The Runna Podcast

This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. In the UK, Beat Eating Disorders offers confidential support at beateatingdisorders.org.uk. In the US, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at nationaleatingdisorders.org.

“It’s about what your body can do - not what it looks like.”

Recorded in Chicago following the Marathon, Coach Anya Culling sits down with NCAA Champion Allie Ostrander to explore what happens when performance comes at the cost of health.

Known for her success in the 3,000m steeplechase, 5K, and trail running, Allie’s career appeared picture-perfect. But behind the medals, she was being tested in ways her training never prepared her for.

Allie reflects on her battle with an eating disorder, the female athlete triad, and RED-S, and how she rebuilt trust in her body, redefined success, and returned to a joy-centred approach in her training.

Highlights Include:
👟 Alaska Roots: Growing up outdoors & learning to love running
🏆 Elite Performance: The pressure of being an NCAA champion & pro athlete
🧠 The Perfectionism Trap: Navigating an eating disorder, RED-S, and running burnout
❤️ Injury Cycles: How to rebuild trust in a broken body
🏃‍♀️ Joy-First Training: Redefining success beyond times, medals, and results

This episode is a powerful reminder that in running, what your body can do will always matter more than how it looks!

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 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 💛

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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

"I didn’t think running was for someone like me"

This week on The Runna Podcast, Ben and Anya speak to journalist, bestselling author, and mental health advocate, Bryony Gordon.

Bryony didn’t grow up sporty - in fact, exercise often felt like punishment. But during some of the hardest moments of her life, while battling mental illness and alcoholism, she turned to running out of desperation - and everything changed.

And after a chance conversation with the Princess of Wales, Bryony found herself starting a marathon training plan for the London Marathon. She later made headlines by running it in her underwear, challenging body stigma and proving that running really is for everyone.

In this honest and inspiring episode, we talk about running for mental health, building body confidence, and why you don’t need to be a certain speed or size to call yourself a runner.

Highlights Include:
👟 Beginner Running: Why Bryony believed running wasn’t for her
🧠 Mental Health: Running not to shrink, but to feel better
❤️ Recovery: Taking herself to rehab after her first marathon
🏃‍♀️ Inclusion: Proving that running is for every body type

If you’ve ever felt like running wasn’t for you, this conversation might just change your mind!

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.
🎁 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 💛

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The number one thing that helps me mentally is physical movement”.

This week on The Runna Podcast, hosts Ben and Anya sit down with broadcaster and presenter Roman Kemp as he begins his Return to Running journey with Runna.
Listen as Roman shares why he’s picking up running again, and how movement truly improves his mental health - providing structure, perspective, and anxiety relief.

Roman shares how running sparks his best ideas, why removing vanity has changed his training approach, and the damaging impact of rigid life goals.

From men’s mental health, to Harry Styles, and his recent Celebrity Race Across The World victory, this hilarious, yet deeply human episode is perfect company for your next run or rest day!

Highlights Include:
🔁 The mental health benefits of running
🎯 “Preparation meets opportunity” - the secret to luck
🌍 Behind the Scenes on Celebrity Race Across The World

If you’re returning to running yourself or looking for a powerful tool to boost your mental wellbeing, you’ll love this conversation!

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.
🎁 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 💛

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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

How do you actually build running confidence?

This week on The Runna Podcast, Coach Ben sat down with content creator and runner Anna Sitar to unpack her journey from beginner runner to training for the marathon in New York back in November.

What started as a simple goal to finish her first marathon turned into a deeper commitment to structured marathon training, performance, and proving she was capable of far more than she believed.

Ahead of her third marathon, Anna reflected on the importance of doing hard things before feeling ready, and shared the mindset shifts that helped her overcome self-doubt. She talks honestly about navigating the ups and downs of running, staying motivated, and finding confidence as a new runner.

In this episode you’ll hear:
🧠 The Confidence Trap: Why you don’t need to feel ‘ready’ to start running
🏙 London Marathon Lessons: Surviving the ‘bonk’ and building resilience
🎯 Training for NYC: How to balance ambition, fear, and fun during marathon training

Whether you’re a beginner runner or chasing your next marathon PB, this conversation is a reminder that confidence is built by showing up, one run at a time.

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.
🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25
📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting running is easy. Sticking with it is the hard part.

In this New Year episode, Ben and Anya break down exactly how to build running consistency and avoid another stop-start cycle that fades by February.

Whether you’re looking for beginner running advice, returning after time off, or setting your goals for 2026, this episode is designed to help you build consistency without burnout, avoid the all-or-nothing mindset, and finally make running part of your life - not just your race calendar.

What You'll Learn:
👟Why most runners struggle to stay consistent (and how to fix it)
🧠The all-or-nothing trap that leads to burnout, injury, and quitting
👥 Why starting smaller than you think leads to bigger long-term results
📅 How scheduling your runs properly changes everything
🎧 Finding joy in running - even when motivation is low
📛 Why bad runs don’t matter (and how to bounce back fast)
👟Simple tricks to reduce friction and actually get out the door

This isn’t about chasing PBs or signing up for another event. It’s about becoming someone who runs.

🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympic legends, elite runners, and expert coaching advice.

🎉Is this the year you become a Runna? Try our new and improved plans: https://www.runna.com/en-gb/training/new-to-running-plan

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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