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The ZenRUN Podcast

The ZenRUN Podcast

By: Michelle Frost
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All things mental and physical health! You’ll find in-depth interviews with runners as we delve into why they run and what keeps them running. And interviews with specialists on the brain and the effects of exercise on it – chemically and physically. Plus tips to keep you moving with a positive mindset.. So much goodnessCopyright 2021 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Episode 643 - Ben Ridley - From Parkrun to Delirious, Road Running, Big Feelings and Super Crewing Karin

    Episode 643 - Ben Ridley - From Parkrun to Delirious, Road Running, Big Feelings and Super Crewing Karin
    Jun 8 2026
    In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Ben Ridley - Perth runner, Delirious West athlete, self-declared road runner, proud husband of Karin Ridley, and possibly one of the most committed “super crew” members in the ultra-running world. Ben’s story starts with a childhood full of sport - footy, swimming, surf lifesaving, T-ball, basketball - basically everything except running. Because running? Absolutely not. Ben grew up with chronic asthma, tricky knees, and a very strong dislike of running. But life has a funny way of circling back. After years of work, family life, health challenges, weight struggles, FIFO, mental health battles, and a major lifestyle shift, Ben and Karin found themselves at parkrun. And that changed everything. What started as a Saturday morning “why would anyone do this?” moment slowly became 5Ks, 10Ks, trails, half marathons, Feral Pig, Delirious West, 100 milers, 200 miler attempts, big DNFs, big lessons, big friendships, and a running life Ben never expected. This episode is funny, honest, emotional, and very Ben. We talk about weight loss surgery, running for mental health, the magic of parkrun, the chaos of Delirious West, crewing Karin, hallucinations, chafing, broken tyres, beers at aid stations, podcast-fuelled road running, and why community might be the greatest thing running has given him. Why You’ll Love This Episode Ben shares: How he went from not being able to run a couple of hundred metres to becoming an ultra runnerWhy parkrun was the perfect no-pressure place to beginHow he and Karin rebuilt their health togetherThe reality of weight loss surgery - and why it was definitely not the “easy way out”His first 50K at Feral Pig and why he was “carrying on like a pork chop” halfway throughHis unforgettable Delirious West 100 miler finish with only 30 minutes to spareWhat it was like crewing Karin through her 200 miler after his own race endedThe grief and emotion of losing his mum during DeliriousWhy DNFs hurt, but don’t define youHow running has become one of his biggest mental health toolsWhy he’s currently loving road running, Melbourne Marathon training, and running into the MCGWhy running with mates, coffee after parkrun, and pub run friendships matter so muchWhy Delirious still has baggage, but also still has a pullHow he’s heading back to Delirious with mates for the Great Southern Beer Run Tips From Ben Ben shared some really practical, honest advice for runners who are struggling to get out the door: 1. Find your reason why Don’t just run because you “should.” Work out why it matters to you. Is it your mental health? Your fitness? Your friendships? A goal? A bit of space from life? That reason helps get you moving when motivation disappears. 2. Remember how you feel once you’re out there Ben says the hardest part is often getting out the door. Once you’re moving, things start to shift. Your head clears. Life feels a bit lighter. The run does what it came to do. 3. Use something that helps you get started For Ben, that might be a podcast, music, a book, or just being out on the trail listening to birds and trees. The point is simple: make the run easier to begin. 4. Run with people when you can Community has been huge for Ben. Parkrun, pub run, trail events, Ultra Series, coffee after runs - these people have become lifelong friends. Sometimes running is less about the running and more about who it brings into your life. 5. Walking counts Ben’s reminder is simple and brilliant: Half an hour is better than nothing. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t do the full plan, do something. It still matters. 6. Strength training helps Ben is a big believer in strength work for runners, especially if you want to keep running longer distances, reduce injury risk, and avoid the post-run “can’t sit down on the toilet” situation. Very practical. Very true. A Beautiful Reminder From Ben’s Story Ben’s story is a reminder that running doesn’t have to start perfectly. You don’t need to grow up as “a runner.” You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to have it all together. You can start with one parkrun. You can walk. You can struggle. You can DNF. You can come back. And somewhere along the way, running might become less about proving something - and more about finding your people, clearing your head, and becoming someone you never expected to be. Connect With Ben You’ll most likely find Ben at parkrun, pub run, crewing Karin, running roads, signing up for something ridiculous with mates, or preparing for his next Delirious adventure. And if you see him at an aid station, he may remind you: You did choose to do this. Delirious WEST event Website - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Interested in the 2027 DW? Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387 💛 Want your ...
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    2 hrs and 20 mins
  • Episode 642 - ZenRUN Moment 1: Notice the First Minute of Your Run

    Episode 642 - ZenRUN Moment 1: Notice the First Minute of Your Run
    Jun 3 2026

    Most runners think a run starts when they press start on their watch.

    But what if the most important part of your run is actually the first minute?

    In this first ZenRUN Moment, we’re focusing on something incredibly simple: noticing the beginning of your run. Not your pace. Not your distance. Not whether today’s run is going to feel easy or hard. Just the first sixty seconds.

    As you head out the door, bring your attention to what’s actually happening right now.

    Notice your breathing. Listen to the sound of your feet touching the ground. Feel the temperature of the air on your skin.

    Check in with your body. Do your legs feel fresh, heavy, stiff, or full of energy today?

    There are no right or wrong answers - just information.

    Most of us start running while our mind is still somewhere else. We’re thinking about work, family, errands, emails, or the rest of the day ahead.

    This simple practice helps you arrive properly. It helps you settle into the run you’re actually having, instead of the one you’re thinking about.

    On your next run, don’t rush through the beginning. Treat the first minute as a doorway. Step through it deliberately and see what changes.

    Running often feels different when we stop trying to get somewhere and start noticing where we already are.

    Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the experience of a run.

    💛 Want your running and your headspace to feel a little lighter?

    If you enjoyed this ZenRUN Moment, you might love The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

    👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

    A couple of small favours

    1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

    2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

    Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

    Or email hello@zenrun.club
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    3 mins
  • Episode 641 - Suzanne Rath - Running, Resilience & Really Big Adventures

    Episode 641 - Suzanne Rath - Running, Resilience & Really Big Adventures
    Jun 2 2026
    In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Suzanne Rath - Irish farm girl, physio, business owner, leadership coach, trail runner, adventure collector, and someone who seems to casually say yes to things like cycling across South America, running from Sydney to Newcastle, and possibly signing up for Delirious WEST. As you do. Suzanne grew up on a farm in Wexford, Ireland, where resilience, self-reliance, and a “how hard can it be?” attitude were basically part of daily life. From there, her story takes us through physio study, hospital work, Uganda, Sydney, a serious cycling accident, concussion recovery, Katherine in the Northern Territory, and eventually Cairns - where she now runs a multidisciplinary allied health clinic. But this conversation is much more than a running story. It’s about what happens when life knocks you sideways. It’s about rebuilding after injury. It’s about adventure, identity, leadership, values, community, and learning that running doesn’t have to be about pace, PBs, or proving anything. Sometimes running becomes the place where we get space to think. Sometimes it becomes the thing that reminds us what we’re capable of. And sometimes it becomes the reason we find ourselves surrounded by people who think running 270km from Sydney to Newcastle sounds like a perfectly reasonable personal challenge. Which, obviously, it is not. But also… I get it. Why You’ll Love This Episode In this conversation, Suzanne shares: What it was like growing up on a farm in IrelandHow running first became part of her life through community and connectionHer time working as a physio in UgandaThe serious bike accident that led to a broken jaw, post-concussion symptoms, pain, anxiety, and a long recoveryWhy trail running helped her fall back in love with runningHow she built a whole-person allied health clinic in CairnsWhy running and leadership have more in common than most people thinkHer Sydney to Newcastle trail adventure - including flash flooding, leeches, getting lost, wet feet, and a very patient support crewWhy she believes organised 200-mile races might actually be easier than self-supported chaosHow she fits running, business, travel, speaking, leadership coaching, and big adventures into real lifeWhy motivation is not the thing to rely onWhy running is a privilege - especially when it’s hard Suzanne’s Running Tips Suzanne shared so many great reminders in this episode, including: Minimise the friction. Have your gear ready. Know what you’re doing. Remove as many tiny obstacles as possible so getting out the door doesn’t become a negotiation. Put your running in the calendar first. Suzanne plans her week around the things that matter - including training, adventure, family, and recovery - rather than waiting to “find time” later. Don’t rely on motivation. As Suzanne says, if she waited until she felt motivated, she might never run again. Make it easier to start instead. Have something to aim for. It doesn’t have to be a huge event. It can be a small goal, a race, a trail, an adventure, or simply something that gives your running a little spark. Stay connected when you’re injured. If you can’t run, don’t disappear. Go to breakfast. Cheer people on. Stay part of the running community. Remember what a privilege it is. Even when it’s hard, even when you’re tired, even when your feet are wet and your brain is questioning your life choices - it’s still a privilege to be able to move, explore, and do these things. A Favourite Moment One of my favourite parts of this conversation was Suzanne talking about how the joy came back into running when it became aligned with her values. Not when she got faster. Not when she ticked off another race. Not when she proved anything. But when running became connected to adventure, community, potential, and living in a way that felt true to her. And honestly, that feels very ZenRUN. Listen To This Episode If… You’ll love this episode if you’ve ever: Come back from injuryLost your running mojoWanted more adventure in your lifeFelt like your business, work, or responsibilities were swallowing all your timeUsed running as thinking spaceWondered whether trail runners are all slightly unhingedSigned up for something before fully understanding the logisticsNeeded a reminder that running can be about joy, freedom, and possibility This is such a rich, funny, thoughtful conversation with a woman who has lived a lot of life, taken a lot of brave turns, and somehow still has more adventures planned. I loved this chat. And I think you will too. Suzanne’s practice in Cairns - Wellness Embodied: https://www.wellnessembodiedcairns.com/ 💛 Want your running to feel lighter again? If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run. 👉 https://www.zenrun.app/...
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    1 hr and 51 mins
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