In this episode of ZenRUN, I chat with Chris Sarra about running, resilience, identity, family, and the powerful lessons that can come from simply putting one foot in front of the other. Chris grew up in Bundaberg, in a big family, with rugby league, backyard sport, and plenty of stories from childhood. Running, however, was not always something he loved. In fact, Chris admits he used to hate running at school. That changed later in life, when he began running to stay healthy and eventually found himself taking on half marathons, the New York Marathon, and now a total of nine marathons. Through his connection with Robert de Castella and the Indigenous Marathon Project, Chris discovered how deeply transformative marathon running can be - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. We talk about the first time Chris began to feel like a runner, why he started taking his running shoes on work trips, and why he believes you “can’t cheat a marathon.” Chris shares how training and finishing marathons helped him realise how mentally strong he could be, and how running at night under the stars became a space for thinking, reflecting, and doing some of his best inner work. Chris also shares stories from his work in education, including his time as the first Aboriginal principal at Cherbourg State School, the importance of high expectations, and the belief that kids can be both strong in who they are and smart enough to thrive in the modern world. There are beautiful reflections in this conversation about family too, including Chris’s Italian heritage, his marathon-running sister Venere, his son training for New York, and the way running can quietly model a healthy adulthood for your children. Tips and Takeaways from Chris When running gets hard, bring it right back to the next step. One foot in front of the other. Respect the marathon. Chris says you can’t cheat it - if you try, it will find you. Make the time to train, even when life is busy. Chris trained for his first marathon while starting a major new work role and found a way to get it done. Running can give back more than it takes. Chris says running made him better in his work because it gave him space for meditation, reflection, and deep thinking. You don’t have to love every part of running to love what it gives you. Modelling healthy habits can matter more than lecturing about them. Running doesn’t create resilience from nothing - Chris believes it exposes the resilience that is already there. Check out The Stronger Smarter Institute - https://strongersmarter.com.au/ Pass The Baton Chris answered Kelli O’Neill’s question: “What’s your favourite aid station food?” His answer? He doesn’t really have a favourite aid-station food. He tends not to eat much during marathons, doesn’t like gels, and prefers snakes or chewable chews. He did, however, remember the smell of roast beef and roast pork skewers during the Rome Marathon, and a magnificent post-race T-bone steak with red wine afterwards. And Chris has left a brilliant question for my next guest - but you’ll need to listen to the episode to hear what it is. 💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that. If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do—Feel Like a Runner Again is for you. This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself. Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.” 👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again 🙏 A couple of big favours 1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations. 2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club or email hello@zenrun.club 🎧 Don’t miss an episode Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.
