The Stronger Stride Podcast

Stronger Stride

A podcast about running and more! A weekly conversation with accomplished athletes, health professionals, and weekend warriors on how and why they do what they do. We aspire to share value on topics surrounding training, nutrition, injury prevention, and mental strategies to not only improve your performance but enhance your life. Your hosts, Lydia Mckay; Physiotherapist and Personal Trainer, and Sophie Lane; Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Running Coach, are passionate about running and are excited to help you run stronger!

  1. 1d ago

    280. Women in Sport: From Olympic Water Polo to Making Running Safer with Kerry Turner

    280. Women in Sport: From Olympic Water Polo to Making Running Safer with Kerry Turner Today we’re joined by Kerry Turner, an Olympian, sports leader, and advocate for increasing women’s participation, safety, and sense of belonging in sport. Kerry shares her journey from representing Australia in water polo to leading initiatives focused on creating more inclusive and empowering sporting environments for women and girls. We hear about her Olympic experience, the pioneering role her mother played in women’s water polo, and the changes she has witnessed across women’s sport over the years. We also dive into the important issue of safety in running. Kerry discusses the research behind women’s experiences of safety while running, the barriers this can create to participation, and initiatives such as Run My Way and Play Her Way that are working to create more welcoming and accessible spaces for women and girls. We discuss: Kerry’s journey from water polo to the Olympic Games Her mother’s pioneering role in women’s water polo The fight for women’s water polo to become an Olympic sport What we can do to increase participation among women and girls Why safety, visibility, and belonging matter in women’s sport The research around women’s safety and running habits The Run My Way and Play Her Way initiatives The role of media and representation in shaping women’s sport Mental health, body image, and the pressures facing young women How men can become better allies in creating safer sporting environments This is a really important conversation about more than just getting women to participate in sport. It’s about creating environments where women and girls feel safe, welcome, represented, and worthy of being there. Kerry’s perspective is both inspiring and practical, and this episode is a great reminder that creating change in sport isn’t just about participation numbers — it’s about building communities where people genuinely feel like they belong. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Kerry Turner's journey and work02:42 Kerry's early sporting career and Olympic experience08:49 Her mother's pioneering role in women's water polo12:43 The fight for inclusion in the Olympics17:43 The rise of women's sport in Australia22:57 Strategies to support women and girls in sport25:31 The Run My Way initiative and safety in running11:04 Research findings on women's safety and running habits27:45 The importance of male allyship and community support22:12 Innovative programs and pilot projects for safer spaces11:05 The future vision for women's participation in sport32:54 Closing thoughts and call to action Follow Us:Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@sophielane⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ Discount Codes:TAILWINDSTRONG: ⁠15% off Tailwind Nutrition⁠STRONGERSTRIDE: ⁠15% off Vivobarefoot shoes⁠STRONGER15: ⁠15% off Skorcha Sunscreen⁠ Thanks for tuning in!TSSP x

  2. Aug 29

    278.Should You Listen To Music When You Run? What does the research say!?

    278.Should You Listen To Music When You Run? What does the research say!? We’re back talking about music! This is part 2 of the music science series, scroll back to 275 for part 1. In this episode, Lydia dives into a recent systematic review exploring how listening to music during exercise affects perceived exertion, performance, and physiological responses. We often use music to motivate us, distract us from discomfort, or get us through a tough session — but what does the research actually tell us? And does music change what’s happening physiologically, or does it simply change how exercise feels? We cover: How music affects perceived exertion during running What the systematic review found about exercise performance The difference between subjective and physiological responses to music Why music can make exercise feel easier without changing heart rate or lactate How music may influence pacing, motivation, and effort Whether music has any implications for injury risk How runners can use music strategically during training and racing Interestingly, the research suggests that music can significantly reduce perceived exertion and may provide a small improvement in performance, without necessarily changing physiological measures such as heart rate or lactate. So, if music makes your run feel easier, is that actually useful? And could you use it as a tool to help with pacing and motivation? If you’re a runner who loves a good playlist, this episode breaks down what’s happening beneath the surface — and how you can use music more intentionally in your training. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to the episode and recent research02:09 Overview of the systematic review and its significance04:03 Research methodology and participant demographics07:44 Main findings: perceived exertion and performance effects11:04 Physiological vs subjective effects of music during exercise14:24 Practical implications for runners and injury risk17:44 Using music as a tool for pacing and motivation19:58 Summary of key takeaways and practical advice22:44 Final thoughts on mindful use of music in running Follow Us:Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@sophielane⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ Discount Codes:TAILWINDSTRONG: ⁠15% off Tailwind Nutrition⁠STRONGERSTRIDE: ⁠15% off Vivobarefoot shoes⁠STRONGER15: ⁠15% off Skorcha Sunscreen⁠ Thanks for tuning in!TSSP x

  3. Aug 8

    275. Can Music Make You Run Better? The Science of Pre-Task Music

    275. Can Music Make You Run Better? The Science of Pre-Task Music Can the right song actually improve your running performance? 🎧 In this episode, we dive into the science behind pre-task music and its impact on exercise performance, breaking down a systematic review of 30 controlled studies. We explore how listening to music before exercise can influence motivation, arousal, mood, perceived effort, and ultimately performance. We also look at what makes an effective pre-run playlist; from tempo and volume to one of the most important factors: choosing music you actually enjoy. We cover: What the research says about music and exercise performance How pre-task music can influence motivation, arousal, and perceived exertion Whether music can actually help you produce more power and effort How to use music strategically before training or racing So, should you be building a pre-run playlist? If you’re looking for another tool to help you get the most out of your training, this episode is worth a listen. REFERENCES:Primary source: Delleli, S., Ouergui, I., Ballmann, C.G., Messaoudi, H., Trabelsi, K., Ardigò, L.P., & Chtourou, H. (2023). The effects of pre-task music on exercise performance and associated psycho-physiological responses: a systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis of controlled studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 14:1293783. Follow Us:Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@sophielane⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ Discount Codes:TAILWINDSTRONG: ⁠15% off Tailwind Nutrition⁠STRONGERSTRIDE: ⁠15% off Vivobarefoot shoes⁠STRONGER15: ⁠15% off Skorcha Sunscreen⁠ Thanks for tuning in!TSSP x

About

A podcast about running and more! A weekly conversation with accomplished athletes, health professionals, and weekend warriors on how and why they do what they do. We aspire to share value on topics surrounding training, nutrition, injury prevention, and mental strategies to not only improve your performance but enhance your life. Your hosts, Lydia Mckay; Physiotherapist and Personal Trainer, and Sophie Lane; Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Running Coach, are passionate about running and are excited to help you run stronger!

You Might Also Like