Just five days after Tim completes his first-ever marathon, Mario explores the highs and lows of this major milestone in his endurance journey and an essential test before the upcoming Iraq100 challenge.

Tim shares a full debrief of the Gold Coast Marathon: from setting his sub-4-hour goal (and smashing it with a 3:47 finish!) to navigating the physical and mental walls that inevitably arise during the final stretch. He recalls the psychological challenge of running away from the finish line during a course turnaround, the surprising impact of hydration gaps, and the importance of training discipline that got him to the start line ready.

Mario, fresh off another gnarly ultramarathon, explains the importance of mental recovery, the phenomenon of post-race slumps, and how experienced runners prepare for multi-day events. They explore the shift from racing to adventure running and how the Iraq100 will be less about pace and more about perseverance, presence, and purpose.

Together, they reflect on strategy, simulation, recovery, and what it means to run with a deeper “why.” The Iraq100 is more than a physical challenge—it’s a return to a place where stories of suffering and survival converge, and where the runners will honour the resilience of those who fled ISIS with nothing but hope.

This episode will inspire, inform, and ignite anyone chasing a goal bigger than themselves.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome Back & Marathon Recap Begins

Tim and Mario reconnect, and Tim sets the scene for his post-marathon reflections.

01:15 – Smashing the Goal: Sub-4 Marathon Achieved

Tim shares his goals and the emotional and physical test of running beyond 32km for the first time.

03:45 – The Mental Wall & Mid-Race Self-Talk

Tim recounts the moment he realized he was still running away from the finish line and how mindset helped him push through.

05:08 – Recovery is Mental Too

Mario discusses the post-race slump many runners experience and why giving the brain time to rest is key.

06:55 – The Power of a Next Goal

Why having the Iraq100 on the horizon gave Tim purpose beyond the marathon.

07:32 – The Harsh Realities of Iraq Running Conditions

Tim contrasts the Gold Coast conditions with what’s coming: extreme heat, no crowds, switchbacks, and altitude.

09:15 – Step by Step Strategy

Mario reminds us to respect each distance and each goal on its own terms.

10:16 – Why 42.195km? A Royal Fun Fact

A short tangent on the unusual marathon distance—and the British monarchy’s role in it.

12:05 – Comparing Marathon vs. Ultra Strategy

What makes a marathon a unique psychological and physical test—and why ultras require different pacing.

13:05 – “Don’t Stop Running”: Tim’s Personal Challenge

Tim explains his personal rule to never walk and how it shaped his marathon effort.

14:31 – Team Pace, Not Ego Pace

Mario emphasizes that in Iraq, the team will move at the pace of the person struggling the most. It’s not a race.

15:22 – Simulating Iraq100 Strategy in Training

Mario explains his own training mindset, breaking up big efforts into sections—like dancing on the final day.

16:52 – The Purpose of Simulation

Tim reflects on how simulating suffering in training builds mental frameworks to fall back on in the real challenge.

18:33 – Mario’s Upcoming Everest-Like Ultra

Mario shares his next ultra: a near-Everest climb over 100km. It’s gnarly, muddy, and full of surprises.

20:26 – Building the Iraq100 Team

Tim announces Callum Sloan is joining the core running team alongside Troy, Mario, and himself.

21:20 – Why We Run: From Survival to Solidarity

A powerful reflection on running with purpose—honouring refugees forced to flee, now choosing to run in solidarity.

22:15 – Recovery Ends. New Training Begins.

With marathon recovery complete, Tim prepares for the next

🎧 The One Percenters Performance Podcast

Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

🔗 www.move2belong.com for links & updates

Discover the secret at the heart of what really gets us through life’s inevitable struggles: belonging. From customer service to ultramarathons to workplace culture, they reflect on how problems aren’t always meant to be fixed—but often shared. The episode explores how the sense of community and connection isn’t just a warm fuzzy idea—it physiologically changes how we experience pain, build resilience, and find fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

• “A problem shared is a problem halved.”
• Connection changes your pain threshold—literally.
• Most problems aren’t problems—they’re just part of life.
• You don’t need to fix everything. Sometimes, just listen.
• Belonging and team culture fuel peak performance.
• Building a meaningful crew—whether for life, business, or a 100-mile ultramarathon—is everything.

Chapters:

00:00 – Building a Crew for Our Odyssey

02:46 – The Importance of Belonging

05:28 – Pain and Community: Enduring Together

10:50 – Shifting Perspectives on Problems

15:45 – Creating a Culture of Listening

19:06 – Thriving in Community and Team Success

Get In Touch

Mario Buchs

mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠

@healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and more

Tim Buxton

tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠

@timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and more

Discover More & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠TOPP.Coach⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more!

Unpack the emotional and physical rollercoaster of Mario's recent UMTB Blue Mountains ultra run. In this soulful episode, Mario and Tim dive into the highs, the unexpected lows, and the revelations that only come when you push past your perceived limits. It’s about more than just running—it’s about learning from the landscape, the people, and the challenges that shape us.

Episode Takeaways

• Mountains mirror our inner journey—you go up, you go down, but you keep moving.

• The value of community in sport: crew, family, strangers.

• When the body breaks down, the mind and heart can still carry you.

• Races are rarely about speed; they’re about story.

• Ultra running is a meditation in motion.

• The finish line is never just a place—it’s a transformation.

• Pain has a voice, and it often speaks wisdom.

• Rest and recovery are not luxuries—they’re essential.

• Support others while climbing your own mountain

  
  

Keywords: ultramarathon, UMTB, Blue Mountains, ultra running, mental toughness, physical limits, community, running crew, recovery, mountains, mindfulness, emotional journey

Chapters

UMTB Recap: What Really Happened

The Role of Crew and Community

When the Wheels Fall Off

Pushing Through the Unexpected

Lessons From the Trails

Recovery: The Unspoken Finish Line

Final Reflections and What’s Next

Get In Touch

Mario Buchs

mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠

@healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and more

Tim Buxton

tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠

@timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and more

Discover More & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

Visit ⁠⁠⁠TOPP.Coach⁠⁠⁠ for more!