Running on Joy

Joy is...A Way of Living.

Jean-Baptiste Joly-Lavrieux is a photographer based in the French Alps. He spent over a decade in banking before leaving the profession to pursue his passion for trail running and photography. I was recently drawn to a series of photographs that Like the Wind Magazine shared from Jean-Baptiste's Instagram: images from the UTMB mountain race, all captured on a disposable camera. Although not his usual camera of choice, the experiment epitomises Jean Baptiste's fluid style that evokes his deep relationship with the natural world and how we move through it.

After the initial look-a-like comparison with the infamous trail runner Anton Krupicka, we move on to discuss the differences between existing and living and how we can flip that narrative; holistic balance; the freedom of running; being a life-long student of photography and learning on the job; telling stories through the lens; the struggle between self-doubt and joy with creative work; naivety as both a frustration and a superpower; the contrast between individual projects and working to commission; an obsession with Jim Walmsley's doorstep; experiences from UTMB and the liberation that the disposable camera project provided; overcoming shyness; the relationship between photographer and subject; celebrating the unexpected; how running informs photography, and, likewise, how framing the world through a lens changes our appreciation of it.

Follow: @jb_joly

Commission: www.jbjoly.com

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Joy is...Sharing.

Stian Dahl Sommerseth is a promising young mountain runner from Norway, who has placed competitively at the 20 and 50km distances in races across Europe, including a recent 4th place at the Nice Cote D’Azur 50km race as part of the UTMB World series. We first connected on Instagram through a common sense of humour and some poignant post-race posts that Stian wrote regarding the privilege and joy of suffering in beautiful places. Stian is an athlete for Satisfy Running and an advocate for the International Dark Sky Association, a group striving to protect a night sky filled with stars from light pollution, as part of a shared global heritage. He is certainly one to watch as a bright star himself in the sport, but it is his enthusiasm and joy that really light up the running community.

I had so much fun chatting to Stian and this conversation really does roll along the lines of two friends 'shooting the shit' about things that they love. We discuss the nature of competition and how it can be a positive motivator; the feeling of completeness that moving in Nature brings; our thoughts on community, friendship and being part of a team; the issues regarding access to the night sky; expressing identity and the creative opportunities of social media; subverting stereotypes, and the intersectionality of running. This along with puddle jumping, naked running (!), (more) white spandex, music, celebrating our weird and the 'stickiness' of sharing our unique selves.

We laughed so much bringing you this episode and, on reflection, it really does epitomise how joy can connect us, wherever we are, however we move and whatever our beautiful brand of weird.

Stian's Playlist Recommendations:

Save Your Spot - No Pressure

Oh Caroline - The 1975

Blue In Green - Miles David, John Coltrane, Bill Evans

Follow: @stiandhl

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Joy is...Right Now.

Markus Torgeby is a Swedish runner, author and lecturer. At age 20, with nothing but an axe, a sleeping bag, and the clothes he was wearing, Markus bought a one-way ticket to Gothenburg train station. There, in the Jämtland forest, where temperatures plummet to -40°C in winter, he lived off-grid for 4 years. Existing in complete solitude and harmony with nature, Markus constructed a hut by hand, slept on reindeer skins, survived on a diet of oatmeal, berries and fish and found a way to rebuild both his body and mind away from the pressures and heartache, on both the track and at home, which had driven him to the forest in the first place. This journey is chronicled in his book The Runner, a powerful exploration of running, resilience, loss, and self-discovery. His second book Under the Open Skies: A Practical Guide to Living Close to Nature offers advice on how to survive in the wild including how to build a fire, which plants are edible, the best techniques for chopping wood. Today, Markus lectures on heath and nature, as well as building houses and outdoor beds. Markus and Frida have three daughters and live in Jämtland, outside Undersåker.

Speaking with Markus was an immense privilege (and not just because it came to light that he only speaks in English once a year!). His sparkling eyes carry so much wisdom and the empathy and depth that comes from years of struggle and survival. Although we began by discussing movement, we spent much of the conversation considering the profound healing that comes from stillness. Markus's open, poignant reflections on the emotional turmoil that led to that day of buying the train ticket were incredibly moving and gave context to the decision that would literally save his life. His story is one, ultimately, of love that shows that, even at our most broken and fragile, humanity has the capacity to still, literally, see the stars in the darkness.

As we spoke, thought, cried and laughed together the light faded in Sweden, mimicking the days when Markus would live by the natural rhythms of day and night, sitting on a tree stump until running away became a way of coming back.

In Markus's words: 'we are afraid of the darkness and that's ok'.

Learn: markustorgeby.se 

Follow: @markustorgeby

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Joy is...The Things We Hate.

In November 2019, Claire Smith became the first British athlete ever to complete a continuous Double Deca Iron Distance triathlon: 48 miles of swimming, 2,240 miles of cycling and 524 miles of running, in 28 days. The numbers are almost too much to process and, as impressive as they are, the woman behind them is even more so, and for reasons that the numbers don't tell.

Over the last ten years, 'Brutal Claire' has been learning how to use her innate drive, ambition and healthy dose of craziness for a better purpose. Her first marathon was quickly followed by an Ironman, then Double Ironman...all this from a woman to whom athleticism, by her own admission, did not come naturally, and who struggled for much of her young adult life with an eating disorder, abusive relationships, and the downward spiral of alcohol addiction. Oh and she was also bringing up her two children and pursuing a career as a graphic designer and, later, events organiser. Through ultra-distance racing, Claire pulled herself from rock bottom to compete at the highest levels of the sport and found a successful company that helps others to realise their potential.

Claire and I share a 'brutally' honest and open conversation about overcoming mental health struggles, abusive relationships and addiction by doing things that push the limits of endurance. We consider what the word 'addiction' means to us and how it can be channeled in a positive manner.

Claire is a sensitive, warm soul and I was so grateful for the connection that this interview provided: we literally laughed and cried together as we shared about a mutual early loathing of netball (sorry listeners); seeing what you 'can't do' as inspiration to work out what you 'can'; the additional challenges that being a woman in the endurance and adventure world poses, and our issues with the notion of being 'women who beat the men'. This, alongside narrating Claire's incredible journey as an athlete and business person; considering what being a student of the sport means; being prepared to fail without glamorising it; the power of a good schedule and a little cry; self-sufficiency; building communities; fear and, of course, that small matter of taking a baby-jogger for a very very long outing down the A9.

Thank you, Claire, truly; your emotional generosity, modesty and strength are something I will carry with me for a long time.

Follow: @brutalclaire @brutaleventsuk

Challenge: www.brutalevents.co.uk

Read: Becoming Brutal and No Easy Day

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Joy is...Simplicity.

Mark White is the CEO/founder of Run Grateful, which aims to inspire people to connect through gratitude and the power of movement. Mark is known as a creative, an ideas man, and someone who wants to impact the world in a positive manner. His other current project, MEUS, is an app that encourages men to be more self-aware and reflective. In 2019, Mark was voted in the top 15 social entrepreneurs in the UK by Redbull. Mark is also a proud father to his two amazing daughters Sienna-Rose and Grace and dog, George.

Mark and I shared a free-wheeling space in our time together, turning over a lot of thoughts, both personal and philosophical, about what gratitude means to us. We discuss Mark's own journey with gratitude and movement alongside reflecting more broadly on what being process, rather than outcome, driven, might mean; the power of connection; the resonance of individual actions on the collective; why simplicity matters; the cross-overs between gratitude, belief and change; whether happiness is a mark of a meaningful life, and why finding our 'need', is more impactful than finding our 'why'.

Follow: @1gratefulrun @meus.app @markwhite_0602

Join: www.rungrateful.com www.meuspractice.com

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Joy is...What Lies Ahead.

The one where I ask one of the greatest endurance athletes of our time his thoughts on white spandex; get into an existential debate on Gandalf vs Gimli, and try to convince him to set up a side hustle in American snack cakes.

John Kelly is a US based husband, father and data scientist who has run the Boston marathon dressed as the Zelda character Link. He also happens to be only the 15th person to finish the formidable Barkley Marathons since its creation 24 years ago. Having moved his family to the UK in 2019, he quickly set about tackling the longest and toughest trails in Europe and is the record holder for 'The Grand Round', a challenge devised by John and involving consecutively running the three best-known fell running rounds (the Paddy Buckley in Wales, the Bob Graham in England and the Ramsay in Scotland) and getting between them by cycling. In total, that's a running distance of about 185 miles (298 km), 25,440 metres of elevation gain, as well as over 400 miles of cycling. He has broken the Fastest Known Time on the 268-mile Pennine Way, not once but twice (having passed it back and forth with Damian Hall) and was the 2020 winner of the Spine Race, which follows the same route. Before departing the UK earlier this year, John cemented his place in the record books by taking on the Lake District’s 320 mile, 214 peak Wainwrights Round. To put this in perspective, most walkers would hope to 'bag' the 214 peaks in their lifetime; John did it in 5 days, 10 hours, supported by the British trail running community that he had grown to love and be loved by, including the previous record-holder Sabrina Verjee.

John is a huge advocate of the benefits of exploring our limits in order to apply what we learn in, what he describes as, the 'Goldilocks Zone', to other areas of our lives and our relationship with the world around us. The mountains are in his blood but John still manages to balance his love for exploration and challenge with his dedication to his family and work. John is a deep thinker who apportions equal consideration to questions both profound and benile. Together we reflect on topics from what gives meaning to his efforts; the beauty of collaboration; the nature of competition; the satisfaction of the unexpected; why 'hard things need to be hard', and, of course, serious thoughts on tea.

John epitomises the notion of 'polymath', and I wanted this to come through in our interview. He is generous with his time and there are a myriad of podcasts on the specifics of his achievements. I therefore took a slightly different tact and, pre-interview, delved into John's own writing on his incredibly detailed and insightful blog. I collated a selection of quotes for us to reflect on together and presented them, throughout our conversation, as a jumping off point for John to revisit and reflect on anew.

Post-Script: John was recovering from a nasty stomach bug but was adamant that we continue with our conversation. He did, however, in retrospect, protest that this was why he mixed up Moria and Helms Deep in our Lord of the Rings discussion. Perhaps we finally discovered John Kelly's achilles heel...

Follow: @randomforestrunner

Read: www.randomforestrunner.com

Watch: John's Hardrock Experience by Adam Weitzel for Ultimate Direction

Image Credit: Steve Ashworth

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Joy is...The Unknown.

Louis Hall is an actor, writer and founder of The Big Hoof charity. The Big Hoof promotes adventure and wellbeing through their long distance rides. Beginning in 2020, Louis rode down the length of the UK in memory of his friend Leo, raising over £38,00 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Most recently, the charity organised a 2789km ride from Siena, Italy to Cape Finiterre, Spain, to raise money for refugees and their trauma. The pursuit of human connectivity, fundraising and adventure is at the core of everything The Big Hoof does. Louis, originally from Scotland, is now planning a ride across America. 

Louis is a gifted storyteller who thinks and feels deeply about the people and the land around him. Our conversation traverses the moving back story behind his first adventures; being an architect of your own reality; the necessity of action; old tales in a new language; the humanising nature of suffering; creative connection through movement; creating space for others; the humbling relationship between man and horse, and what it means to be a pilgrim.

Following our conversation, I felt inspired and excited for the future of The Big Hoof and the platform that Louis is creating to discover the vulnerable spaces within ourselves from where true strength emerges.

Follow: @thebighoof

Join: The Big Hoof Rides and Events

Support: Donate to The Big Hoof

Photo Credit: Kiki Ho

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Joy is...Symbiosis.

Dan Lawson is a record-breaking ultramarathon runner who’s represented Great Britain and achieved podium finishes in some of the world’s toughest races. He is the current LEJOG (Land's End to John O'Groats) record holder, and founder of the incredible ReRun initiative, which aims to prolong the life of sports clothes and equipment and campaign to reverse the impact that over-consumption and production in the running world is having on the environment.

Dan is a truly beautiful soul who really does epitomise 'running on joy' in all areas of his life. He is a values driven person who wears his heart on his sleeve and cares deeply for the world around him and the people in it. This conversation played over and over in my mind as I slipped on my own running shoes this week and Dan's words filled me with immense gratitude for the deep sense of connection to the Universe that moving over the earth can bring.

We ranged across so many topics, from what 'flow' means to us to our shared childhood affinity for seals! We touch on many of Dan's achievements but, more profoundly, think together about the exquisite vulnerability of being human and what the pure actions of running, community and love bring us.

Dan makes you want to be the best version of yourself and sharing time with him was an immense privilege that I am honoured to share with you in turn.

Follow: @therunningdan

Watch: 'Breaking Ten' (Dave MacFarlane's film following Dan's LEJOG record)

Support: ReRun @rerun.clothing @rubbishshoes

Listen: British Ultra Running Podcast (hosted by Dan and James Elson)

Research: Multiday Races

Image: Dave MacFarlane (DmTwo Media)

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Joy is…Imperfection.

Damian Hall is a record-breaking ultrarunner, writer and activist, who has represented Great Britain at the Trail World Championships and competed in some of the world's toughest races. His attempt to break into the top ten at the 105-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc was made into an award-winning film, Underdog; and the documentary Totally FKT followed him and John Kelly as they raced to break the 268-mile Pennine Way record in 2020. Damian has also set records on the Paddy Buckley Round, the South West Coast Path, the Cape Wrath Trail (with Beth Pascall), and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast. Damian’s journalism has featured in Runner’s World, Women’s Running and Trail Running and his previous books include In It for the Long Run, A Year on the Run and the official National Trail Guide to the Pennine Way.

He is a UK Athletics running coach and is a founding member of The Green Runners, a community of runners working towards a fitter planet. His most recent book We Can’t Run Away From This is an important and, indeed, vital examination of the impact of running in our climate and ecological emergency.

Damian is a genuine, passionate and humble person and my assumption of him to be a 'thoroughly nice human' was not dispelled. This was an entertaining, thought-provoking and, at times, emotional conversation, and I hope that it inspires listeners as much as it did me. We discuss vulnerability; what 'challenge', 'competition' and 'toughness' actually look like; learning from failure; the meaning and strength of community; why we need collective action; speaking out; celebrating imperfection; puns; what inclusivity looks like, and, perhaps most importantly, his latest book and working towards a greener future for our planet.

Damian Hall IG: @ultra_damo

Join: The Green Runners

ReRun Clothing: www.rerunclothing.org

Where There’s a Hill- Sabrina Verjee

More Fuel You- Renee McGregor

Black Sheep- Sabrina Pace-Humphreys

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Joy is...Finding Your Strange. Zoë Rom is Editor in Chief at Trail Runner magazine and managing editor of Women's Running. She is currently at work on her first book, Becoming a Sustainable Runner which will debut in August 2023. She has recently helped launch Relay, a premium, collaborative newsletter for runners. You can read her work on Trail Runner, Women's Running, Outside and Relay . 

Zoë is an outspoken advocate for environmental justice and is certainly not afraid of hard things. In this expansive conversation we delve into what drives Zoë; what finding our voice means and how we make space for the voices of others; why we need to keep talking and fighting for inclusion in, not only the running community, but all areas of life; not apologising for high expectations; the power of failure; what authenticity means, and the complexities of our relationship with media. All this, as well as Zoë's path as an athlete and why we should all pursue joy.

Zoë Rom IG: @carrot_flowers_z

Listen: DNF Podcast

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