The Runna Podcast

What would you do if you were told, at just 23, that you would almost certainly develop dementia and lose your life within 10 –15 years?

This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Jordan Adams, co-founder of The FTD Brothers, who opens up about his extraordinary journey from teenage caregiver to record-breaking fundraiser and endurance runner.

After his mum was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at just 47, Jordan became her primary carer through the final years of her life. At 23, he took the genetic test himself and learned he carries the same rare gene mutation. Faced with a terminal diagnosis, Jordan decided not to give up, but to use it as his ‘license to live’. 

In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, we unpack:

🏃‍♂️ Running his first marathon at 18, then 7 in 7 days, and 49 total to date

🧬 Receiving a terminal diagnosis at 23 & using it as a license to live

👨‍👩‍👦 Caring for his mum from 15 years old and coping with her loss

🌍 Running the length of the UK (Land’s End to John O’Groats) with his brother Cian

🎗️ Raising over £250,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK

💬 The mental toll of grief, survivor’s guilt & finding purpose

🔥 Future plans: a marathon in every Irish county, coast-to-coast Canada & more

👟 Why running helped save his life - physically, mentally and emotionally

Jordan’s story is one of grief, resilience, family, and relentless purpose. Whether you’re a runner or not, this is an episode that will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, share and follow The Runna Podcast.

✨ Use code PODCAST25 to try the Runna app free for 2 weeks.

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Welcome to The Runna Podcast - your home for the most inspiring stories, expert coaching tips, and behind‑the‑scenes insights from the world’s best runners.

Hosted weekly by Ben Parker and Anya Culling, The Runna Podcast dives into the journeys of Olympians, world champions, record‑breakers, and everyday runners chasing extraordinary goals. From mental resilience and training secrets to race‑day stories and funny “would you rather” questions - no topic is off‑limits.

On this channel, you’ll find:

🏃‍♀️ Exclusive interviews with elite athletes & everyday legends

💡 Coaching‑backed tips to help you train smarter & recover stronger

🔥 Honest conversations about setbacks, comebacks & finding purpose

🎥 Full episodes + shorts, highlights & behind‑the‑scenes content

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, share, and follow The Runna Podcast.

🆓 Try the Runna app free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25 → web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Runna Podcast, we sit down with Richard Whitehead MBE - double Paralympic gold medalist, four-time world champion, and world-record marathoner - to hear how he turned barriers into breakthroughs.

We cover:

👦 Growing up with a disability & discovering sport through swimming and gymnastics

🏃‍♂️ Running his first marathon at 28 - with brand new prosthetics

🌙 Secret training runs, battling self-doubt & running 26.2 miles for charity

🥇 Winning double gold in the 200m sprint at London 2012 & Rio 2016

🌍 Fighting for inclusion: why representation matters for 16 million people in the UK with a disability

💡 Advice for beginners: positivity, perspective & simply getting out the front door

🔥 Why Richard has already completed 92 marathons and his mission to reach 100

🍕 Designing his dream race (flat, inclusive, and fuelled by pizza & Coke!)

Richard’s journey is about more than medals. It’s about belief, resilience, and proving that “normal” is what you make it.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, share, and follow The Runna Podcast.

✨ Use code PODCAST25 to try the Runna app free for 2 weeks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At just 17 years old, Marcus Skeet, known online as The Hull Boy, became the youngest person ever to run the full length of the UK (LEJOG): 837 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.

But the real story isn’t about the miles - it’s about why he ran them.

After his dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Marcus spiralled into severe OCD, intrusive thoughts, and depression. He couldn’t leave his room for six months. At 14, he attempted to take his life.

Then one day, Marcus went for a walk and it changed everything. That single mile turned into a marathon with The Hardest Geezer, and eventually, into a record-breaking, two-month run across the UK.

In this deeply moving episode, Marcus opens up about:

🏃‍♂️ Running over 1,300 km at 17 years old: averaging 20+ miles a day

🧠 How he overcame OCD, suicidal thoughts, and online bullying

💔 The darkest moments on the road and how he kept going

🎗️ Raising £160,000 for the mental health charity Mind

Marcus’s story isn’t about medals, fame, or finish lines, it’s about finding light when everything feels dark, and using movement to bring purpose to pain.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share The Runna Podcast.

✨ Try the Runna app free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Runna Podcast, Ben and Anya break down the 12 most common mistakes runners make, from training to racing, recovery to mindset, and how to avoid them.

Whether you’re new to running or chasing a new PB, this episode is packed with professional coaching tips to help you train smarter, race better, and recover stronger.

We cover:

❌ The training mistake nearly every runner makes in January

⚡ The mindset shift that will make your running way more enjoyable

🚨 Race-day habits to ditch if you want to actually hit your goals

😴 Why skipping recovery might be your biggest performance blocker

🧠 How to stop comparing yourself and start running with intention

🎧 Listen now and follow The Runna Podcast for weekly episodes.

✨ Try the Runna app free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25

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This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by two-time Olympian Elise Cranny and American record holder in the indoor 5000m.

From her breakthrough moment as a college athlete at Stanford to representing Team USA in both Tokyo and Paris, Elise opens up about the mental shifts that transformed her career and the mindset it took to not just reach the top, but stay there.

Mindset has the power to make or break your running - whether you’re just starting out or racing at the highest level. Tune in for tips that could change your perspective and your enjoyment of the sport.

We unpack:

🏅 The turning point in college where the Olympic dream finally felt real

🧠 Her evolution as an elite athlete – from chasing perfection to celebrating the wins

🚀 The importance of a healthy mindset for consistency and success

💡 Building a training rhythm she can actually sustain without burning out

🎯 Trusting her instincts, racing with boldness, and letting go of rigid splits

Elise’s story is about more than medals. It’s about self-belief, breaking the mould, and showing up with purpose.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Runna Podcast so you never miss an episode.

✨ Use code PODCAST25 to try Runna free for 2 weeks.

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In this week’s episode of The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Aimee Fuller, two-time Winter Olympian, X Games trailblazer, and now one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting.

We cover everything from:

🎿 The “love and passion” that gave Aimee the ability to chase her Snowboarding Olympic dreams and land the first ever women’s double backflip

🎤 Finding purpose in broadcasting and the stories of others

🏃‍♀️ Discovering running as an outlet post-retirement and falling in love with it at the London Marathon

🧠 The mental strength she gained from elite sport and what it taught her about owning her space as a woman

💥 What excites her now, and why she calls her career “the degree of life”

Whether you’re navigating life after sport or seeking inspiration to chase a new goal, this one’s packed with energy, honesty, and serious motivation.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Runna Podcast.

👉 Make sure to join our Runna Community where you can chat to Ben and Anya and other listeners about each episode: https://club.runna.com/n9Tx/community?space=11ce8dd2-bc2a-4eb6-8a65-9252df47312d

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In this episode of The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Alexandra Bell, Olympic 800m finalist and one of British athletics’ most resilient middle-distance runners.

We unpack:

📞 What it felt like getting the call up to compete in Tokyo just one week before the Olympics

 🚧 Stepping away from the track and proving herself in longer distances

 🌱 Exploring her identity beyond running and finding out who she is beyond it

 🔥 What excites her most now she’s retired from track

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Runna Podcast.

✨ Try Runna free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25

🔗 Join our Runna Community to discuss the episode with Ben, Anya, and other listeners:

👉 https://club.runna.com/n9Tx/community?space=11ce8dd2-bc2a-4eb6-8a65-9252df47312d

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Dominique Scott, a two-time Olympian, five-time NCAA champion, and one of South Africa’s fastest-ever distance runners.

From her early running days in South Africa to competing on the world stage, Dominique shares insights into her journey through collegiate dominance, professional racing, and Olympic competition.

We unpack:

🏃‍♀️ Growing up in South Africa and finding her passion for distance running

🎓 Taking a risk and moving to Arkansas to follow her dreams

✨ What it took to become a five-time NCAA champion and Olympian

💬 Why training with people better than you changes everything

🧠 Staying mentally tough in the highs and lows of elite sport

Try Runna free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25.

Join our Runna Community to discuss the episode with Ben, Anya, and other listeners:

👉 https://club.runna.com/n9Tx/community?space=11ce8dd2-bc2a-4eb6-8a65-9252df47312d

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Dame Flora Duffy. Flora is an Olympic gold medallist, 5x Olympian, and the most decorated athlete in Bermuda’s history.

From her childhood on a 21-square-mile island to making history in Tokyo, Flora reflects on a career defined by relentless resilience, off-road domination, and representing her country.

We unpack:

🏊‍♀️ How discovering triathlon at 7 in Bermuda changed her life

 🏆 Winning WTS, XTERRA & Cross Triathlon World Titles in the same year

🥇 The story behind Bermuda’s first Olympic gold, and the day her country gave her back a national holiday

🩼 Injuries, missed seasons, and the mental strength of every comeback

🎯 Her emotional farewell at Paris 2024, and what fuels her next chapter in long-course racing

This conversation is full of energy, humility, and insight from one of the toughest, most grounded champions in triathlon.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Runna Podcast.

✨ Use code PODCAST25 to try Runna free for 2 weeks.

🔗 Make sure to join our Runna Community where you can chat to Ben and Anya and other listeners about each episode:

👉 https://club.runna.com/n9Tx/community?space=11ce8dd2-bc2a-4eb6-8a65-9252df47312d

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.