In the third instalment of our People Make Pyllon series with James Stewart, we explore the deeper forces that drive motivation, consistency and performance - and why fun, identity, and agency are often overlooked in training and coaching.

We talk about joy as a performance enhancer, the neuroscience of fun, and how ownership and self-identity play a crucial role in how we train, recover and stick with it over time. This is a reflective and practical conversation for anyone rethinking how they show up in sport, life and work - and how to bring more meaning to the process.

We only made it through the first five of ten planned themes - so look out for part four soon.

In this episode, Paul and James dig into the real drivers of long-term performance and engagement: joy, identity and agency.

It’s not about race results or training blocks: it’s about how we see ourselves, what we choose for ourselves, and how we make it all feel worth it.

They cover five key ideas:

Joy as a performance enhancer - Why joy improves consistency and psychological resilience

The neuroscience of fun - How novelty, play and reward reinforce habit and learning

Agency in training - Why taking ownership leads to better engagement and motivation

Identity as a hidden driver - How seeing yourself as a runner influences daily choices

Fun as protection against burnout - Why intentional variety and social connection matter

Throughout the episode, they draw from coaching experiences, athlete stories, and personal shifts, reflecting on how and why we stick with the things we care about.

This is for anyone trying to reconnect with the reason they started in the first place.

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In this follow-up episode of People Make Pyllon, Paul reconnects with long-time athlete and coach James Stewart for another rich and honest conversation.

From managing global travel and family life to balancing doctoral study, work, training and writing, James brings his usual clarity and candor to the table. They dive into how he structures his day, why routine matters more than motivation, and how AI might reshape the future of coaching, work, and even creativity.

There’s a bigger conversation about what it means to stay engaged with the process  in running, in work, and in life.

This is a thoughtful, practical episode for anyone who’s juggling multiple commitments and still trying to find meaning in their running.

How James uses structure and self-discipline to keep life on track

The fine balance between routine and experimentation

Why AI won’t replace coaches, and how it could actually make them better

The joy of music and creativity outside of outcomes

Why personal ownership is at the heart of leadership

Running as a mirror for how we live, lead and adapt

If you enjoy the conversation, please share it with someone else who might relate or leave a short review to help others find the show.

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In this episode, Paul reconnects with long-time Pyllon athlete, coach and former podcast co-host James Stewart for the first conversation in a new series, People Make Pyllon - where we explore the lives, work and wider stories of runners in the Pyllon community.

James has represented Great Britain, broken records, and worked at the sharp end of competitive ultrarunning, but this conversation is less about racing and more about life. They discuss what happens when running takes a step back, and how it still supports James's full-time leadership role, family life, and creative interests.

They talk about injury, consistency, integrity, and why showing up matters more than chasing medals. James shares his evolving mindset as he begins doctoral research on the future of AI and work, and how he’s learning to value running not just for performance, but for what it gives back to the rest of life.

Topics covered include:

Returning from injury and rethinking goals

Balancing work, family, running and personal growth

Running at 4am, wherever you are in the world

The "equilateral triangle" model of life

Why self-integrity matters more than motivation

Creativity, well-being and letting go of outcome

The power and responsibility of AI in a changing world

This is a thoughtful conversation about adapting, growing, and redefining what progress really means, both in running and in life.

Links and extras

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In this solo episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul takes a slow, reflective journey into the deeper layers of endurance — not as sport, but as a human experience.

Building on recent conversations with Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and echoing themes from his latest Substack essay “When the Race Strips Us Back,” this episode explores the emotional costs of going all in, the relationship between mind and body, and the quiet revelations that emerge through long efforts.

Drawing on his own experiences; from winning the West Highland Way Race to breaking down in the New Zealand backcountry, Paul opens up about what it means to truly endure, and how suffering, presence, and stillness all play a part in uncovering who we really are.

This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a pause.

Reflections from three powerful podcast guests - Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and what they revealed about vulnerability, calm, and transformation

A behind-the-scenes look at Paul’s mindset during his WHW victory, and what real mental work means

Honest stories from his Te Araroa journey across New Zealand - exhaustion, grief, and breakthrough

The emotional cost of caring deeply and racing with your whole self

Why endurance helps us build a true mind–body relationship

The spiritual dimension of long efforts — and how they can reconnect us to what matters

5 powerful lessons endurance has taught over the years

A challenge for your next long run: to listen, not chase

“Longevity isn’t built on punishment. It’s built on partnership.”

Substack essay: When the Race Strips Us Back

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Website: pyllonultra.com

In this special bonus episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul speaks with Pyllon athlete Alan Hewitt, fresh from completing the gruelling Summer Spine Race — a 268-mile journey up the Pennine Way. But this isn’t just a race recap.

Together, they explore what it means to commit fully, to endure the dark miles, and to discover a version of yourself you didn’t know existed. Alan opens up about foot pain, hallucinations, and emotional highs, but also the magic of watching the sunrise on Hadrian’s Wall — and what it truly means to go beyond potential.

Whether you're deep in your own training or just curious what happens inside a challenge this big, this episode is about more than racing — it’s about becoming.

Topics covered:

Why the Summer Spine drew Alan in

Training with purpose — and a pack

Managing pain, panic, and perseverance

The joy of sunrise on Hadrian’s Wall

What personal growth really looks like

Reflections on identity, commitment, and future goals

Mentioned:

The Pennine Way

West Highland Way Race

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this bonus episode, we sit down with Pyllon athlete Gus Irvine, who just won the 2025 West Highland Way Race — one of the most iconic ultramarathons in the UK.

But this conversation isn’t just about race day. It’s about what led there.

Gus opens up about the years of quiet, committed training that made this win possible. We talk about his emotional relationship with running, the structure and belief that coaching has brought him, and how consistency, community, and sacrifice shaped his path to victory.

He shares post-race reflections, including the moment it nearly unravelled, the deep significance of the race in his life, and what it feels like to finally win an event that once felt out of reach.

At the end of the episode, we’re joined briefly by his coach, John Connolly, who offers his perspective on Gus’s development — and what it takes to build a performance like this over time.

This is a conversation about more than just running. It’s about self-belief, quiet progress, and the power of simply showing up.

The emotional aftermath of a WHW victory

Why talent is never enough — and what really matters

How coaching and community shaped Gus’s mindset

The power of reflection, structure, and long-term commitment

A look behind the scenes with coach John Connolly

If you’d like to know more about working with us at Pyllon, head over to pyllonultra.com.

Welcome back to the Pyllon Ultra Pod — and to a new direction for the show.

In this episode, we explore the emotional side of endurance. Why do ultra races move us to tears? What do they unlock deep inside that other pursuits can’t reach? And how does that emotional depth become part of why we keep coming back?

Our guest is Jeevendra, an ultra runner, thinker, and long-time Pyllon athlete with a deeply spiritual approach to running. He opens up about the emotional layers of training and racing — from mantras and meditation to moments of surrender and soul-level clarity during events like Spartathlon and the Bob Graham Round.

Together, Paul and Jeev talk about:

What it means to run with emotion — not against it

Why endurance can become a spiritual practice

The role of grief, purpose, and memory in running long distances

How emotional breakthroughs can become physical turning points

Tools like mantras, visualisation, and surrender

And what it means to truly live a purpose-driven life

If you’ve ever felt changed by a run — or wondered why this sport hits so deep — this one is for you.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

🔁 Keep Going with Pyllon:

Thanks for listening — and for being part of the journey.

Welcome back to the Pyllon Ultra Pod. In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most curious and compelling corners of ultra endurance: the 24-hour track race.

Joining Paul today are two people with intimate knowledge of this format. Grant MacDonald, a former GB international and coach at Pyllon, was due to compete at Crawley this year before injury struck — instead, he stepped into the crew role. On the other side of the table is Alice, a Pyllon athlete who not only took on the challenge but hit the qualifying mark to represent Romania at the upcoming World Championships in Albi, France.

This conversation explores far more than race splits and lap counts. Together, we unpack:

The strange appeal of running in circles for 24 hours

The invisible ingredients that make up a great race

How training, mindset, and support differ from other formats

The emotional rollercoaster of racing — and missing a race

What it takes to crew well and how that impacts performance

Reflections on identity, setbacks, and why people keep coming back

And what the future holds for both Alice and Grant

Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or simply intrigued by what drives people to circle a track for a day and a night, this is an honest, reflective, and insightful discussion that offers much more than race results.

🎬 You can also watch The Loop, a short film about Alice’s race, on the Pyllon YouTube channel — it captures the rhythm and reality of the 24-hour format in a way words alone can't.

🔁 Keep Going with Pyllon:

Thanks as always for being part of the journey.

Welcome back to the Pyllon Ultra Pod. In this short episode, we explore a tension many athletes and coaches feel but rarely voice: why does branding and polished packaging often outshine hard-won experience in today’s coaching world? I reflect on what real coaching value looks like — not the spreadsheets or the slogans, but the deep, often unseen work of understanding athletes, recognising patterns, and building trust over years, not months.

We also unpack how we’re wired for novelty — from chasing the latest training trends to jumping on shiny new advice, even when the wisdom we need has been quietly standing beside us all along.

This is an honest, generous look at the deeper layers of coaching, endurance, and commitment, with stories from my own journey and reflections on what really shapes an enduring athlete-coach relationship.

🎧 Tune in now, and share with someone who needs it.

🔁 Keep Going with Pyllon

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Thanks for being part of the journey.

In this deeply honest episode of the Pyllon Ultra podcast, we’re joined by Pyllon coach John Connolly and long-time athlete Rachel Normand — a fierce competitor, thoughtful human, and now, a mother expecting her second child.

We talk openly about what it means to navigate training, identity, and life as a female athlete, especially during and after pregnancy.

Topics include:

What training looks like (and feels like) during pregnancy

How Rachel’s mindset and body have changed the second time around

Her plan to return to running after birth

The emotional and practical challenges of staying connected to your identity as a runner

Support systems, useful resources, and advice for other female athletes

This isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about adapting with purpose, building trust in your own body, and redefining what endurance really means.

Whether you’re training through pregnancy, coaching women through these seasons, or just curious to listen — this is a conversation we all need to hear.

🎧 Tune in now, and share with someone who needs it.

📘 ROAR by Dr. Stacy Sims – www.drstacysims.com/roar

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Thanks for being part of the journey.