Women’s Running Collective

Womens Running Collective
  • 5.0 (3)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A new podcast for all women who run. Any pace and at any point in their running journey

  1. 2D AGO

    Dopamine Hacks for Running Motivation with Jussie

    Episode 73: How to Hack Dopamine to Get Out the Door (Plus: Running in the Snow + A Beautiful Listener Story) Yes… we re-recorded this one. 😅 After some technical gremlins, Episode 73 is back louder, clearer and possibly even better. Weekly Running Catch-Up Hayles: Managing a grumpy back, so it’s been less running and more swimming + strength. A reminder that sometimes “training” doesn’t look like what we planned and that’s okay. Jussie: Deep in hill sessions and building elevation for Ultra-Trail Australia 50 under the guidance of coach Josh. Legs = cooked. Confidence = building. Also… Jussie is about to head to Austria 🇦🇹 with plans to run in Vienna (possibly in the snow?!) and then onto Istanbul. If you have snow and ice running tips, please send them our way. The Main Chat: Dopamine & Motivation Why is it so hard to get out the door some days, even when we know we’ll feel amazing after? Enter: dopamine. We unpack: What dopamine actually is (a reward-based neurotransmitter) How it drives desire, habits and repeat behaviours Why it plays a role in everything from training consistency to doom scrolling The good news? You can work with your brain instead of fighting it. Natural Ways to Support Dopamine Protein + tyrosine-rich foods Magnesium Good sleep hygiene Regular exercise Reducing chronic stress Your brain chemistry matters. But so does your environment. Practical Dopamine “Hacks” for Runners 1️⃣ Reduce Friction Lay your gear out the night before Book the class Lower the bar (10 minutes counts) Make starting easy. 2️⃣ Use Accountability Train with a friend Join a group Say your goal out loud Social commitment is powerful. 3️⃣ Reframe the Story Bad weather? Build grit. Tired? Go slow. Short on time? Two minutes is enough to start. 4️⃣ The 2-Minute Rule Tell yourself you’re just doing two minutes. Momentum does the rest. 5️⃣ “Eat the Frog” Train first. Get it done before your brain negotiates its way out. Leverage your morning cortisol spike and delay your phone avoid that early dopamine hit from scrolling before you move your body. 6️⃣ Make It Irresistible Pair runs with your favourite podcast Gamify your goals Rotate rewards Vary your routes Anticipation creates dopamine. Build that in before the workout. Listener Story: Emma 🤍 We read the most beautiful email from Emma a working mum of three in her late 30s navigating renovations, raising a child with additional needs, and using running as an anchor for her mental health. She shared: Training toward 10K goals Sizing up in her ASICS shoes after a year of pins and needles (we’ve all been there) Completing the Afterglow Trail Run — a nighttime trail 10K in Victoria raising awareness about women’s safety Her ride-or-die: a supportive sports bra from She Science Her golden advice: run slower Emma also asked to hear from other mums juggling similar life stressors. So we’re putting that call out to you, our community is stronger when we share. Recommendations & Reminders ❄️ Jussie wants your snow and ice running tips. ⌚ Hayles recommends watching our Instagram video on setting up emergency contacts + incident detection on your Garmin. After Josh had a bike crash recently, the alert came through immediately  thankfully he was fine, but it was a powerful reminder that these features matter. We might be recording next week while Jussie is overseas stay tuned. As always, thank you for being here. Train your brain. Lace up anyway. And if motivation dips, remember, you can outsmart it. Happy running 💛 Hayles & Jussie Women’s Running Collective

    34 min

  2. FEB 16

    Busting Negative Self-Talk, Getting Back Into Training

    Episode 72: Busting Negative Self-Talk, Getting Back Into Training & The “so close but not Sub-20” 5K Okay first things first… yes, we know. The mic situation. 😅 Hayles jumps on at the start to confess to a full technical microphone fail which makes her a little tricky to hear. We debated binning the episode… but decided the convo was too important not to share. Thanks for sticking with us it will be fixed by next week, promise. And can we just say… 72 episodes?! What is happening. We are so grateful you’re still here with us. This Week’s Running Recap Jussie: 12K long run in beautiful Coffs Harbour Spicy hill sessions (why do we do this to ourselves?) Hayles: Camping weekend Ran the 5K leg of a team triathlon in hot, hilly conditions Our team placed 1st female + 2nd overall  Now… the drama. Did Hayles run sub-20? According to Strava… no According to Garmin… unclear. According to the course distance… questionable. Basically No!!!! as the course even though an official race was not (from what we can tell) was the full 5km so Hayley is not prepared to claim it.   The Reality: Getting Back Into Training Is Hard Post-holidays slump is real. Jussie chats about struggling to find rhythm again while building toward the Ultra-Trail Australia 50. Motivation dips. Hills get skipped. The inner critic gets loud. Which leads us into the heart of this episode… Busting Negative Self-Talk (Without Pretending It Doesn’t Exist) We unpack the work of Ethan Kross and his books Chatter and Shift — and how his tools can actually help runners. Because negative self-talk doesn’t just affect elite athletes. It shows up for: Mums returning to training Women chasing time goals Anyone comparing themselves on social media Anyone who has ever thought “I’m not good enough” Sound familiar? Tools We’re Trying (And You Can Too) 1️⃣ Distant Self-Talk Instead of “I can’t do this,” try: “You’ve done hard things before, Hayley.” Using “you” or your own name creates psychological distance and helps you coach yourself instead of criticise yourself. 2️⃣ Create Rituals Small pre-run routines signal calm and control: Same playlist Same warm-up Same mantra Rituals reduce anxiety and ground your nervous system. 3️⃣ WOOP Method Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan Example: Wish: Finish UTA strong Outcome: Feel proud crossing the line Obstacle: Skipping hills Plan: Tuesday = non-negotiable hill reps Simple. Practical. Powerful. 4️⃣ Mental Time Travel Fast-forward to the finish line. How will it feel? Then time-travel backwards to your “ace in the hole” the toughest thing you’ve already conquered. You’ve survived worse. Your brain just needs reminding. 5️⃣ Reset Your Nervous System Look at photos of people who support you Spend 13 minutes in green space Engage your senses: scent, music, touch Your body needs regulation before your mind can shift. 6️⃣ Be a “Chatter Advisor” When a friend spirals: Listen Validate Share perspective Offer small practical help Add appropriate affection Don’t judge. Don’t immediately fix. Just be with them. (And practice doing that for yourself.) Why This Matters The shame spiral of self-criticism is heavy. And we know so many women carry it silently. If this episode does one thing, we hope it helps you realise: You are not weak for having negative thoughts. You are human. And you can train your brain the same way you train your legs. Thanks for being here for 72 episodes. We love this community more than you know. Now we’re off to pick up our kids. 💛 Hayles & Jussie The Women’s Running Collective

    33 min

  3. FEB 9

    Trail VS Road, The Great Running Debate.

    Road vs Trail: The Great Running Debate | Episode 71 In Episode 71 of the Women’s Running Collective podcast, Hayles and Jussie dive into one of the biggest questions in the running world: road running vs trail running. From weekly training recaps to the realities of balancing running with hormones, family life and busy schedules, this episode is relatable, honest and full of laughs. The girls break down the pros and cons of trail running and road running, chatting everything from terrain, gear and accessibility to mindset, personality types and mental engagement. Whether you love the calm of the trails or the simplicity of the road, this episode will have you nodding along and possibly questioning your running identity. They also touch on the challenges and risks of trail running, the sense of competition and community it brings, and whether trail running really is “calm” or just a little bit chaotic. The episode wraps up with an exciting ASICS competition announcement, community updates and Hayles’ weekly recommendations. A must-listen for runners of all levels whether you’re trail curious, road loyal, or somewhere in between. 00:00 Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective 00:27 Weekend running recap 01:00 Training highlights and challenges 01:23 Upcoming events and personal updates 04:16 Road running vs trail running: the great debate 06:38 Benefits of trail running 07:19 Advantages of road running 11:40 Running personality types 19:10 Trail running: calm or chaotic? 20:10 Risks and challenges of trail running 20:45 Competition, community and connection on the trails 24:19 Trail running gear, fashion and practicality 26:37 Accessibility and convenience: road vs trail 29:49 ASICS competition, recommendations and wrap-up Hayles’ Recommendations This Week ✨ Krumbled Salted Caramel Beauty Bites https://krumbledfoods.com/products/salted-caramel-beauty-bites ✨ Edenvale Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Cuvée https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/308942/edenvale-non-alcoholic-wine-sparkling-cuvee

    36 min

  4. FEB 2

    Lou Kelly (The Exercise Engineer): Building Strong, Happy & Healthy Women

    Episode 70: Training Chats, Strong Women & a Very Special Guest Lou Kelly Episode 70 is here and it’s a GOOD one. This week we’re chatting all things training, recovery, mindset and welcoming an incredible guest into the WRC space running coach Lou Kelly. We kick things off with a real-life catch-up on our own running weeks (public holiday miles, spicy intervals and the juggle of training around life), before diving into why recovery, hydration and listening to your body actually matter more than you think. Then we’re joined by Lou Kelly former civil engineer turned full-time running coach who shares her journey into the running world, her passion for helping women get stronger, and why strength training isn’t optional if you want to run for life. We chat biomechanics, common issues women face when running, setting realistic goals and building habits that actually stick. This episode is packed with practical takeaways, empowering reminders and plenty of “oh wow, I needed to hear that” moments. Whether you’re new to running or deep into a training block, this one’s for you. ⏱ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective 00:19 – Weekly running recap & how training has been feeling 01:11 – Training insights, reflections & real talk 03:43 – Exciting news & upcoming goals 04:59 – Special guest introduction: Lou Kelly 06:42 – Rapid fire questions with Lou 13:15 – Lou’s journey from civil engineer to running coach 17:15 – Strength training & why it’s so important for women 21:51 – Biomechanical issues & running form tips 27:05 – Compassion in coaching (and with yourself) 29:00 – Building sustainable habits that last 32:12 – Setting realistic, achievable goals 39:38 – Positive reinforcement, self-talk & mindset 43:10 – Final thoughts, takeaways & recommendations 🎙 Tune in now wherever you listen to podcasts and as always, thank you for being part of this beautiful community. 💛 You can find LOU KELLY HERE  Hayleys LULULEMON scrunchie recco  Genevieve Gregson YOUTUBE Andy Buchanan YOUTUBE

    54 min

  5. JAN 26

    Half Marathon Training for Women: What We Wish We Knew Before Our First + Pacing, Fueling & What Actually Matters

    Women’s Running Collective Podcast Episode 69: Training for Your First Half Marathon Episode 69 In this episode, Hayles & Jussie kick things off with a catch-up on the week that was, including a fun trip to Sydney for the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 launch… and a not-so-fun run-in with an aggressive runner at Centennial Park (because apparently even runners need etiquette reminders 🙃). From there, we dive deep into everything you need to know about training for your first half marathon. Whether you’re eyeing the start line for the first time or just want to feel more confident in your training, this episode is packed with practical tips, personal stories, and reassurance that you’re doing better than you think. We chat fueling (yes, carbs are your friend), pacing, easy runs, hills, recovery, cross-training, and why the right shoes can genuinely change your running life. We also talk about the magic of running with friends, setting realistic goals, and remembering why you started in the first place. As always, there are a few laughs, a few tangents, and some very real moments because training isn’t perfect, and neither are we. If you’re training for your first half marathon (or thinking about it), this one’s for you 💕   Time Stamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective 00:32 – Celebrating Episode 69 🎉 01:07 – Running adventures in Sydney & the ASICS launch 02:19 – A not-so-kind runner encounter (and why kindness matters) 06:29 – Current training sessions & new goals 10:17 – Gold Coast Half Marathon prep 11:11 – Half marathon training tips for beginners 24:19 – Why proper running shoes really matter 27:55 – First marathon memories & questionable grooming choices 28:22 – Grossie McGross face & glue mishaps (you’ll have to listen 😂) 29:21 – Lessons we learned the hard way in marathon training 30:54 – Fueling: what, when, and why it matters 32:50 – Recovery, rest days & listening to your body 41:38 – Setting realistic and achievable race day goals 48:52 – Key components of half marathon training 50:30 – Final thoughts, recommendations & wrap-up   See you next week xo Hayles and Jussie

    54 min

  6. JAN 19

    Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Year of Running (Women’s Training, Habits & Mindset)

    Starting the Year Strong: Setting Yourself Up for Running Success in 2026 Women’s Running Collective Podcast Welcome to our first episode of 2026 🎉 and a little moment to pause, reflect, and set the tone for the year ahead. In this episode, Hayles and Jussie celebrate three years of the Women’s Running Collective podcast (Well kinda) more like we are in our third year, share a big holiday catch-up, and chat about easing back into running after the festive season. This one is all about starting the year strong (without going too hard, too soon). We talk goal setting, finding your “why,” building habits that actually stick, and redefining what success in running really looks like especially as women balancing real life. Whether you’re training for something specific or just hoping to feel good moving your body again, this episode is full of gentle motivation, practical tips, and honest reflections to help you start 2026 feeling confident and supported. ⏱️ Episode Time Stamps 00:00 – Nostalgic Infomercials & Childhood Memories A light-hearted start as we head down memory lane. 00:14 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective Kicking off 2026 together and welcoming listeners into a new year. 00:29 – Reflecting on the Past Year A little look back at what 2025 taught us — on and off the run. 00:56 – Holiday Highlights & Family Time Festive season chats, rest, and finding joy outside of training. 01:25 – Running Adventures & Parkrun Stories Easy runs, family parkruns, and easing back into routine. 02:21 – Starting the Year with a Positive Mindset Why January doesn’t have to mean pressure, punishment, or perfection. 08:00 – Setting Goals & Finding Your ‘Why’ How to set meaningful, achievable goals that actually motivate you. 15:04 – Planning for a Successful Year of Running Structure, flexibility, and allowing space for life to happen. 20:08 – Reflecting on Last Year’s Deload Weeks Why rest weeks matter more than you think. 20:31 – The Importance of Strength & Mobility Training Supporting your running with strength, mobility, and longevity in mind. 22:39 – Fueling Like a Runner Why eating enough is part of training (and not optional). 25:34 – The Power of Running with a Community How connection keeps us consistent and lifts us on hard days. 28:21 – Measuring Success Differently Moving beyond PBs and redefining what “progress” looks like. 32:51 – Vision Boards & Atomic Habits Layering small habits, building momentum, and dreaming big (without burnout). 34:06 – Final Thoughts & Recommendations Encouragement for the year ahead and a reminder: you’re doing better than you think. Hayley reccomended @Total.balance.nutrition Nicole Miller (nutritionist) AND this podcast about habit stacking https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SJytDQlco71aFzzTIt2vV?si=aNe5ZeWvSui1Jz2AT9y-UA 💛 Key Takeaways You don’t need to “start over” — just start where you are Easy runs, rest, and strength matter Success isn’t just pace or distance Community makes running better Small habits add up in big ways If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who’s easing back into running this year, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026 🏃‍♀️✨   XO Hayles and Jussie

    38 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    Unscripted Holiday Chaos with Zero running advice: Women’s Running Collective Bonus Episode

    Unscripted Laughs & Holiday Chaos: Women’s Running Collective Bonus Episode This bonus episode is exactly what happens when Hayles and Jussie hit record with no plan, no script, and zero self-control and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. To wrap up the year, we’re bringing you a light-hearted, laugh-out-loud episode full of running-related Would You Rather questions, cheeky confessions, embarrassing moments, and the kind of chaotic banter that usually happens off-mic. There’s not a whole lot of running advice in this one — but there is plenty of joy, silliness, and end-of-year energy. Perfect listening if you’re out for an easy run, folding laundry, driving to a Christmas catch-up, or just need something that feels like chatting with your running mates. Thanks for being part of our community this one’s just for fun 💫 In this episode we cover: Unfiltered running banter Ridiculous runner questions we all get asked Would You Rather: Running Edition Confessions, chaos, and Christmas vibes Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective 00:15 The chaos begins (no turning back) 00:39 Banter, laughs, and funny stories 01:22 Would You Rather: Running Edition 08:19 Quirky questions & runner confessions 16:35 Hilarious (and relatable) running stories 17:39 The most annoying questions runners get 19:29 Would You Rather: Running Edition (round two) 20:22 Random questions & fun facts 23:59 Confessions and embarrassing moments 29:55 Christmas gifts, gratitude & wrapping up the year

    34 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Training With Your Cycle: 5K Time Trials, RED-S & Female Running with Lydia O’Donnell

    Time Trials, Training with Your Cycle & Tackling Taboos with Lydia O’Donnell The Women’s Running Collective Podcast This week on the pod, Hayles and Jussie are back with a big catch-up on life, running, and those 5K time trials 😮‍💨. We chat all things pacing, nerves, race-day lessons, and why time trials are just as much a mental workout as a physical one. Spoiler: mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and growth is happening. We also squeeze in some festive chaos, post-run reflections, and plenty of laughs before sitting down with our incredible guest, Lydia O’Donnell is the co-founder of Femmi. Lydia is a former elite marathoner and Nike Pacific Running Coach who’s now leading the charge in changing how women train. We talk openly about disordered eating, RED-S, menstrual cycle education, and why so many women have been training against their bodies for years without even realising it. Lydia shares how aligning her training with her cycle completely changed her performance, health, and relationship with running — and how Femmi is helping other women do the same. This episode is powerful, educational, and honestly a must-listen for any woman who runs (or wants to). Episode Breakdown 00:00 Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective 00:20 Christmas vibes, festive chaos & recent run trials 00:40 The 5K time trial – pacing, prep & post-run emotions 08:47 What we learned (the hard way) & race-day reflections 11:21 Christmas party shenanigans 13:48 Meet Lydia O’Donnell, co-founder of Femmi 22:55 Big dreams, elite running & chasing athletic goals 23:16 Lydia’s journey into Nike & the world of high-performance sport 23:45 Using sport to inspire and empower others 24:27 Gender barriers in running and high-performance environments 25:32 Coaching women & creating better opportunities 26:31 Founding Femmi and challenging outdated training models 26:58 Personal struggles, RED-S & reconnecting with her body 30:19 Why menstrual cycle education matters for runners 32:30 How Femmi is empowering female runners 43:43 Mindset, confidence & visualisation techniques 48:33 The power of community and shared experiences 52:40 Final thoughts, recommendations & wrapping up Femmi Instagram  FEMMI  Lydia Instagram SHOKZ OPENDOT ONE Accelerate 3" High-Rise Running Short If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or disconnected from your body as a runner — this one’s for you. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a run friend, and let us know what hit home 🤍🏃‍♀️

    1h 1m
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A new podcast for all women who run. Any pace and at any point in their running journey

Information

  • Creator
    Womens Running Collective
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Women’s Running Collective

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