THE RUNNER'S SOLE

Sharon Miller

Our feet carry us everywhere, yet we rarely give them the attention they deserve. On The Runner’s Sole, Sharon—an experienced podiatrist with over 20 years in practice—breaks down foot health in a way that’s easy to understand. From everyday walkers to marathon runners and professional athletes, this podcast covers injuries, prevention, footwear, and practical foot care tips. Perfect for anyone who wants to walk, run, and live without foot pain.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Stretching Isn’t Always the Answer: Hypermobility, Stability & Running

    Why does stretching sometimes make a runner feel better, but not actually solve the problem? And could being naturally flexible affect your running in ways you haven't considered? In this episode of The Runner’s Sole Podcast, Sharon Miller explores hypermobility in runners and why flexibility isn't always the same thing as stability. As runners, we're often told to stretch when something feels tight or uncomfortable. But what if the real issue isn't that you need more flexibility? What if your body needs better strength, control and stability instead? Sharon explains what hypermobility actually means, the common signs runners may notice, and how increased joint movement can affect running mechanics and stability. She also looks at proprioception, why strength can act as your body's stability system, and how training load, footwear and orthotics may fit into the bigger picture. In this episode, Sharon covers: • What hypermobility actually is  • Common signs of hypermobility in runners  • How hypermobility can affect running  • Why stretching may not always be the answer  • How strength supports stability  • The role of proprioception and body awareness  • Managing training load when your body needs more control  • Whether braces or taping can help  • How footwear and orthotics may support certain runners  • When a runner should seek professional help  • Why pain doesn't always mean damage The key message? Being flexible isn't necessarily a problem. But flexibility without enough strength and control can sometimes create challenges for runners. If you're a runner who constantly feels tight, unstable, sore or like you're always stretching without getting to the root of the problem, this episode is worth a listen. Sharon Miller is a podiatrist, runner and host of The Runner’s Sole Podcast, sharing practical podiatry advice to help runners understand their feet, reduce injury risk and keep doing what they love. Listen now and discover what your body may actually need instead of simply stretching more. Visit runnerssole.co.uk for more from The Runner’s Sole. #TheRunnersSolePodcast #RunningInjuries #Hypermobility #HypermobilityInRunners #RunningTips #Podiatry #Runners #InjuryPrevention #RunningHealth #Proprioception Support the show

    Why Stretching Isn’t Always the Answer: Hypermobility, Stability & Running
  2. Sep 7

    Piriformis Syndrome Explained: What Runners Need to Know

    Have you ever felt pain deep in your buttock that seems to travel down your leg? You might have been told it's your hamstring, your back, or simply "tight muscles" — but sometimes the problem can involve a small muscle called the piriformis. In this episode of The Runner's Sole Podcast, podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller takes a closer look at Piriformis Syndrome and what runners need to know about this often-misunderstood source of pain. Sharon explains what the piriformis muscle actually does, why runners may experience piriformis-related pain, and how the condition can sometimes be confused with other causes of pain around the hip, buttock and leg. She also explores an important question many runners ask: Should you stop running? And if you don't stop, what can you actually do about it? From exercises and stretching to understanding the role of the foot and lower limb, Sharon breaks down the key things runners should consider when dealing with piriformis-related symptoms. 🏃‍♀️ IN THIS EPISODE, SHARON COVERS: ✔ What exactly is the piriformis muscle?  ✔ What is Piriformis Syndrome?  ✔ Why might runners experience piriformis-related pain?  ✔ How can you tell if the piriformis could be involved?  ✔ When should you get assessed?  ✔ Should you stop running if you're experiencing pain?  ✔ What exercises may help?  ✔ Can stretching actually help?  ✔ How could the foot and lower limb contribute to the problem?  ✔ Why a tight piriformis may not always be the whole story  ✔ What runners can do to manage their symptoms and return to running safely 👟 A PODIATRIST'S PERSPECTIVE As runners, it's tempting to focus on the area that hurts. But pain doesn't always tell the whole story. Your feet, ankles, knees, hips and the way you move all work together when you run. Understanding that bigger picture can be an important part of figuring out why pain keeps coming back. Sharon breaks down what runners should look out for and when it's time to stop guessing and get properly assessed. 🎧 KEY TAKEAWAY Piriformis-related pain can be frustrating — especially when you're trying to keep running. But understanding what may be causing your symptoms, when to seek an assessment, and how to approach your return to running can make a big difference. If you're a runner dealing with pain around your buttock, hip or leg, this episode is for you. Listen now and learn more about Piriformis Syndrome and what runners need to know. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 The Runner's Sole Podcast: www.runnerssole.co.uk 👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk 🏃 ABOUT THE RUNNER'S SOLE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets foot health. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast explores running injuries, foot health, footwear, training, recovery and the things runners can do to stay active and keep moving. Because your feet aren't just along for the ride — they're the foundation of every step you take. Support the show

    Piriformis Syndrome Explained: What Runners Need to Know
  3. Sep 3

    The Runner Behind the Miles: Lessons From the Road || The Runner's Sole

    The Runner Behind the Miles: Lessons From the Road || The Runner's Sole What does it really take to become a runner? It's easy to look at someone's miles, race times, and achievements and assume the journey was straightforward. But behind every runner is a story — the difficult runs, setbacks, injuries, doubts, breakthroughs, and the moments when you wonder why you started in the first place. In this episode of The Runner's Sole Podcast, podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller sits down with Rory, one of her patients and a runner, to talk honestly about his running journey and what he's learned along the way. From discovering running and building confidence to dealing with injuries, listening to your body, training smarter, and finding a healthier relationship with pace and performance, Rory shares the experiences that have shaped him as a runner. Sharon and Rory also explore something many runners can relate to: why running isn't always about pushing harder. Sometimes becoming a better runner means knowing when to slow down, adapt your training, recover properly, and listen to what your body is telling you. Whether you're a beginner runner, returning to running, training for a race, or simply trying to stay healthy and consistent, this conversation offers plenty of relatable lessons from the road. 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✔ How Rory first discovered running and what kept him coming back  ✔ The challenges many runners face when starting out  ✔ Why runners sometimes ignore pain and push through injuries  ✔ What injury can teach you about listening to your body  ✔ Why rest and recovery are essential parts of running  ✔ How to avoid becoming obsessed with pace, mileage and running data  ✔ Why training plans sometimes need to adapt to real life  ✔ The difference between training harder and training smarter  ✔ How running can build confidence, discipline and resilience  ✔ What running can teach us about success beyond race times  ✔ Practical advice for anyone thinking about starting their running journey 🏃 KEY TAKEAWAY Being a runner isn't just about how many miles you can complete or how fast you can run them. It's about learning your body, understanding your limits, adapting when life gets in the way, and continuing to move forward after setbacks. Train smart. Listen to your body. And remember that every runner has a story behind the miles. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 All Episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750 👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk 👥 Join Our Running Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17oz7x3jFe/ 🏃 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets science, stride by stride. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast helps runners understand foot health, prevent injuries, improve performance, and build sustainable running habits. From running injuries and footwear to training, recovery, mindset, and the real stories behind the sport, The Runner's Sole Podcast helps you run smarter, stay healthier, and enjoy your miles. Support the show Support the show

    The Runner Behind the Miles: Lessons From the Road || The Runner's Sole
  4. Aug 17

    Your Partner Cheated… Would You Stay? Our Take Might Surprise You.

    What would you do if the person you loved cheated on you? Would you leave immediately? Would you try to understand why it happened? Or is forgiveness ever possible after betrayal? In this special episode of The Runner’s Sole Podcast, podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller sits down with Benjamin Tagoe, The Apostle of Change, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about relationships, infidelity, cheating, forgiveness, and what can really happen beneath the surface of a relationship. We explore one of the most difficult questions many couples may face: why do people cheat? But this conversation isn't simply about blaming the person who cheated or telling someone whether they should stay or leave. Instead, Sharon and Benjamin explore the deeper issues that can sometimes exist within relationships—including emotional disconnection, unmet needs, communication, personal responsibility, and the complicated reasons people make choices that can deeply hurt the person they love. Running is at the heart of The Runner's Sole Podcast, but health and wellbeing extend far beyond our physical bodies. Our relationships, emotional wellbeing, stress, and mental health can all influence how we show up in everyday life. 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL EXPLORE: ✔ Why people cheat and what may sit behind infidelity ✔ Whether cheating always means a relationship should end ✔ Can trust and intimacy be rebuilt after betrayal? ✔ The difference between understanding someone's actions and excusing them ✔ How emotional disconnection can affect relationships ✔ Why communication matters before problems become resentment ✔ The role of personal responsibility in relationship breakdowns ✔ Whether forgiveness is possible after cheating ✔ Why staying in a relationship doesn't necessarily mean ignoring what happened ✔ How emotional wellbeing and relationship health connect with overall wellbeing ❤️ KEY TAKEAWAY Relationships are complicated. There are rarely simple answers when it comes to love, betrayal, forgiveness, and rebuilding trust. Sometimes the most important conversation isn't simply "Who was wrong?" It's asking what happened, why it happened, what can be learned from it, and whether the relationship can be rebuilt. This episode doesn't tell you whether you should stay or leave. Instead, it gives you something to think about. Your partner cheated… would you stay? Listen to the full conversation and hear Sharon and Benjamin's take on it. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 All Episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750 👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk 👥 Join Our Running Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17oz7x3jFe/ 🏃 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets science, stride by stride. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast explores running, foot health, injury prevention, movement, mindset, wellbeing, and the conversations that help us live healthier lives—both on and off the road. Because taking care of yourself isn't just about your feet. It's about the whole person. Support the show Support the show

    Your Partner Cheated… Would You Stay? Our Take Might Surprise You.
  5. Aug 10

    The Nutrition Habits Every Runner Should Know | Runner’s Sole Podcast

    Eat Better, Run Better: The Nutrition Habits Every Runner Should Know | Runner’s Sole Podcast What you eat can have a bigger impact on your running than you might think. In this episode of The Runner’s Sole Podcast, Sharon Miller is joined by Ella, a passionate nutrition advocate on a mission to help 10,000 people become happier and healthier. Ella’s own nutrition journey began at 21, when she discovered how dramatically better she could feel by changing the way she fuelled her body. What started as a personal transformation quickly became a passion for helping others experience the same benefits. Together, Sharon and Ella explore the connection between nutrition, running, recovery, energy and long-term health—and why runners sometimes focus so much on training while overlooking what happens in the kitchen. In this episode, you'll discover: 🥗 Why nutrition matters for runners — and why training hard isn't enough if you're not fuelling your body properly. 🏃 Common nutrition mistakes runners make — including some habits that could be holding back performance and recovery. 💪 How nutrition supports recovery — from helping your body repair after running to maintaining energy throughout the day. 💧 The truth about hydration and supplements — what runners actually need and what they may be able to skip. 🍳 Simple healthy meals and habits — practical ideas for people who don't have hours to spend preparing food. 🧠 How to build healthier habits that actually last — without chasing perfection or constantly starting over. 🌍 Ella's bigger mission — her goal of helping 10,000 people live healthier, happier lives and creating 100 Budget Breakfast Nutrition Clubs across Europe over the next 10 years. This conversation is a great reminder that you don't need to completely overhaul your life to become healthier. Small, consistent choices can make a huge difference—not just to your running, but to how you feel every day. Whether you're training for your first 5K, preparing for a marathon, or simply trying to feel better and have more energy, this episode is packed with practical nutrition advice you can start using straight away. 🎧 Listen now and discover how better nutrition could help you eat better, recover better, and run better. And remember: every great run starts with healthy feet—but healthy running also starts with how you fuel the body behind them. Connect with Ella Find out more about Ella's work, her nutrition community, and her mission to help people live healthier and happier lives through the links provided in the episode. Connect with Runner's Sole If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a runner who could benefit from it. The Runner’s Sole Podcast  Helping runners stay healthy, run stronger, and enjoy the miles. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 All Episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750  👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk  (http://www.runnerssole.co.uk)  👥 Join Our Running Community:   / 17oz7x3jfe   🏃 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets science, stride by stride. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast helps runners prevent injuries, improve performance, and enjoy running for life through practical, evidence-based advice and conversations with inspiring guests from across the running community. Support the show. Support the show

    The Nutrition Habits Every Runner Should Know | Runner’s Sole Podcast
  6. Aug 3

    Why Some Runners Keep Going… and Others Give Up | Building Confidence, Consistency & Community with Laura Thornton

    Why Some Runners Keep Going… and Others Give Up | Building Confidence, Consistency & Community with Laura Thornton Why do some runners stick with it for years while others quit after just a few weeks? It's rarely about fitness. In this episode of The Runner's Sole Podcast, podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller is joined by running coach, community founder, and marathon runner Laura Thornton to explore what really keeps runners going long after the initial motivation fades. Together, they discuss the psychology behind consistency, why confidence matters more than pace, and how finding the right community can completely transform your running journey. Whether you're a complete beginner, returning after a break, or training for your next marathon, this conversation will remind you that becoming a runner isn't about being the fastest—it's about continuing to show up. 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✔ Why so many new runners give up within the first few weeks  ✔ The biggest misconceptions beginners have about running  ✔ Why motivation is unreliable—and what works instead  ✔ Simple habits that help you stay consistent all year round  ✔ How accountability can transform your running journey  ✔ Why running communities help people achieve more than training alone  ✔ How confidence grows through small, consistent wins  ✔ The importance of listening to your body and avoiding burnout  ✔ Why success isn't always measured by pace or medals  ✔ Practical advice for runners who want to enjoy the sport for life 🧠 KEY TAKEAWAY The runners who succeed aren't always the fastest or the most naturally talented. They're the ones who build habits, find support, stay patient, and keep showing up—even when motivation disappears. Running isn't just about crossing finish lines. It's about becoming the kind of person who doesn't give up. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 All Episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750 👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk 👥 Join Our Running Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17oz7x3jFe/ 🏃 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets science, stride by stride. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast helps runners prevent injuries, improve performance, and enjoy running for life through practical, evidence-based advice and conversations with inspiring guests from across the running community. Support the show. Support the show

    Why Some Runners Keep Going… and Others Give Up | Building Confidence, Consistency & Community with Laura Thornton
  7. Jul 27

    Running Isn't Enough: The Missing Piece Every Runner Needs | The Runner's Sole Podcast

    Running Isn't Enough: The Missing Piece Every Runner Needs | The Runner's Sole PodcastThink running alone is enough to make you a stronger, faster, and injury-free runner? Think again. In this episode of The Runner's Sole Podcast, podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller reveals the one thing many runners overlook—and why simply logging more miles isn't always the answer. From strength training and mobility to injury prevention and long-term performance, Sharon explains why your muscles, tendons, and joints need more than just running to stay healthy and keep improving. Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next marathon, this episode will help you understand what your body really needs to become a stronger, more resilient runner. 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✔ Why running alone doesn't train every muscle you need  ✔ The difference between endurance and strength  ✔ Why resistance training is essential for runners  ✔ Which muscles runners commonly neglect  ✔ The role of stretching and mobility in injury prevention  ✔ Why stronger muscles help protect your joints and feet  ✔ How strength training can improve running efficiency and performance  ✔ Simple ways to build a stronger running body without spending hours in the gym 💪 KEY TAKEAWAY Running makes you better at running—but it doesn't build everything your body needs. If you want to run longer, recover faster, reduce injuries, and continue enjoying running for years to come, strength training isn't optional—it's the missing piece. Train smarter, not just harder. 🔗 LINKS 🌐 All Episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750 👟 Online Foot Consultation: www.runnerssole.co.uk 👥 Join Our Running Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17oz7x3jFe/ 🏃 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Runner's Sole Podcast is where running meets science, stride by stride. Hosted by podiatrist and runner Sharon Miller, the podcast helps runners prevent injuries, improve performance, and better understand foot health through practical, evidence-based advice. Whether you're just starting your running journey or chasing your next personal best, you'll find expert tips to help keep you running strong. Support the show Support the show

    Running Isn't Enough: The Missing Piece Every Runner Needs | The Runner's Sole Podcast

About

Our feet carry us everywhere, yet we rarely give them the attention they deserve. On The Runner’s Sole, Sharon—an experienced podiatrist with over 20 years in practice—breaks down foot health in a way that’s easy to understand. From everyday walkers to marathon runners and professional athletes, this podcast covers injuries, prevention, footwear, and practical foot care tips. Perfect for anyone who wants to walk, run, and live without foot pain.