Young Hearts Run Free Podcast Steven Watt

Magical things happen on the West Highland Way. We know that. This week's guest Elsey Davis does too.

Hot off a phenomenal performance at the 2024 Highland Fling where she took the win and set a new course record Elsey joins us to chat about her career.

From an iffy first marathon wearing her Dad's ill-fitting socks to chipping her marathon time down to elite standard her running has been on upward trajectory from the off.

We hear how injury, and a global pandemic opened the door for Elsey to find a voracious appetite for trail running. And so that upward trajectory ski rocketed.

The North Face athlete talks us through her triumph at The Fling. How much did she enjoy that world-famous red-carpet experience?

With a treasured golden ticket for the iconic Western States 100 earned we get a glimpse of how Elsey's build up is going ahead of flying out to the States for the race of her life. We've offered tae carry her bags of course!

Elsey was an absolute star to catch up with, she's packed heaps in already to her relatively short time on the trails. But we can't wait to see where the future takes her.

Before Elsey arrives to brighten our week we have a fair old discussion on the clusterf*ck that was the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Emotions were stirred!

Give Elsey a follow on her braw Insta account here https://www.instagram.com/elseydavis/?hl=en




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We're off berry picking this week, the good news? You're invited along!

We were thrilled to welcome Andy Berry back to the podcast for a catch-up with a focus on his recent outing at UTS by UTMB. A 2nd place well-earned on race weekend but we want to know more, much more, and Andy is open to tell us all.

The rugged Welsh mountains provided the backdrop for an epic weekend of racing, with the British summer deciding to arrive and under a dreamy celestial show from the Aurora Borealis how did our Andy fare?

Like his last appearance after his magical win at the Lakeland 100 last July Andy dishes out a race recap full of personal learning, golden nuggets and honesty. Did he go off way too fast like a d******d? Of course he did!

We cover off all the important nooks and crannies of his training and race management. Touching on his competitors, his support crew and skirting some UTMB controversy along the way.

We find out what's up next for Andy as he gears up for a truly memorable 2024. Between coaching, training racing and living he has a busy agenda on the cards!

We found a love for Andy last year, it's difficult not to get on board with a lad who is as open and honest as they come. This episode is a breath of fresh air, just like the man himself. You'll lap this up!

We take a moment in the intro to laud our official songsmith's new album. Beluga Lagoon The Slug's Bunnet is oot now and a masterpiece LISTEN HERE


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It's here, you've asked in your bucket loads, we've listened, we've responded. It's John's Highland Fling recap for your listening pleasure.

We do love having guests, we also love the odd episode where we get a good blether with each other!

John has hot footed back from his hols just in time for this week’s recording, and boy is he full of beans.

When a normal deep dive isn't enough what dae ye dae? Ye take a stylish swallow dive into a race day that promised so much and didn't fail to deliver. In every department.

Making a triumphant return to the first half of the West Highland Way John fills us in on how his day played out.

As you'd expect with JC there are laughs a plenty, a few wee happy tears along with a fare smattering of golden nuggets.

What did he have in his drop bags? What did he scavenge from the leftover table? How did he adapt as the temperatures soared? Stevie Boy asks the questions people want to know, how many pre-race
jobbies were had??!!

And what of that sensational red-carpet finish, it's a blow-by-blow account of a day that
will be etched in John's memory forever.

With hunners of pals met along the way this episode is a quintessential YHRF offering, the story spun through John's unique and lovable lens.

Enjoy this walloper of an episode and gear yourself up to swallow dive into your own personal little
adventure soon!


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Running. It's an addiction, eh? This week's guest knows all about it. Boab Keenan is that man and we're glad to have him along to to tell his tale of recovery.

A chronic alcoholic at the age of 21. Hooked on drugs. Down with the gang culture. Life was unravelling at a rapid rate of knots for Cumbernauld based Boab. Then running became his life saver.

As powerful an episode as we've ever published, Boab's honest, straight talking (sweary warning is activated) and charm exude throughout.

The underlying message is how Boab found a path out. How a refocus of his purpose aided him to a lifestyle he now adores and how he's helping others try to do the same.

He's no slouch with the trainers on either and we zoom in on a running high experienced at last month's Manchester Marathon, 'one of the best days of my life'.

Strap yourself in for this one, Boab's infectious story telling will have you greeting and laughing at the same time. It was a pleasure to speak with Boab, we're a hunner % sure you'll enjoy the listen!



Affected by the content in this episode? A few links to help find guidance

Alcoholics Annonymous WEBSITE

Cocaine Annonymous WEBSITE


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Come plunge yourself into an hour of unadulterated self-indulgence, this week we welcome non-runner Andrew O'Donnell tae the YHRF sofa for all the chat.

Andrew, ya know, is the official Young Hearts Run Free Podcast songsmith. Better known as Beluga Lagoon his tunes have fuelled many a mile in the hills n glens. The soundtrack to our running adventures!

We briskly take Andrew through an alternative line of questioning as we get filled in on his story, the origins to his musical project and find out what inspires his craft.

At first, he seems bemused to have been asked on a running podcast, but as you know we're no normal running podcast and soon we get tore into it with Andrew happy tae come along for the ride.

With his captivating nature Andrew catches the imagination regaling his tale, almost surprised by the furore (it's just what he likes dain after all) as his gigs and music explode in popularity.

Our whistles are wetted with talk of his hotly anticipated new album (The Slug's Bunnet out 23.05.2024) and high doh levels are ramped up as Margo & Barry enter the fray!

We touch on his filming projects and find out who else contributes to the success of Beluga Lagoon before getting back onto more familiar ground with talk of scran, dialect dictionary and an epic song choice!

This uber-talented likeable lad loves the outdoors, loves his art and loves his country. With a knack for entrancing us with his story telling lyrics and melodic hooks Andrew's music inspires, it fits, it sets the scene perfectly to the backdrops we love tae explore.

We were helluva excited to speak with Andrew, Scotland has something very special in Beluga Lagoon. Go get yir lugs aroond it!!

We've curated a spotify playlist of our Beluga Lagoon favs here BELUGA LAGOON WALLOPERS

Give the superb Beluga Lagoon website a visit here (merch store is a must!) BELUGA LAGOON WEBSITE

Give Andrew a follow on INSTAGRAM and X/Twitter


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Spring marathon season reached it's crescendo on The Mall last Sunday, Stevie Boy was on the ground to witness it all.

London Marathon debrief anyone? Step on in.

John grills Steven on his weekend in the big smoke. The focus is on his race however the all-important pre-race activities and post-race festivities are also meticulously discussed.

From travelling, expo, race day logistics, race execution, dealing with issues and the crucial feel goods after the finish line John covers all the ground in braw detail.

The atmosphere and the sense of occasion make London an unforgettable experience, John's questioning and Stevie Boy's responses make for a honest fun-filled account of another memorable marathon major.

Run, Run, Run boy........

It's not too late to sponsor Steven who was running the marathon the charity The Rooprai Spinal Trust visit here to throw anything you can into his pot FUNDRAISING LINK


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