From 250 lbs in rehab to 11 consecutive Marathons in NYC: Zac Clark's addiction recovery story that raised $750,000 for mental health treatment.

At 27, Zac entered addiction recovery weighing 250 lbs, broken and searching for purpose. One morning, he walked up a small hill outside the treatment centre. Two weeks later, he ran it. That single hill became the catalyst for 14 years of sobriety and a marathon training journey that changed everything.

In this episode, Zac - founder of the Release Recovery Foundation, ultramarathoner, and former The Bachelorette finalist - sits down with marathon coach Ben Parker to share how running became his medicine for mental health recovery.

Today, Zac has completed 11 New York City Marathons in a row and leads a nationwide running community that raised over $750,000 this year through 122 marathon runners helping people access addiction and mental health treatment.

We discuss:

• His addiction recovery journey - rebuilding life from rock bottom
• Why movement became daily therapy
• His self improvement mindset - accountability and starting small
• Running tips - from 250 lbs to sub-3:30 marathon finish & 11 NYC Marathons

🎙️ Quick note:

The audio in this episode isn’t quite up to our usual standard due to a problem our studio had with the mics. Thanks for bearing with us!

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and running inspirations.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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Shin splints, runner's knee, and IT band syndrome explained by expert running physio Adrian D'Costa - discover how to prevent and fix the most common running injuries with proven strength training and recovery strategies.

In this episode of The Runna Podcast, hosts Anya Culling and Ben Parker sit down with Adrian D'Costa, Head Physio at Runna and one of London's leading running injury specialists. Learn the science behind patellofemoral pain syndrome, medial tibial stress syndrome, and IT band pain and the prevention and load management techniques to keep you injury-free.

What you’ll learn:

✅ Why runner's knee affects 25% of runners (and how to prevent it)

✅ The truth about shin splints as a bone stress injury

✅ Best strength exercises for runners: the "rainbow quadricep method"

✅ Why hip stability beats stretching for IT band syndrome

✅ Recovery secrets: cross-training, sleep, and smart training cycles

✅ Load management strategies for marathon training

This episode targets the 3 most common running injuries, what they are and how to prevent & recover from them.

🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Friday, featuring Olympians, physios, and everyday runners chasing extraordinary goals.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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

When Uly Morazan signed up for his first half marathon, he didn’t even own running shoes. Four months later, he crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, joining the 1% of people who can call themselves marathon runners.

In this episode of The Runna Podcast, Coach Ben Parker sits down with Uly - actor, comedian, and LGBTQ+ creator - to unpack his chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey from “I hate running” to marathon finisher.

Uly brings the raw, relatable reality of training for your first marathon - from his first-ever gel (“disgusting”), to discovering salt tabs, to learning that sometimes walking is part of running. His story is messy, honest, and proof that your attitude and sense of humour can carry you through the toughest miles.

What You'll Learn:

​​✅ Uly’s firsts: gels, salt tabs, carb loading & all the rookie mistakes

💪 Running for beginners: how to build mileage safely through setbacks

🥤 Fueling tips: lessons learned the hard way about gels, hydration & recovery

❤️ Staying motivated: how community, confidence & small wins keep you going

🧠 Marathon mindset: how humour and attitude get you through the chaos

Whether you’re just starting your first 5K or dreaming of your own marathon, Uly’s story will make you realise you’re not alone in figuring it all out.

Because the truth is - you don’t have to think of yourself as a ‘runner’ to start.

🎧 New episodes every Friday featuring Olympians, world-record holders, and everyday runners chasing extraordinary goals.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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