Sunday Runday The Podcast

55: Why Running Makes Us Better Humans: Mark on Mindset, Coaching & Purpose; A Runner’s Journey

Mark joins the show to share how running completely transformed his life not through race day, but through the training that reshaped his mindset, his habits, his relationships, and his purpose.
 
We dive into mental clarity, early‑morning miles, running without music, becoming a coach, pacing others to PBs, and why running makes us better in every part of life.
 
A powerful conversation about growth, discipline, and finding joy in the process.

54: Leigh’s Story and the Community That Became Sweatmasters; A Runner’s Journey

This week we are joined by Leigh Witney, the creator of Sweatmasters Health & Fitness a place that’s become a second home for so many of us in the Bayside running and training community.
 
We dive into the 16‑year story behind Sweatmasters, how cross‑training shapes stronger runners, and why community is the secret ingredient that keeps people showing up. Leigh also opens up about his own journey: Ironmans, trail ultras, Hyrox, injuries, nutrition breakthroughs, and what it really takes to stay motivated over the long haul.
 
Whether you’re new to running, building consistency, or chasing your next big challenge, Leigh’s perspective is packed with practical wisdom and grounded, real‑world experience.
 

53: The Marathon That Saved Him: From Cancer to the Volcano Finish Line; A Runner’s Journey

On this week’s episode we sit down with Geoffrey a runner whose story is one of the most powerful comebacks you’ll ever hear.
Growing up with a knee injury that stopped him from playing sports, Geoffrey found belonging through boxing and later became a top‑level paintball athlete, even captaining the French national team. But in 2019, everything collapsed bankruptcy, divorce, losing access to his children, and then a cancer diagnosis that pushed him into four years of darkness.
What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary.
In 2024, Geoffrey decided to rebuild his life from the ground up. He joined a local running club, struggled through his first 8 km, and then in a moment of pure instinct signed up for the Iceland Volcano Marathon. With only months to train, he transformed his body, his mind, and his entire lifestyle.
This episode dives into his journey from rock bottom to running his first marathon around a volcano, the community that lifted him up, and the pride of showing his children the power of never giving up.
If you love running stories, comeback stories, or simply stories that remind you what humans are capable of, this one will stay with you.

52: From Lockdown Miles to Elite Podiums: Donvé’s Relentless Rise; A Runners Journey

Donvé’s running story didn’t begin with a race bib — it began in lockdown, chasing curiosity, stacking distance, and accidentally running her first marathon before she ever entered one.
 
In this week’s episode, she takes us through her rapid rise:
• How a spontaneous 42.2 km run during COVID changed everything
• Her first official marathon at Melbourne 2022 and smashing a “cool‑looking” time goal
• Back‑to‑back wins at Run for the Kids
• The build, the nerves, the gut issues, and the grit behind her 2:41 PB at Ballarat
• Why she loves the half marathon, how she handles pressure, and what’s next on her racing calendar
 
It’s a conversation about joy, progression, community, and the mindset that turns potential into performance.
A beautifully honest look at a runner who’s inspiring more people than she realises.

51: Thirteen Years to Six Stars: Six Days Across Two Coasts; A Runner’s Journey

Lisa’s running story is one built on patience, resilience, and a deep love for the marathon. In this episode, she takes us from her first hometown race in Grand Rapids back in 2012 all the way to completing her Six Star journey in Tokyo 13 years in the making.
 
We talk about the highs, the setbacks, the years she stepped away while raising her kids, and the moment she realised she wanted to chase all six majors. She opens up about training through brutal Michigan winters, running Tokyo after months on the treadmill, and the surreal feeling of crossing that finish line with her family there to witness it.
 
Then we dive into one of the wildest challenges in US running: Boston to Big Sur two iconic marathons, six days apart, coast to coast. Lisa breaks down the recovery, the travel, the mental battle, and the beauty of Big Sur’s legendary course.
 
It’s a conversation about longevity, rediscovering yourself, and the magic of the running community.

50: Miles Made Together: A Father, A Daughter, A Boston Dream; A Runners Journey

After college athletics ended, Faith felt the identity loss so many runners know “there’s a moment where you almost lose your identity after collegiate sports” . But one marathon changed everything.
 
In this episode, we explore a journey built on joy, grit, and connection from sprinting the 400m in college to discovering the mental strength needed for 26.2. From running her first marathon hand‑in‑hand with her dad to qualifying for Boston by just five seconds. From getting lost on the Iceland volcano course to finding confidence again on the streets of Boston.
 
Faith shares how running became her way to inspire others “if I’m able to inspire one person, I’m happy with that” and why chasing a marathon in every state (and a sub‑3:20) is the next big dream.
 
If you love stories about resilience, family, and the magic of the running community, this one will stay with you long after the run is over.

49: Redefining Limits: The Challenge Never Stops for Simone; A Runners Journey

Simone Carniglia joins the show from Italy with a remarkable story of resilience and precision. In just seven years, he’s gone from recovering after surgery and weighing nearly 130kg to becoming the world record holder for the fastest person with Type 1 Diabetes to complete all six and all seven World Major Marathons.We talk about how a spontaneous 10K in Milan changed his life, how he’s now run 20 marathons around the world, and what it truly takes to race at a high level while managing a condition that demands constant attention. Simone opens up about the mental load, the nightly alarms, the risks, and the discipline behind every run — and how he helped open the door for athletes with T1D to be recognised by Guinness World Records.A powerful conversation about overcoming obstacles, redefining limits, and inspiring others to do the same.

48: The Long Way Forward: Cam’s Path Through Setbacks, Big Miles & a Bigger Why; A Runners Journey

This episode shares Cam’s remarkable journey from Ninja Warrior to ultra running, and the rapid progression that took him from his first half marathon to 100 miles in just months. Cam opens up about the injuries that followed, the lessons they forced him to learn, and the challenges that helped rebuild his confidence including running 50km a day for 10 days and completing a half‑Ironman every day for a weekfor Nedds Uncomfortable challenge back to back years.
He also talks about his most meaningful challenge yet: running 446km from Geraldton to Perth to raise awareness and funds for Dementia Australia, inspired by his grandparents. A raw, honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose and pushing the limits for something bigger than yourself.

47: Running for Legacy: Will’s Journey from Loss to World Majors; A Runners Journey

In this week’s episode we sit down with Will an inspiring runner whose journey began in the wake of personal loss and has grown into something extraordinary. From raising over $25,000 for MND through his first ultra, to qualifying for Boston with a blistering 2:47 at Canberra, Will’s story is one of resilience, family, and sheer determination. Now, he’s chasing history as the youngest Australian to run all seven World Marathon Majors in a single year. We talk about his beginnings, the emotional drive behind his challenges, and his first major of the year where we met at Tokyo Marathon.
 
This is more than a running story it’s about purpose, grit, and the power of chasing something bigger than yourself.

46: Fuelled by Experience: The Precision Journey with Andy Blow; A Runners Journey

This week we sit down with Andy Blow, founder of Precision Fuel & Hydration, to talk about the journey that started with his own struggles racing in the heat and eventually led to one of the most athlete‑focused nutrition brands in endurance sport. Andy shares how a simple sweat test changed everything, why fuelling doesn’t need to be complicated, and how Precision built its philosophy around helping athletes perform better, not selling them more.
 
A genuine, insightful chat about experience, science, and the small details that make a big difference on race day.