56: Running With Purpose: Meriem’s Story of Identity, Motherhood & Marathons; A Runner’s Journey

57: Running the World Before 30: Theo’s Six‑Continent Marathon Quest; A Runner’s Journey

Before he turns 30, Theo set himself a challenge most runners only dream about: six marathons across six continents. But this journey didn’t start with a finish line it started with a collapsed lung, weeks in bed, and a promise to himself that once he could breathe freely again, he’d live fully again.   In this episode, Theo takes us through every step of that promise. From Valencia, where he learned what “the wall” really feels like… To New York, the 42‑kilometre street party… To Sao Paulo, his childhood dream destination… To Osaka, where the jet lag hit as hard as the marathon… To Cape Town, where a cancelled race became the catalyst for his first sub‑3… And finally, to Melbourne, where he’ll complete his six‑continent mission inside the iconic MCG.   It’s a story of resilience, travel, community, heartbreak, joy and what happens when running becomes the vehicle for rebuilding your life.

56: Running With Purpose: Meriem’s Story of Identity, Motherhood & Marathons; A Runner’s Journey

Meriem’s story is one of courage, community, and rediscovering strength through running. Growing up between Casablanca and Australia, she navigated cultural identity, bullying, and an eating disorder before a 7km fun run changed her path. Running became a lifeline from her first marathon at 15 raising funds for Syria, to balancing elite training with med school, motherhood, and managing Type 1 diabetes. It remains her anchor through life’s challenges. This episode explores resilience, belonging, and the power of starting small and trusting the process. Her journey reminds us why we lace up and who we become along the way.

55: Why Running Makes Us Better Humans: Mark on Mindset, Coaching & Purpose; A Runner’s Journey

Mark joins the show to share how running completely transformed his life not through race day, but through the training that reshaped his mindset, his habits, his relationships, and his purpose.   We dive into mental clarity, early‑morning miles, running without music, becoming a coach, pacing others to PBs, and why running makes us better in every part of life.   A powerful conversation about growth, discipline, and finding joy in the process.

54: Leigh’s Story and the Community That Became Sweatmasters; A Runner’s Journey

This week we are joined by Leigh Witney, the creator of Sweatmasters Health & Fitness a place that’s become a second home for so many of us in the Bayside running and training community.   We dive into the 16‑year story behind Sweatmasters, how cross‑training shapes stronger runners, and why community is the secret ingredient that keeps people showing up. Leigh also opens up about his own journey: Ironmans, trail ultras, Hyrox, injuries, nutrition breakthroughs, and what it really takes to stay motivated over the long haul.   Whether you’re new to running, building consistency, or chasing your next big challenge, Leigh’s perspective is packed with practical wisdom and grounded, real‑world experience.

53: The Marathon That Saved Him: From Cancer to the Volcano Finish Line; A Runner’s Journey

On this week’s episode we sit down with Geoffrey a runner whose story is one of the most powerful comebacks you’ll ever hear. Growing up with a knee injury that stopped him from playing sports, Geoffrey found belonging through boxing and later became a top‑level paintball athlete, even captaining the French national team. But in 2019, everything collapsed bankruptcy, divorce, losing access to his children, and then a cancer diagnosis that pushed him into four years of darkness. What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2024, Geoffrey decided to rebuild his life from the ground up. He joined a local running club, struggled through his first 8 km, and then in a moment of pure instinct signed up for the Iceland Volcano Marathon. With only months to train, he transformed his body, his mind, and his entire lifestyle. This episode dives into his journey from rock bottom to running his first marathon around a volcano, the community that lifted him up, and the pride of showing his children the power of never giving up. If you love running stories, comeback stories, or simply stories that remind you what humans are capable of, this one will stay with you.