Run With It

16: Vanessa Wilson, the PE teacher from the outer burbs who just ran 2:28 at Berlin Marathon

Vanessa Wilson describes herself as a mum and PE teacher from the outer burbs of Melbourne who likes to run. But Vanessa is seriously downplaying her ability – perhaps because she’s genuinely shocked by how far her running has come.
She’s almost unwittingly just become the 13th fastest Australian woman marathoner of all time, running 2:28:34 at Berlin Marathon this year, which she achieved after breaking her wrist at the 2km mark of the race! This is such an inspiring conversation for anyone chasing big goals while juggling family, work and life. Vanessa's advice: 1. Be consistent; 2. Don't do too much; and 3. Listen to your body.
With a background as a Body Pump instructor and an AFL boundary umpire, Vanessa, 42, had little exposure to the running world until 2017. After the birth of her daughter Anja, she started jogging to regain fitness, encouraged by her husband (and coach) who was a former elite athlete. Her first running goal was to break 25 minutes at Parkrun, which she did sooner than expected. She joined Glenhuntly Athletics Club and had natural speed, finding love for the 1500m and breaking the 5-minute barrier that year. Her Parkrun times continued to come down and by the end of 2018 she had broken 20 minutes.  
The foundations for marathon training were built during Covid when Vanessa had time to add more running load, including a long run. She made her marathon debut in 2021, running 2:40:20 at Melbourne Marathon. In 2022, she ran 2:39:52 at Melbourne and set a new Victorian Masters W40 record in the 1500m. In 2023, she made a big breakthrough, running 2:34:36 in Berlin, before bettering her PB with a 2:31:45 in Hannover earlier this year. Watch this space! 
--Vanessa's instagram: @vanessateacherrunner
Run With It instagram: @runwithit.pod
Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
 

Sole Sisters - 1: Alice Baquie's marathon experiment

Elise Beacom and Alice Baquie have teamed up for a new fortnightly series called Sole Sisters. Tune in for running insights, sisterhood vibes, life misadventures and many detours along the way.
In episode 1, the duo discuss Alice’s unconventional preparation for Melbourne Marathon. In her debut marathon build up, Alice ran no more than 10km four times per week, with a hell of a lot of pilates, swimming, cycling and surfing in between. Listen in to find out why she took on this challenge, and how it played out on the day. No spoilers, but it involves corded headphones, flat Coke and lots of sister support!
Let us know what you think of the show. And if you have any questions, send them through to @runwithit.pod and we’ll answer them on the next episode.
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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom 
Graphic design by Kate Scheer 
 

15: Jaryd Clifford in his first interview post Paralympics heartbreak

Jaryd Clifford experienced one of the cruellest Paralympic Games you could imagine. First, he was disqualified in the 5000m after crossing the line in bronze medal position. To really rub salt in the wounds, he missed out on another bronze in the 1500m by 0.01 of a second. Ouch.
In his first podcast appearance since his Paris heartbreak, Jaryd speaks about what went wrong, the lessons he learnt the hard way and how he’s bouncing back with optimism and excitement for the future. We talk about the positives that can come from experiencing failure and why your inner circle is so important for helping you recover from disappointment. The lessons in resilience that Jaryd shares can honestly be applied to anyone in any situation. This is a must listen!
At the age of 25, Jaryd Clifford has already achieved so much. He’s a world champion, world record holder and three-time Paralympian for Australia in the category for vision impairment across multiple distances. He won two silver medals in the T13 5000m and the T12 marathon, and a bronze in the T13 1500m at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Jaryd is sponsored by Nike, has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Politics/Criminology, and does public speaking in his spare time.
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Jaryd’s Instagram: @jarydclifford
Run With It Instagram: @runwithit.pod
Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer

14: Brit de Groot, founder of Flow State - the gateway drug of run clubs

Brit de Groot is the first to admit she’s not great at meditation. Instead, she uses running to quieten her brain. Having discovered the power of running for her own mental health, Brit is sharing the good vibes around. Whether she’s convincing metal musicians to go jogging, fundraising for mental health, or leading Flow State, a run club for women with a focus on mental wellbeing rather than performance, Brit does a hell of a lot for our community.
In this episode we talk about the explosion of run clubs (including our thoughts on the trend towards using them for dating), women’s safety on the run, music, grief, and why Brit so strongly advocates for mental health awareness (TW: women's safety and suicide). I can’t think of a more fitting episode release for World Mental Health Day.
Brit has worked in the music industry for the past 15 years. She started running in 2020, and since then has become entrenched in the Melbourne running community. She finds people are often surprised that she can exist in the two worlds of music and running due to the stereotypes associated with both.
After losing a close friend in early 2021, Brit started her journey into mental health advocacy and awareness, with a particular focus on helping those in the music industry. Flow State Run Club was born in 2022 to create a safe space for women runners.
Flow State meets at the Running Company store in Albert Park at 6pm on Wednesdays. All femme-identifying runners welcome.
Brit’s instagram: @brit_degroot
Flow State: @flow.state.rc
Run 2 Cure Neuroblastoma: Join Hazzy’s team @Run2cureau on 10 November in support of Neuroblastoma Australia.
If this episode has brought anything up for you, reach out to support services in your area. Here are a couple of numbers you can call in Australia:
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (open 24/7)
Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

13: Claudia Hollingsworth, the young track star on the rise

Claudia Hollingsworth is the kind of person who would excel at anything she put her mind to. The 19-year-old Australian is already an Olympic semi-finalist, World Under-20 silver medallist and Australian Champion in the 800m, and she’s just getting started.
In this conversation, we delve into Claudia’s incredible year, what it’s like to train with On Athletics Club Oceania, and how she’s ready to go all in as a professional athlete (with uni studies on the side). You’ll also hear a few quirky facts about Claudia’s passions off the track (hint: pinecones and dead bugs).
Claudia first captured attention at primary school when she was selected for the Pacific School Games and competed at the National Primary Schools Cross Country. But it was when world 5000m bronze medallist Craig Mottram became her coach that her track-and-field career really started to gain momentum. While still at high school, she earned selection for the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
This year in a highly competitive 800m field at the Paris Olympics, Claudia wowed the world with a mature, clinical and confident run that saw her come 2nd in her heat and sail straight through to the semi-finals. Sport has always been part of Claudia’s DNA, having been an avid Australian Rules football player with the East Brighton Vampires and the Sandringham Dragons. Although she considered applying to the AFL Women’s draft, ultimately track and field won her heart.--
Claudia's instagram: @claudiahollingsworth_Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer 

12: Ed Goddard, the pro runner who enjoys every sandwich

Ed Goddard is the kind of guy who draws cherry blossoms on his Asics prototype shoes (I know because he showed me on our Zoom call). At 26, the Australian distance runner with a mullet and love of rock and roll has been on the rising star list for a while now.
In this conversation we talk about Ed’s triangle of fun – running, swimming and music (in no particular order), the importance of relishing the little things in life (sandwiches), and how to keep running fun (even when it’s your job). We also speak about broken bones, the stress of hunting Olympic qualifiers, and Ed’s experience with relative energy deficiency in sport.
Ed Goddard is from Mossman, New South Wales. He has a 10,000m PB of 28:23 and a half marathon PB of 62:16, and has his sights set on bringing those times down so he can convert to a faster marathon (current PB of 2:12:52). Ed loves music from bygone eras and has about 800 vinyl records in his collection. If he’s not running with his phone in his hand blasting tunes, he’ll be swimming at the beach or watching the Chicago Cubs. Ed spent a brief stint running for Iona College in New York and has degrees in Property Economics and Sports Communication.--
Ed's Instagram: @edgoddard3kEd's Strava: https://www.strava.com/pros/26943045 
Ed's Spotify playlist: Songs to crash your car to
Run With It Instagram: @runwithit.pod
Intro/outro music by Dan BeacomGraphic design by Kate Scheer

11: Mitch Dyer, the sports broadcaster with the dirtbag tattoo

If you have a tattoo bet for Mitch Dyer, he’ll take it on. The sports journalist has forgotten exactly how many tattoo bets he’s lost, but they’ve resulted in everything from a seahorse, to a choice phrase on his butt cheek.  
Mitch is the founder of Straight At It, a media company devoted to athletics news and content on social media. This year he’s been reporting at the Olympics and US Olympic Trials for Citius Mag and chasing summer Diamond League races in Europe with photographer Jacob Gower. He’s also shared the commentary box with the likes of legends Bruce McAvaney and Tamsyn Manou. Next up for Mitch? Expanding his social media model to include more sports!
His early days starting Straight At It looked very different. First, he quit his job as a sports reporter with a News Corp newspaper in Mackay and sold most of his possessions to report on athletics as a freelancer in Europe. When he got there, he was sleeping in 8-10 bed dorm rooms, calling in favours from friends and living on the smell of an oily rag.
But he burnt for it, and it burnt him out.
Mitch has some valuable lessons to share from those experiences, from taking time out to eat cheese (not chicken!) twisties, to separating who you are as a person from what you do, there’s laughter and frivolity and wisdom in equal parts in this episode.
Mitch Dyer is an Australian sports journalist, with a focus on broadcasting, social media, hosting events and commentating. He was formerly a carpenter, marketing employee and US college athlete. He is the founder of Straight At It, which is part of the At It network.
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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer

10: Bree Masters, the first Australian 100m sprinter to make an Olympic semi-final in 24 years

Bree-Bree can do anything! Bree Masters is a sprinter who recently became the first Australian woman in 24 years to make a 100m semi-final at an Olympics.
In this conversation, we cover Bree's life as a triple threat (dancer, surf lifesaver, sprinter), what it’s like to line up next to defending World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson and scoring free tattoos in the Olympic village!
Bree Masters was a dancer growing up in New South Wales. She attended a performing arts high school in Sydney and had dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Running on the track and on the sand was also a big part of Bree’s life. She was a talented surf lifesaver, excelling in beach sprints, and moved to the Gold Coast to compete professionally. After winning the World Beach Sprint title in 2016 and the Australian Beach Sprint title in 2019, Bree wanted a new challenge and turned her attention to the track.
Since switching her focus to track five years ago, Bree progressed quickly. She made her international debut for Australia at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, where she ran 100m in 11.29 – the fastest time by an Australian woman at a global meeting in 15 years. She also competed at the World Champs in Budapest and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Earlier this year at London Diamond League she was part of a 4 x 100m relay team that broke the Australian Record (42.48).
At the Paris Olympics, Bree came third in her heat (11.26) to become the first Australian woman to make an Olympic 100m semi-final since 2000. Her current 100m PB is 11.23, which she ran in Auckland, New Zealand. While Bree also competes in the 200m (23.21 PB), she's recently focused her attention on the 100m.
Bree balances life as an athlete with a part-time role in public relations with apparel brand, LSKD.
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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer

9: Angus Hincksman, the first-time Paralympian who's already inspiring the next generation

Angus Hincksman is about to compete in his first Paralympics in the T38 1500m. The 19-year-old Australian is an absolute gun on the track, and is a pretty handy golfer and surf lifesaver too.
In this conversation, we talk about the evolution of para sports, what the Paralympic movement means to him and why he’s so motivated to inspire younger kids with disabilities.
Angus Hincksman is a middle-distance runner from Adelaide, Australia. Diagnosed with a brain injury at birth, Angus's early life was marked by challenges including seizures, physiotherapy and countless doctor’s appointments.
After taking up running in 2015, Angus was classified as a T38 athlete, a category for individuals with Cerebral Palsy, affecting muscle control and coordination. With support from organisation, Novita and his local athletics clubs, Angus made significant strides in the sport.
Since then, he has set national age records across multiple distances and won several national titles, including winning the T38 800m at the Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide this year. In 2023, he won bronze in the T38 1500m at the World Para Athletics Championships. The Paralympics Games in Paris marks his Paralympic debut.-Intro and outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

8: Casey Sims, the Olympic photographer pepped up on Red Bull and bad coffee

Photographer Casey Sims shot for 19 days straight at the Paris Olympics, surviving on Red Bull, vibes and bad coffee in the media room. She was working with the Oceania National Olympics Committees on an assignment to capture athletes from the Pacific Islands across multiple sports, including athletics.
In this conversation, we cover Casey’s most memorable shots, how to stand your ground as a female photographer, and what makes an image go viral. We talk about how the Olympics experience compared with the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, and all the learnings along the way.
Casey Sims started shooting track and field several years ago and is a self-proclaimed athletics nerd deeply involved in the sport in her hometown Brisbane, Australia. Since such beginnings, she’s shot at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji and the Paris Olympics. She won the Women’s Sport Australia Photo Action Amateur Award in 2020 and 2021, and was a finalist for the Canon Clique Awards in 2022.
Casey currently divides her time as a Media and Communications Officer with the Oceania Athletics Association and as a lecturer in exercise science at Queensland University of Technology.