I Did A Runner Podcast

Joining me on the podcast today is Maliha Abdul-Hakim, known to most as the Marathon runner. But there is so much more to her and her story of how she got there. In this episode we hear for the first time the adversity she has had to overcome to even step foot on that start line. She was subjected to parental abduction as a young child, before being rescued by her mother. She and her five siblings moved with their mother from the Middle East to England for a new beginning, and to support her mothers health condition affecting her sight, which later Maliha too would be diagnosed with the same condition. Maliha’s outlook on life is an incredible powerful one, her past is what makes her ambitions even stronger, with her heart set on representing the middle east, it’s not a case of if, but when.

Joining me on today’s podcast is transformation coach James Middleton. James’s no nonsense, and realistic approach as a coach has built him a successful community that continues to grow. His presence in a highly lucrative industry is refreshing for some, and controversial to others. The world has so many varied opinions on training and nutrition, with so many qualified professionals it’s hard to know who to believe, with so much noise people desire to be heard can come at a cost to the consumer. In this chat James has the stage to debunk some of these views and highlight what he feels will lead to a healthier and more positive approach.

Joining me on the podcast is model & athlete Kori Sampson. Kori is currently in the middle of facing his biggest challenge yet, running the entire circumference of Ibiza, over 250km to cover in only 48 hours. The meaning behind this challenge is incredibly powerful, now living a new life under sobriety, he’s returning to the island under very different circumstances to his previous trips. He’s on a journey to change his narrative, and inspire others and show them what is possible. It’s a reminder that it is never too late to make changes to yourself to ensure a happier life. This episode highlights the importance of self belief, discipline, timing, and the difference an environment can make to your development in life.

Joining me on the podcast today is Matt Kaminer, the youngest person to qualify for the Ironman Man World Champs and full time medical student. Last year, while I was taking on the challenge of running 76 marathons around the uk, Matt joined me in Bristol for one of the runs. I was captivated by his story and how he manages to balance his time despite having so many responsibilities. He had committed himself to one of the most demanding sports while simultaneously pursuing a medical degree at university. The big question for many is whether it's possible to achieve both goals at the same time. He is determined that it is. Matt has since earned his professional license and now represents South Africa at a professional level, while also getting closer to his other dream of becoming a qualified doctor. This episode is special because we witness a young adult showcasing and fulfilling his biggest dreams. Now, we get to join him on his journey, be a part of it, and one day celebrate his successes.

In this conversation with Ash Dykes, an extreme adventurer and world record holder, listeners learn about his daring upcoming expedition in the Amazon, where every decision could be life or death. Ash shares his journey of resilience and the significance of choices during vulnerable moments. He reflects on the cultural differences in self-expression, humorous fashion anecdotes, and the importance of storytelling in connecting with audiences. The discussion also emphasizes the mental resilience required in extreme environments and the transformative power of teamwork.

This episode is a special one for me, as I am joined by my business partners, Ben Parker and Dom Maskell, both forbes 30 under 30, and founders of one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK - Runna. I was introduced to them both as I started training with Ben as my running coach. It is crazy how an unexpected journey into running would introduce to someone and it change our lives forever. What does it take to build a multi million pound company in only three years? Today you will find out. I have seen both of them grow in their retrospective roles within the company leading the way, and as people. Too often in business, we see and hear about the successes and the financials, but never really hear the true story of what it takes to get there, but this episode provides just that. For any aspiring business men or women out there, this episode will give a deeper insight into the process of starting a business, and how to grow it successfully. Runna has quickly become one of the most recognised products worldwide, selling running plans in over 180 countries. Today, we explore the reasons behind the company's success, what helps you push through the tougher times, and what the future holds for both the company and its users. This episode underscores the unpredictability of life and serves as a testament that if you stay persistent, opportunities - both big and small - will come your way. The key is to seize them when they arise and make the most of them.

Joining me on the podcast today, is James Warnock, someone you might recognise that has blown up on socials in the last year. A few years ago, James received devastating news that his dad passed away, and like many, found it difficult to express his feelings. After starting his social media on the side of his corporate job, James took the plunge to go full time after growing his audience by opening up and expressing his grief and connecting to so many others struggling too. In this episode, we talk about how James deals with his grief, and how running and removing himself from certain relationships has facilitated his grieving process. This is an incredibly touching conversation, that discusses grief, therapy and much more. I hope it helps and impacts you as much as it did me, James is an incredibly strong and open to talk about such difficult topics, and I’m so glad he felt open enough to come on this podcast to do so.

Joining me on the podcast today is Jake Williamson, hybrid athlete, world record holder, former semi professional footballer, and member of the LGBTQ+ community.  Jake is one of the biggest names in Hyrox, breaking records and brining so much positivity to the sport. His journey is a special one, from holding back who he really was in the football world, to finally coming out and accepting himself, to then be shut out by people around him for his sexuality. Jake has since advocated for people to speak out, you have one shot at life so we must embrace every second. Jake was so open and honest in this episode, is was refreshing to see how he approaches life, and how he has turned his struggles into a positive not only for himself but a much larger scale through his audience online as well as being an Ambassador for the LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall. There is so much can be learnt from this episode as well as inspiration for anyone who listens to take a step on that path to begin a journey of happiness.

Joining me on the podcast today is one of the most kind and funny, down to earth people I’ve recently met - the hilariously clever Tom Gilbey aka The Wine guy. You are probably wondering why on earth my next guest’s career is drinking wine and if you are watching this, why I’m sitting here in a tuxedo… but if you watched anything on socials about the London marathon, I’m very sure you would have heard about the brilliant Tom. Tom blasted on everyone’s screens after he ran the London marathon for Sobell House Hospice, but what was different about Tom’s marathon was that with every mile he blind tasted a wine. What I love about Tom is his attitude to life, life is about balance, and why can’t he run a marathon and drink wine all the way through it? Tom vouches for not taking life too seriously and it really is so refreshing to see what he has achieved by doing exactly that. In this episode we discuss his rise on socials alongside why being the wine guy doesn’t mean you can’t be a runner…I also make him do a particularly different type of wine tasting than he is used to! This really was one of the funniest episodes we’ve had, and I hope you enjoy it!

Joining me on the podcast this week is world record holder - Imogen Boddy. This year she completed her biggest challenge yet and became the fastest female in history to run the three peaks. Having only taken up running three years ago, her legacy is already remarkable one at the young age of 24, after also becoming the youngest female to run John O’Groats to Land’s End. Even the sky is no limit for her, her determination and grit will enable her to achieve anything she sets her mind on. In this episode we hear about the driving forces that push Imo to do these challenge’s, what her ambitions are and what her greatest learnings have been since taking up running. Age can often be a reason for not trying something, Imo is a testament to so many that it’s never too early to start something.