Tom on instagram at T0m_Runs.

Don't forget if you liked this episode to share and rate so others can also find it.

Amber and Blaine Bourke are incredible siblings and next month they are releasing a book 'To the Limit'.

The book is a conversation between the pair about pushing limits and letting go. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of the book, and after reading it have both Amber and Blaine on the podcast.

Amber is a world class free diver, and a former elite sychronised swimmer, she has been at the top of her chosen sports for the past two decades.

For Blaine he has been a national 24-hour champion, captured the hearts of the ultra running community recently at Hardcore Harry's King of the Hill, and just last week won the Noosa 100.

This is a conversation I deeply enjoyed with two amazing athletes, I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to look out for the book!

Claudine Chi is a winning mindset coach and 16-time national and international karate champion. In this open conversation Claudine shares her insights on the importance of mindset in achieving personal and athletic goals. She discusses the intrinsic nature of mindset coaching, the common challenges we as humans face, and the significance of self-belief. Claudine emphasises the need for mental training alongside physical preparation, the impact of self-talk, and the invisible barriers that hinder self-belief. Through personal anecdotes and examples from her coaching experiences, this is a conversation I believe will inspire listeners to unlock their potential and embrace the journey of personal growth.

If you want to work with Claudine you can at: www.claudinechi.com/journal.