Couverture de The ZenRUN Podcast

The ZenRUN Podcast

The ZenRUN Podcast

De : 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. Hygiène et vie saine Psychologie Psychologie et psychiatrie
Épisodes
  • Episode 646 - MFYU Mini Series - Jason Rantall’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 45 Yards, 300K and Move the Body, Shift the Mind

    Episode 646 - MFYU Mini Series - Jason Rantall’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 45 Yards, 300K and Move the Body, Shift the Mind
    Jun 16 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 and tidy version after the event, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The tired bits. The food dramas. The “how are you still going?” moments. And eventually, the wrap-up chat when their race is done. In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Jason Rantall. And this one is powerful. Jason came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with huge energy, a big smile, and a deep love for the backyard ultra format - not just because of the running, but because of the community, the connection, and the movement. In fact, Jason was at the event the day before it even started, helping set things up. Which says a lot, really. For Jason, this format is about more than just how far you can go. It’s about showing up fully. Being present. Connecting with others. Moving the body. Shifting the mind. And that phrase - move the body, shift the mind - really sits at the heart of this episode. Jason shares openly about growing up with serious mental health challenges from a very young age, later being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, OCD and psychosis, living with addiction, and eventually finding running again at the age of 44. But he’s also very clear that running hasn’t always been healthy for him. At first, he says he was using running to put pain into his body because physical pain felt easier to manage than emotional pain. That’s a big thing to say out loud. And it’s also one of the reasons I loved this conversation so much. Because now, Jason runs from a very different place. He runs because he loves it. He runs because movement, connection and community support the life he has built. He runs because he’s learned to be present. And he runs because, in his words, if he starts the lap, he finishes it. At Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, Jason had a big support crew around him, including his son Ryder, Crazy Running Man, mates, family, and his nutritionist Jess. And he needed them. Because this event threw plenty at him. He battled gut issues for hours. He struggled to keep food down. His crew tried honey, lollies, carb mix, electrolytes, medication, Krispy Kreme donuts, and probably a few prayers to the ultra-running gods. At one point, he was feeling absolutely rubbish, but still completely clear on one thing: If he got back in time, he was going out again. And he did. Jason made it to 45 yards - around 300 kilometres - before timing out on yard 46 after cramps, vomiting, energy loss and a huge battle with the body. But what stood out in his wrap-up wasn’t disappointment. It was calm. It was perspective. It was gratitude for his crew. It was curiosity about what needs to change next time. And it was that same clear presence he spoke about before the event even began: When he’s in something, he’s in it. And when it’s done, it’s done. This episode is honest, thoughtful, raw, funny in places, and full of the kind of wisdom you only really get when someone has lived through hard things and found a way to keep moving. Why You’ll Love This Episode Jason speaks openly about mental health, addiction, recovery and runningWe talk about when running helps - and when running can become unhealthyYou’ll hear what “move the body, shift the mind” really means to JasonJason’s son Ryder gives a gorgeous little crew update while Jason is asleepThere’s a very real look at stomach issues, nutrition problem-solving and ultra-running food chaosYou’ll hear the crew trying to get Jason through one more yard with a Krispy Kreme donutJason reflects honestly on reaching 45 yards and 300KIt’s a strong reminder that sometimes the real story is not just the result, but how someone keeps showing up A Few Favourite Themes Move the body, shift the mind Jason’s story is such a strong example of how movement can support mental health - not as a magic fix, but as one important part of a much bigger picture. Running is not always automatically healthy Jason talks honestly about how he once used running to create physical pain because it felt easier than emotional pain. That honesty matters. Community changes everything Backyard and frontyard ultras bring people together in such a unique way. For Jason, that connection is a huge part of why he loves this format. Presence is a skill Jason’s whole approach is about staying where he is - not drifting into the chair, the next lap, the finish, the past or the future. Crew are everything Jason’s team kept problem-solving long after things got messy. Food, fuel, encouragement, tough love, donuts - they were all in. Listen In For Jason’s childhood in GisborneHis early love of sport and wanting to run like Carl LewisHis experience with mental health challenges from a young ageHow running re-entered his life at ...
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    40 min
  • Episode 645 - Rachael Johnstone - Making Time to Run When Life Is Full

    Episode 645 - Rachael Johnstone - Making Time to Run When Life Is Full
    Jun 15 2026
    In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the lovely Rachael Johnstone - mum of three, hairdresser, backyard ultra runner, sister-in-law and best friend of Nagiska, and someone who somehow manages to fit 80-100km of running into a very full life. Rach grew up in Koo Wee Rup as one of four kids, in a busy household full of sport, family, chaos, and noise. As a kid, she loved being active - netball, swimming, cross country, athletics, hockey, t-ball - basically all the things. But like so many teenage girls, sport slowly faded into the background when friends, social life, and fitting in became more important. After leaving school at the end of Year 11, Rach became a hairdresser and spent around 20 years at the same salon - including some very long commutes, early starts, and years on her feet. But this conversation is about much more than running. Rach speaks openly about becoming a young mum, meeting her husband Pete, going through IVF, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, grief, family life, giving up alcohol, and eventually finding running in a way that completely changed her life. Her running started small - 1.5km to 3km in the morning before work, just around the well-lit streets near home. She didn’t necessarily love the running part at first, but she loved how she felt afterwards. Then, when her daughter Jada was six weeks old, Rach found a $20 running pram on Marketplace - and that little bargain pram helped launch a whole new chapter. From there, running grew. A few kilometres became a half marathon with the pram on a random Wednesday. Then came bigger adventures, backyard ultras, trail races, 50Ks, Two Bays, Wild Dog Backyard Ultra, Tarawera, Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, and now a focus on GV Backyard Ultra. What I loved most about this chat is how normal and real Rach makes it all sound. She doesn’t pretend she has endless free time. She doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. She runs early, late, around kids, around work, around dinner, around life. Sometimes she gets 10km. Sometimes she gets 1km. But she keeps showing up. And for Rach, running is not just fitness. It’s thinking time. It’s processing time. It’s self-care. It’s discipline. It’s a way to be a better mum, wife, friend, and human. We talk about: growing up sporty, then drifting away from sport as a teenagerbecoming a hairdresser and working long days on her feetbecoming a young mumIVF, miscarriage, grief, and healinggiving up alcohol and choosing a different life for her familystarting running with tiny morning runsthe legendary $20 running pramrunning her first half marathon with the pramwhy she often runs alonefitting running around three kids, work, and family lifecommunicating with her husband Pete so they both get time to runwhy she runs every day when she can - even if it’s only 1kmbackyard ultras and why she loves the formatlearning from podcasts while runningstrength training, injury prevention, and respecting recoveryshowing her kids what is possiblewhy mums need to stop seeing self-care as selfishher love of the ultra-running communitywhy she doesn’t need to compete with anyone else - she just wants to see what she can do Tips from Rach Rach shared some beautifully simple advice for runners, especially busy parents: 1. Start small You don’t need to start with big distances. Rach started with 1.5km to 3km before work. Small runs still count. 2. Make it easy to get out the door One of the reasons running worked for Rach was because she didn’t have to drive anywhere. She could roll out of bed, put her shoes on, and go. 3. Use what you have A $20 running pram helped Rach build consistency when Jada was tiny. You don’t need everything to be perfect - you just need something that helps you start. 4. Communicate with your partner Rach and Pete talk the night before about what each of them needs for their run the next day. It’s simple, but it means they can support each other instead of clashing. 5. Be flexible If you planned 10km but only have time for 5km, do the 5km. Don’t throw the whole run away just because it can’t be perfect. 6. Make running a non-negotiable Rach’s point was simple - time doesn’t magically appear. You need to decide that your run matters and make space for it. 7. Get creative with kids Kids can ride bikes while you run, play at the oval while you run laps, or join in where they can. It won’t always look perfect, but it can work. 8. One kilometre can be enough Rach has a 1km block she can run when life is busy. It’s not about fitness every time - sometimes it’s about taking five minutes for yourself. 9. Strength matters Rach admits she would always choose running over strength, but trail running and backyard ultras have shown her how important strength work is. 10. Self-care is not selfish This was one of the biggest themes of the episode. Rach believes running has made her more “selfish” in the best possible way - because taking care of herself helps her ...
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    1 h et 8 min
  • Episode 644 - ZenRUN Moment 2: Soften Your Hands While You Run

    Episode 644 - ZenRUN Moment 2: Soften Your Hands While You Run
    Jun 10 2026

    Have you ever noticed what your hands are doing while you run?

    This week’s ZenRUN Moment focuses on a tiny adjustment that can have a surprisingly big impact: softening your hands while you run.

    Many runners carry tension in their hands without even realising it. We clench our fists, tighten our fingers, and hold onto stress as we move through our runs. The funny thing is, that tension rarely stays in our hands. It often travels up into our wrists, forearms, shoulders, neck, and even our jaw.

    On your next run, try checking in every now and then. Are your hands relaxed or clenched? Imagine you’re lightly holding a potato chip you don’t want to crush. Let your fingers soften. Let your wrists relax. Notice what happens further up your body. Many runners find their shoulders drop, their breathing feels easier, and their whole run becomes a little more relaxed.

    It’s a great reminder that running doesn’t always require us to try harder. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from letting go rather than tightening up.

    Give it a try on your next run and see what you notice.

    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
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