Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

Our Season 12 globetrotting continues! We're of to LA baby, and we've got a date with a couple who are absolutely worth the trip!

Billy and Hilary Yang take time out from their breathless schedule to take us through their phenomenal running story.
Billy Yang, a YouTube sensation with a lot to answer for!

Creating the fuel for many runners’ trail running ideology with breath-taking cinematography and authentic story telling. Taking us to places we dream about running (and costing us a small fortune in making some of those dreams a reality!)
To also get the opportunity to speak with Hilary was a chance we seized with two hands. A founder member of the Here for the Women's Race movement, a trailblazer with a magical podcast of her own. Mix in her own talent out on the trails and her 'day job' as an award-winning photographer. It's a heady concoction of awesomeness. 

To help your hosts contain their excitement we home in on their late summer trip to the UK. A 1000-mile road trip. A whistlestop tour of some of our fav places on the island we call home taking in South Wales, the Lake District and Skye. A unique take on the culture, the landscape and the people they met….oh and food, there’s always food.

We take the oppo to find out more about the birth of the Here for the Women's Race movement from Hilary and some big plans for it going forward. It's a viral sensation and we're fully on board!

We were somewhat awestruck to be in the company of Billy and Hilary, we try our best to tempt them back to these shores for more, more, more. We think we succeeded, we'll let you be the judge!
Please let us know your thoughts on this episode through comments on Spotify or on our Insta and X formerly known as Twitter accounts!

Episode Links
Bill Yang YouTube Channel (SUBSCRIBE ESSENTIAL) https://www.youtube.com/@BillyYang
Hilary Yang Photographer https://www.thehilaryann.com/
Here for the Women’s Race Website https://www.hereforthewomensrace.com/
Trail Network Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/4crvjxt2cerL03iRgP5iJ8?si=e34c4dbb2b1b4e0e
Hilary on Insta https://www.instagram.com/thehilaryann
Billy on Insta https://www.instagram.com/billyyang

In this inspiring episode, Marcus Smith, founder of InnerFight, shares his journey and the philosophy behind the InnerFight brand (and how it got its name!) Marcus discusses the importance of mental toughness, pushing beyond physical limits, and the significance of building a supportive community.

This episode is also a first for our co-host, none other than

Marcus delves into his personal experiences and guides us

Marcus explains the motivation behind starting InnerFight

How do we push ourselves beyond our perceived limits

You’ll find this episode motivating and empowering, as

Marcus Smith Website

Innerfight Website

Fight For Every Breath Video

The Untethered Soul Book

A bonus episode where we get the lowdown from our man on the street (literally) Adrian Stott...

In an event like no other, to meet their goal of 3100 miles (4989km) in 52 days, athletes must log an average of 59.6 miles (95.9 km) per day. This is just one statistic of a fascinating event known as the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race which takes place annually in New York.

Adrian provides the detail of what's involved for athletes, the organisation of the race and the history behind this heid birler' of an ultramarathon.

You'll shake your head many times and have a barrow-load of questions, we're pretty sure Adrian manages to answer them all.

We also get an insight into Adrian's personal journey with Sri Chimnoy and hear more about his absolute love for running and what is possible for us mere mortals if we simply, believe we can...

For context, this recording took place 10 days before the final day of the 2024 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race.

You can check out the results and loads more information from the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race webiste

Our Season 11 Finale is here!!

Join us as we round off our long and winding journey into the 'Danger Zone' with Back Yard Ultra specialist Keith Russell.
A fitting guest in a week that saw the BYU world best smashed by our pals in Belgium. An enormous achievement and one that will now be firmly in Keith's sights.
Keith is something else, an incredible athlete yes, however that's not all. With a fire in his belly fuelled by matters as close to his heart as possible Keith has risen to prominence with his awe-inspiring race performances.
To do that whilst contending with adversity is a measure of the man himself.
Of course, the icing on the cake is that he is one of us, a golden fella with wisdom to share.
And share he does. Openly talking us through his story from start to finish, well we say finish, we're not even sure he's past the first chapter yet.
You'll laugh, you'll greet, you'll sign up for a BYU. It's a truly fitting climax to the 'Danger Zone'.
Thank you to all of you who tune in. Please leave us a review if you can, it helps immeasurably. Interact with us by leaving a comment on our socials or in this episode on your chosen platform. Oh, and need a BuffBuff, gie us a shout and we'll sort it out.
We'll be back real soon as we flip the switch into Season 12, and what awaits will blow your mind.

In our penultimate episode of a tumultuous Season 11 we're joined by Rachel Macpherson.
It's fair to say that Rachel's running story has exceeded her own expectations. 2024 has given her a taste for some of the UK's most iconic ultra marathons and the chance to test out her growing prowess.
We find out from Rachel how, from a standing start, she's moved rapidly up through the distances. From tackling her first marathon in spring 2023 to conquering in style the Highland Fling and Lakeland 50 in 2024.
We're then whisked away to the Scottish Highlands as Rachel takes us to the hayfield for some virtual loops of her recent outing at Glenmore 24. It turned in to quite a spectacular weekend for Rachel.
With an awesome supporting cast driving her on Rachel touches on the folks who inspire her most, all your YHRF favs are also covered in our awesome chat. Cover your ears if you are sensitive for dialect dictionary!
Rachel shows no signs of stopping learning either and reveals plans for the next chapter, 2025 better watch out!

We first clapped eyes on Jonny Wolf at the 10k Chilli Trail Race in Auchterarder in 2022 when the first three finishers crossed the line within 9 seconds of each other!

Originally from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, Jonny and his partner Tess are now living their best lives in Canada, taking on adventures and exploring their new surrounding area. Happening across Trail Runner Nation podcast in 2017, a fire was lit and Jonny hasn't stopped running since. By his own admission, bit off a big first race, doing a 50k in Australia and then not running again for 5 years!

Then back in Scotland in 2022 Jonny found himself helping out at the Ultra Trail Race in Skye with a certain Martin Heggie, and the rest as they say...

In the last couple of years (yes it's as recent as that!) Jonny has hit a real purple patch with his running. Self-coached and taking in information from a variety of sources, making it his own and tweaking where required. Jonny's big inspirations are Ken and Janet (his Mum and Dad), Jonny speaks about how they have encouraged and supported him in his running journey.

The main focus of our conversation is the Lost Soul 100 Miler which Jonny took part in (the day after his birthday) and won in September this year. Running in a new environment and getting the opportunity to put his foot on the line, did we mention bears and rattlesnakes?

Dealing with the blistering heat, how do you cool yourself down, and stay cool? pssst...a SexyBuffBuff helps! Fully stocked aid stations always help and the Lost Soul 100 miler, delivering over a tonne of ice to the runners as well as food!

Running with a smile is one of Jonny's mantras, try it...it really works, positive mental attitude makes a difference!

We also hear about the Moose Mountain Trail Marathon, Jonny won this race too, and what a prize he has received for his hard work!

Listen in for a wonderful tale of a love or running, it's humbling, it's beautiful, it's Jonny Wolf. Enjoy.

Lost Soul Ultra

Moose Mountain Trail Marathon

We're joined in this episode by Laura Watts.

By her own description, Laura is an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things. WARNING...you may feel very inspired by this episode!

Laura ran her first marathon in London in 2003, she's come a long way since, completing 179 marathons

Laura's running and her learning journey is all in this episode, the highs and lows, it's a no-holds barred extravaganza.

The focus of our episode is around the Badwater 135 event, Laura is the first UK based female to complete this event in three consecutive years, quite a feat indeed.

The appreciation of a fantastic support crew is covered, what it takes, what it means and how it should be done.

We cover the lot, hydration, nutrition, heat training, the euphoria of the finish line and being part of the wonderful Badwater family.

We speak about Laura's phenomenal powers of recovery, moving from event to event with apparent ease after only sometimes a few days rest in between.

Of course we enquire what Laura is up to next, and yes....it's a belter!

Laura's Red Spirit Video as discussed in the episode.

Join us as we round the bend for the home straight of Season 11. And we're doing so with a swagger.

The UTMB. The Champions League final of trail running. For many of our tribe it's a mainstay on the bucket list.

Dave Adams had that dream. In 2024 he made it a reality. And he joins us to share his UTMB experience.

In typical YHRF style we first find out about Dave's running background. Then he takes us over to Chamonix for the buzz and razzmatazz of the UTMB race week.

Recounting his massive endeavour on the gruelling 106-mile loop of the Mont Blanc massif. From pinching himself on the iconic start line to conjuring up a magical finish, the memories are fresh but everlasting.

Whether UTMB is on your bucket list or not this is an essential listen. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things? It ticks that box solidly.

Donate to oor pal Des Tinney who starts his epic run along the Camino De Santiago this week, he's raising funds for The Celtic Foundation https://www.justgiving.com/page/desmond-tinney-1694607211919

Destination Windermere for this week's bumper episode as we look back at our experience taking on The Lap Ultra Marathon.

And we've brought our pals!

First up we have the pleasure of a race debrief with John Robb. John finished up a superb 2024 racing with another outstanding outing in the Lake District. An honest account of his Lap ensues, oh that finish time!

As if one star guest isn't enough we then welcome the lass we know and love as our Yorkshire Correspondent. Mel Sykes had yet another stonking day bagging a sensational 2nd place. She was also the one who planted the seed for us to take part, do we still love her as much??!!

With so much to discuss from weather, route thoughts, checkpoint reviews and how each of our own races played out we could've easy made this a two parter.

John's Lakeland 100 redemption and Stevie Boy's back on the ultra saddle. We defo regale our own weekend tales in full YHRF technicolor style.

As is everlasting what shines through the most is the life affirming camaraderie that comes from spending time with your pals, and making some new ones along the way.

The Lap Anti Clockwise. We enjoyed you, maybe even loved it. Was it what we expected? Well you'll need to listen in to find out. This episode is a true snarler baby.