Train Your Mind For Running

Send us Fan MailWe celebrate a 200-plus episode milestone by digging into the mental side of running with sports psychology master’s graduate Amanda Brown, from pre-race nerves to the thoughts that can make or break a performance. We talk about building a practical toolbox, so runners stop relying on willpower alone and start training the mind with the same intent as the body. • Amanda’s sporting background, tennis pathway, and what early competition demands • Why sports psychology skills transfer into work, pressure, and everyday life • What sports psychology focuses on compared with broader therapy • Differences between individual sports and team environments, including cohesion • “Mind day” as part of a complete training plan, including simple mental reps • Self-talk research, perfectionism myths, and why harshness reduces resilience • Self-compassion after injury, pacing choices, and rebuilding enjoyment • Visualisation for pre-race anxiety, familiarity, and steadier focus • The nerves bell curve from apathy to “nerve-sighted” to over-arousal Amanda offers a 30 minute fee consultation that can be booked through her website and offers sport psychology workshops for groups on topics like handling competition pressure and injury recovery.Amanda's WebsiteAmanda's Instagram Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe speak with trail runner and coach Andrew Erasmus about what makes trail running feel different from the road and how to start with confidence. We get practical about safety, fuelling, and mindset so you can enjoy the trails and still finish strong.• wildlife concerns in South Africa and why basic awareness matters more than fear• simple safety habits including first aid and running with others• trail running nutrition basics and why each athlete needs to test their own plan• hydration packs, aid stations and building a routine for gels and real food• common race mistakes like forgetting to eat on climbs and technical descents• mental strategies for setbacks including slowing down, sitting, eating and resetting• beginner advice on joining local trail communities and starting with short distances• training errors we see often including skipping rest days and running easy runs too hard• a simple weekly structure with quality sessions, long runs and true recovery runsIf you haven't listened to any of them, then please do go back to my catalogue and give them a listen. Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailYou’ve heard the voice, but now you can see the conversation. Brian’s Run Pod is stepping up with video podcast episodes, giving you the choice to listen as normal or watch the full chat unfold on screen. If you’ve ever wondered who’s speaking, how a guest reacts in real time, or what gets left unsaid between the lines, video adds that extra dimension without changing what you already love about the show.  We break down how it works on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, including the simple option to switch video on while you’re playing the episode. We’re also aiming to bring Brian’s Run Pod to YouTube, making it easier to discover, share, and follow along in the place where so many people already search for interviews, fitness content, and sport stories. If you like seeing the human moments as much as hearing the words, this is for you.  The first video podcast features Chris Capon, a fitness instructor and actor, with a conversation about HyROX, the fast-growing fitness racing sport blending running with functional workout stations. We tease what’s coming, why HyROX is taking off, and when you can watch the first video-led release on 29 November. Subscribe so you don’t miss it, share the episode with a friend who’d watch rather than listen, and leave a review telling us whether the video changes how you experience the show.Support the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe talk with trail running coach Andrew Erasmus about moving from road running to trail running without getting humbled by hills, technical ground, or the urge to chase pace. We share practical ways to train for climbs and descents, build strength without overcomplicating it, and stay safe when you run in remote places. • key differences between road running and trail running, from stride to mindset • why trail pace varies and effort matters more than splits • building climbing ability with power hiking and stair sessions • learning to descend on technical terrain through steady practise • strength training principles, keeping it simple and consistent • conditioning calves and Achilles when terrain changes • when poles help, plus the need to train with them first • how beginners should start, from parkrun surfaces to shorter trail races • gym-based cardio options when trails are not accessible • safety basics for solo trail runs, from sharing location to carrying kit  Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe dig into what actually matters when trail running gets real, where lab-perfect metrics collide with fatigue, terrain, and the mental game. In part two of my chat with Jonathan Fors we share practical strength ideas, honest mindset shifts, and a standout story of running Portugal’s coast that brings the whole philosophy to life. • metrics versus reality in trail and ultra-distance running • building an endurant body rather than a specialised one • why single-leg strength work underpins durable running • useful gym movements such as split squats and single-leg RDLs • what plyometrics really means and when it helps • how coaching can provide an outside reality check • shifting from self-punishment to fun and enjoyment • lessons from a 744 kilometre Portugal coast run do go back uh through the catalogue and catch up with this fascinating uh conversation Jonathans Website Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe talk with trail runner and coach Jonathan Fors about going from a non sporty childhood in northern Sweden to building a steady running habit that eventually becomes a major part of his life. We dig into what makes trail running harder than road running, and what training actually keeps you strong when terrain and fatigue start to bite. • Jonathan’s early relationship with sport and why he never felt like a natural athlete • How small, repeatable runs build distance over time • Running as routine, mindfulness and a way to cope with heartbreak • The mental clarity angle and how exercise supports focus day to day • The real differences between road running and trail running on the body • Access to trails, nature and the “no bad weather, only bad clothing” mindset • Why strength training matters for trail runners • Key focus areas like glutes, calves, core and balance • How fatigue changes form and increases injury risk, especially over long gaps between fuel and water Jonathans Website Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe talk with Crystal Aguilar about using running and walking as a steady practice that supports mental health and recovery, especially when motivation is low and life feels out of control. Crystal shares how community, core values, and the courage to restart can turn isolation into connection and help people believe change is possible. • assessing readiness and motivation before building a plan • starting small with one slow mile and progressing gradually • treating walking as equally valid and showing up consistently • restarting after a pacemaker and asking others to match your pace • seeing people transform through treatment and follow-through • using accountability, stewardship, faith and recovery as a framework • three practical steps for mental health: reach out, find a hobby, remember you are not alone • avoiding social media comparison and choosing authenticity • finding local running clubs and beginner-friendly events like parkrun And if you haven't listened to part one, then please do go back in our catalogue and have a listen to part one.  Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe explore why people run for more than fitness and how a simple habit can become a lifeline for coping, connection, and recovery. Crystal Aguilar, who works in substance misuse treatment, helps us separate healthy stress relief from avoidance and obsession when running becomes the only tool.• Crystal’s work in substance misuse treatment and how co-occurring mental health shows up• Why treatment often tackles substance use first before deeper mental health work• How running supports confidence through goals, routine, and small wins• The role of run clubs in reducing isolation and building real social support• Post-Covid stress, stigma around therapy, and why getting help still feels taboo• How AI “relationships” can reinforce isolation and worsen mental health• The benefits of running as a reset, prayer space, or mental clarity practice• The risks of overtraining, unhealthy weight loss pressure, and exercise addiction• Injury, low mood, and the importance of having a back-up plan beyond runningAbout Crystal Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe dig into why AI-generated training plans can look personal while still missing the most important details about you, your history, and your real-life constraints. We also share practical ways to stay consistent, avoid injury, and build the recovery, balance, and mindset habits that keep running enjoyable for years. • AI training plans as a starting point rather than a perfect answer • asking why you want to train before choosing any programme • easing in gently to reduce early injuries and drop-off • using reviews, buddies, and clubs to support consistency • training goals that matter most for 40+ and beyond • balance and stability work to reduce falls and long recoveries • why movement is more important than ever in modern life • the social media trap and spotting armchair-expert advice • treating the person not the symptom when managing pain • fascia, hydration, and why the source of pain can be elsewhere • recovery basics that work, including deep breathing after training If you haven't listened to part one, then please do go back in our catalogue. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitfreak70/facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allactivenzwebsite: https://allactive.co.nz/ Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod

Send us Fan MailWe talk with Rachel Marks about why copying someone else’s training plan can leave runners tired, sore, and stalled, even when they do everything “right”. We explore personalised coaching through body structure, epigenetics, sleep, HRV, and mindset so you can stop guessing and start working with your own biology. • Rachel’s path from flight attendant to personal trainer after illness and recovery through structured exercise • why exercise matters more than the gym setting and how home-based coaching helps people who feel intimidated • the “no one-size-fits-all workout” problem and why identical programmes create different results • how epigenetics explains changing responses to training, food, stress, and environment • using assessments to identify what a body needs right now, including ideal training and sleep timing • chronotypes, social conditioning, and why forcing morning routines can add stress for some people • sleep as the key recovery tool and why training gains depend on deep rest • wearables, sleep apps, and why trends over time beat single-night numbers • HRV basics and how to use it to adjust intensity without overreacting • NLP for breaking unhelpful habits, reducing negative self-talk, and building consistent motivation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitfreak70/facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allactivenzwebsite: https://allactive.co.nz/ Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message".  You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered.  If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.InstagramSupport the showBrian's Run Pod