12 Months to Marathon

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What happens when you reach a point where enough is enough?
In this episode, I’m joined by Mark Simpson, whose journey from 25 stone (350lbs / 159kg) to completing his first half-marathon is one of the most inspiring stories we've featured on the podcast. 
Mark opens up about decades of struggling with his weight, being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the emotional impact of obesity, and the moment he decided to take control of his life.
We discuss:
 How Mark lost over 12 stone (168lbs / 76kg) 
 The role weight loss medication played in his transformation 
 Why consistency matters more than perfection 
 The mental and emotional challenges of long-term weight loss 
 Building confidence after years of feeling trapped 
 Discovering running and completing his first 10K and half-marathon 
 Social media, accountability, and inspiring others 
 Men's mental health and the importance of talking openly 
 Why is it never too late to change your life 
This is an honest conversation about health, self-belief, resilience, and what's possible when you decide to give yourself one more chance.
You can follow Mark's journey on Instagram:
@shrinking_simmo
If you're over 35 and training for a race, or simply looking for support with your running, you can join our free running community via the link in my Instagram bio:
@12monthstomarathon
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review and share it with another runner. It really helps us reach more people. 
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In this special 100th episode of the podcast, I reflect on the biggest lessons I've learned from interviewing runners, marathoners, weight-loss success stories, world record holders, and everyday people who have achieved extraordinary things.
From first-time 5Ks to marathon finish lines, one theme keeps appearing:
You are capable of more than you think.
I also share some personal thoughts on mental health, self-identity, and the stories we attach to our running.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The most important lesson from 100 podcast episodes
 • Why curiosity is often more powerful than confidence
 • The problem with comparing your journey to other runners
 • Why there is no "right" distance to run
 • How social media can distort what's possible
 • The difference between data and identity
 • Why calling yourself a "slow runner" may be holding you back
 • Mental health, self-talk, and the stories we tell ourselves
 • How to stop attaching your self-worth to your running performances
 • Why your next challenge should be defined by you, not by anyone else
Whether you're training for your first 5K, chasing a marathon PB, or simply trying to become a healthier version of yourself, this episode is a reminder to stay open-minded, stay curious, and keep exploring what you're capable of.
Thank you for listening and for helping the podcast reach 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100. 💙
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Should You Get a Gait Analysis Done?
If you've ever bought running shoes, you've probably been told you need a gait analysis.
But how useful are they really?
In this episode, I break down what a gait analysis is, what it can tell you, what it can't tell you, and why so many runners place far too much importance on a 30-second treadmill assessment.
We cover:
 What pronation actually is (and why it's not necessarily a problem) 
 The difference between neutral and stability shoes 
 What the research says about gait analysis and injury prevention 
 Why comfort is often more important than biomechanics 
 The biggest mistakes runners make when choosing shoes 
 When a gait analysis can be genuinely useful 
 The factors that actually cause most running injuries 
 Why consistency beats perfection every time 
Whether you're a beginner buying your first pair of running shoes or an experienced runner wondering if you've been overthinking your footwear choices, this episode will help you make better decisions and focus on what really matters.
Because becoming a better runner isn't about having the perfect gait—it's about training consistently, staying healthy, and enjoying the process.
If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate and review it wherever you listen.
And if you'd like support with your running, join our free running community via the link in my Instagram bio.
Instagram: @12monthstomarathon
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In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast, I’m joined by Dawn Caddell to talk about her journey to completing the 2026 London Marathon at 51 years old.
Dawn shares how she returned to running after a long break from raising a family, how running became a huge part of her mental wellbeing, and why she kept pushing herself further — from 10Ks to half marathons and eventually the marathon distance.
But this wasn’t a smooth build-up.
We talk openly about:
 Returning to running after years away 
 Balancing family life, work, and marathon training 
 Injury setbacks during marathon prep 
 The emotional impact of nearly pulling out 
 Why resilience matters more than perfection 
 The reality of marathon training after 50 
 The incredible atmosphere of the London Marathon 
 Why challenging yourself changes how you see yourself 
This is an honest conversation about perseverance, identity, purpose, and refusing to quit when things don’t go to plan.
Dawn’s story will resonate with a lot of runners — especially anyone who feels they’ve left it “too late”, struggled with setbacks, or wondered whether they’re still capable of doing something big.
You can follow Dawn on Instagram:
 @dawnyc1234_
And if you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and share it. It genuinely helps more runners over 35 discover the show.
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In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast, I’m joined by an extraordinary guest — Andy Reid.
Andy lost both legs and his right arm in Afghanistan in 2009 after stepping on an IED while serving in the British Army. Since then, he’s rebuilt his life in a way that genuinely redefines resilience.
We talk about:
 Andy’s journey into the military 
 The day his life changed forever 
 Recovery, resilience, and rebuilding identity 
 Mental health, purpose, and asking for help 
 Why he became the first triple amputee to complete the London Marathon 
 The mindset required to keep moving forward through adversity 
 The work of the Standing Tall Foundation supports people struggling with mental health, addiction, and life challenges 
This isn’t just a conversation about endurance events or marathons. It’s a conversation about perspective, purpose, gratitude, and what human beings are truly capable of when they refuse to give up.
Andy also shares some powerful lessons about discomfort, discipline, community, and why “anything is possible” often starts with simply taking the next step.
You can follow Andy here:
 Instagram: @andyreid2506
Find out more about the Standing Tall Foundation and Andy’s book Standing Tall here:

https://www.standingtallfoundation.org.uk/
If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and share it. It genuinely helps more runners over 35 find the show.
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