446 Mountains. One Mission. Alex Staniforth on Project 446 & Mental Resilience

He failed on Everest. Twice. But that didn’t stop him setting out to climb all 446 mountains in England and Wales.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined on the sofa by adventurer, ultra runner, author, and mental health campaigner Alex Staniforth. Alex’s journey has been anything but straightforward. At 16 he was sidelined by injury, at 18 he attempted Everest twice — both times turned back by tragedy and disaster. Those experiences might have ended most people’s ambitions. For Alex, they became the spark for something bigger.

From the National Three Peaks to his latest mission, Project 446, Alex has built a life around testing limits, learning from setbacks, and finding purpose in adversity. Along the way he’s battled anxiety, eating disorders, and lives with epilepsy, but has turned those challenges into fuel for inspiring others.

In this unfiltered conversation Alex opens up about:

– The shift from Everest dreams to UK-based challenges

– How the Three Peaks prepared him for something bigger

– The highs, lows and hallucinations of Project 446

– Fuelling on chickpea curry, Celia’s pizza and yellow-sticker bargains

– Saying “no” when sponsors told him to quit

– Living and running with epilepsy

– The big goals still to come

Alex is also co-founder of Mind Over Mountains, a charity bringing people together to improve mental health through walking and talking in nature. His story is a reminder that the toughest mountains aren’t always physical.

Find out more about Alex and Project 446 here: https://www.alexstaniforth.com/

#Project446 #AlexStaniforth #RUNcensored #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #MountainRunning #EnduranceRunning #ThreePeaksChallenge #MentalHealthAwareness #EpilepsyAwareness #AdventureMindset #RunningPodcast #Resilience #FellRunning #ClimbEveryMountain

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strava W*nkers, Dream Races & Downhill Carnage | RUNcensored EP36

Gary House and Ben Mounsey are back with another Chat GBT special – this time joined by ultrarunner Mel Sykes – answering listener questions on all things trail, fell and ultra running. Expect laughs, strong opinions, and one of the funniest reveals in podcast history: the truth behind the infamous Strava W*nkers account 👀.

This wide-ranging episode dives into the best midweek summer races in the UK, the chaos of downhill-only races like the Trifan Dash, and why smaller fell races are struggling in the era of big-name ultras. The team debate the most reliable running vests and race packs for everything from short mountain races to epic multi-day events, and argue over which single race they’d choose if it was their last: UTMB, the Winter Spine, or Western States.

There’s also advice for beginners – including an ex-professional rugby player starting from scratch – and hard-earned lessons from multi-day stage races like the Dragon’s Back Race. Along the way, Gary, Ben and Mel trade stories about dot-watching culture, sleeping on toilet floors, and whether running should be about bucket-list ticks or the pure challenge of the mountains.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

😂 The truth about Strava Wankers – revealed at last

🏔️ The best midweek summer fell races (Blencathra, Holmfrith, Trifan Dash)

💨 Downhill-only chaos – including records, injuries & local legends

🎒 Race packs & running vests – Salomon, Innov-8, and the quirkiest kit hacks

🔥 One last race: UTMB vs Western States vs Winter Spine

💪 Advice for new runners & ex-rugby pros transitioning to running

🌙 How to survive multi-day ultras like Dragon’s Back & Spine

🎶 Oasis gigs, Stone Roses, and music vs mountain miles

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re passionate about trail running, fell running, mountain marathons or ultra marathons, this episode has everything – from gear chat and training tips to race stories and pure comedy. With UTMB 2025 in Chamonix just around the corner, the big question is: will RUNcensored be there to cover the action live?

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UTMB 2025 Preview & The Truth About Gary and Harrier Trail Running

Gary’s been injured, he’s been running with mates Rich Lazenby and Rich Gill… and he’s got a story to tell. Spoiler: it involves UTMB, Chamonix, and getting sacked.

This week, the lads are talking all things UTMB 2025 — from race week in Chamonix to altitude training in Tignes — with plenty of gossip about working with brands, new shoe drops, and what really happens behind the sponsorship deals. Ben shares the inside scoop from filming with Jim Walmsley and the Hoka team, plus why his one-take Instagram reel went viral.

They break down UTMB race week day-by-day, talk English Fell Running Championship drama, and even tease a mystery new product they’ve been testing. Will RUNcensored make it to Chamonix to record live? Listen and find out.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

💥 Gary’s injury update and running with Rich Lazenby & Rich Gill

🏔️ Gary’s race in Chamonix & altitude training lessons

🚪 Why Gary’s departure from Harrier Trail Running wasn’t his choice

🎥 Ben’s pre-UTMB trip to Chamonix, St Gervais & Tignes with Hoka

👟 New shoe releases and gear chat

🎬 One-take Instagram reel with Jim Walmsley

📱 Gary’s advice on making great Instagram reels

🤝 Ben’s blueprint for getting sponsored by a running brand

💼 Big discussion: how to work with brands without losing your soul

📅 UTMB race week – how it all works & the Francesco Puppi Strava segment

🕵️ Teasing a secret new product they’re testing

🏪 How Sportsshoes.com are gearing up for UTMB week

🏆 English Fell Running Championships – Ben Rothery vs Finlay Grant, decided by 20 seconds

🔮 Predictions for who will crush UTMB 2025

🎤 Will there be a RUNcensored podcast recorded live in Chamonix?

Why You Should Listen:

If you love trail and ultra running, UTMB week in Chamonix, or want the inside scoop on working with big brands like Hoka, this episode is for you. You’ll hear unfiltered race stories, sponsorship advice, gear talk, and a behind-the-scenes look at the most exciting week in trail running.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby Legend Eorl Crabtree & Mel Sykes on Lakeland 100, Fuelling for Ultras & THAT Chant.

He’s 6’6”, 20 stone, and used to batter people for a living. Now he’s thinking about running 50 miles.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined by returning guest Mel Sykes and her lifelong mate, former rugby league star Eorl Crabtree. What starts as friendly banter quickly turns into a raw, funny, and surprisingly emotional deep-dive into life after elite sport, why running messes with your head, and what happens when your body doesn’t match your ambitions.

Eorl opens up about leaving rugby behind, getting heckled by French fans, and how being called a “fat Robbie Savage” became part of his legacy. Mel reflects on her latest Lakeland 100 adventure, including why she ran the whole thing without a watch and how she fuels on flapjack instead of gels.

They also unpack the weird rituals of gym culture, the pressure to perform after fame, and why data might be ruining the fun in both rugby and running. Expect brutal honesty, big laughs, and a lot of Yorkshire sarcasm.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏉 Eorl’s rugby career, French crowd abuse & mid-speech chaos

🤣 The real story behind “Fat Robbie Savage”

💪 Life after pro sport – body image, motivation, and gym insecurities

🏃‍♀️ Mel’s return to Lakeland 100 and her “run by feel” strategy

🍰 Why she fuels with real food (and hates gels)

📉 Is data killing sport?

💬 Why runners need to laugh more and stress less

🤝 The difference between team sport and solo ultras

🥵 Eorl’s first 30K run and why ultras are terrifying

👀 Mel’s savage honesty about pain, pacing, and personal growth

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a professional rugby player tries to understand ultra running — or how an elite runner fuels with flapjack instead of science — this episode delivers. It’s about identity, friendship, brutal races, and finding joy in the mess of it all.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s battling stage 4 cancer. But that hasn’t stopped him building the most inclusive ultra in the world.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down with Huw Williams – Welsh event organiser, founder of Beautifully Brutal Events, and the driving force behind the SHE Ultra. Known for his wild storytelling, unapologetic honesty, and community-first ethos, Huw is creating trail races that are about more than just finish times.

From living with a terminal diagnosis to punching a seagull in Venice while eating a sandwich with Liz McColgan, this one has it all. But underneath the laughs is a serious mission: to make trail running safer, more inclusive, and a lifeline for women affected by cancer.

Huw shares how the SHE Ultra came to life, why men aren’t allowed in certain zones, and how his team is training nurses to care for runners at remote checkpoints. We also get a glimpse into his new Portugal event, his plans for a Race Across Wales, and why you won’t find Beautifully Brutal on Facebook.

We talk cancer, community, legacy, logistics, and how a brutally honest approach to life can change everything.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏃 The ethos behind Beautifully Brutal Events

🧠 Living with cancer and using it as fuel

🚫 Why no race credits and no Facebook

👟 How the SHE Ultra is designed around safety, care, and real inclusion

🇵🇹 Launching a Portugal SHE Ultra with on-site childcare

💉 Supporting nurses, survivors, and smaller cancer charities

🎉 The medal ceremony… before the race starts

🏡 Running through his ex-wife’s house (on her birthday)

🥪 The Liz McColgan sandwich + seagull attack story

🧯 Space suits, fireworks, and Coast Guard callouts

🍟 The finish line chip shop and vinegar moment

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever thought trail running needed a shake-up, or wondered how to make events truly inclusive, Huw’s vision will stay with you. This episode is raw, funny, emotional, and a reminder that the most powerful races aren’t about splits — they’re about people.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Huw Williams

05:10 - Building Beautifully Brutal & supporting local

12:50 - How the SHE Ultra started

20:30 - Living with cancer and giving back

29:45 - Running through his ex’s house & making races personal

37:30 - The Liz McColgan story and Venice chaos

43:55 - SHE Ultra Portugal & protecting community vibes

52:40 - Race Across Wales, Classic 75, and new events

59:15 - Nurses, crèches and survivor support

01:08:00 - Legacy, letting go & no social media

🔗 Follow Beautifully Brutal Events:

Website: https://www.beautifullybrutal.co.uk

Instagram: @beautifully_brutal_events

#HuwWilliams #SHEUltra #BeautifullyBrutal #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #RunningPodcast #CancerSupport #WomensRunning #RaceAcrossWales #PortugalUltra #LizMcColgan #RUNcensored #InclusiveRunning #CommunityRunning

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He ended up in intensive care after an Ironman. But that didn’t stop him.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down with Paul Tierney – former Irish county hurler turned elite ultra-runner, coach, and record-breaker. From the sidelines of team sport to the solitude of the mountains, Paul has carved a life around endurance, coaching, and community – but not without setbacks.

Paul shares how a stint in Australia kickstarted his love for endurance sport, how a brush with death changed his perspective forever, and why a documentary about the Lake District made him pack up his life and move. Now a respected running coach with clients around the world, Paul opens up about the myths of perfect form, the dangers of one-size-fits-all coaching, and why failure has been his best teacher.

We talk coaching, movement quality, social media misinformation, injury recovery, and how to build a strong mind andbody through running – without obsessing over it.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏑 From county hurling to Ironman

🏥 Surviving hyponatremia and landing in ICU

🏔️ Discovering the Lake District and the Lakeland 100

🧭 Getting lost with no map skills and a second-hand compass

🧠 Why coaching is more about communication than correction

📱 The problem with Instagram advice

🦵 Strength work, ankle stiffness and plyometrics

🩹 Injury, rehab and athlete buy-in

😂 Humour, humility and lifelong learning

If you’ve ever questioned your training, felt overwhelmed by online advice, or struggled to come back from injury – Paul’s honest, practical approach will give you a fresh perspective. This episode is about mindset, movement, and the messy reality of progress.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

00:00 - Intro: From hurling to endurance

07:15 - ICU and hyponatremia

14:30 - Falling in love with the Lake District

21:00 - Lakeland 100 and early mountain race mistakes

27:45 - Becoming a coach and finding purpose

34:10 - Coaching philosophy and movement over mechanics

40:20 - Social media advice and form obsession

47:00 - Strength work that actually helps

53:25 - The rehab mindset and listening to athletes

60:00 - Final thoughts and what keeps him going

🔗 Follow Paul:

Instagram: @paulmissinglink

Website: www.missinglinkcoaching.co.uk

#PaulTierney #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #RunningCoach #FellRunning #EnduranceAthlete #Lakeland100 #Wainwrights #MountainRunning #RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #StrengthAndConditioning #InjuryRecovery #Hyponatremia #Inov8

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He won the English Fell Running Champs. Then he walked away from the sport completely.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined by Tom Addison — a runner many will remember for dominating the UK fell scene, taking the 2014 national title and chasing England vests throughout his teens and twenties. But this episode isn’t about medals. It’s about what comes after them.

Tom talks openly about the obsession that fuelled his running career, the burnout that followed, and the panic attacks that forced him to step away from the sport he loved. From racing at Wooden Tops as a kid to rebuilding his life through boxing, therapy, and fine furniture making, this is a story of reinvention with no filter.

We talk fell running culture, junior club racing, mental health, identity, and why sometimes walking away is the bravest decision of all.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

👟 Growing up in a fell running family and club culture

🇬🇧 Earning his first England vest at 15

🏆 Winning the English Champs in 2014 – and what it really cost

😰 The mental and emotional crash that followed

🥊 Boxing, woodworking, and rebuilding structure

🪵 Finding purpose through craft and creativity

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, fatherhood, and a new definition of success

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever tied your identity to your sport, battled burnout, or wondered what’s next after the peak — Tom’s story will hit home. A champion’s journey, with all the pressure and none of the gloss.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

00:00 - Intro: From fell running to fine furniture

02:23 - Childhood in a fell running family

06:40 - Early nerves and racing for Helm Hill

09:50 - Junior coaching and Billy Proctor’s role

13:40 - First England vest at 15 years old

17:00 - Watching Rob Jebb and chasing national teams

20:30 - 2014: Winning the English Championship

26:45 - Balancing training with a manual job

30:20 - The obsessive mindset and burnout

34:50 - Panic attacks and personal upheaval

39:40 - Boxing for structure and recovery

43:15 - How woodworking became his new focus

48:10 - Craftsmanship and striving for quality

52:20 - Instagram, identity and validation

56:45 - Fatherhood and redefining ambition

01:01:20 - Closing thoughts and what’s next

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“He Wore What at Western States?!” – Race Kit Chaos, Mont-Blanc Mayhem & Double Bob Drama

This week’s episode is a no-guest, no-filter deep dive into the latest chaos from the world of trail and mountain running.

Gary, Ben and Chris catch up on everything from racing disasters to record controversies — and yes, that Nike crochet top worn by Caleb Olson at Western States.

Ben recaps his latest block of orienteering and fell races, including a brutal run at the Mont-Blanc Half Marathon in 30-degree heat. Gary talks about getting back to mountain training in Snowdonia, climbing Tryfan and battling with Strava’s dodgy “moving time” stats.

There’s also a full Western States recap, from Kilian Jornet’s performance in the Kjerag 2s to Abby Hall’s dominant win — plus some big chat on New Balance’s rise, the growing African presence in trail running, and what the pro scene looks like in 2025.

Also: Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 mile event, the exoskeleton suit Ben wants to wear on a Bob Graham, and the unfortunate running trend of… penis exposure mid-race. You’ve been warned.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏔️ Gary’s Snowdonia training & Strava rage

🧭 Ben’s orienteering meltdown & Mont-Blanc heat

🎽 Western States recap – Caleb Olson, Kilian & kit chat

👟 New Balance’s dominance & pro team tactics

🌍 The rise of African talent in trail racing

🔥 Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 event & Nike’s marketing machine

🫣 Double Bob Graham drama – should it count?

🍆 Race-day wardrobe malfunctions & goldfish hydration hacks

Why You Should Listen:

Trail running is changing fast — and this episode dives into all the messy, funny, and downright bizarre sides of it. Whether you’re training for UTMB, doing your first fell race, or just here for the penis jokes, Episode 30 delivers full chaos with zero filter.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

Podcast produced by Eastwood Media - www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Sponsorship enquiries - chris@eastwood-media.co.ukeastwood-media.co.uk

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Why We Hate Cruises

04:05 – Gary’s Return to Training in Snowdonia

07:47 – Strava Lies & Moving Time Frustrations

10:55 – Ben’s Racing Madness & Orienteering Meltdown

11:12 – Mont-Blanc Weekend & Ben’s Half Marathon

11:20 – Western States Chat Begins

17:32 – Kilian Jornet & The UTMB Debate

19:20 – Coverage & Spectacle of Western States

20:08 – New Balance’s Rise in Trail Running

28:52 – Transgrancanaria Finish & Strategy Talk

29:55 – Marathon du Mont-Blanc Winners Recap

30:07 – Kenyan Talent & Women’s Race at Mont-Blanc

52:48 – Double Bob Graham Record & Caspian James

56:06 – Should the Record Count? The 24-Hour Debate

1:00:30 – Penis Fails & Race Kit Disasters

#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #WesternStates100 #MontBlancMarathon #FellRunning #RunningPodcast #KilianJornet #CalebOlson #UTMB #SnowdoniaRunning #StravaFails #CaspianJames #DoubleBobGraham #NewBalanceTrail #FaithKipyegon #RaceKitFails #UltraRunning #PenisIncidents #ExoskeletonRunning #OrienteeringFails #GaryHouse #BenMounsey

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.