RUN RiOT podcast - talking all things running, mental wellbeing, and physical benefits

In this episode, we talk to Rhys King, aka the Heavy Mental Runner. Rhys is no stranger to podcasting, having previously recorded the Heavy Mental Podcast with his wife for several years, a show dedicated to normalising mental health discussions.

Those who know Run Riot know we don't just say 'Running is Release', we mean it, and we live by it. For us, running is so much more than times and distances, but a positive way to support mental wellbeing. We talk to Rhys about how he uses running to help manage the everyday ups and downs of life, as well as his ADHD. We also cover addiction, heavy metal, and a lot more!

Most important, we talk about Rhys' mammoth Blink 182-related running challenge coming up in November, and the very personal motivation for raising money for Maggie's Swansea.

Month 6. Episode 6. Six lessons that the Founders of Run Riot have learnt along the way.

There is a distinct lack of running in this episode, as we step back and think about how far we’ve come and how far we need to go to build our running brand.

We talk community, apparel design and obsessing about the detail. As well as – of course – what running means to us.

In this episode, we explore relationships, resilience, and what our mantra “running is release” truly means when life throws the unexpected your way.

Our guest, Anna Gray, talks about how running has been more than just movement for her. It’s been a mirror reflecting her relationship with herself, a bridge to new friendships, and a steady rhythm through life’s toughest chapters. From the recently discovered camaraderie of run-club meet-ups to the quiet solitude of solo miles, Anna shares how running has deepened her connection to others, and to herself.

Anna speaks candidly about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how her relationship with running shifted as her health and priorities have changed.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever laced up their shoes searching for clarity, healing, or just a moment to breathe.

Why do we run? It’s such a simple question, but the answer isn’t always so easy to articulate. And the answer can differ depending on the particular life and/or environmental context we find ourselves in.

Our latest episode features David Thomas, a man who wears many hats (and we mean that in the professional sense, not the literal sense of the Run Riot beanie he’s wearing in this episode) – he is not only a performance coach and Associate Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Psychology, but also a gym founder and part-time farmer. David is passionate about regenerative farming at Nethergill Farm and how the environment intersects with the individual.

In short, he’s brilliantly qualified to give his interpretation of our mantra ‘Running is Release’ and what that means to him personally, as well as touch on what the research says on the mental benefits of running.

Running is Release is more than just a tagline. We mean it. Running is that time to think, or that time for no thinking at all. Whatever you need on that particular day.

One foot in front of the other, step by step, running supports mental and physical wellbeing.

This latest episode features our friend Dan Russell, who talks about a terrific initiative he was involved in for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), featuring boxing legend Tyson Fury and footballer Declan Rice. Normalising discussions around mental health is so important, and it was a pleasure to speak with Dan, and of course run a little too.

You run. But why?

Whenever you ask a runner this, you’re bound to get into a long conversation. Runners love talking about running.

And in our second episode, we’re lucky to have spoken to Glenn Southam, Community Leader at Run Social, a platform for socialising, networking and exercising.

Run clubs and more

Glenn might describe himself as an ‘average runner’, but our conversation shows he’s so much more than that. He’s certainly very eloquent in describing how running acts as his regular outdoor therapy.

After a very chilly run together, we explore how personal tragedy led to a life-altering London Marathon experience in 2013 and a now entrenched relationship with running, as well as the recent explosion in run club culture.

This is our first episode where the founders of RUN RiOT talk about why they decided to launch a running brand in a world where there seems to be a new apparel brand almost every week.  The focus is less on times and distance and more on the mental wellbeing that running provides.  There is a place in the market for all types of runners, for those who run rather than necessarily those who identify as runners, and our story is one built upon many conversations with those inside the running culture and those who just like to go for a jog every now and then.  That said, our focus is very much on the details - to deliver premium running products that are are high performing running apparel with a unique aesthetic.