Runbelievable: Real Runners, Unreal Stories
Do you love hearing running stories... especially the ones that go beyond the data?We're talking about the toil, the grit, the laughs, the adversity; the moments that don't just shape what we do, but who we become.Runbelievable is the Australian running podcast that celebrates why we run.Hosted by Josh Rischin, runners from all walks of life share what first got them lacing up, what keeps them going, and the wild mishaps that make running such a uniquely human experience.From swooping birds to steaming turds, parkrun faceplants to marathon triumphs, Runbelievable reminds us that every runner has...
Ep 37: Is This Australia's Most Humble Ultramarathon Champ?
Clay Dawson never planned to become a runner.
A market research study looking for overweight uni students set him on a path that would eventually lead to marathon victories, Australian representation, and some of the most remarkable endurance performances imaginable.
Yet despite all the success, Clay has spent much of his running journey battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether he truly belongs.
Clay is always looking to help shape and mentor the next generation of runners.
https://www.instagram.com/clay_dawson/
In this episode:
The re...Ep 36: How One 5K Changed Hundreds of Lives (Deadly Runners)
In 2012, Georgia Weir was battling poor mental health, addiction, and an incorrect bipolar diagnosis.
A local 5km event became a last resort.
What followed was a journey that took her from running her first marathon in New York, to founding Deadly Runners; a movement that has helped hundreds of First Nations Australians discover what's possible through running.
But the road wasn't smooth.
After a dispute over ownership, Georgia lost everything, battled addiction, rebuilt her life, and emerged with an even greater sense of purpose.
Learn about Deadly Runners: https://d...
BONUS: Brisbane Marathon Redemption... Did She Get It? (Runbelievable Recap)
Fresh off the Brisbane Marathon, a familiar Runbelievable voice returns for a special Recap episode.
When Carly Barkle first joined us in Ep. 18, she spoke openly about chasing redemption at the Brisbane Marathon. Twelve months after her first DNF, and her 6th bout of bowel surgery… the training is done, the race has been run, and now it's time to find out what really happened.
No polished summary. No social media highlight reel. Just an honest reflection whilst the emotions are still fresh.
We talk about:
Whether she found the re...Ep 35: She Walks During Marathons… And Doesn't Care What You Think
Belle Ferguson never really thought about running.
In fact, she started running for a surprisingly practical reason... walking took too long.
What began as a time-saving measure soon turned into something much bigger.
Today, Belle is a marathoner, Trek2Health trek leader, and passionate advocate for runners of all abilities. She's also challenging one of running's biggest misconceptions... that taking walk breaks somehow makes you less of a runner.
In this episode:
Starting running purely to save time How Trek to Health changed her life The run-walk (Jeffing) met...Ep 34: Imposter Syndrome Derailed Her First Marathon… Here’s Why
Libby Gibbins did everything right.
She religiously followed the training plan, adjusted work around key sessions, nailed her long runs, and arrived at the start line fitter than ever.
But midway through her first marathon… something shifted.
In this deeply moving episode, Libby opens up about imposter syndrome, identity after motherhood, and the mental battle that unfolded as her time goal slowly drifted away.
This isn’t just a conversation about marathon running.
It’s about pressure, self-belief, and the stories we tell ourselves when things stop going to plan.<...
Ep 33: No Rest Days Since 2022… Seriously How!!??
What would make someone run every single day for over 3 years?
In this episode, you’ll meet Frank Chung... a Brisbane runner whose daily running streak dates back to December 28, 2022.
But beneath the streak lies something much deeper.
Following separation, injury, career upheaval, and periods where he felt completely lost… running slowly became the thing that helped pull him back together.
Now more than 1,200 consecutive days later, Frank reflects on discipline, identity, community, and why running became non-negotiable in his life.
In this episode:
The emotional perio...Ep 32: She Planned Everything Perfectly… Until Life Had Other Ideas
Mads Biddulph-Wall always had a plan.
As a teenager, she was already thinking about career pathways, maternity leave, and the future she wanted to build.
But when it came time to start a family, life took a heartbreaking turn.
In this episode, Mads opens up about pregnancy loss, grief, and the period where she felt like she lost her sense of self.
Then running entered the picture.
What started as a way to cope slowly became something much bigger.
Follow Mads' journey: https://www.instagram.com/runmadsrun/<...
BONUS: Why TF Would Anyone Run 100km Overnight?
We can't fathom what motivates someone to run an overnight enduro!
In this special bonus episode, Joshie and Natty head down to Run The River in Brisbane; an overnight endurance event featuring everything from a midnight half marathon to brutal 100km solo efforts.
This episode captures the anticipation beforehand… the nervous laughter, final preparations, volunteers setting up, and runners quietly wondering what they’ve signed up for.
Along the way, you’ll hear from first-timers, seasoned ultra runners, relay teams, volunteers, Australian running legend Pat Carroll, and accomplished endurance runner Clay Dawson.
I...
Ep 31: You Might Live to 30… So How Has This 42-Year-Old Run Multiple Marathons?
What would you do if you were told, that best case scenario, you might live to 30?
In this episode, you’ll meet Adrian Flor… now 42, living with cystic fibrosis and diabetes, and running marathons.
His journey wasn’t straightforward. From childhood health challenges, to serious illness, to being hit by a car... Adrian had to rebuild from scratch.
It started with a treadmill. A goal to run 5K. And the fear of coming last at parkrun.
What followed changed everything...
Follow Adrian's journey: https://www.instagram.com/cf_runner/
I...
Ep 30: This Brisbane Run Club Has Been Around Since 1900… Here’s Why It Still Works
What does it feel like inside Brisbane’s oldest sporting club?
In this special episode of Runbelievable, Joshie steps away from the usual one-on-one format and heads down to Thompson Estate Athletics and Running Club (TEES Athletics) to find out.
Established in 1900, TEES is Brisbane’s oldest sporting club. On a perfect Monday evening, with close to 100 runners, Joshie set out to capture something simple… the spirit of training.
What followed was anything but simple.
From sprint groups flying past at full speed, to kids laughing trackside, to coaches driving their athlet...
Ep 29: Running with Crohn’s: The Reality No One Sees
In her own words, Mary Booth "was the most unsporty child you could ever imagine"!
Growing up, she avoided sport wherever possible; even hiding in the bathroom to get out of PE. But life had other plans.
After joining Defence and pushing through early fitness struggles, Mary’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her early twenties. Months of pain, weight loss, and uncertainty forced her to rethink everything she knew about her body.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Mary...
BONUS: Nasty Newcastle Nails (Runbelievable Recap)
Fresh off race day, Shona Farr returns for a Runbelievable Recap… a real, unfiltered debrief whilst the mind is fresh but the body is a mess.
No polished summary. No highlight reel. Just the honest reality of how the day unfolded… physically, mentally, and everything in between.
We talk about:
The worst lead up you can imagineWhat surprised her most on the day What it felt like crossing the finish line Why a marathon will NEVER be on the cards ("slap me" she says)https://www.instagram.com/shonarunsveryslowly/
R...
Ep 28: The Day I Caught Coolio... and a Rare Moth
In 2015, Dan Creeber was truly out of shape.
A holiday in Majorca became a turning point...and what started with a weekly parkrun soon turned into something much bigger. Fast forward to today, and Dan has logged over 10,000 kilometres, built a routine around running, and committed to completing a marathon every year “until he can’t.”
But his story isn’t just about miles.
In this uplifting episode of Runbelievable, Joshie sits down with Dan to talk about fatherhood, mental health, and the moments that change how you see everything. From the traumatic birth of...
Ep 27: Diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer… She Refused to Stop Running
Robyn Bell was flying.
2022 had been a golden year... PBs, momentum, everything clicking. Then, just days into 2023, she found a lump.
Within weeks, she went from parkrun to chemotherapy.
In this powerful episode of Runbelievable, Joshie sits down with Robyn to talk about what happened next; and why, despite everything, she kept running.
Through chemotherapy, major surgeries, and ongoing fatigue, running became the one thing she could control. Whilst others questioned her life choices, Robyn quietly kept showing up, often squeezing in runs before school drop-off.
This is a...
Ep 26: Minties, Marathons and Motherhood... How Running Helped Reclaim Her Identity
Lauren Smith is truly in the thick of it.
A full-time teacher. A mum. Running on broken sleep. And trying to carve out something for herself in between everything else.
Lauren has faced pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes, and the heartbreak of loss... all whilst navigating the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum recovery. And yet, she kept showing up.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Natty sit down with Lauren to talk about resilience, identity, and what it means to pursue something for yourself when life is already overflowing.
From...
Ep 25: Starting Over at 33… parkrun Changed Everything!
At 33 years old, Jen Dossetto found herself starting over.
Her marriage had ended, she had moved back in with her parents, and for the first time in years she was trying to rediscover who she was outside of a relationship that had slowly taken over her life.
Then her sister suggested something simple: parkrun.
Jen had never been a runner, but something about the idea sparked a curiosity... and it completely transformed her life.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Natty sit down with Jen to talk about rebuilding confidence...
Ep 24: Who Needs Strava…? He Built a Running Spreadsheet in 1994
Brett Petersen has been logging every single exercise session since 1994. Yup, madness!
Long before Strava and smartwatches existed, Brett opened a spreadsheet and started tracking his runs. Three decades later, the streak continues.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Natty (yes, you read correctly) sit down with Brett to unpack a lifetime shaped by running. From sprinting 2k home from kindergarten as a 5-year old (his poor Mum) to running a 16:24 5k in the Olympic Day Run, Brett’s story is one of quiet dedication rather than chasing headlines.
Along the way he...
Ep 23: When the Borders Closed… She Had to Start Over
Channa Marsh knows what it means to reset.
In 2020, she travelled from Perth to Queensland for a triathlon… and never went home. COVID border closures stripped away her house, job direction, and community overnight. What followed was months of rebuilding; and a shift from triathlon to running that would redefine her path.
Since then, Channa has podiumed in road races, won the SEQ Trail Series long course, endured her first DNF after tearing ankle ligaments at Kosci, and somehow still finished top-10 at Ultra Trail Australia despite a shuttle bus mishap.
Now, she’s ta...
Ep 22: Chasing a Boston Qualifier… Through Loss and Life Transformation
Jill Genereux never saw herself as “the runner type.”
When she started running in 2015, her first mile took 18 minutes.. and she nearly burnt herself out trying to improve too quickly. But what began as a weight-loss and mental-clarity experiment slowly evolved into something far deeper.
In this powerful episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Jill to unpack her transformation; from burnout and rebuilding, to winter trail miles in Montana, to running a 5K alongside her dad before he passed away in March 2025. Jill shares how running helped her process grief, inspired her husb...
Ep 21: When Running Hurts… Here’s What You Should Actually Do
Most runners ignore injury advice… until they can’t run.
Joe Keain is different. An endorsed podiatrist and director at Podfit Podiatry in Adelaide... and a runner himself... Joe understands both sides of the injury conversation. From shin splints and Achilles tendinopathy to load management, orthotics, and overuse, he’s lived the mistakes many runners repeat.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Joe to talk about running as an outlet, the fine line between pain and damage, and why managing load matters more than chasing perfect conditions. Joe also reflects on ult...
Ep 20: Life Didn’t Look the Same After 3 Kids…But She Refused to Give Up
Ari Ethel has always been active; but running didn’t become hers until life became proper full.
After competitive Division II soccer, three kids, and a schedule that never slowed down, running shifted from off-season conditioning to a non-negotiable outlet. What started as short, humbling runs.. became a steady practice that helped her manage anxiety, reclaim autonomy, and rebuild identity on her own terms.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty talk with Ari about the mental reset of starting over after kids, running through snow and exhaustion, and why some runs still suck. It...
Ep 19: Santa Suits, Scooters… and Six Marathons
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 park...
Ep 18: Six Bowel Surgeries Later... How on Earth Is She Still Running?
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 brea...
Ep 17: At 60, She Just Wanted to Walk 5K… What Happened Next Wasn’t the Plan
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 in...
Ep 16: Weaponising Change... How to Turn Pain Into Power
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 embr...
Ep 15: Fixing a Hole in Her Heart: That's Where It All Started
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...
Ep 14: A Very Runbelievable Christmas: A Podcast at parkrun WTAF!
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 Quiz...
Ep 13: How Huntington’s Disease Led to an Unforgettable Sydney Marathon
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 int...
Ep 12: A Spontaneous 200m Treadmill Run… That Changed Everything
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, hi...
Ep 11: She Hated Anything Remotely Physical: Now She Runs Ultras
Crystal Barnes walked every school sports event. Struggled with asthma. Hated anything remotely physical. Yet somehow... became an ultra-runner.
Crystal 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 acti...
Ep 10: She Runs the Toughest Races… But Life Was the Real Challenge
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 partne...
Ep 9: When Work, Alcohol and Anxiety Took Over… Running Was the Antidote
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 lifeTh...Ep 8: Turning 40… She Threw On Old Reeboks and a Cotton Tee
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.
Ep 7: Chronic Injuries and Open-Heart Surgery... Didn't Stop This Legend
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 ru...Ep 6: Major Setbacks and Trail Safety Concerns... She Won't Stop
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 re...
Ep 5: Ageless and Relentless: He's Running Even Stronger in his Mid 60s!
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 heal...
Ep 4: Substance Abuse: What Happens When Running Becomes Your Lifeline?
After years of addiction, poor mental health, and tough life choices, Mighty Mark found running almost by accident... and it changed everything.
In this powerful episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with a man who went from rock bottom to becoming his parkrun community’s “Runner of the Year.” From his first tentative jog to his 100th parkrun, Mighty Mark’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and rediscovering joy through running.
From the dark days that sparked his transformation to the finish lines that now fill his weekends, this is a story...
Ep 3: 41k Blackout... What Happens Next?
Forty-one kilometres into a marathon, Hamid's body stopped... but somehow, he crossed the finish line.
In this unforgettable episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Hamid to hear the incredible running story of a marathon finish he doesn’t even remember, and the community spirit and sheer determination that carried him across the line.
From the build-up to race day, to the shocking collapse, to the surreal aftermath of piecing together what happened, Hamid’s journey is a powerful reminder of both the fragility and resilience of everyday runners.
In...
Ep 1: No Podiums, No Glory… Just Bog Standard Recreational Runners
From finish-line bling to faceplants… welcome to Runbelievable.
In this pilot episode, Joshie and Matty lace up for the very first time to share why they run, what keeps them going, and how this running podcast will celebrate the weird and wonderful world of everyday runners. It’s part warm-up lap, part participation award, and all about finding the joy (and the mishaps) that make running truly Runbelievable.
Runbelievable — real runners, unreal stories.
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Ep 2: She Witnessed The Unthinkable! A Hilarious and Heartfelt Running Journey
Running on fumes, bargain shoes, and one unforgettable start-line moment.
In this first full episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Lisa Bird to hear the hilarious, gritty, and downright unbelievable stories behind her running journey.
From pacing a half marathon on just 30 minutes’ sleep, to tackling an overseas marathon in $60 shoes, to that plastic bag incident you have to hear to believe... Lisa proves that every everyday runner has a story worth sharing.
In this episode:
How Lisa first got into runningThe half marathon paced on...