Vanessa Wilson is back for a catch up post her World Championships debut in Tokyo!

Vanessa never expected to be selected for the Australian team. Her husband (and coach) submitted her nomination without telling her, and lo and behold, she got the call up!

More than anything, this conversation is about quiet confidence. Vanessa reflects on "belonging" at this level, the mental side of a late-career debut, and the consistent work behind a performance that surprised even her.

If you want to hear more about Vanessa’s story, including her 2:28 breakthrough run at Berlin in 2024, and how she got into running later in life, go back to episode 16 of Run With It.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

@runwithit.pod

@vanessateacherrunner

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

--

Music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

One year on, Alice opens up about the heartbreak, anger and a low-mileage training that turned Melbourne Marathon into a personal redemption story. From moving states and Eat-Pray-Love inspired therapy, to proving to herself she could finish 42.2 km on her own terms, it’s raw and relatable for anyone who’s ever run through a break up or other tough times.

Along the way Elise shares her own New York Marathon training update (including a lonely 32k long run digesting the Geelong Cats’ recent Grand Final loss). There’s also a cameo from a very attentive pool lifeguard, and we swap notes on Berlin’s hottest marathon and Harry Styles running incognito.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Lost luggage, sequin bathers, and start-line poses we probably shouldn’t attempt…

Elise is home from Italy and Alice is back from Portland and Hood to Coast with a LOT to unpack. From field-event fandom at the World Athletics Championships, to Sydney Marathon’s debut as a Major, to Elise’s short-and-sharp build for New York, this one’s part catch-up, part race recap, and part therapy. Spoiler: trail relays are brutal, you can never have enough cowboy-boot shot glasses, and sunglasses at night might be a thing.

If this episode made you laugh, crave tomato salads, or impulse buy a sparkly one-piece, share it with a mate, rate/review the pod, and follow along as Elise builds to New York with AB in tow as number one hype gal. 

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

At Sydney Marathon’s debut as an Abbott World Marathon Major this year, Leanne Pompeani delivered a breakthrough run – 7th overall, first Australian home, and the fastest marathon ever by an Aussie woman on home soil (2:24:47).

In this episode, Leanne relives the race in detail: from going head-to-head with Jess Stenson and Lisa Weightman in the Aussie battle, to their emotional finish-line hug. She opens up about her rollercoaster lead-up – a calf tear, a truncated eight-week block, and a bout of influenza – and why she chose Sydney over an Australian singlet in the World Championships marathon team.

We also talk about one of her other big performances at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in 2023, where she courageously fought it out with the world’s best, almost right to the finish line, but ended up in the medical tent with severe heatstroke.

--

Leanne Pompeani is one of Australia’s leading distance runners, with achievements spanning the track, cross country, and the roads. She made headlines recently at the 2025 Sydney Marathon where she was the fastest Aussie woman across the line.

She’s also a multiple national champion, a City2Surf winner, and has represented Australia at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships twice. In 2023, she became Australia’s fastest female debutant over the marathon distance in Nagoya (2:24:53), which was the first glimpse into her bright future as a marathoner.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Fresh off breaking her own Australian 5000m record at the London Diamond League, Rose Davies is showing she belongs among the world’s best. At just 25, the two-time Olympian talks about racing on the sport’s biggest stages, learning from fellow athletes and why friendships matter as much as the medals.

We cover her record run in London, what she took from Tokyo and Paris, and how she’s refined her approach to peak for the right races. Rose opens up about walking away from the sport as a junior after crippling pre-race anxiety and burnout, the road back with long-time coach Scott Westcott, and how she’s learned to keep happiness at the heart of her running - even at the elite level.

Rose Davies is one of Australia’s leading long-distance runners, holding the national records for both the 5000m (14:31) and 10,000m (30:34) on the track. After a challenging transition from junior to senior ranks, she broke through with podium finishes at the Zatopek 10,000m in 2021 and 2022, earning selection for the Tokyo Olympics. Since then, Rose has made Olympic and World Championship finals, won Zatopek a third time, broken Australian records, and cemented her place among the country’s top distance athletes.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

James Hansen didn’t grow up expecting to stand on the podium. The Tasmanian middle-distance runner started as an underdog, fuelled by nothing more than the joy of running and the stubborn belief that showing up matters. Over the years, that joy was tested - through injury, self-doubt, and most dramatically, a life-threatening brain clot that could have ended his career.

In this conversation, we talk about the mental highs and lows of racing at the elite level, how faith has shaped James’s approach to sport and life, and the ways he’s learned to build resilience when the path ahead isn’t clear. We also discuss body image in running, the pressure of chasing times, and why letting go of outcomes can make you a stronger athlete. James shares the moment he almost skipped nationals and how turning up changed the trajectory of his season.

James’s career so far shows that the real victories aren’t always at the finish line. His story is about perspective, persistence, and holding onto the love of running — even when the going gets tough.

--

James Hansen is one of Australia’s top middle-distance runners, specialising in the 1500m and 5000m (and now dabbling in the half marathon). Based in Tasmania, he has represented Australia on the international stage and is known for his tactical racing style and relentless work ethic.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Alice checks in from NYC, where she’s frothing the birthplace of Pilates and accidentally joined a circus disguised as a track session (yes, there was a man planking with a TV on his head). She’s also signed herself up for another relay - Hood to Coast -  because apparently she’s a “relay girl” now.

Back home, Elise is out of the treadmill cave and back running with her kelpie Joey — who’s on her own fitness comeback. With the New York Marathon looming, Elise is embracing the “undercooked but on the start line” approach (with a side of Aperol spritz in Italy).

Expect rat tattoos, wine-tasting marathons, border security cheese smuggling and plenty of chat about how to get marathon-ready without breaking yourself.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

In this episode of Run With It, host Elise Beacom continues her interview with Grace Tame, focusing on Grace’s experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse and how she rediscovered running as a healing mechanism. Grace discusses her past struggles with eating disorders, the autistic traits that complement running and the fine line between running for therapy and running to mask deeper troubles. Also, PEANUT BUTTER. A lot of peanut butter in this episode. Plus, a special shout out for Andy Buchanan.

--

This episode includes discussions about child sexual abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders and mental health. If any of these topics are distressing for you, please call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential support and resources.

--

Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace Tame has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. She was the first female in Tasmania to be granted the right to speak under her own name about her personal experience of sexual abuse as a child. "Grace appeared as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign (run by sexual assault campaigner and Walkley award winning journalist Nina Funnell). Since then, she has used her voice to raise awareness of the impacts of grooming and the other various injustices faced by child sex abuse survivors. 

Before returning to her home of Tasmania in 2020, Grace lived in the USA for almost seven years where she graduated with Associate Degrees with Honours in Liberal Arts and Theatre Arts from Santa Barbara City College. In the USA she worked as a yoga instructor and an artist with clients including actor John Cleese and musician Martin Gore.

Grace is an excellent runner who has won several marathons and ultras, including the Great Ocean Road Ultra Marathon, the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon and the Australian Outback Marathon.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

@tamepunk

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

--

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Running is a thread that weaves through many aspects of Grace Tame’s life. 

In this special two-part episode of Run With It, host Elise Beacom connects the dots with Grace, who’s an advocate, public speaker, writer, artist, runner, and the 2021 Australian of the Year (TW: child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault).

Part one traces Grace’s sandy footsteps from the Australian Outback Marathon to the political and emotional terrain of survivor advocacy. Grace shares what it took to set a course record in brutal conditions at her recent marathon near Uluru, and how running has become a metaphor and outlet for life’s bigger battles.

We hear about her role at the Grace Tame Foundation, an organisation championing education, legal reform, and accessible support for survivors of child sexual abuse. Grace also reflects on the complexities of receiving the Australian of the Year award, offering a sharp, honest take on media scrutiny, public expectation and the weight of visibility.

From the connections running creates to our environment and the people around us, to bonds expressed through oil paint with a toothbrush, Grace is full of stories brimming with strength, shared experience and a good whack of humour.

--

This episode includes discussions about child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault. If any of these topics are distressing for you, please call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential support and resources.

--

Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace Tame has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. She was the first female in Tasmania to be granted the right to speak under her own name about her personal experience of sexual abuse as a child. "Grace appeared as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign (run by sexual assault campaigner and Walkley award winning journalist Nina Funnell). Since then, she has used her voice to raise awareness of the impacts of grooming and the other various injustices faced by child sex abuse survivors. 

Before returning to her home of Tasmania in 2020, Grace lived in the USA for almost seven years where she graduated with Associate Degrees with Honours in Liberal Arts and Theatre Arts from Santa Barbara City College. In the USA she worked as a yoga instructor and an artist with clients including actor John Cleese and musician Martin Gore.

Grace is an excellent runner who has won several marathons and ultras, including the Great Ocean Road Ultra Marathon, the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon and the Australian Outback Marathon.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

@tamepunk

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

--

See Mostafa “Moz” Azimitabar’s painting of Grace for this year’s Archibald Prize

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

In this episode of Sole Sisters, Elise and Alice embrace the weird, wacky and wonderful – venturing into Greek mythology, horoscopes and whether you can catch influenza A from aquatic birds.

There hasn’t been much running on both sides, but there’s been some good trauma bonding, and you best believe it, there’s still plenty to talk about. They cover their chaotic experience staying at the “Pink Pussy Palace” for marathon weekend on the Gold Coast, which was all glitz and jet skis and potential bed bugs. They recap their friend Jess’ marathon race experience including a hearty carb load and a vodka cruiser at the 41k mark.

The fallout of that trip was a big crash and burn for AB who was smacked down with sickness. But she’s recovering just in time to do another unhinged ultra relay in the US. EB’s injury rehab is going nicely – she’s getting some continuous runs in and hopping around the gym to her heart’s content.

--

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

--

Follow us on Instagram:

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@alicebaquie

@mikrocoffeeroasters

--

Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer