Run Walk Talk Therapy: How Moving Your Body Can Unlock Better Mental Health | Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, Therapist + Executive Advisor
Season 3 Episode 4 of the Running for Beginners podcast from the 22resolutionists, hosted by me Mike Fleming. Episode Description: What if therapy didn’t happen on a couch… but on a walk? Many runners say their miles are where they solve problems, process emotions, and finally exhale from the stress of daily life. Movement has a way of loosening thoughts. Conversations feel easier. Silence feels safer. For some people, it’s the only time they can truly open up. In this episode of Running for Beginners, Mike sits down with licensed therapist Sepideh Saremi, founder of Run Walk Talk, a counseling model that takes therapy outdoors and puts movement at the center of the healing process. Sepideh explains why walking or running side-by-side with a therapist can reduce pressure, calm the nervous system, and help people talk about difficult topics more naturally than in a traditional face-to-face office setting. They explore the psychology behind bilateral movement, the emotional regulation benefits of being outside, and why many clients find they can go deeper when their bodies are in motion. You’ll also learn: How Run Walk Talk sessions actually work Who this approach is best suited for How privacy and confidentiality are handled outdoors What runners already do intuitively that mirrors therapeutic techniques When movement-based therapy might be more effective than sitting still How therapists receive training in this model For beginner runners especially, the mental changes that come with starting a movement routine can be just as powerful as the physical ones. Confidence grows. Stress drops. Perspective shifts. Sepideh helps us understand how to intentionally build on those benefits with professional guidance. If you’ve ever finished a walk feeling clearer, lighter, or more emotionally steady, this conversation will help you understand why. And if you’ve ever said, “Running is my therapy,” you might discover how therapy can meet you on the run. Listen now to learn how movement can change not just your pace — but your process. Links & Resources • Run Walk Talk Website: RunWalkTalk • Run Walk Talk on Instagram: @runwalktalk • Running for Beginners Website: running-for-beginners • Follow us on Instagram: @Running4Beginners • Connect with Sepideh: sep@runwalktalk.com Learn more about Run Walk Talk: RunWalkTalk Subscribe for more educational running conversations: If you’re a beginner or intermediate runner looking to improve your training, have fun, avoid injury, and stay consistent, make sure to subscribe and follow along each month. Keywords run walk talk therapy, walking therapy, therapy for runners, mental health and exercise, outdoor counseling, movement therapy, talk therapy alternative, therapist interview, running and mental health, beginner runner mindset, stress relief walking, fitness and anxiety, trauma informed movement, therapy outside the office, run walk talk certification If You Enjoyed This Episode Like the video Subscribe for more running tips Share with a friend training for their first race Mike is also an Ambassador for Still I Run, a mental health support community working to end the stigma around mental illness through running and connection. As well as St. Jude’s children’s Hospital where children get the best care available and the parents don’t have to worry about payment. Whether you’re a runner struggling with anxiety, stress, or relationships—or simply curious about how movement affects mental health—I have multiple episodes that offer grounded, professional insight you can trust. Resources & Links: Still I Run: https://stillirun.org St. Jude children’s Hospital: http://heroes.stjude.org/RunningforBeginners Rone Supercharged Honey packs: https://www.ronenutrition.com/RUNWITHMIKE Ucan Energy Gels: https://ucan.co/RUNNINGFORBEGINNERS Caffeine Bullet chews: https://performancebullet.com/RUNNINGFORBEGINNERS Watch the full video interview of the newest episode of Running for Beginners on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/Running4Beginners – featuring Sepideh Saremi, and learn how movement can help your mental health. The video interview was conducted using Riverside.fm a website/app for creators everywhere. Check them out here: https://riverside.sjv.io/2aoeLM I also have a listener discount code for Rone Super Charged Honey Packets at ronenutrition.com with code RUNWITHMIKE as well as Caffeine Bullet at Caffeinebullet.com for 20% off your cart purchase with code RUNNING4BEGGINERS, and UCAN Energy Gels, Bars and more & get 30% off when you use my code https://ucan.co/RUNNINGFORBEGINNERS at the respective check outs. [disclaimer, i do receive a commission from any sales; even on Riverside] Any videos of my interviews will be posted on Patreon@Running4Beginners. Thanks for listening; I hope you can find value in the podcast. If you do enjoy, I hope you follow us on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify or your favorite podcast service, give us a rating and some comments and of course hit the subscribe button. The post Run Walk Talk Therapy: How Moving Your Body Can Unlock Better Mental Health | Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, Therapist + Executive Advisor first appeared on Running-for-Beginners.
