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The ZenRUN Podcast

The ZenRUN Podcast

Von: Michelle Frost
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All things mental and physical health! You’ll find in-depth interviews with runners as we delve into why they run and what keeps them running. And interviews with specialists on the brain and the effects of exercise on it – chemically and physically. Plus tips to keep you moving with a positive mindset.. So much goodnessCopyright 2021 All rights reserved. Fitness, Diät & Ernährung Gymnastik & Fitness Hygiene & gesundes Leben Laufen & Joggen Seelische & Geistige Gesundheit
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  • Episode 656 - ZenRUN Moment 6: notice when your body settles

    Episode 656 - ZenRUN Moment 6: notice when your body settles
    Jul 8 2026

    Have you ever noticed that many runs start out feeling a bit… awkward?

    Your legs feel heavy. Your breathing feels off. Your body isn’t quite sure what’s happening. And sometimes your brain is already suggesting that maybe today isn’t the day for a run at all.

    This week’s ZenRUN Moment is about noticing something that happens on almost every run: the moment your body settles. That point where your stride starts to feel smoother, your breathing finds a rhythm, and running begins to feel more natural. It’s often subtle, but once you start looking for it, you’ll realise it’s there more often than you think.

    The interesting thing is that many runners make decisions about a run before they’ve even given themselves time to arrive. We judge the first few minutes and assume the whole run will feel the same. But running doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes the body simply needs a little time to warm up, loosen up, and find its groove.

    On your next run, see if you can notice that transition. Don’t force it and don’t chase it. Just pay attention. You might discover that an uncomfortable beginning is simply part of the journey, not a sign that the run is going badly.

    Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

    💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

    If you enjoyed this ZenRUN Moment, you might love The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

    👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

    A couple of small favours

    1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

    2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

    Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

    or email hello@zenrun.club
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    3 Min.
  • Episode 655 - MFYU Mini Series - Paul Pratt’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 34 Yards, Charlie’s Big Moment and the Bigger Story

    Episode 655 - MFYU Mini Series - Paul Pratt’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 34 Yards, Charlie’s Big Moment and the Bigger Story
    Jul 7 2026
    Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast. This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat result at the end, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The emotional wobbles. The rain, the snacks, the tired conversations, and the honest wrap-up when their race is done. In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Paul Pratt. And this one is a little different. Paul came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with a huge love for the backyard format, a previous best of 40 yards, a big running community around him, and his son Charlie lining up to run some yards too. Paul grew up in West Gippsland in a sporting family, playing footy, cricket and tennis. Sport was just what you did. Running, at that stage, was simply part of playing games and chasing people around. Life then took Paul through accounting, business ownership, family, community work, local council, and eventually into running during Covid, when he found it became a really useful outlet during a challenging time. And, as these things often go, one marathon became more marathons. Then 50Ks. Then 100Ks. Then the question became: what’s next? Enter the wonderfully ridiculous world of Backyard and Frontyard Ultras. Paul loves this format because of the people. The chatting. The shared experience. The way age, speed, ability and goals don’t matter in quite the same way. Everyone starts each yard together, and everyone gets to chase their own version of a big day. He was also the local person behind bringing Wild Dog Backyard Ultra to life, so this format clearly means a lot to him. At Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, Paul started the event after a pretty full-on 24 hours. There was life stuff, a car-versus-mailbox moment, and that feeling of having “just a day” before even getting to the start line. But once he settled in, the event started to work its magic. He ran early yards with his son Charlie, chatted with people, enjoyed the beautiful course, and was part of the big early-event buzz where it all feels a bit like a party. Or as Paul put it - a rave party for the first day, before it becomes a battle of attrition. And that’s pretty accurate, really. Paul made it through 34 yards and started yard 35, but by then he already knew he was done. Physically, he felt like there may have been more there. Mentally and emotionally, he was spent. And that’s what makes this episode so good. Because in the wrap-up, recorded a couple of weeks later, Paul speaks really honestly about what happened when life, family, business, responsibility, boredom, mental fatigue, and the event itself all started pulling at him at once. He talks about the difference between being physically capable and being mentally ready. He talks about struggling to stay present. He talks about the guilt that can come with taking time away from family for big events. He talks about high achievers trying to be everything, everywhere, all at once. And he talks about how, sometimes, an event gives you something completely different from what you thought you came for. Because while Paul’s personal race didn’t unfold exactly the way he hoped, one of the most beautiful parts of the weekend was watching his 12-year-old son Charlie run 9 yards - around 60 kilometres. Charlie ran through to 1am, set a huge personal milestone, inspired a lot of people, and gave Paul a completely different reason to look back on the event with pride. And honestly, that’s pretty special. This episode is about running, yes. But it’s also about family, perspective, expectations, community, disappointment, pride, and remembering that sometimes the biggest story at an event is not the number beside your own name. Sometimes it’s the person beside you. Why You’ll Love This Episode Paul shares openly about sport, business, family, community and runningYou’ll hear how running became an outlet during CovidPaul talks about his love of Backyard and Frontyard UltrasWe talk about Wild Dog Backyard Ultra and Paul’s role in helping bring it to lifeThere’s a very honest look at the mental side of ultra-runningPaul reflects on why he stopped, even though he felt physically okayHis son Charlie’s 9-yard, 60K effort becomes one of the most beautiful parts of the storyIt’s a great reminder that an event can still be meaningful, even when it doesn’t go to plan A Few Favourite Themes It’s not just physical Paul talks openly about the fact that Backyard and Frontyard Ultras are so much more than having legs that can keep moving. The mental side is huge. Sometimes life comes with you Even when you’re in a race, real life doesn’t always politely stay at home. Paul’s wrap-up is such a good reflection on trying to stay present when other responsibilities are still tugging at you. Family can be your greatest motivator - and your greatest handbrake ...
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    52 Min.
  • Episode 654 - Jason Rantall - Running, Recovery, Backyard Ultras and Finding Better Mental Health

    Episode 654 - Jason Rantall - Running, Recovery, Backyard Ultras and Finding Better Mental Health
    Jul 6 2026
    In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Jason Rantall - runner, dad, mental health advocate, Better Mental founder, and a very familiar face in the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra world. And honestly, this one is powerful. Jason’s story starts in Gisborne, growing up in a small country town where football was everything, everyone knew everyone, and sport was a big part of life. As a kid, Jason loved running without even really realising it. He was fast, he loved footy, and movement gave him a kind of freedom. But behind the outside version of Jason, there was a lot going on. Jason speaks very openly about growing up with mental health struggles, being diagnosed with bipolar, OCD, psychotic episodes, anxiety and depression in his 20s, and then living for many years with alcohol addiction. This is not one of those neat little “I changed my life and everything was instantly wonderful” stories. Jason is very clear about that. Change was hard. Recovery was hard. Rebuilding his marriage, his health, his family life and his sense of self was hard. But running became the catalyst. On 31 January 2017, Jason quit smoking. On 1 February 2017, he started running. And that first run? A hilly 2.3km loop in 40-degree heat, while overweight, unwell, and wearing work shorts and Dunlops. As you do. Jason came home looking so wrecked his wife Kerry nearly called an ambulance - but something had shifted. He kept going. Since then, running has helped Jason rebuild his life from the inside out. He has now been smoke-free for more than nine years and alcohol-free for eight years. We talk about how running started as something that wasn’t necessarily healthy - almost another addiction - and how over time it became something much deeper. A way to be with himself. A way to practise presence. A way to build awareness. A way to stop running away from pain and start moving through life differently. Jason also shares the work he and Kerry now do through Better Mental, their registered charity focused on mental health, addiction, connection and community. What began as a small monthly catch-up has grown into a real community hub, with connection groups, barbecues, education, lived experience conversations and support. And of course, we talk about running. A lot. Jason has created some pretty huge challenges of his own, including running from where he was born to where he lives now, covering 422km over 10 days, and running 801km around a track to raise awareness for lives lost to suicide in Victoria. Then Paul Pratt finally convinced him to try a Backyard Ultra. And that changed things again. Jason talks about why he fell in love with the format - not just because of the running, but because of the community, the connection, the crew, the tents, the hourly reset, and the way people help each other keep going. Which is exactly why the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra world suits him so beautifully. In this episode, we chat about: Growing up in Gisborne and being raised by a young single mumFootball, small town sport, and finding freedom through movementLiving with mental health challenges from a young ageAlcohol addiction, shame, guilt and the difficulty of changeThe moment Jason decided to quit smoking and start runningWhy running saved his life - but not in a neat or simple wayLearning to turn running from avoidance into awarenessBetter Mental and the community work Jason and Kerry now doWhy connection, movement and community matter so muchJason’s own huge running challenges and charity runsBeing pulled into Backyard Ultra by Paul PrattWhy the Backyard and Frontyard Ultra format feels so specialKids watching what we do, not what we sayWhy Jason doesn’t fully identify as “a runner”Running for joy, not pressureTraining with Crazy Running Man and discovering speed againThe importance of presence, process and taking the next step Jason’s tips and takeaways Jason shares so many simple but powerful ideas in this episode, including: Start small. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to change everything at once. Just put your runners on. Walk out the door. Start there. Consistency beats intensity. Jason talks about how big bursts of motivation usually disappear after a few weeks, but small consistent actions can grow into real habits. Don’t wait for rock bottom. Change can start before everything falls apart. You don’t have to wait until life forces you into a corner. Be careful who you spend time with. Jason believes the people around you matter. If you spend time with people moving in a healthy direction, it becomes easier to move that way too. Stay in the process. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the finish line, the distance, or the big goal, come back to the next step. Then the next one. Then the next one. Be yourself. Jason’s message is simple and beautiful: be you, do your best, and don’t try to be a poor imitation of someone else. Pass the Baton This episode includes our new Pass the Baton ...
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    1 Std. und 44 Min.
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