Runbelievable

What do you do when your body makes a decision your mind isn't ready to accept? 

For Emma Hansford, running was never about chasing podiums. But after becoming a mum and later navigating perimenopause, she found herself confronting something many runners quietly experience: the need to reset expectations.

In this honest conversation, Emma shares her journey through postpartum recovery, perfectionism, identity and learning that success isn't always measured by pace.

It's a conversation about redefining what it means to be a runner... and discovering that sometimes slowing down can move us forward.

In this episode:

• How corporate triathlons sparked a love for running
• The reality of life after childbirth
• Perimenopause and its impact on running
• Letting go of perfectionism
• Why slower doesn't mean weaker

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

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About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Can running help carry the memory of a child?

When Dan and Alicia welcomed their first daughter, Eva, into the world, they were told she had an incredibly rare genetic condition and was unlikely to live beyond childhood.

For the next seven years they navigated specialist appointments, uncertainty, and unimaginable heartbreak.

Throughout it all, they kept running... including Eva and their second child Ivy as part of their routine. The role the running community has played throughout their journey is truly remarkable.

This is a conversation about grief, resilience, community, and the remarkable little girl who continues to shape their lives long after her passing. 

In this episode:

• Eva's Cockayne Syndrome diagnosis just weeks after birth
• Navigating seven years of uncertainty and hope
• The role running played during the hardest years
• Keeping Eva's memory alive
• What moving forward really looks like after loss

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

A pair of running shoes wrapped under the Christmas tree didn't just start Rob Birchall's running journey... they changed the direction of his life.

After losing his father at a young age, serving in the Army, working as an ambulance dispatcher and quietly battling imposter syndrome, Rob spent years believing he had to hide how he really felt.

Running didn't solve every problem.

But it helped him discover something even more important... that being himself was enough.

In this episode:

• Losing his father as a child
• The Christmas present that sparked a love for running
• Working in for the Army and NSW Ambulence
• Living with imposter syndrome
• Why asking for help changed everything
• Learning to finally be comfortable being himself

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Just two years after deciding to take marathon running "seriously", Nick Ghamgosar (a.k.a the kiltedrunnerdownunder) lined up at the Gold Coast Marathon wearing a full Scottish kilt in pursuit of a Guinness World Record.

But behind the novelty was months of disciplined training, growing public pressure, and one of the toughest races of his life.

And you won't believe his HR data my goodness!

Follow Nick's journey: https://www.instagram.com/kiltedrunnerdownunder/

In this episode:

• Why he decided to chase a Guinness World Record 
• Training for a marathon wearing alllll that gear
• Managing pressure after announcing his intentions publicly 
• Revising his goal just weeks before race day 
• The reality of running 42.2km in full Scottish attire 
• Why community has become his greatest reward

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

For years, Caity Mulraney lived behind a mask.

Growing up around domestic violence, surviving an abusive relationship, battling addiction, and eventually reaching the darkest point of her life, she spent decades believing she wasn't enough.

Then she discovered running.

What began as a reluctant parkrun slowly became the catalyst for rebuilding her confidence, embracing vulnerability, and learning that strength isn't about never falling... it's about choosing to keep getting back up.

Follow Caity's journey: https://www.instagram.com/caitlynmulraney_/

In this episode:

• Growing up surrounded by domestic violence 
• Escaping an abusive relationship 
• The day rumours pushed her to rock bottom 
• How running replaced alcohol as her coping mechanism 
• Learning to embrace vulnerability on social media 
• Why she's now helping others believe in themselves

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

When Jovelia Shield arrived in Australia, she couldn't speak English, knew almost no one, and soon found herself trapped in an abusive relationship.

After leaving her former partner, Jovelia found herself as a single mum living in a women's refuge. Over the years that followed, she would endure extraordinary loss (losing three close family members), yet ultimately discover that running could offer something she never expected.

This is ultimately a story about resilience, kindness, and the remarkable people who helped Jovelia find hope again. 

Follow Jovelia's journey: https://www.instagram.com/littlelegslittlerun/

In this episode:

• Starting over in Australia as a young mother 
• Escaping an abusive relationship and rebuilding her life 
• The strangers who became family 
• Coping with unimaginable grief 
• Discovering running later in life 
• Why running became her place of peace 

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is start again.

After years of partying, drinking, and feeling increasingly disconnected from himself, Lou Daeschler made a drastic decision. He packed up his life in the UK and moved to Australia in search of something different.

What followed was a complete transformation.

Running became more than exercise. It became structure, purpose, identity, and eventually obsession. But just as everything seemed to be falling into place, Lou received a diagnosis that forced him to rethink everything.

Follow Lou's journey: https://www.instagram.com/ultra.lou/

In this episode:

• Leaving the UK for a fresh start in Australia 
• A destructive university lifestyle and its consequences 
• Losing more than 30kg through fitness and running 
• Going from a 43-minute 5km to 140km training weeks 
• The double stress fracture diagnosis that stopped everything 
• Learning the difference between commitment and obsession

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

A market research study looking for overweight uni students set Clay Dawon on a path that would eventually lead to marathon victories, Australian representation, and some of the most remarkable endurance performances imaginable.

Yet despite all the success, Clay has spent much of his running journey battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether he truly belongs.

Clay is always looking to help shape and mentor the next generation of runners. 

https://www.instagram.com/clay_dawson/

In this episode:

•  The research study that changed everything
•  Losing weight through accidental running
•  Winning the Brisbane Marathon
•  Representing Australia in the 100km Championships
•  Why success often felt uncomfortable
•  What he'd tell anyone who doubts themselves

Oh, and in a comical twist, Clay sets the record straight on an age-old stat.

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

In 2012, Georgia Weir was battling poor mental health, addiction, and an incorrect bipolar diagnosis.

A local 5km event became a last resort.

What followed was a journey that took her from running her first marathon in New York, to founding Deadly Runners; a movement that has helped hundreds of First Nations Australians discover what's possible through running. 

But the road wasn't smooth.

After a dispute over ownership, Georgia lost everything, battled addiction, rebuilt her life, and emerged with an even greater sense of purpose.

Learn about Deadly Runners: https://deadlyrunners.com.au/

Discover WeRun Foundation: https://www.werunfoundation.org/

Perhaps the most powerful 'why' running video you'll see: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYt2BgwTHj3/

In this episode:

• Running as a last resort for mental health
• Finding self-belief through completing the New York Marathon
• Discovering purpose through establishing Deadly Runners
• Losing everything through addiction 
• The role her husband played in recovery 
• Helping First Nations communities break cycles through running

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Fresh off the Brisbane Marathon, a familiar Runbelievable voice returns for a special Recap episode.

When Carly Barkle first joined us in Ep. 18, she spoke openly about chasing redemption at the Brisbane Marathon. Twelve months after her first DNF, and her 6th bout of bowel surgery… the training is done, the race has been run, and now it's time to find out what really happened.

No polished summary. No social media highlight reel. Just an honest reflection whilst the emotions are still fresh.

We talk about:

• Whether she found the redemption she was looking for
• The race-day twist we had no idea about!
• The moments that tested her most
• What surprised her along the way
• How she feels about the experience now that it's over

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

☕ Enjoying Runbelievable?

If the show has kept you company on a run, you can help keep the stories coming:

https://buymeacoffee.com/runbelievable

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.