Simone McInness and Ned Verwey

How does a team go from never making NCAA Nationals… to becoming D2 national champions? That’s what I wanted to understand in this episode, when I sat down with Wingate Head Coach @poldomenechf In 2021 Wingate had never made the national championships. Two years later they won the whole thing. What fascinated me wasn’t just the result- it was the system behind it.We talked about building belief in athletes who weren’t big recruits, the role of aerobic development and threshold training, and how they’ve created a culture where athletes just keep improving year after year. We also spoke about the NCAA pathway for young runners- something a lot of Australian athletes are curious about. There’s a lot of wisdom in this one. If you enjoy conversations about coaching, development, and the culture of distance running, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode. Out now on the Run Culture Podcast.Episode 200 I might add!! Now, that's 200 conversations more wiser than when I started this project.If you enjoyed this chat and are interested to find out more or follow Wingate College's progress over the coming years be sure to go to @wingatexctf

In distance running it’s easy to chase splits, mileage and PBs — and let your happiness depend on them.But the best teams build culture.On the Run Culture podcast, Jack Mullaney — Head Coach of Northern Arizona Elite, one of the premier professional running teams in the world — shared how he measures success: by how aligned he is each day with his values, the 5 C’s.Consistency – stack the daysConnection – keep it honest, build real relationshipsCompassion – look out for your teammates, be kind to yourselfCompetition – aim bigCuriosity – never stop wondering, keep learning, enjoy the processSimple ideas.But when a team truly lives them, something special happens.Running might look like an individual sport…but the best athletes rarely do it alone.Find your people.Show up for them.Heat the room.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why some athletes can train well but struggle to express it on race day. This conversation with Richy Bennett on the Run Culture Podcast goes deep into that space. Richy hails from Torquay, Victoria and is a highly respected performance psychologist turned mentor. Richy has spent years working with elite performers- Olympic athletes and professional surfers. He brings a grounded understanding of how the mind and body actually work under pressure. No hype. No mental gymnastics. Just awareness, breath, and trust. We talked about performance anxiety and why it’s not something to eliminate, but something to understand. About breathing as a way to settle the nervous system before a race. About how perfectionism can slowly drain the joy and freedom from sport. And about recovery — not just physically, but mentally. One of the big themes was mastery versus control. The idea that great performances aren’t forced — they’re created. And when things don’t go to plan, the best athletes know how to respond without spiralling. This episode is for runners who feel stuck in their heads, who overthink, who want to find a more sustainable way to perform and enjoy their running. It’s a conversation that has stayed with me. Listen on the Run Culture Podcast.Follow Richy's offerings and work at: www.richybennett.org

The best coaches don’t just follow programs — they see things. They can watch a runner jog in warm-up and know when today’s session needs to change. They read belief, energy, confidence, and tension —not just splits and data. In this episode, I sit down with Sean Brosnan — best known for transforming Newbury Park High School into a US powerhouse — to go deep into the craft of coaching. We talk about:• the coach’s eye — what great coaches notice that others miss• why belief often matters more than the workout• learning through apprenticeships and curiosity• building culture and energy• why great coaching lives between art + science. Sean’s book, Beyond Fast (co-written with Chris Lear), was what really pulled me back into his story. It’s not a program — it’s a look into how great coaches think, observe, and adapt. I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoyed this episode:• grab a copy of Beyond Fast• follow Sean on Instagram @therealseanbrosnan• and keep an eye on the pro team he’s beginning to build in Flagstaff — a long-term project that’ll be fascinating to watch unfold over the coming years. Listen now — Run Culture Podcast(Link in bio)

What if running better wasn’t about doing more…but about feeling safer, calmer, and more connected in your movement?In Episode 195 of the Run Culture Podcast, I sit down with movement specialist and running coach Lawrence Van Lingen to explore:• the nervous system’s role in injury recovery• why trust matters more than cues• how culture shapes the way we run• and why joy might be the most underrated performance tool of allThis is a conversation about moving with your body, not against it. Listen now — Episode 196If you liked this chat follow @Lawrencevanlingen on his website, youtube or instagram.

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Kicking off 2026 with a special one.I sat down with my sister-in-law Simone McInnes andmy brother Ned Verwey, fresh off the Valencia Marathon — where Sim had an incredible performance (running 2:34), capping off a genuine breakthrough year!In 12 months she’s taken ~8 minutes off her marathon PB, cracked 2:40 for the first time, and showed what can happen when consistency, belief, and patience finally line up.We chat about:• what actually changed this year.• lessons from marathons that didn’t go to plan.• race day at Valencia.• training and playing the long gameBreakthrough years don’t just happen — and there’s a lot here for anyone chasing a long-term goal, running or otherwise.Episode out now!Happy New Year Everyone!

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🎙️ Today’s episode of the Run Culture Podcast is a little different.A few weeks ago, I sat down with @petedutton_runs — someone I’ve coached for the past 5 years — for a conversation that goes far beyond running.We talked about identity beyond sport, the weight of expectations, managing overwhelming thoughts, and what happens when running stops being the thing that defines you.Pete opens up about acceptance, fear, relationships, and how creative writing helped him reconnect with himself. This episode isn’t about PBs or performance… it’s about finding joy, perspective, and authenticity — on and off the run.If you’ve ever felt lost when motivation fades, injured, or questioning who you are without your sport, this one will land.🎧 Out now — link in bio

NEW EPISODE OUT TODAY!‘Marathon Excellence for Everyone’ — with John Davis.Back by very popular demand… John Davis returns to the Run Culture Podcast!Last month, John released his new book ‘Marathon Excellence for Everyone’, and today we dive straight into how to build a smart, adaptable marathon training plan.If you heard John’s first appearance (Ep 52, Season 2: What is Full Spectrum Training?), you’ll know why it became one of our most-shared episodes ever. So many runners reshaped how they structured their training after that chat. Today is the perfect extension of that hit episode — but focused entirely on marathon training.We unpack key ideas from Chapter 7, including:• how to structure a marathon plan from the finish line backwards• supportive vs. specific phases• long tempos, Kenyan progressions & double-threshold balance• how to make confident decisions when sculpting your plan• the principles behind the workouts that actually matter.If you’re a marathoner or coach wanting clarity, insight, and practical guidance — this one’s gold. Tune in, enjoy it, and if it helps you, send John a thank-you. He’s incredibly generous with his knowledge. About John J. DavisJohn J. Davis is a coach, writer & scientist with 12+ years of experience coaching runners from beginners to elite-field competitors. He holds a Ph.D. in human performance and has presented internationally on running injuries and performance. He owns a 2:29 marathon PB. Links Buy the Book Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNRPHLRY Amazon (Metric): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNRPHLRY(Available on most local Amazon sites) Book Landing PagesMarathonExcellence.comMarathonExcellence.com (Metric) John’s WorkWebsite: RunningWritings.comNewsletter: RunningWritings.com/newsX/Twitter: @JDRunsInstagram: @runningwritings