West Coast Ultra Podcast

🎙️ West Coast Ultra – Episode: ADHD, Fueling, Gear, Recovery & Cadence in Trail Running

I asked a number of athletes that I coach what they would like to hear more about and here are the topics of most interest:

🎙️ West Coast Ultra Podcast – Episode Title: Mindset, Mountains & UTMB with Andy Berry

Host: David Taylor

Guest: Andy Berry – ultrarunner, fell running standout, and Bob Graham Round challenger

🧭 Episode Overview

In this episode, I catch up with Andy Berry — who you might remember from Season 2, Episode 8 — to dive into his recent Bob Graham Round attempt, his mindset as a mountain athlete, and how he’s preparing for one of the biggest races in the ultra world: UTMB. From local grit to global competition, Andy opens up about his training, mental resilience, and what keeps him...

🎙️ West Coast Ultra Podcast – S3 E17

Breaking Limits with Scott Brown: The Double West Highland Way Record

In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I sit down with returning guest and friend of the show Scott Brown, who recently made ultra-running history by completing a double traverse of the West Highland Way — and setting a new record while doing it.

Scott was last on the podcast back in Season 2 (Episode 4), and I’m thrilled to have him back to take us deep into the physical, m...

🏃‍♂️ Episode Summary

In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most important but overlooked aspects of ultramarathon training: the difference between meaningful challenge and pointless suffering.

Inspired by the Excellence, Actually podcast episode “The Art of Doing Hard Things”, this show explores how we can train smarter—not just harder—by avoiding “Zombie Burnout,” reframing our approach to stress, and aligning our effort with purpose.

I also break down what this looks like inside a 12–16 week ultramarathon training block, and the biggest mistakes I see runners make when chasing big goals...

Going solo again and in this double-header episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I dive into two hot (pun intended) topics iwhere i look at two of the most misunderstood—and underused—tools in ultramarathon training: heat adaptation and speed training.

Whether you're lining up for a summer ultra, training through a heatwave, or wondering why short fast intervals can help you go longer, this episode breaks down the science and the strategy behind both.

The aim is to provide some discussion on these topics and hopefully arm you with some ideas and tips...

🧭 Episode Summary

In this solo episode, I delve into the quieter, often unspoken side of ultrarunning: what happens when motivation fades?

No injuries. No illness. Just a deep, unsettling disinterest in running. Right in the middle of peak racing season, this conversation is for anyone who's ever felt burnt out, disconnected, or unsure of their "why."

🗣️ What You'll Hear

This week, we will go back to the normal format with an interview with one of the local legends in Ayrshire.

Many of you will know Bert through the Fit Ayrshire Masses, but on this week's episode, we talk about:

Something a little bit different this week, where I am joined by not one, not two, but three guests.

I am joined by a previous guest of the show, Scott (S1 E6) and our crew for the Ultra Scotland 100, George and Michael.

Both George and Michael are also fresh off crewing duties from the West Highland Way Race, just two weeks after crewing Scott and I on the Scotland 100.

I have been crewed by all the guys so it was super interesting to hear what it is like being a...

Mixing things up a bit this week where we have previous guest and friend of the show Kayleigh interview me about my time on the Southern Upland Way completing GB Ultras Ultra Scotland 100 Race.

This race covers 104 miles of the National Trails and around 18 thousand feet of climbing

We talk about:

...

This week, we have another local legend, Catherine Armour.

Catherine is an inspiration to many people in the local running and fitness community.

Hear her story about where we talk about:

I am back on the West Coast again this week, and I am joined by Alan Young, now the proud holder of the Kintyre Way Fastest Known Time (FKT).

We talk about his latest adventure, but of course, there is much more:

Let's Connect/links

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This week, I am joined by ultra running legend Damian Hall a man who for many needs no introduction.

He is one of the people whose stories are responsible for getting me hooked on the sport - his first book 'in it for the long run' is simply ace.

Fresh off winning (and setting a new course record) at the 300km Northern Traverse at the beginning of April, Damian joined me and we talked about:

This week, we were joined by a previous guest and friend of the show, Jo Findlayson.

Jo joined the podcast waaaaaay back in Season 1, Episode 7, but a lot has happened since then.

Jo started working with me at the turn of the year and has been putting in the work, in both training and races, with a big test coming in the recent Devil o' the Highlands Footrace.

Instead of doing a 'normal' debrief, we thought, why not share it, so here we are.

We talk about:<...

Hello everyone, and that is me back to normality again with a big block of training in front of me till the Ultra Scotland 100 at the beginning of June.

No guest this week, but don't let that put you off, as I muse about some topics:

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Back to Ayrshire this week for a conversation with Jason McGinn.

You will have heard about him and some of the adventures and charity challenges that he has done in a previous episode with Ricky (S3E3) and now we hear from the man himself.

This podcast is all about sharing stories from grand adventures to the triumphs (and struggles) of normal people being able to do amazing things and running ultras.

Summit Fever Media is all about sharing peoples stories - some of the most inspiring and downright cool documentaries has been produced by them so jin me as I talk to Matt and Ellie Green about their journey from starting the company through to ts current form.

We talked about:

You asked and I delivered. A number of you have mentioned to me that Ricky would be a great guest and you were absolutely right.

Known for wearing a pick wig during races (more about that story in the episode) he has done so much more and has a fascinating story to tell. Here are some of the things we spoke about:

During my Tea Round a couple of weeks ago I bumped into this rather chatty lady at the top of Robinson (pretty sure she was trying to beat us to the top). We then had a fun conversation about quite a few things - voom bars, poles and some of the hills we were going to climb that day (sorry it was in the lakes - Fells)

It was a little while later that I realised I had been talking to a bit of a lakes legend and someone I had heard about in various online...

As we kick off season 3 I am joined by CEO and Founder of Precision Fuel and Hydration, Andy Blow.

Andy became an accomplished triathlete but struggled when it came to racing in the heat - and here is where the story of Precision Fuel and Hydration begins.

We talked about:

For the first time, I am joined by two guests. Jack Gray and Josh Elston-Carr. Saying they are accomplished club runners is an understatement as they have represented their country but that's not the reason they are on the show...

Looking at what is happening on the running scene there are two things that I think are contributing to records being broken all over the place, high-carb fuelling, helping performances and recovery and the use of sodium bicarbonate - and so to Jack and Josh...

Last year they founded Bi(Carr)b, an...

This week's episode is a solo one where I look at some beginner or wannabe ultrarunners' worries.

Be warned, this is just my take on these things - my opinion and I try to come from a place of love and support.

As you know I focus my coaching on people new to ultrarunning or people who want to improve so these are conversations that I have already had in some shape or form, so if you do want to come into my coaching then at least you know where I will be...

This week I catch up with Steven Watt, the Young Hearts Run Free podcast's cohost and all-around good guy.

Steven and his co-host John Cassidy have been in my lugs (ears for non-Scottish people) on most of my long runs and for almost the entire time I have been doing ultras so it is an honour to be able to catch up with them and to turn the mic round and hear their stories.

We talked about:

This week we catch up with a fellow coach I have known for a few years, Phill Young.

Phill and I met on a coaching programme in 2000 and since then he has become a PT, running coach and Race Director.

Being fit for life is different for everyone and he works with runners on getting more from their running now, and in the future.

We talked about:

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...

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Key Takeaways:

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:

This week, I chatted with Andy Berry, one of Britain's best trail and ultra runners with an incredible running CV. He has a bunch of course records, fastest known times and podium places - way too many to mention in this intro but we delve deep during the episode. We also spoke about his approach to the psychological aspects of the sport and what drives his relentless pursuit of his goals.

I also managed to recruit another crew member for my Bob Graham round (something I either need to stop doing - or just go and...

This week, I talked with Peter O'Brien, a Doctor living in Ayrshire whom I met when I was in the Lakes for a training weekend.

After I hashed out a very crude science lesson on training (apologies, you may want to skip that bit) we talked about:

What we talked about:

This week, I talk with Ayrshire local Steve Daye. Steve has recently burst onto the ultra scene, but his 2022 debut ultra was years in the making.

What we talked about:

Key Takeaways:

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Scottish Queen of the Backyard Ultra and co-founder of the Wildheart Runners, Karen Nicol spends some time with us this week.

Her bio on the Wildheart Runners page says it all:

"Karen has been competing in ultra-distance races for over 10 years and loves (and sometimes loathes) a Backyard Ultra. With 40 yards under her belt, the former GB female record holder is passionate about encouraging females to participate in the lapped format. Karen has won the Crawley 12-hour and 6-hour races and stood on the podium in many other ultra races, including Edinburgh 24, Glenmore 24...

Once again we have came up trumps with a long-run feature length episode.

This time we will hear from Scott Brown. not only is Scott my coach but he is the owner of SBF (Scott Brown Fitness) and a serial winner in both OCR and ultra-endurance events

The conversation is filled with inspiration throughout. I hope you enjoy.

Topics Discussed:

We have another long-run/feature-length episode this week with Paul Manson aka The Random Runner.

Paul is the dynamic personality behind the YouTube channel 'The Random Runner'.

Join us as he shares his journey from a casual runner to an epic adventure conquering social media sensation, known for his fun and quirky challenges that bring joy to the running community.

Topics Discussed:

This week we move back to Ayrshire where we have a conversation with the one and only Andy Darling.

Andy is a Personal Trainer and Ultrarunner based in Irvine and has recently completed the 57-mile Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultramarathon in just 9 hours and 27 minutes.

He is also a personal trainer (There is Always Time) working out of Scott Brown Fitness in Irvine.

In this episode, we talk about:

We kick off season 2 in style and have feature (long run) length episode that I promise will be worth it.

We catch up with Jeev Sing, co-founder of the Green Runners who has recently conquered the infamous Bob Graham Round, and in the process became the first Indian to do so.

In this episode, we talk about:

This week we talk to Basil Heaney, an accomplished ultrarunner who co-founded the charity Into Ultra.

Basil was a latecomer to ultrarunning but has slowly crawled his way up to being a mid/back-pack runner finishing many gnarly multi-day races in the UK and Alps but also with an impressive collection of DNFs too. No GB vest or FKT but has small corner in the record books of being only person (foolish enough) to complete the Spine and Arc of Attrition back-to-back.

In this episode, we talk about: