Last week we were in Arizona, this week we are just along the road in Irvine (and about five minutes from my house).

We are joined by Kyle McLaughlin owner of McLaughlin Sports Massage. While not an ultrarunner himself, he has seen and worked with various people from the average Joe to high-performance sportspeople.

He takes a holistic approach to understanding the needs of his clients and his latest field of study in nutrition adds even more expertise and knowledge to help people move and more importantly feel better.

We talked about:

• Finding his passion (and obsession) with health and nutrition while working on the railways
• How he found the opportunity to shift gear into a new field of sports massage
• Managing the challenge of study while building and running a business
• How he goes about his practice of improving people's wellbeing
• Thoughts on nutrition, diet and fuelling for endurance athletes
• Top recovery methods (including ones that don't work) and much more

The Hot Takes:

• Individuality is key to getting the right approach for you, be open and listen to what your body is telling you
• You may have a different path so focus on what you are passionate (and obsessive) about
• Focus as much on recovery as training itself, that way you will remain consistent and in doing that will improve your performance

Let's Connect

• You can follow Kyle on Instagram @mclaughlin.sports_massage and if you haven't already then you can also follow me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Got a question? Then ask it here: https://forms.office.com/r/qXs412GYxc
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want to work with me?

Get in touch and see how I can help either here or using the link in my bio: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

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We go international again, this time I get to talk with fellow Team RunRun coach and all-around awesome athlete and human being, Des Clark.

Des has been running for over 30 years and it was about eight years ago she switched to trail and ultra running and started coaching,

Her journey, rooted in authenticity is inspiring, uplifting and shows the power of community and connection.

We talked about:

• The early days and trying to find her tribe
• How her running journey evolved through a series of life events
• Her relationship with alcohol and going sober
• Balancing her running, coaching and day job with being the mother of two teenage boys
• Some of the awesome races that she has taken part including the insane Cocodona 250
• Connection is at the heart of who she is and how she coaches

The Hot Takes:

• Be true to yourself and live with authenticity
• Community and connections used to fulfil, support and energise
• Getting the balance of being a parent right and role modelling

Let's Connect

• You can follow Des on Instagram @finlaycoachingllc and if you haven't already then you can also follow me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Got a question? Then ask it here: https://forms.office.com/r/qXs412GYxc
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want to work with me?

Get in touch and see how I can help: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A shorter one this week and just spending time with me and myself before we go international again next week.

I'm trying something different and giving you my hot takes on the top questions AI came up with for ultrarunning - so here we go...

What I talked about:

• What you should eat for an ultra
• How to train for an ultra
• What gear do you need
• How do you handle mental challenges and what do you do when you hit the wall
• How do you recover from an ultra
• Why do you run ultras
• Won't you hurt yourself? What about the knees?

Let's Connect

• Catch up with me on Instagram @davidultrarunner and if you want to ask me a question then so so here: https://forms.office.com/r/qXs412GYxc
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me really happy)

Do you want to work with me?

If you didn't know already, I also offer coaching services for ultra marathon runners. Get in touch and see how I can help: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining the podcast this week, all the way from Canada, is fellow Team RunRun coach and psychotherapist Brant Stachel.

Brant and I met when I started coaching with Team RunRun. He brings a powerful combination of skills, coaching a wide range of athletes from Olympians to 6+ hour marathoners. He is also a strength and conditioning coach, massage therapist, and psychotherapist specialising in sports performance and eating disorders. We cover all that and more during our conversation.

What we talked about:

• His early running days and involvement in coaching
• The impact of coaching on individuals, especially mindset coaching
• How high performance varies from person to person and how to bring it out through coaching
• Understanding your "why," the narratives that drive you, and a bit about the IGNITE framework
• Training mental skills and building your toolbox
• A little on eating disorders

Key Takeaways:

• Understand your "why" – it drives your motivation and is at the root of everything you do
• How to create situations that train your mindset for big events
• Exploring your race alter ego – it might be the key to pushing you further
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

@nike @goodr @teamrunrun @lululemon @on @fractelrunning @skratchlabs @maurtenofficial @fuelgoods

Connect with Us:

• Follow Brant on Instagram @brant_stachel for links to his coaching profile and mental performance coaching
• Connect with me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me really happy)

Do you want to work with me?

If you didn't know already, I also offer coaching services for ultra marathon runners. Get in touch and see how I can help: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To kick off 2025 we have the man, the myth, the legend of John Cassidy from the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast sharing his running journey with us.

Many of you will have heard him (and Steven) talking with guests over the past few years and I have been listening and being inspired through his podcast since I started doing the longer stuff. But John has a great story to tell from where he started on his journey in 2012 to where he is now.

What we talked about:

• Couch to 5k, Ronhill tracksters, the Celtic cagoule and that one friend
• The descent (or ascent) into ultramarathon
• His love for big days out in remote places but also the love of the trail and ultra-running community
• Kit and of course food
• The big reveal and West Coast Ultra Exclusive - John's 2025 race calendar

Key Takeaways:

• Always be you, true to yourself as comparison is the thief of joy
• Celebrate EVERY win - that is, the things that feel good to you, a great run, getting out for your workout when you do not want to or doing well at an event
• Don't stress about things that are out of your control
• This too will pass - good or bad, know that things will move on. If you're going through a tough spot in a race, it'll pass, just keep moving

Resources Mentioned:

• @voom @ronhill @petzl @scienceinsport @prescisionfandh

Connect with Us:

• You can follow John on Instagram @j0hncassidy and of course @youngheartsrunfreepodcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me really happy)

Are you looking for a running coach?

I talk about coaching a lot on the show as this is something that I believe in. If you are looking for a coach then why not get in touch and see how I can help you using this link: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something a little bit different for your Christmas episode.

I take you with me this week on the Stewarton Ultrarunners 100k run on the 14th of December 2024 with some heavy breathing, plodding steps and interviews with the guys along the way.

We'll return to normal service next week but why waste an opportunity to tray something different :)

Heres some of the key learning points:

1. Big days out with friends are ace
2. Doing the hard things teaches you about yourself - it's why I do ultras
3. Summary of my hydration and fuelling
4. Running tall

Let's connect:

• If you are not already, follow me @davidultrarunner on Instagram for running-related content, chat, and discussion about the pod.
• Why don't you give someone the gift of this podcast and share it with friends Wanna give me a gift? A review would be ace :)

Are you looking for a running coach?

Give yourself or someone you know the gift of coaching - get in touch to see how I can help you wth your training: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

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Kayleigh Webster is another legend who made it to the snowy edition of the Wildheart Runners birthday bash. What a story she has to tell, including her first ultramarathon win in the Back Yard Ultra format.

What we talked about:

• Lockdown running and Couch to 5K
• Learning lessons on the way to going long
• The impact of moving to a plant-based and alcohol-free lifestyle and how 'The Happy Diet' was born
• Working up through the distances, finding backyard ultras and other challenges
• Coaching and finding her own way
• Her next big challenge

Key Takeaways:

• Be bold in what you challenge yourself with and tell others about - then do the work to make it happen
• Think about what you are eating and drinking - is it working for you? Good time of year to check
• Coaching has its place, but then again so does going it alone if you listen to what your body (and mind) tells you.

Resources Mentioned:

• @injinji and hunners of bananas

Connect with Us:

• Kayleigh has come off Instagram but there's still some great content @the_happydiet but check out her website: thehappydiet.co.uk
• The Golspie BYU article we spoke about: https://thehappydiet.co.uk/golspie-backyard-ultra/
• If you are not already, follow me @davidultrarunner on Instagram for running-related content, chat, and discussion about the pod.
• Why don't you give someone the gift of this podcast and share it with friends Wanna give me a gift, a review would be ace :)

Are you looking for a running coach?

Then why not get in touch and see if I can help you - fill in the contact form here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I chatted to Gemma Holloway. I met Gemma on the very snowy and cold Wildheart Runners anniversary meet. When she told me about her couch to 50k journey AND that she was a Sports and Performance Dietitian I couldn't not invite her on the podcast - food and running - that what it's all about isn't it.

What we talked about:

• Early beginnings and meeting strange people in car parks
• Pushing the boundaries to see hat might happen
• Challenges and working on her relationship with food
• Trying ultras (and getting hooked)
• Plans on going that little bit further
• We also started down the rabbit hole with nutrition

Key Takeaways:

• Dont restrict your fuelling, especially for longer runs where you need it more
• Finding your tribe (or tribes) that will be there and support you in your running journey
• Listen to your body and be OK with changing your plans for the right reasons - focus on the longer terms goals that you have

Resources Mentioned:

• @ronhill for the twin skin shorts

Connect with Us:

• You can catch Gemma on Instagram @this_dietitian_runs where she has some great advice posts on nutrition and where you can reach out for advice.
• If you are not already, follow me @davidultrarunner on Instagram for running-related content, chat, and discussion about the pod.
• Also, a little plea from me: if you enjoy the pod, please leave a review wherever you are listening as it helps others find it and spread the word.

Are you looking for a running coach?

While I now have a few athletes on board, there is always room for a few more, so if you want to know how I can help, get in touch here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

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