Thanks for listening!

187. Josh Phillips: The Mindset & Training Behind one of Australia's Best Middle Distance Runner

What does it take to become the Australian Mile Champion? 🏆

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Phillips, a Sydney-based middle-distance runner who recently claimed the national title in the mile. Josh is both and incredibly talented and hard working athlete who takes a meticulous yet sustainable approach to his training. Josh takes us behind the scenes of his training, racing, and mindset—sharing the key lessons he’s learned from competing at an elite level.

We dive into:

• The structure of his weekly training & why threshold workouts are crucial
• How he fuels his body for performance & recovery
• The mental side of racing: managing expectations & race-day mindset
• The importance of a strong coach-athlete relationship
• His shoe lineup for training & competition
• Why embracing discomfort is essential for growth

If you’re looking for insights from one of Australia’s top middle-distance runners, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you train and race smarter.

Connect with us:
📸 Instagram: @strongerstride | @lydia_mckay | @sophielane
🎥 YouTube: Watch on YouTube @strongerstride

Discount Codes:
🏃‍♂️ TAILWINDSTRONG – 15% off Tailwind Nutrition for premium hydration & recovery
👟 STRONGERSTRIDE – 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes
☀️ STRONGER15 – 15% off Skorcha Sunscreen

Thanks for listening & supporting the show! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode.

TSSP x

186. Should Runners Be Stretching? What The Science Says On Flexibility, Performance & Injury Prevention

Stretching before a run—does it actually help or could it be holding you back? 🤔

In this myth-busting, science-packed episode, we’re diving deep into the research on stretching, injury prevention, and performance. You’ll discover why some stiffness might actually be your secret weapon for better running economy and why strength training—not stretching—could be the key to staying injury-free.

We'll cover:

- What stretching actually does to your muscles & performance

- Whether stretching prevents injuries (or if that’s just a myth)

- Why elite runners might want to be stiff (yes, really!)

- The best warm-up strategies backed by science

If you’ve ever wondered "Should I be stretching?", this episode is for you. Expect fun, engaging science, practical takeaways, and some serious aha moments!

Research Mentioned:

• "The Effects of Different Warm-Up Methods on Explosive Strength" (2023, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
• "Effects of Stretching on Strength, Endurance & Power" (2024, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
• "To Stretch or Not to Stretch?" (2009, Systematic Review)
• "The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions for Injury Prevention" (2016, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
• "Running Economy & Lower Extremity Stiffness" (2022, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)

This episode will challenge what you thought you knew about stretching—and give you the tools to train smarter.

Connect with us:

📸 Instagram: @strongerstride | @lydia_mckay | @sophielane

🎥 YouTube: Watch on YouTube @strongerstride

Discount Codes:

TAILWINDSTRONG – 15% off Tailwind Nutrition for premium hydration & recovery

STRONGERSTRIDE – 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes

STRONGER15 – 15% off Skorcha Sunscreen

Thanks for listening & supporting the show! Let us know if this episode changed your approach to stretching!

TSSP x

In todays episode we chat about the mistakes we made when stepping up into longer distance - marathon and ultra-running.

Including issues such as not fueling properly, thinking trail and road kilometres were the same, the mentality of doing more and lots of other ramblings!

We hope you enjoy this chatty episode and the video! Let us know what you think in the comments!

Thanks so much for your support ☺️

In this episode, Sophie chats about her recent shift in strength training and how it may relate to your current or future training cycle.

Follow Us:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@strongerstride⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠@sophielane⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠@lydia_mckay⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠⁠

Discount Codes:

• TAILWINDSTRONG: ⁠⁠15% off Tailwind Nutrition⁠⁠ for premium hydration and rebuild products

• STRONGERSTRIDE: ⁠⁠15% off Vivobarefoot shoes⁠⁠

• STRONGER15: ⁠⁠15% off Skorcha Sunscreen⁠⁠

Thanks for all the love and support! TSSP x

183. Catch Up: Training / Injuries / Running News

182. I've torn my calf...now what?

Last week I tore my calf and so I thought I'd take you through the physio's guide to identifying and rehabbing a calf tear. The to-dos and not-to-dos which you can try out yourself.

This ep covers;

- calf anatomy and role in running

- risk factors for calf tears; types of movements and sports

- isometrics, strengthening and stretching guide

- plyos and return to run

- prevention and advice to the non-injured runner

Thankyou for supporting the show

Follow Us:

Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@sophielane⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠

YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠

Discount Codes:

Thanks for all the love and support!TSSP x

181. Multiple stress fractures to podium finish at UTA100k with Juliette Soule

Juliette Soule is a Sydney based trail runner, born in Christchurch NZ.

Juliette has surged onto the scene debuting her first 100k during COVID times and most recently placing 2nd at Ultra Trail Kosciuszko 100km in November 2024. But her journey to the podium was anything but smooth.

Over the span of 1.5 years, Juliette faced three major bone stress injuries while pushing her ultra-training just that bit too much. Her comeback is a story of both grit and learning. As well as a mindset shift that has forced her to transform her love for running from an obsessive pursuit to a more balanced and sustainable passion. This is something Juliette admits she is still working on achieving.

In this episode, Juliette reflects on the training errors that led to her injuries and shares the hard truths of taking time off and rebuilding. She gives us an exclusive look into her Kosci training strategy, which included running just three days a week, and how she’s working to prevent future injuries. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, Juliette’s insights on training smarter and redefining success are invaluable.

It was an absolute pleasure to have Juliette on the show—her story is equal parts inspiring and thought provoking.

Thankyou for listening

Follow Juliette:
Instagram: @juliettesoule

Follow Us:
Instagram: @strongerstride | @sophielane | @lydia_mckay
YouTube: Watch on YouTube

Discount Codes:

Thanks for all the love and support!
TSSP x

In this episode Sophie chats about some important considerations when buying a pair of running shoes.

Factors such as fit, comfort, heel-toe drop, flexibility and different midsole types.

She also breaks down the main shoe categories and how to balance out your shoe rotation.

Thanks for listening!

You can find us here:

@strongerstride⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sophielane⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lydia_mckay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gYjrfVTHfyA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Discount Codes: TAILWINDSTRONG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tailwindnutrition.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% off Tailwind's premium Hydration and Rebuild products! STRONGERSTRIDE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.solemechanics.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  for 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes ⁠⁠ STRONGER15 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skorcha.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% of Skorcha Sunscreen

Thank you so much for all the love and support!

TSSP x

179. Freya Brownin: Reframe Sessions

In this episode with friend of the show; Freya, we spoke about the complexities of the mental and emotional side of injury. How do we best support those around us who are injured or unable to do the thing that they love?

Freya works therapeutically with a range of individuals and groups, including teenagers, families, execs & athletes. She is particularly interested in supporting the emotional well-being and mental strength of individuals during and after injury. As a runner and ex competitive rower herself, she has experienced the challenges that injuries can bring, and the possibilities than can unfold with meaningful support.

The approach to Reframe Sessions is shaped by Freya's core training in systemic and narrative therapy. Problems are looked at in the context of the bigger picture of people’s lives. The way a problem affects - and is affected by - our relationships, the social and cultural factors that shape our experiences, and the way each of these influence the stories we tell about ourselves. We'll work together to identify the skills, values, and communities that can help reduce the influence of the problem on a person’s life.

Reframe Sessions use these ideas in combination with coaching techniques and mindset skills that tend to work well with athletes.

Find out more here: https://reframe-sessions.com/

Book a free 15min call with Freya: https://reframe-sessions.com/book

Follow Reframe Sessions on instagram: @reframe.sessions

Thank you for listening! Let us know what you think and don't forget to subscribe!

Soph & Lyds x