The Cowbell Podcast - Extraordinary Everyday

In this special live episode, recorded on the shores of Jervis Bay as the sun set over Voyager Park, we bring you a momentous panel conversation from the inaugural Ultra Trail Jervis Bay. Hosted by Dave and Kelvin, this was the very first Cowbell Podcast recorded in front of a live audience — and what a way to kick things off.

We’re joined by four inspiring everyday athletes:
🏃‍♀️ Emma Power – Endu1 athlete and UTMB CCC finisher, chasing down her next big goal
🏃‍♂️ Matt Lewis – Local turned triathlete taking on his first ultra
🌿 Dr Kita Ashman – Ecologist and WWF sc...

Four years ago, Adrian Copeland was stuck in a cycle of weekend binge drinking. Today, he’s a 300-mile ultra finisher, Ultraman survivor, Finke Desert rider, Everest adventurer, and an all-round endurance beast. In this episode, Adrian shares his raw, no-filter transformation story – from hitting rock bottom to climbing (almost literally) the world's highest peaks.

We dive into his darkest moments, wild hallucinations in the Arizona desert, being stalked by a mountain lion, that infamous Macca’s bag moment, and why a 12km open-water swim gave him a whole new perspective on what it means to truly achiev...

Lisa Sherman is a Sydney based nutritionist, recreational running coach and ultra runner who has built a life around the joy and challenge of running. In this episode, Lisa shares how she combines her love of nutrition, coaching and the trails to help others and herself go further than they ever thought possible.

From solo road runs to directing backyard ultras and conquering legendary events like Coast to Kosciuszko (twice), Hume & Hovell, Ultra Trail Australia, and 24 hour track events, Lisa talks about what it means to test yourself physically and mentally through pain, problem solving and persistence...

After four unforgettable days in the Blue Mountains, we sit down post-race to unpack the mud, the miles, and the madness of Ultra Trail Australia 2025.

In this special episode of The Cowbell, three runners — each with their own unique challenge — share what it took to conquer their goals: a first-time miler fuelled by hallucinations and determination, an adaptive athlete backing up a world record with grit and heart, and a coach who ran the UTA treble (11k, 22k, 50k) across three relentless days.

We talk sleep deprivation, solo missions, surprise aid station angels, and how cowb...

In this episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with the inspiring Mel Warman – founder and CEO of Boobs on the Run and NSW Chair of the Mother’s Day Classic.

What started as a simple Facebook post has grown into a powerful movement that's helped over 5,000 women lace up, discover their strength, and find community through running. With a deeply personal mission, Mel shares how the loss of her mother to breast cancer became the spark to create change – one stride at a time.

We unpack how Boobs on the Run offers more than just t...

Rodney “Rocket” Cottam served as an elite soldier in the Australian Army from 1999 to 2004, involved in high-level operations both at home and abroad. But his military career was cut short after a near-fatal motorbike accident left him with life-changing injuries and led to a medical discharge. After years of intensive rehab, Rodney pivoted into a successful two-decade career in financial services, leading high-performing teams across funds management and mortgage lending.

Now an ultra trail runner and proud Ambassador for Invictus Australia, Rodney competes in 100km and 100-mile races around the world. In this deeply personal episode, he shar...

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with Charlie Maher, proud Western Arrarnta man, 2010 Indigenous Marathon Project graduate, and now an IMF Ambassador. Charlie’s story isn’t just about running – it’s about resilience, identity, community, and the quiet power of leading by example.

Back in 2010, Charlie made history as one of the inaugural four runners in the Indigenous Marathon Project, becoming the first Indigenous Australian to finish the New York Marathon. That spark became a flame – and over the next decade, he went on to complete the Boston, Gold Coast, Tokyo, Berlin, an...

In this powerful episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with one of Australia's toughest and most authentic ultra-endurance athletes — Thomas Dade @tomdade11. From a young boy battling anorexia and self-doubt to summiting some of the world's highest mountains and conquering some of Australia's most gruelling ultra races, Tom’s story is one of grit, vulnerability, and transformation.

We explore Tom’s journey from body image struggles and mental health challenges to finding purpose in pushing his physical and mental limits. He shares how impulsive decisions led to climbing Mount Elbrus, Aconcagua, and racing in Nepal's 223km Everes...

At just 20 years old, Miah Noble @miahrosenoble⁠ is already one of Australia's rising stars in the trail running world — but her journey to the start line has been anything but easy.

In this raw and powerful episode, Miah opens up about how she discovered running during the COVID lockdowns and how it became her sanctuary as she navigated anorexia, OCD, ADHD, and the emotional complexities of growing up. From heartbreak to healing, Miah shares how trail running — and love — helped her reclaim her life.

We explore her rise in the sport, the role of community and supp...

In this special episode of The Cowbell Podcast, we celebrate International Women’s Day with an extraordinary guest - Jess Baird Walsh. A mother of three, entrepreneur, and ultra-runner, Jess has been running every single day for nearly 1,000 days. But what started as a personal challenge became something much bigger - a journey of resilience, self-discovery, and purpose.

An unexpected twist of fate led Jess to discover the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), founded by Australian running legend Robert de Castella, and to cross paths with Charlie Maher, the first graduate of the Indigenous Marathon Project. That encounter ga...

In this episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with the electrifying Emma Rose – psychologist, ultra-runner, and mother – whose journey into running started as a way to heal and evolved into a movement for change. Emma shares how she went from avoiding cross-country races in school to running 180km in a tutu to raise funds for paediatric hospitals.

We dive into the mental resilience needed for ultra-running, the power of movement in mental health, and how embracing imperfection can lead to extraordinary achievements. Emma’s story is a testament to grit, passion, and the belief that movement isn’t...

What kind of person runs 100km on a treadmill… in scrubs… for charity? Meet Amy Hewitt—a vet, ultra runner, and unstoppable force of nature. In this episode ofThe Cowbell Podcast, Amy shares how she turned endurance running into a mission, raising $12,000 for veterinary mental health and creatingBarking Mad Ultra, Australia’s first ultra where dogs race alongside their humans.

From running through pain caves to rescuing dogs (and even performing a chicken C-section!), Amy’s story is wild, inspiring, and proof that the extraordinary is found in those who dare to chase it.

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In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of The Cowbell Podcast – Every Day Extraordinary, we sit down with Dale, a low-vision adaptive runner whose story redefines resilience, grit, and the true meaning of endurance.

Dale spent 30 years as a [find out from the pod] , never imagining he would one day become a runner. But in January 2023, his world changed when he lost sight in his left eye. Despite doctors' reassurances, just a few months later, his right eye was also affected, leaving him legally blind.

Rather than let his vision loss define him, Dale embraced a...

In this special episode, we introduce our new co-host, Dave Stewart, a voice many of you might already recognise. From energising start lines to celebrating countless finish-line moments, Dave has been a key figure in Australia’s running scene.

Join us as we dive into a great chat about his journey, his passion for connecting with runners, and the unique role he plays in creating unforgettable race-day experiences. You’ll get an inside look at what makes Dave the perfect fit for The Cowbell Podcast and learn why he’s more than just an emcee—he’s a storytel...

In this episode of The Cowbell, we talk to Mick Marshall @mickmarshall_ , an endurance athlete who shares his extraordinary journey of resilience and determination.

After a life-altering fall from a wind turbine in 2021 left him with severe injuries, multiple surgeries, chronic pain, and a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Mick faced immense physical and emotional challenges.

Despite it all, he fought his way back to endurance sports, running the Ballarat Marathon, setting an adaptive athlete world record at the Melbourne Marathon, competing as part of GPT 100 Miler Relay team, and conquering Hyrox Melbourne.

In our very first episode of "The Cowbell - Extraordinary Everyday" podcast, we’re honoured to share the remarkable journey of Brendan Verrier, an Endu1 athlete whose resilience and determination inspire us all.

Brendan takes us through his transition from playing professional Western Australian Football at the highest level to finding a new passion in ultra running after sustaining life-altering brain injuries. He opens up about the challenges of his painful recovery, how he discovered trail running as a way to cope, and his mission to support the local community while pushing past his limits.

His...