The Runna Podcast
The Runna Podcast
Runna
Join Coach Ben Parker and Anya Culling every Friday as they deep-dive into running with Olympians, world-class coaches, and inspiring runners - from Romesh Ranganathan to Alex Yee and Lucy Charles-Barclay. Expect captivating stories, hilarious mishaps, and actionable coaching tips (incl. weekly tips from Olympian Steph Davis) on training, injury prevention, mindset, recovery, and performance. Whether itโ€™s your first 5K or a marathon PB, weโ€™ll fuel your next run. New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joe Wicks: "You Never Regret a Workout" | How to Start Running, Marathon Training & Getting the Nation Moving
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, joins Ben and Anya on The Runna Podcast to discuss his journey with running, how movement serves as medicine for mental health, and why heโ€™s on a mission to get 50,000 people moving in 2026.From launching the viral "PE with Joe" sessions to mastering the "Jeffing" run/walk method and smashing a sub-20 minute 5K with Mo Farah, Joe shares honest, actionable advice for runners of all levels. Whether you are new to marathon training, looking for running motivation to improve your daily routine, this conversation covers it all!In this episode, we explore:๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ Running as Medicine:How exercise shaped Joeโ€™s life from childhood and why he believes it can transform anyone's wellbeing. ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธ What is Jeffing?:  Discover the run/walk method that makes marathon running and long-distance goals accessible to everyone. ๐Ÿ’ช PE with Joe: A behind-the-scenes look at the first lockdown morning that reached over a million live viewers. ๐Ÿง  Consistency & Motivation: Joeโ€™s philosophy on why the "zero to one" person matters most and why you should set goals publicly. ๐ŸŽฏBeyond the Finish Line: Why Joeโ€™s current goal to get 50,000 people moving matters more than any PB.๐ŸŽง New episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices from the running community.๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 14
56 min
Anna Archer on Marathon Training, Body Image & Self-Belief | "Beating Yourself Up Brings Nothing Good to You"
Four years ago, Anna Archer ran her first marathon with Runna. She finished in 5:27, cried at 30K, and swore she'd never do it again. She's now done five. Her most recent was 3:59.Anya and Ben sit down with runner and content creator Anna Archer for one of the most honest conversations we've had about marathon running, body image and how life-changing running can be.Anna talks about flipping her platform from diet content to mental health in her early twenties, learning the difference between running for freedom and running for control, and why no pressure was the thing that finally unlocked her best race.In this episode:๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ Marathon Training: 5:27 to 3:59 - four years of progression and what actually changed in her running performance.๐Ÿง  Running & Mental Health - using running to regulate your emotions, not punish or control your body.๐Ÿ’ช Body Image & Sport Performance = "What can my body do rather than what does my body look like?"๐Ÿ“ฑ From Diet Content to Running Inspiration - how Anna flipped her platform and found an audience that needed something different.๐ŸŽฏ Marathon Strategy & Mindset - why her best marathon came when she stopped focusing on the result.โญ Consistency Over Motivation - "You'll Accidentally Be Amazing" - why showing up is the only strategy you need.๐ŸŽง New episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices from the running community.๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast*Please note, this episode contains references to disordered eating and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a healthcare professional for support.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 7
48 min
Running in Hot Weather: How to Adapt & Still Hit Your PBs
Does heat training actually make you faster? Running in hot weather isn't about pushing harder - it's about adjusting smarter. This week, Ben and Anya break down the science behind heat acclimatisation: what's happening to your body when temperatures rise, why adaptation kicks in faster than most runners expect, and the five practical adjustments that actually make the difference - when and where to run, how to reset your pace, what to wear, how to hydrate, and when to dial it back.What Youโ€™ll Learn: โ˜€๏ธ Why running in the heat feels so hard - and why that's actually a good sign ๐Ÿง  The science behind heat adaptation and VO2 max gains ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ What to wear to stay cool, comfortable, and chafe-free ๐Ÿ’ง How to hydrate and fuel properly in hot weather ๐Ÿฅต How Runna's Adapt for Heat feature automatically adjusts your paces ๐Ÿšจ Safety tips and knowing when to stopWant to give Runna a go?๐Ÿ†“ Try it FREE for 2 weeks with code: PODCAST26๐Ÿ‘‰ https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“ฑ Follow for more running content:Instagram โ†’ @runnaTikTok โ†’ @runna๐Ÿ“บ Watch more episodes โ†’ @therunnapodcast Data sources: Runna Customer Product Survey (2026), Lorenzo (2010) via GOREWEAR & Runners Connect - runnersconnect.net/heatacclimatization, The Weather Channel (2025) - weather.com, iRunFar (2021) - irunfar.com/handle-the-heat-heat-acclimation-for-endurance-running Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31
29 min
Josh Kerr on Breaking the World Record & the Incredible Mindset Behind It
"I knew exactly what was wrapped under the tree. I just had to go downstairs and open it." ๐Ÿ†This week on The Runna Podcast, Izzy speaks to Olympic and World medallist Josh Kerr just days after he broke the men's world record for the mile.Josh's run made history: the first British-held mile world record since Roger Bannister's era, run in front of a home crowd of 60,000 people. But this conversation goes beyond the stopwatch. Josh shares how he came back from a serious calf injury in Tokyo, why he announced his goal to the world before he knew he could pull it off, and how he learned to sit with doubt instead of fighting it.In this episode:๐Ÿ† The Fastest Mile Ever: 3:42.66, and what it took to get there๐Ÿง  "Analysis Is Your Paralysis": The Mindset Behind a World Record๐Ÿ“ฃ Going Public: Announcing the Goal Before He'd Achieved It๐Ÿ’” The Comeback: Coming Back From a Serious Calf Injury in Tokyo๐ŸŽฏ "Don't Let Anyone Tell You, You Can't Do It": His Advice for Anyone Chasing a Big Goal๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24
23 min
Tilly Ramsay on Cooking, Running & Doing Hard Things | "Good Food Doesn't Have to Be Fancy"
Tilly Ramsay is one of the most joyful people you'll meet. She's also quietly one of the most competitive.You probably know her from her cookery shows and as Gordon Ramsay's daughter. What you might not know is that she beat both her parents in a triathlon, set her 10K PB during her first marathon, and is already hunting for the next scary thing to sign up to.This week, Anya sits down with TV presenter, cook and marathon runner Tilly Ramsay to talk about her 16-week training block, the recipes that fuelled it, and why running and cooking have more in common than anyone expects.In this episode:๐Ÿ• Recipes for Runners - Tilly's top 3 meals from her 16-week marathon training block ๐Ÿณ Cooking & Running - Why practice, discipline and mistakes connect them - and Gordon Ramsayโ€™s running advice ๐Ÿ’ƒ Strictly to Start Line - What the youngest ever Strictly contestant learned about doing scary things ๐ŸŽฏ "When I Commit I Give It My All" - The mindset behind every race and every recipe ๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17
51 min
"I Started Running Because of You" | Mary McCarthy on Marathon Training, Self-Belief & Running Motivation
Most people found her two years ago. She's been running for 19.This week on The Runna Podcast, Ben and Anya sat down with running content creator Mary McCarthy to go behind the times, the content, and the self-belief of one of the UK's most exciting marathon runners right now.From competitive swimmer to cross-country champion to 2:50 marathoner. From zero followers to hundreds of thousands of women who started running because of her. And a sub-2:30 marathon goal she's only just getting started on.Whether you're chasing your own marathon PB, searching for running motivation, or just curious how someone builds that kind of quiet belief - this one's worth your next long run.In this episode:๐ŸŠ The Hidden Base: The 19-year athletic base behind a 2:50 marathon๐ŸŽฏ Training First, Always: Marathon training and her race day strategy๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Fuelling Like an Athlete: Why underfuelling is quietly holding your running back ๐Ÿ’ฌ Beat the Boys: Beat the Boys: where it came from, and why it resonates far beyond running๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ Motivating Women to Move: Why "I started running because of you" means everything๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10
1 hr 2 min
From Rock Bottom to Sub-3 Marathons: How Running Rebuilt Austyn Farrell's Life
"Last year, I was learning about myself. Now, I am myself." This week on The Runna Podcast, Ben and Anya speak to dancer, content creator, and marathoner Austyn Farrell.Austyn Farrell's online feed is full of joy, from hilarious skits to viral dance videos. But this conversation goes deeper.Austyn shares his history of mental health struggles, substance misuse and a loneliness that performing couldn't fix - and how everything changed two years ago when he started running. He joined us in the studio having just run a sub-3 marathon in London!This episode is a perfect mixture of inspiring honesty and comedic gold.Listen for more on:๐ŸŽญ From Rock Bottom to Sub-3: Two years from substance misuse to 2:58๐Ÿง  "You Can't Fake a Run": The one thing that was entirely his๐Ÿ’œ Running for Mind: In memory of Nathan Williams and Cherry Valentine๐ŸŒˆ Running as Identity: Big Games Run Club, Rainbow Road, HYROX in a Pride vest๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ "It's All Mental": Mindset, marathon PB, sobriety - all connected๐ŸŽฏ "You Cannot Fail Unless You Try": For anyone who feels where he was*Please note, this episode contains discussion of substance misuse and suicide, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professional support.*๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://join.runna.com/lKmc/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 3
48 min
"Youโ€™ve Got to Learn to Love the Journey" | Coach Benโ€™s Final Farewell, Best Bits & Top Coaching Tips
"My passion has always been in helping people achieve their active goals - which is how this all started."After 5 years building Runna from an idea to the world's top-rated running coaching app, Coach Ben has made the decision to move on and take a well-earned break. In this special farewell episode, Ben and Anya look back at over 100 weekly episodes together: the most inspiring conversations, the moments that had them in stitches, and the guests they'll never forget. And in true Ben style, he signs off with two coaching tips to help you keep running for life.Ben's passion has always been helping people achieve their active goals - it's what started Runna, and it's what will shape whatever comes next for him. For now, he's stepping back to focus on his own training, spend more time with Jess and Scoobie, and work out the next chapter.The Runna Podcast isnโ€™t going anywhere. But this episode is our chance to say thank you - for the coaching, the laughs, and everything Ben has built. We hope to see you on the start line soon.Listen for more on:โœจ Benโ€™s most inspiring moments: Alex Yee & Lucy Charles-Barclay๐Ÿ˜‚ The moments that made us laugh: Harry Judd & Romesh Ranganathan๐Ÿง  Why nerves mean you're ready to race๐Ÿ’š Why enjoyment is the only sustainable training plan๐Ÿ”ฎ What's next for Ben: His 10th Ironman, coaching, and life beyond Runna๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Share your thoughts on The Runna Podcast: https://runna.typeform.com/to/QaEpqhlk๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26
43 min
How to Train for Ultra Marathons with a Full-Time Job | Mike Wardian
Mike Wardian's ultra marathon training schedule is unlike anything you've heard.Full-time job. Two kids. 4:45am starts. And at 52 years old, he recently won the World Marathon Challenge for the third time - breaking the world record for seven 50Ks on seven continents in seven days by almost four hours!This week Kayla sits down with Mike to find out exactly how he does it. From early morning alarms to his positive mindset and focus on fun, this is a masterclass from a man who's stayed at the top of ultra marathon running for nearly 30 years.Whether you're training for your first ultramarathon or trying to fit marathon training around a full-time job and family, Mike's approach to consistency, recovery, and longevity will change how you think about the sport.In this episode: ๐ŸŒ The 7-7-7 challenge: What it takes to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days ๐Ÿ’ผ Training around a full-time job: His daily routine from 4:45am ๐Ÿƒ The depletion mile: His unconventional recovery method after 100-milers ๐Ÿง  "Just be water": The mindset behind 30 years of consistent ultra racing ๐ŸŽฏ Longevity at 52: How Mike stays competitive, injury-free and motivatedFor anyone who wants to run further, last longer, and never stop enjoying it.๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Share your thoughts on The Runna Podcast in our new audience survey here: https://runna.typeform.com/to/QaEpqhlk ๐ŸŽง New episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices from the running community.๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26 And if you're just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19
35 min
Reggie Yates, BBC Filmmaker | "If You Can Lace Up Your Trainers, You're a Runner"
Reggie Yates thought a 5k would finish him. Then he trained for a marathon - and fell completely in love with running.In this episode of The Runna Podcast, British broadcaster and filmmaker Reggie Yates joins Anya Culling for an honest conversation about his first marathon training journey. The early treadmill sessions that nearly broke him with boredom. The outdoor runs that set him free. The race day that didn't go to plan - and why he wants to race again more than ever.Reggie has spent his career stepping into uncomfortable environments - prisons, refugee camps, war zones. This time he made himself the subject. And what he discovered about running, identity, and his own limits is worth hearing.In this episode:๐ŸŽ™๏ธ From 5k Fear to Marathon Start Line: The beginner running journey that changed everything ๐Ÿง  Marathon Training Reality: Treadmill sessions, long runs, ego - and the moment it clicked ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธThe Runner's High: Why running outside became "so freeing and so liberating" ๐Ÿ’œ Sickle Cell Society: Why running for a cause makes the hardest training days meaningful๐ŸŒก๏ธ Race Day: What really happened and what comes next ๐ŸŽฏ What's Next: 10k PB, half marathon PB - and a runner for lifeWhether you're just starting out or wondering if marathon training is really for someone like you - this episode will make you think differently about what's possible.๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Share your thoughts on The Runna Podcast in our new audience survey here: https://runna.typeform.com/to/QaEpqhlk ๐ŸŽง New episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices from the running community.๐ŸŽ Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26 And if you're just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ“บ Watch the full episode โ†’ youtube.com/@therunnapodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 12
48 min
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