In this episode of the ATW Dream Believe Achieve Podcast, we welcome Emily, better known as running_emz on Instagram, for an honest and inspiring conversation about running, resilience, and living with chronic health conditions.

Emily shares her journey of being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), explaining how these conditions affect her day-to-day life and the unique challenges they present when it comes to training and racing. She opens up about adapting her running, listening to her body, and finding ways to continue pursuing the sport she loves despite the obstacles she faces.

Annie's remarkable journey began with an unexpected victory in her very first cross-country race, a moment that sparked a career that would see her compete at the highest level in both elite triathlon and duathlon. From representing Great Britain on the world stage to becoming a familiar voice in sport, Annie has built a reputation for excellence both as an athlete and as a commentator.

Clint has dedicated the last 6 years to his company EZ-Gainz, a triathlon company looking at making carbon add ons to improve streamlining on the bike and in the swim. Clint, a triathlete himself, is known for coming up with innovative ideas, testing them in wind tunnels and selling the products to the elite athletes.

Dan Fairbrother is going to be running the St Albans Half Marathon with a 30kg wheelie bin strapped to his back to raise money for Harper and Marlowe, twins from Stevenage living with cerebral palsy.

Dave Vokes was told at 45 that he wouldn’t live to see 50 if he carried on living the way he was. Dave turned things around, became a runner and lost half his body weight in a year. Dave shares his journey and how running saved his life.

Chapters

00:00 Dane's Journey Begins: A Life-Changing Health Scare

03:12 Facing Reality: The Impact of Diabetes

06:40 The Road to Recovery: Diet and Exercise Changes

10:51 Building Momentum: The Transformation Journey

20:13 From 5K to 10K: Achieving New Goals

29:02 The First 10K: A Milestone Achievement

33:10 Setting New Challenges: 12 Runs in 2026

43:40 Reflecting on Progress: A New Identity as an Athlete

Mike Bullock set up spider runners, a running community focused on finding and celebrating the joy in running communities; often being the cheerleaders of the sport, turning up to races in fancy dress and always making their presence known. Mike shares what it is he set out to build, where it’s taken him and how you can get involved.

Antonia Jubb races on the Super Series circuit competing with elite triathletes. In this episode she talks about what it takes to be at the top level of triathlon, the highs and lows of performance sport and her next adventure in the US.

Bianca Fernandez is the person behind the charity Women In Tri, she is working towards 50:50 start lines and campaigning for equal access to triathlon for women. Bianca, a triathlete herself, talks about how she started in the sport, the barriers she has faced and how her experiences have shaped the person she is today and the movement she is behind.