Jake Smith is one of Britain's most talented marathon runners but his journey to the top nearly cost him everything. In this episode, Jake opens up about his battle with an eating disorder, the doctor who warned him he'd be in a wheelchair by 30, and how he fought his way back to run 2:09 this September at Berlin Marathon. What a seriously inspiring bloke, a story that carries so much weight. Pleasure chatting to him!

Follow Jake: https://www.instagram.com/jakeliamsmith98?exln=MTVraHR3aWRheXlwcQ==

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

Calum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Calum's TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome02:00 - Growing Up in Bermuda and Hong Kong06:00 - Moving to the UK and Starting Running12:00 - Early Athletic Career and University18:00 - The Moment Everything Changed24:00 - Struggling With His Relationship With Food32:00 - The Doctor’s Warning That Stopped Him38:00 - Rock Bottom and Asking For Help44:00 - The Road to Recovery52:00 - Rebuilding His Running Career58:00 - Training Methods and Marathon Preparation01:04:00 - Berlin Marathon and Running 2:0901:10:00 - What’s Next and Future Goals01:16:00 - Valencia Marathon Preview01:22:00 - Super Shoe Chat and Nike vs Adidas01:26:00 - Wrapping Up

This week I'm joined by Adam Clark (Clarky), elite marathon runner, Manchester Marathon champion, and co-founder of URUNN alongside Sir Mo Farah. We get into his running journey from the kid who loved cross country to winning marathons, his PBs across every distance, and why most people rush the process. We also chat about life with Charlotte Purdy, pacing London Marathon and never finishing it, the firemen moment with Hugo, pacing Sweets at Berlin, and how URUNN came about with Mo. I also share my own running journey, my naivest mistake at Chicago, and what I've learned chasing sub-3.

adam: https://www.instagram.com/clarkey1/?hl=en

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

Calum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Calum's TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

0:00 - Intro

0:48 - Adam & Charlotte, 16 Years Together

2:08 - Growing Up a Runner

3:45 - School Athletics & The 800m

5:30 - St Mary's University, The Turning Point

7:32 - University Training & Ego

8:40 - From Track to Road

9:20 - Adam's PBs Across Every Distance

10:12 - Seville Marathon, 2:15 & Hated It

10:42 - Manchester Marathon, Racing to Win

12:50 - The Reality of Marathon Running

14:32 - My Running Journey & 30 Minute PB

15:16 - Chicago, My Naivest Mistake

17:01 - Training Philosophy & Double Threshold

20:04 - Peak Week, 136 Miles in Australia

22:24 - Life with Charlotte, The Sacrifices

24:53 - London Marathon Food Poisoning Disaster

25:59 - Pacing London, Never Finishing

26:17 - The Firemen Moment with Hugo

31:06 - Pacing Sweets at Berlin

34:10 - U Run & PurD Performance

35:05 - How I Met Mo Farah

36:54 - U Run App, Coaching in Your Pocket

39:46 - Biggest Mistakes from New Runners

41:31 - My Sub-3 Journey & Lessons Learned

43:55 - Stepping Back & Finding the Love Again

50:08 - Valencia Marathon Advice

51:34 - Taper Brain Explained

53:03 - Why I Don't Use Strava

54:06 - What's Next for Adam

This week I'm joined by the one and only Oli aka El Burrito Monster. The food content creator who accidentally became an absolute running machine. We talk losing six stone by running 10K every day, going from a 30-minute 5K to 20min in five days, running a 2:52 London Marathon at 102 kilos, and his latest Berlin Marathon where he tried to go sub-three on basically no training (really unhinged bloke).

Follow Oli: https://www.instagram.com/elburritomonster/?hl=en

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

Calum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Calum's TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

I'm joined by Cole Gibbens to break down his London Marathon debut, where he ran 2:16 as a first-timer! We get into the training mistakes that led to a stress responses, the reality of disordered eating and under fueling in the men's running scene, and a hands-on look at the newly released Adidas Pro 5 - how it compares to the Pro 4 and what it means for race day. Raw, honest conversation about the parts of running nobody talking about enough.

Cole: https://www.instagram.com/colerunning/?hl=en-gb

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

Calum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Calum's TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

0:00 - Welcome & Introductions

1:36 - Tonbridge AC & Running Clubs

3:54 - Who Is Cole Gibbons?

5:20 - Running From a Young Age

9:37 - Childhood Running Ambitions

12:28 - The Complexity of Running

13:08 - What Is an Osteopath?

16:23 - Common Running Injuries

19:16 - Biomechanics & Social Media

20:17 - London Marathon 2025

22:25 - Elite vs Masses Start

25:08 - The Sub-2:20 Barrier

26:32 - Race Day Execution

28:50 - Heat Training Advantage

31:14 - Running Alone on the Mall

31:55 - Training Block & E-Scooter Injury

34:22 - Typical Training Week - 100 Miles

35:31 - Why Double Easy Runs

37:53 - Discipline & Running as Lifestyle

39:01 - YouTube & Post-London High

39:34 - Gold Medal Syndrome

40:53 - Berlin Marathon & Mileage Escalation

41:37 - Disordered Eating in Running

43:02 - Breaking the Cycle

45:01 - Fueling Rules for Runners

46:31 - Underfueling & Injuries

48:46 - Berlin Training - Gut Issues

51:09 - Finding a Good Space

51:33 - Stress Fracture & Comeback

52:54 - Coach Jonny Mellor

54:07 - Phantom Pain & MRI Scare

55:14 - Overcoming Injury

57:38 - Great North Run Comeback

58:58 - Less Volume, Better Results

59:45 - Great North Run Course Critique

1:01:32 - Race Splits & Execution

1:03:50 - Nailing the Race - 65:52

1:04:38 - Next Race Goals - Sub 2:15

1:05:47 - Working With Videographer Alex Philpot

1:08:03 - Shoe Chat - Alphafly 4 & Nike

1:11:12 - Training Without Carbon Shoes

1:11:42 - Adidas Pro 5 First Impressions

1:13:36 - Pro 5 for Heavier Runners

1:16:06 - Pro 5 Hands-On in Studio

1:17:48 - Catcalling - Girlfriend's Running Experience

1:20:55 - What Can Men Do?

1:24:52 - Outro & New Podcast

Back with September's fry up after a no-show in August and we've got a lot to catch up on... Fresh off a massive 14:19 5K personal best that his coach Mario was far from happy about, Hugo breaks down the race, the splits, the £200 Uber to Colchester. Hugo also recently got back from Australia after a DNS at Sydney Marathon due to illness! Nice catch up between the boys - listen or watch now!

Calum: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Hugo: https://www.instagram.com/hugo.fry/

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Welcome Back1:18 - 14:19 5K PB2:39 - Why Mario Wasn't Happy4:42 - The £200 Uber to Colchester8:32 - Post-Race & Bournemouth Heat Training11:53 - Brooks Shoes & Half Marathon PB15:33 - Track Night in Bournemouth19:11 - New Coach20:07 - Learning to Trust the Process25:30 - The Dog with Separation Anxiety27:54 - Australia & the Sydney Marathon30:54 - How Many Races a Year?33:18 - Getting Ill Before Sydney34:32 - Performance Pressure as a Creator37:43 - Business Class Flights44:11 - Honeymoon Planning46:19 - 350 Person Run Club in Sydney50:54 - Wearables & Heart Rate Data53:15 - Spencer Matthews & Coaching Drama55:50 - Sydney Marathon Recap58:33 - Running with Ran Japan60:25 - Ned Brockmann66:13 - Sydney vs New York Course67:44 - The Changing Running Content Landscape71:16 - Creator Authenticity & Brands78:07 - F1, Silverstone & Bazball80:19 - Upcoming Races: GNR, Manchester, Valencia83:53 - Palma 10K with TUI85:18 - Wrap Up

Marshall Exler is back on the pod! Content creator and Sarcoma UK ambassador joins for a raw, funny follow-up on turning grief into purpose after losing his wife Faye, solo world travel, being vulnerable online as a man, and training for the London Marathon 2027... Follow and rate 5 stars to support the show💛

His first episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hkpCfH4OSDpNpy4aQhbrA?si=37d1ee4110c64c1b

Follow Marshall: https://www.instagram.com/marshallexler/?hl=en

Calum's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calum's TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

0:00 - Intro

0:11 - Marshall Exler returns

3:34 - 100K for Faye: raising £97,000

14:52 - Solo travel and healing through content

19:56 - Living with grief two years on

26:15 - Announcing the London Marathon 2027

30:01 - Marathon terminology quiz

37:35 - Body image and the "shirt pull" meme

52:16 - What's next: fundraising, travel, and a possible podcast

53:33 - Getting married

54:01 - Room 101: pet peeves

FINALLY! We find out what really happened... This week I sat down with ultra runner Ayyoub El Osrouti AKA Ello. I travelled over to the Another Cotton Lab store in Düsseldorf, Germany just days after he completed one of the most dramatic backyard ultras ever seen... The Last Soul Ultra. Ello ran 93 loops (623.7km) over 4 days, battling Achilles issues, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and an intense head-to-head rivalry with Mark Dowdle that went viral around the world. This was such a great chat and so so interesting to get inside the head of one of the greatest endurance runners in the world at the moment.Ello: https://www.instagram.com/anotherello/?hl=en

Follow on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calum's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calum's TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard ⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

00:00 - Intro: Ello's Last Soul Ultra result

00:50 - Welcome to the podcast

04:17 - How Ello's body feels after finishing

09:07 - Ello's PBs and race highlights (Ironman, London Marathon)

12:53 - Introducing the Last Soul Ultra rivalry story

19:30 - Bringing in elite coach Sam Harvey

30:46 - Back to the start line of this year's race

35:10 - The first mental barrier of a 4-day ultra

39:06 - The final 14 laps: it gets tense with Mark

49:01 - Ello's relationship with Mark Dowdle

58:12 - The viral finish line meltdown moment

1:03:09 - Fame, attention, and being an athlete vs. an influencer

1:06:04 - Room 101: what Ello can't stand about the race

1:08:43 - Fan questions: darkest thoughts, hallucinations, and more

1:16:36 - What's next for Ello: Moab 240

I sat down with George Rickwood to break down the Last Soul Ultra, the backyard ultra that took over the internet. We cover Mark Dowdle's last-minute private jet dash across Europe to complete 94 laps, Ello's heartbreaking collapse in the final stretch, and the biggest moments, controversies, and characters from one of the most-watched ultrarunning events ever. We also dive into George's own Backyard Ultra disqualification drama, the debate around live coverage in ultrarunning, sleep deprivation and race-day mind games, and George's next big challenge: a 24-hour track ultra.

George's first appearance: https://open.spotify.com/episode/380ch5ewRbfsCP8tXo7lJ3?si=e57d9544cf9b483b

Follow George: https://www.instagram.com/georgerickwood_/?hl=en

Follow on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠

Calum's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠⁠

Calum's TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard ⁠⁠⁠

YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A ⁠⁠⁠

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

00:00 Intro & Last Soul Ultra Overview

02:17 Meet the Founder & the Team Behind the Race

03:52 Backyard Ultra Format & Why It's So Popular

07:46 The Elite Field & How the Race Got Global Coverage

10:11 Mark Dowdle's Private Jet Sprint to the Start Line

13:20 How Mark Dowdle Went Viral During the Race

15:17 Backyard Ultra Coverage vs. Badwater 135 Debate

17:54 Max Jaluf's Badwater Controversy & Course Record

19:07 Mark Dowdle's Wild 94-Lap Finish

20:50 The Infamous Loop 87 Mind Games

21:04 Elo's Emotional Second-Place Collapse

23:19 Mark Dowdle vs. Harvey Lewis: Contrasting Mindsets

28:19 Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations & Caffeine Strategy

30:35 Phil Gore's Project 168 Solo Backyard Ultra

32:38 Personal Relationships & Pacing in Ultra Running

36:00 Live Call With International Commentator Bryony

46:04 George's Suffolk Backyard Ultra Disqualification Story

50:31 The Russia Backyard Ultra Disqualification Scandal

54:31 George's Next Challenge: 24-Hour Track Ultra

58:46 Room 101: Ultra Running Pet Peeves

1:06:34 Goggins vs. Dowdle: Comparing Ultra Running Mindsets

1:09:01 George's Career Change & Move Into YouTube

1:13:28 Could Cal Qualify for the Olympics?

1:17:12 Injury Prevention: Sleep, Strength & Nutrition

1:20:00 Marathon du Médoc & Closing Thoughts

1:21:00 Outro & Next Week's Elo Interview