Advertise on podcast: Runbelievable: Real Runners, Unreal Stories

Rodney Law might be the most recognisable face in the local running community... and not just because he’s routinely dressed as Santa. Since being talked into a 500km relay back in 2014, Rodney’s running journey has been filled with highs, humour, and a truly impressive list of setbacks. Narcosis of the toes, a torn meniscus, bike crashes, and a near on-course collision with a car... yet he keeps coming back with the same grin and willingness to give back. In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Rodney to talk about parkrun, volunteering, photography, and why staying connected to the community mattered just as much as staying fit. From six marathons and countless injuries to becoming Event Director at Chermside parkrun, Rodney’s story is a reminder that running isn’t just about performance... it’s about belonging. In this episode: Being talked into a 500km relay and paying the priceNarcosis of the toes and early injury lessonsDiscovering parkrun and falling in love with the communityVolunteering, photography, and staying involved when injuredTorn meniscus, bike crashes, scooter run-ins, and recoveryWhy parkrun became homeRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Carly Barkle’s running journey isn’t a straight line... it’s a true masterclass in persistence. From elite junior sport and state-level netball to months of illness with glandular fever, chronic fatigue, single parenting, and a staggering run of surgeries, Carly’s story is defined not by uninterrupted success, but by her refusal to stay down (as she says, get knocked down seven times. get up eight). In this powerful episode of Runbelievable, Carly unpacks what it takes to keep coming back. From buying a treadmill “just in case she had to stop,” to parkrun breakthroughs, podium finishes, and marathons run through illness and injury, Carly opens up about her deep love for being active, the joy she finds in training, and why redemption still matters. It’s a raw, honest conversation about resilience, patience, and loving the process even when the body keeps pushing back. In this episode: Growing up in elite junior sportGlandular fever, chronic fatigue, and long recovery cyclesReturning to running through uncertaintyTraining through injury and repeated surgeriesWhy endurance suits her more than speedThe power of community and coachingRedemption races and redefining successRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Shona Farr didn’t set out to become a runner; she just wanted to walk 5k in under 50min. What started as power-walking at the back of the pack quietly turned into running, racing, injury setbacks, and a deep love for the running community. Along the way, Shona navigated a broken ankle (in fact, twice), torn ligaments, post-menopause training, and the self-doubt that comes with starting later in life. In this truly uplifting episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty chat with Shona about going all-in on every run, the power of on-course support, and why inspiring other women (especially post-menopause) has become central to her running journey. From building the Slow AF Brisbane group to racing overseas and lining up a wild events, Shona's story is about courage, patience, and proving your story matters... even when you think it doesn’t. Follow Shona's journey https://www.instagram.com/shonarunsveryslowly/ In this episode: Starting with walking before discovering runningAccelerating from parkrun to 10Ks and half marathonsRunning post-menopause and inspiring other womenWhy community and on-course support matter so muchBalancing family, travel, and running goalsRacing overseas and what’s aheadRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Will Pattinson didn’t ease into change; he went all in. After years of a destructive lifestyle, Will reached a point where something snapped. No dramatic trigger. No slow build. Just a day where he’d had enough. What followed was a radical lifestyle overhaul that began with daily steps and quickly evolved into marathon running, ultra distances, and an uncompromising commitment to change. In this raw and fast-moving episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Will to unpack how he transformed unhealthy habits into tools for healing, channelled addiction into discipline, and embraced extreme ownership as a way forward. From his first marathon in 2024 to a 100K ultra, and huge goals on the horizon (including Marathon des Sables), Will’s story is as intense as it is thought-provoking. It’s a conversation about identity, control, and purpose. Follow Will's journey: https://www.instagram.com/will_pattinson95/ In this episode: Turning destructive habits into fuel for healingFrom first marathon to 100K ultrasSetbacks including sodium overload in New YorkLiving with ADHD and channelling addiction into trainingStrength training, structure, and extreme ownershipBig goals ahead: sub-3, Marathon des Sables, and major marathonsUsing his journey to help others break destructive cyclesRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Nat Rischin never saw herself as a runner. She grew up doubting her physical ability, struggled with confidence, and spent years stopping and starting; both in running and in believing in herself. What began with a 5km "fun run" in 2008... while still smoking... slowly evolved into something far deeper. Through knee pain, health scares, heart surgery, near-miss goals, and plenty of self-doubt, Nat kept showing up... and always with more grit than she gave herself credit for. In this deeply personal episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Nat to explore the long road from short jogs around The Tan to half-marathon breakthroughs, marathon friendships, and a growing confidence that’s been years in the making. It’s a story about patience, resilience, and how running can change the way you see yourself; even when no one else is watching. In this episode: Growing up without confidence in sportRunning her first 5km while smokingDiscovering a heart condition and choosing surgeryWhy running alone became her therapyThe mental toll of near-miss goalsBreaking through self-doubt with coaching supportFrom half-marathon frustration to marathon fulfilmentRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Nothing says Christmas like dragging your festive pudding to parkrun and sticking a microphone in people’s faces (we literally did that!). In this very special Christmas episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty take the podcast out of the studio and straight to their local parkrun for a festive vox-pop extravaganza. From milestone runners and volunteers to semi-elites and everyday legends who were just happy to still be standing in the Brisbane humidity, this episode captures the true spirit of the running community. Along the way, there’s a Christmas quiz (yup... we call it Quizmas!) absolutely no one asked for, reflections on how and when you listen to the show, and plenty of moments that remind us why parkrun. It’s light, chaotic, festive, and very Runbelievable. Runbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Natasha Sneddon never imagined she’d be a runner... and was embarrassed to even walk her first parkrun. Yet somehow, one step at a time, she found herself racking up over 100 parkruns, training with a coach, and lining up for the Sydney Marathon in honour of her late grandfather. Along the way, running became more than exercise. It became connection, purpose, and a way to navigate the emotional weight of having Huntington’s disease in her family. As a sleep researcher and PhD student working in this area, Natasha’s running life and academic life have begun to intertwine in powerful ways. In this episode, Joshie and Matty sit down with Natasha to talk about family legacy, the fear and pride of fundraising for a cause, and negative splitting her first marathon despite a very specific race plan. In this episode: From reluctant beginner to 100 parkrunsHow running helped overcome depressionLiving with Huntington’s disease in the familyHow her PhD research intersects with her runningRunning the 2025 Sydney Marathon in honour of her grandfatherWhat purpose-driven running looks like for her futureIf you'd like to following Natashs's journey click here => https://linktr.ee/njsneddon?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=02c213e4-955f-4315-941c-6731346aa7e4 Runbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Garry Jackson has lived two lives: one before running… and one after. At ~120kg, smoking up to 70 cigarettes a day and drinking hard, Garry never imagined he’d become a runner. But between his father’s terminal illness and the birth of his second child, life forced a reckoning. One day (whilst mixing tunes) he stepped onto a treadmill, ran 200 metres, and everything changed. What followed wasn’t just weight loss or fitness, it was a complete mindset shift. A new confidence. A new identity. A belief that he could show up better for his kids, his partner, and himself. In this raw and uplifting episode, Joshie and Matty sit down with Garry to talk about grief, fatherhood, habit changes, Strava love–hate chaos, and how a nerve issue in his foot isn’t stopping him from chasing his dreams. In this episode: The life events that pushed Garry toward change in 2013–2015Going from a 200-metre jog to 5km in 30 daysHow running reshaped his confidence, mindset, and identityNavigating grief, fatherhood, and lifestyle transformationStaying motivated through nerve issues and setbacksRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

She walked every school sports event. Struggled with asthma. Hated anything remotely physical. Yet somehow... became an ultra-runner. Crystal Barnes has one of the most unexpected running journeys you’ll hear. From joining a run club at 21, to smashing out a half marathon, full marathon, and then an ultra just weeks later, Crystal’s rise was fast, determined, and fuelled by a love of community as much as the sport itself. But the last few years have been tough. Hamstring tendinopathy, big life changes, balancing running with parenting, and the frustration of going from extremely active to barely able to run at all. Through it all, Crystal has remained grounded, philosophical, and motivated by a huge goal she’s set for 2027.... In this episode: Growing up hating sport and navigating childhood asthmaHow a search for “free activities” led to discovering runningThe rapid rise: club runs → half → full → ultra in two yearsBalancing running with parenthood and shifting identityHamstring tendinopathy and the GC10K PB she probably shouldn’t have runThe 42-for-42 goal driving her forwardThe full-circle moment of meeting a former teacher (this, you gotta hear!)Runbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Running isn’t always about pushing harder; sometimes, it’s about knowing when to pull back. For Melbourne-based runner Eva Bertram, running has always been about joy: no Strava, no data, no watch... just the feeling of getting out the door. From conquering Point to Pinnacle (the world’s "toughest half marathon"), to a New Year’s Eve “Run the Clock” adventure at the You Yangs complete with fireworks, a wine necklace, and a gashed knee, Eva’s stories capture exactly why everyday runners are extraordinary. But this season of life looks different. As Eva and her partner navigate the realities of IVF, she’s been forced to step back from running... a challenge that’s tested her patience, identity, and balance more than any hill ever could. In this episode: Running without Strava, watches, or pace pressurePoint to Pinnacle: 1,276m of pure uphill gritThe unforgettable You Yangs NYE “Run the Clock” eventNavigating safety after being chased mid-runThe emotional challenge of stepping back from running during IVFFinding support and shared understanding through a running partnerRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Running doesn’t just build fitness; sometimes, it rebuilds a sense of self. For carpenter and father of three Craig Parsons, running began in a rather unique way. Balancing long hours, physical work, and family life, Craig has faced anxiety, alcohol, and self-doubt head-on... proving that strength isn’t about muscle, it’s about mindset. In this raw and honest episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty talk with Craig about the challenges of opening up in a tough, masculine industry, the lessons learned through injury and recovery, and how running helped him find focus, purpose, and community. In this episode: How running entered and transformed Craig’s lifeThe shift from casual jogs to marathon milestonesOvercoming injury during Ned’s Uncomfortable ChallengeManaging anxiety and alcohol for long-term wellbeingRedefining strength and balance in work, family, and runningRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Episode Description Some running stories start with a race. Nicole’s started with a pair of worn Reeboks and a cotton T-shirt. The day before her 40th birthday, she went for her first jog; a spontaneous decision that changed everything. From San Rafael to New York, Nicole discovered how running could rebuild confidence, reshape body image, and connect her to a global community. In this funny, fearless, and deeply human episode, Joshie and Matty chat with Nicole about juggling hypoglycaemia, recovering from a stress fracture, and the kind of race-day mishaps you just can’t make up. In this episode: How Nicole’s first 5K sparked a lifelong love of runningManaging hypoglycaemia while training and racingFinding connection through international run clubsRebuilding after injury and rediscovering confidenceRituals (cough; superstitions) and what’s on her running horizonRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Episode Description Some runners live for data. Andy Reddiex isn’t one of them. The chicken-breeding, surfing, DIY-loving accountant has battled abdominal injuries, ankle problems, and even heart surgery; yet somehow keeps running with quiet determination and minimal fanfare. Not on Strava, not chasing medals, just running for the love of it. In this grounded and inspiring episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Andy to talk about resilience, perspective, and how running fits around a full life... not the other way around. In this episode: Overcoming complex foot/ankle injuriesReturning to running after heart surgeryFinding purpose beyond Strava and PBsBalancing work, projects, and trainingWhy sometimes running less can mean living moreRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Episode Description Running injuries can break your body and spirit. After back-to-back wins at the Guzzler 21K, trail runner and paediatric physio Ash O'Loughlin was flying. Then, a complex knee injury brought everything to a halt; forcing her to swap long runs for long rehab sessions and rethink her relationship with running. In this raw, emotional and inspiring episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Ash to talk about recovery, resilience, and rediscovering joy when you can’t do the thing you love most. From confronting moments on the trails to reclaiming her confidence and redefining her “why,” Ash’s story reminds us that the toughest races aren’t always between the start and finish line. In this episode: How Ash went from teenage runner to two-time Guzzler 21K championThe complex injury that changed everythingReclaiming trail safety and confidence after a confronting experienceFinding new ways to stay sane when sidelinedWhy stepping back sometimes moves you forwardRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!

Episode Description Runners slow down with age, right? Despite being tech-savvy, Mark Wigglesworth never got that brief. After taking up running in his early 60s, Mark has gone from casual jogs and the occasional parkrun, to routinely clocking over 100 kilometres a week; regularly topping his age group and rewriting what’s possible later in life. But behind the stats lies a story of grit, resilience, and true self-belief. In this uplifting episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with a runner whose drive and discipline prove that it’s never too late to start. From a health scare that could have stopped him in his tracks to marathon adventures across the globe, Mark’s story shows that passion doesn’t retire... and that running can rebuild far more than fitness. In this episode: How Mark found running, and why he started in his 60sBuilding the routine, discipline, and mindset for 100km+ weeksThe health scare that could have derailed it allWhat keeps him chasing improvement every single dayThe improbable goal he’s working towardsRunbelievable: real runners, unreal stories. Interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up! 👉 Everything Runbelievable: https://linktr.ee/rnblv 🎧 New episodes drop weekly; hit follow so you don’t miss a lap!