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The Pyllon Ultra Pod

Paul Giblin

Conversations on living the ultra life.

Inspired by ultra running we discuss the people, the places, the culture and the training behind our everyday running lives.

Hosted by Paul Giblin and / or James Stewart.

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20 episodes
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S9 · E44
Thursday · 46 min
Long Run Conversations #4: The Stories We Tell Ourselves | James Stewart
James Stewart joins Paul for another conversation, picking up a question that began with something they had both noticed: how easily we can construct convincing explanations for our own behaviour, and how difficult it can be to recognise when those explanations aren't telling the whole story. They begin with running, and the reasons we sometimes give ourselves for stopping in a race. An injury might be real, but is it always the whole reason we stopped? And when does an explanation that helps us feel better about a decision become something we genuinely believe? From there, the conversation moves into identity, self-deception and the relationship between motivation and behaviour. Why can we feel enormously motivated by a future goal while struggling to do the ordinary work required to reach it? And how much of what we do is driven by the person we are, rather than the person we'd like to be? James also reflects on his own journey through running, how his identity has changed, and the small behavioural changes that eventually led to performances he once couldn't have imagined. Along the way, Paul and James explore the role of coaching in understanding what's really going on beneath an athlete's stated problems, and whether we're always as good at understanding our own motivations as we'd like to think. It's an informal, wide-ranging conversation that leaves one question unanswered: Are we actually searching for the truth about ourselves, or simply an explanation we can live with? Find out more about Pyllon Ultra and our coaching at pyllonultra.com. Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, follow the show and share the episode with someone who might enjoy it too.
#42
October 1 · 19 min
What Does a Coach Get to Claim?
An athlete finishes an extraordinary race. The coach has been there through the training, the doubts, the changes of plan and all the ordinary weeks that made getting to the start line possible. So how much of what happens next belongs to the coach? In this solo episode, Paul starts with an athlete finishing the Tor des Géants and his own discomfort with turning someone else's achievement into evidence that the coaching works. From there, he looks back at how his understanding of coaching has changed, from essentially giving athletes lighter versions of his own training to something much harder to define. He tells the story of an athlete who was strong, committed and successful, but repeatedly couldn't finish 100 miles. Eventually, rather than prescribing another training block, Paul offered to run the distance with him. It was something he'd almost never recommend, but for that athlete, at that moment, it seemed more useful than getting any fitter. The episode explores belief, judgement, mistakes, different coaching relationships and the awkward relationship between results and good coaching. A great result doesn't necessarily prove the coaching was great. A bad one doesn't necessarily mean it failed. And some of the work that matters most may never appear in a training plan or a finish-line photograph. There isn't a particularly clean answer here. Just a question Paul has become less certain about the longer he's coached: what is a coach actually responsible for, and what do they get to claim afterwards? Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, follow the show and share the episode with someone who might enjoy it too. Thanks for listening.
S9 · E40
September 10 · 12 min
Where We Put Our Weight
Show notes For a long time, my race calendar organised most of my life. There was always another training block, another trip, another race. Western States would lead into Chamonix, Chamonix into UTMB, and the things I was going to deal with afterwards could usually wait a little longer. The strange thing is, I was happy. Running gave me progress, identity, incredible experiences and somewhere to go when other parts of life were harder to understand. Sometimes it probably helped me avoid things too. I’m not sure those two things are as easy to separate as we like to think. The last couple of years have almost reversed that pattern. Frostbite, recovery, moving house, the croft, work and all the ordinary jobs of life have become the new calendar. The big running ambitions never disappeared. I just became very good at telling them to wait. In this short solo episode, I talk about a recent day on Ben Nevis, lying in hospital after Yukon, a difficult TDS, the years when racing occupied almost everything, and why I’m now trying to work out how much space I want to give the athlete again. I’m not sure balance is quite the answer. Maybe some of us naturally put our weight somewhere, and the question is how far we allow the pendulum to swing. Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, you can follow the show on your podcast app and share an episode with someone you think might enjoy it. Thanks for listening.
S9 · E39
August 6 · 59 min
Long Run Conversations #3: The Next Big Thing
Another episode of our Long Run Conversations with John Connolly. Ultra running has always moved in waves. One year it's barefoot shoes. Then maximal cushioning. Heat training. Carbon plates. Heat suits. Weighted vests. High-carb fuelling. Some of those ideas genuinely move the sport forward. Some quietly disappear. In this conversation we explore why we're so drawn to the next big thing, how social media and marketing influence the way we train, and why it's often the unglamorous basics that make the biggest difference over time. Along the way we chat about: Heat suits and weighted vest training Barefoot shoes, maximal cushioning and carbon plates High-carb fuelling and the rising cost of race nutrition Why elite athletes aren't always the best models to copy How to think more critically about new training ideas The difference between genuine innovation and clever marketing Why consistency still beats novelty As always, this isn't about dismissing new ideas. It's about asking better questions before changing the way you train. If you enjoy these conversations, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next. Find Pyllon Ultra: 🌐 https://pyllon.substack.com
#38
July 2 · 48 min
Long Run Conversations #2: What Racing Reveals
Winning is the part everyone sees. The pressure beforehand, the difficult decisions, the quiet conversations between crew members, the volunteers standing in the rain, and the moments when an athlete is wondering whether they can keep going are much easier to miss. After spending the weekend crewing for Gus as he defended his West Highland Way Race title, Paul and John sat down to compare notes. The conversation begins with the race itself but soon broadens into something much bigger. They discuss how defending a title feels very different from chasing one, the responsibility that comes with supporting an athlete through difficult moments, and the fine line between coaching, crewing and simply being a friend. Along the way they reflect on what makes the ultrarunning community so special, why races can bring out both the best and worst in people, and the stories that rarely make it onto social media. This is the first of what we hope will become a regular series of conversations between two friends, coaches and long-time observers of the ultra running world. In this episode How this year's West Highland Way Race felt different from last year The pressure of defending a race title Crewing Gus through a difficult day The differences between coaching and crewing What spectators and social media rarely see The role of volunteers and support crews Community, belonging and friendship in ultrarunning Why racing often reveals more than finishing times Paul Giblin is an ultra runner, coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. You can connect with Paul here: Website: https://pyllonultra.com Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/pyllon Pyllon Ultra: https://instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pyllon
#37
June 25 · 8 min
The Loneliness of Caring Deeply
There are some things in life that we carry alone. Not because we don't have supportive friends or family, but because nobody else can quite carry the weight of something that matters deeply to us. In this solo episode, I explore the quieter side of commitment. The emotional cost of caring deeply about a race, a business, a creative project, or simply the person we're trying to become. Drawing on experiences from racing around the world, building Pyllon, creating films and writing, I reflect on why pursuing meaningful things can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely, and why perhaps that's not something to fear, but something to understand. This isn't really an episode about running. It's about what running, and other long pursuits, reveal about the way we live. I hope it resonates. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can find me here: Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon Pyllon Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pyllon Website: https://www.pyllonultra.com You can also find The Pyllon Ultra Pod wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're enjoying the podcast, sharing it with a friend or leaving a rating and review really does help more people discover it. Thanks for listening.
S9 · E36
June 16 · 32 min
Long Run Conversations #1: Training, Honesty and the Messy Middle
In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul sits down with Pyllon coach John Connolly for a more informal conversation about training, racing and the things that often sit beneath the surface for endurance athletes. This is not a polished lecture or a neat list of training tips. It is more of a coach-to-coach conversation about what we notice in athletes, what people often struggle with, and how easy it can be to overthink the process when training starts to feel uncertain. We talk about the messy middle of training, the gap between what athletes think they should be feeling and what they are actually experiencing, and why honesty is such an important part of long-term development. A quick note on the audio: we had some technical issues during the recording, so Paul’s side of the conversation is not quite where we would normally want it to be. We have cleaned it up as best we can, and decided to share the episode because the conversation felt worth putting out. In this episode we cover: The uncertainty athletes often carry into race season The value of honest conversations between coach and athlete The importance of staying connected to the bigger picture What we are noticing in runners at this point in the year This one is a little more relaxed, a little less polished, and hopefully useful if you are somewhere in the middle of your own training process. Thanks for listening. You can find more from Pyllon here: Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon and https://www.instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon Website: https://www.pyllonultra.com
#35
May 7 · 17 min
You’re Closer Than You Think (But You Don’t Trust It Yet)
Show Notes At this point in the season, a lot of runners start to question themselves. Races are getting closer. Training suddenly feels more exposed. Sessions that felt perfectly normal in winter now feel loaded with meaning. A flat run becomes evidence that something is wrong. A bad session suddenly feels significant. And yet, objectively, many runners are actually in a very good place. In this solo episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, I explore the strange gap between what’s actually happening in training… and what it feels like is happening emotionally. Why confidence often lags behind fitness. Why uncertainty never fully disappears, even for experienced athletes. And why learning to tolerate that uncertainty might be one of the most important skills in endurance sport. I also reflect on my own training, conversations with athletes, old experiences in Chamonix, and the subtle psychological effects of comparison culture and social media. This episode is about trust. Trusting consistency. Trusting the process. And trusting that progress often feels far less dramatic than we expect it to. In this episode: Why runners often feel behind even when training is going well The difference between objective progress and subjective feeling Why confidence reacts faster than fitness The hidden psychological cost of comparison and constant visibility Why endurance sport demands commitment before certainty How experienced athletes learn to tolerate ambiguity rather than eliminate it Why patience and emotional steadiness matter more than most people realise And maybe most importantly: How to keep moving forward even when you don’t fully trust where you are yet. Coaching & Pyllon If this episode resonates and you’re interested in coaching, you can find out more at: pyllonultra.com Pyllon is about more than training plans. It’s about building something sustainable and meaningful around running and life. I also write regularly on Substack: pyllon.substack.com And you can follow along here: YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra If you enjoyed the episode, subscribing or sharing it genuinely helps support what we’re building. Thanks for listening.
#34
February 19 · 12 min
You Don’t Need More Time. You Need a Different Season.
“I just don’t have enough time.” It’s something I hear constantly from runners. From parents. From professionals. From people trying to hold a lot together. But what if time isn’t the real problem? In this solo episode, I explore a pattern I see again and again in the athletes I coach. The tension that builds when ambition doesn’t match the season of life you’re in. The stress of trying to run a professional-level training schedule inside a very non-professional reality. This isn’t an episode about waking up earlier. Or squeezing more into your week. Or optimising your life. It’s about alignment. About recognising the season you’re in. About training honestly within your constraints. And about the maturity it takes to adapt your identity without lowering your standards. I also share a few reflections from my own recent season, from steady progress in training to the uncertainty of building a new running project, and how showing up consistently, even without immediate feedback, is not that different from good training. In this episode: Why “not enough time” is often a misdiagnosis The friction created when ambition and reality don’t align The hidden stress of pretending you’re in a different life season Why adapting your training is a sign of strength, not decline How clarity and acceptance often lead to better consistency and performance If this resonates, take a moment this week to ask yourself a different question: Are you training for the life you actually have? Support the Project I’m currently working on a big running project that means a great deal to me. If you’re a brand, business, or individual who feels aligned with Pyllon and would be interested in supporting or getting involved, I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch through the website. Coaching, Writing & More If you’re interested in coaching, you can find all the details at: pyllonultra.com I write regularly on Substack, sharing longer reflections on running, training, and living the ultra life: pyllon.substack.com You can also follow and subscribe here: YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra If you found this episode helpful, subscribing or sharing the podcast genuinely helps support the show. Thanks for listening.
S9 · E33
February 5 · 11 min
Why Do We Feel Guilty When Training Feels Easy?
Easy training is meant to feel restorative. So why does it so often leave us feeling uneasy? In this solo episode, I explore a feeling many runners carry quietly: guilt when training feels easy. The sense that if a run doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t quite count. That we haven’t earned it. We unpack where that belief comes from, how endurance culture and comparison shape our relationship with effort, and why ease can feel undeserved even when we know it’s essential. I also share personal reflections from my time training in Chamonix as a full-time athlete, and a moment on an easy run that turned into something else entirely, driven by ego and the need to prove commitment. This episode isn’t about justifying easy days. It’s about questioning why discomfort has become our proof of worth, and what it might mean to let training be enough without suffering. In this episode: Why easy training can feel emotionally uncomfortable How guilt creeps into rest and recovery The influence of comparison and endurance culture When effort becomes a measure of self-worth Reframing easy training as a skill, not a weakness If this episode resonates, take a moment on your next easy run to notice what comes up. Sometimes the most important work isn’t visible. Coaching, Writing & More If you’re interested in coaching, you can find out more at: pyllonultra.com I also write regularly on Substack, sharing longer-form reflections on running, training, and the wider ultra life: pyllon.substack.com You can follow along and subscribe here: YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra If you found this episode useful, subscribing or sharing the podcast really helps support the show. Thanks for listening.
S9 · E31
January 22 · 1 hr 21 min
What 200 Miles Teaches You About Yourself - Rebecca Hormann
Episode Description In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul sits down with Rebecca Hormann for a conversation that goes beyond results and race reports. Rebecca had a remarkable year in 2025. A win at the West Highland Way Race. A recent victory over 200 miles in Portugal. But this conversation isn’t about splits, podiums, or outcomes. Instead, it explores what happens underneath performance. Rebecca talks openly about uncertainty, patience, learning to trust the work, and how her relationship with running has evolved as the distances have grown longer. We discuss decision-making under fatigue, how she approaches fear and doubt, and what it means to commit to a long-term process rather than chasing short-term validation. This is a conversation about becoming - as an athlete and as a person - and about the quiet inner work that sustains endurance over time. Topics Covered Finding identity beyond results Learning to sit with uncertainty before and during big races The mental demands of very long formats What a 200-mile race reveals when there’s nowhere to hide Trusting process over outcomes How coaching can create freedom, not dependence Redefining success beyond podiums Listen & Follow Subscribe to the Pyllon Ultra Pod for thoughtful conversations about endurance, identity, and the inner life of training and racing. Links Substack: pyllon.substack.com Instagram: @pyllon | @pyllonultra YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Website: pyllonultra.com
S9 · E30
January 8 · 53 min
People Make Pyllon: Identity, Community and the Confidence to Keep Going (Final Part)
In this final part of our series with James Stewart, we return to the deeper questions that sit beneath every long run, every hard session, and every season of training: how do we stay connected to what matters, and how do we keep going when things get tough? This episode picks up where the last one left off - covering points six to ten from our list of ideas that influence long-term performance. From self-efficacy to community, identity to joy, we explore how these concepts shape how we train, how we lead, and how we show up in life. It’s a conversation about real resilience, the value of play, and how success so often depends on what you believe about yourself when things aren’t going to plan. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure where your motivation went, this one’s for you. In this episode: • Why confidence builds through small wins • How identity keeps you steady in hard times • Why community fuels long-term consistency • The role of fun in reframing pressure • How to balance play, purpose and progress • Advice for anyone feeling flat or lost in training 🔗 Stay connected Subscribe to The Ultra Life - weekly reflections from Paul on running, life and everything in between: 👉 https://pyllon.substack.com Watch short films, interviews and more: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Interested in coaching in 2026? Spaces are limited. Reach out early: 👉 https://pyllonultra.com
#29
Dec 24, 2025 · 5 min
52 Chances
There are only 52 weeks in a year. In this quiet, reflective solo episode, I explore what that really means. Not in terms of productivity, discipline, or becoming a better version of yourself, but in how we live inside our weeks. How many pass unnoticed. How many blur together. How often we tell ourselves we will get to the things that matter later. This episode is an invitation to pause at the edge of a new year and ask a gentler, more honest question: What will you choose to remember? A meditative reflection on time, running, attention, and the small choices that shape a life, one week at a time. Listen. Read. Connect. 🎧 Pyllon Ultra Podcast Thoughtful conversations and reflections on running, life, and what it means to live the ultra life. 📝 Substack Long-form writing and quieter reflections. https://pyllon.substack.com 📷 Instagram Personal: https://pyllonultra.com
S9 · E28
Dec 19, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
People Make Pyllon: Patience, Purpose and the Long Game with Douglas Emslie
In this episode of People Make Pyllon, Paul speaks with Douglas Emslie, a runner, entrepreneur and long-time coaching client who spent over 25 years building a global events business before selling it for over $1 billion. But this conversation is about more than business. It's about what it takes to build something that lasts, and how running can reflect that process. Douglas shares the lessons he's learned from a career lived at scale, the importance of consistency during turbulent times, and why people and purpose matter more than pace. They also explore Douglas’s personal path through grief, change and reinvention. That includes the launch of TrailCon, a new event designed to bring the trail running world together in a more open, collaborative way. Whether you're building a business, a coaching practice or a life in motion, this one is full of ideas worth holding on to. In this episode What building a billion dollar business teaches you about endurance How running supported Douglas through grief, travel and transition The story and vision behind TrailCon The value of long term thinking in business, sport and life What the trail world needs next How purpose and people build resilience 🔗 Stay connected Subscribe to The Ultra Life, Paul's weekly letter: 👉 https://pyllon.substack.com Watch films and episodes on YouTube: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Interested in coaching or collaboration? 👉 https://pyllonultra.com
S9 · E26
Dec 11, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
People Make Pyllon: Running Through Deep Time with Geologist Alex Copley
In this episode of People Make Pyllon, Paul speaks with Alex Copley - a passionate runner and geologist who helps us see the ground beneath our feet in an entirely new way. From tectonic collisions to ancient mountain belts, Alex explains how the UK was shaped over hundreds of millions of years, and why understanding that history can change the way we run through the land today. They also talk about Greenland, recovery from toe surgery, and what it means to move through wild places with curiosity and care. Whether you love the science or just the trails, this one might make you look at your next run a little differently. In this episode How the UK and Scotland were formed What geology teaches us about time and perspective Why knowledge of the land can deepen your experience Thoughts on creativity, risk, and Arctic solitude Bonus: toenail removal, and why it was totally worth it 🔗 Stay connected Subscribe to The Ultra Life - weekly thoughts on running, life and everything in between: 👉 https://pyllon.substack.com Watch our latest films and conversations: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow us on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Thinking about coaching in 2026? Spaces are limited. Reach out early: 👉 https://pyllonultra.com
#25
Nov 21, 2025 · 6 min
If You Had Another Life
What if the life you imagine - the one with more freedom, more courage, more meaning isn’t somewhere else, but just waiting beneath the surface of the one you already live? This short reflection invites you to pause, breathe, and consider what your “second life” might look like… and how much of it you could begin living now. It’s not a story about running, but it carries the same heartbeat - small steps, quiet change, and the courage to begin. A meditation for anyone standing at the edge of what’s next. Listen. Reflect. Begin. See you out there. pyllonultra.com | instagram.com/pyllon | youtube.com/pyllon | pyllon.substack.com
#24
Nov 13, 2025 · 52 min
People Make Pyllon: Joy, Identity and Why Fun Still Matters
In the third instalment of our People Make Pyllon series with James Stewart, we explore the deeper forces that drive motivation, consistency and performance - and why fun, identity, and agency are often overlooked in training and coaching. We talk about joy as a performance enhancer, the neuroscience of fun, and how ownership and self-identity play a crucial role in how we train, recover and stick with it over time. This is a reflective and practical conversation for anyone rethinking how they show up in sport, life and work - and how to bring more meaning to the process. We only made it through the first five of ten planned themes - so look out for part four soon. 🧭 Show Notes In this episode, Paul and James dig into the real drivers of long-term performance and engagement: joy, identity and agency. It’s not about race results or training blocks: it’s about how we see ourselves, what we choose for ourselves, and how we make it all feel worth it. They cover five key ideas: Joy as a performance enhancer - Why joy improves consistency and psychological resilience The neuroscience of fun - How novelty, play and reward reinforce habit and learning Agency in training - Why taking ownership leads to better engagement and motivation Identity as a hidden driver - How seeing yourself as a runner influences daily choices Fun as protection against burnout - Why intentional variety and social connection matter Throughout the episode, they draw from coaching experiences, athlete stories, and personal shifts, reflecting on how and why we stick with the things we care about. This is for anyone trying to reconnect with the reason they started in the first place. 🔗 Links and extras Subscribe to The Ultra Life – Paul's weekly reflections on running, endurance and life: 👉 https://pyllon.substack.com Watch our latest short film Space to Return on YouTube: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow us on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Explore coaching, community and more: 👉 https://pyllonultra.com
#23
Oct 29, 2025 · 58 min
People Make Pyllon: James Stewart on Discipline, AI and Doing the Work That Matters
Show Notes: In this follow-up episode of People Make Pyllon, Paul reconnects with long-time athlete and coach James Stewart for another rich and honest conversation. From managing global travel and family life to balancing doctoral study, work, training and writing, James brings his usual clarity and candor to the table. They dive into how he structures his day, why routine matters more than motivation, and how AI might reshape the future of coaching, work, and even creativity. There’s a bigger conversation about what it means to stay engaged with the process in running, in work, and in life. This is a thoughtful, practical episode for anyone who’s juggling multiple commitments and still trying to find meaning in their running. In this episode: How James uses structure and self-discipline to keep life on track The fine balance between routine and experimentation Why AI won’t replace coaches, and how it could actually make them better The joy of music and creativity outside of outcomes Why personal ownership is at the heart of leadership Running as a mirror for how we live, lead and adapt If you enjoy the conversation, please share it with someone else who might relate or leave a short review to help others find the show. More from Pyllon: Subscribe to The Ultra Life — weekly reflections from Paul on running, life and endurance: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow along on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Explore coaching, community and more at: 👉 https://pyllonultra.com
S10 · E1
Aug 22, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
James Stewart – People Make Pyllon, Ep.1: Running, Identity and Balance
In this episode, Paul reconnects with long-time Pyllon athlete, coach and former podcast co-host James Stewart for the first conversation in a new series, People Make Pyllon - where we explore the lives, work and wider stories of runners in the Pyllon community. James has represented Great Britain, broken records, and worked at the sharp end of competitive ultrarunning, but this conversation is less about racing and more about life. They discuss what happens when running takes a step back, and how it still supports James's full-time leadership role, family life, and creative interests. They talk about injury, consistency, integrity, and why showing up matters more than chasing medals. James shares his evolving mindset as he begins doctoral research on the future of AI and work, and how he’s learning to value running not just for performance, but for what it gives back to the rest of life. Topics covered include: Returning from injury and rethinking goals Balancing work, family, running and personal growth Running at 4am, wherever you are in the world The "equilateral triangle" model of life Why self-integrity matters more than motivation Creativity, well-being and letting go of outcome The power and responsibility of AI in a changing world This is a thoughtful conversation about adapting, growing, and redefining what progress really means, both in running and in life. Links and extras Subscribe to The Ultra Life for weekly reflections from Paul: 👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon Follow along on Instagram: 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon 👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra Explore coaching and more at: 👉 https://www.pyllonultra.com/
#22
Jul 18, 2025 · 17 min
What Endurance Reveals: A Meditation on Effort, Emotion, and the Human Spirit
In this solo episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul takes a slow, reflective journey into the deeper layers of endurance — not as sport, but as a human experience. Building on recent conversations with Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and echoing themes from his latest Substack essay “When the Race Strips Us Back,” this episode explores the emotional costs of going all in, the relationship between mind and body, and the quiet revelations that emerge through long efforts. Drawing on his own experiences; from winning the West Highland Way Race to breaking down in the New Zealand backcountry, Paul opens up about what it means to truly endure, and how suffering, presence, and stillness all play a part in uncovering who we really are. This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a pause. An invitation to feel more. To listen more. And to remember that the long run is more than training — it’s a way home. 🗝️ In This Episode Reflections from three powerful podcast guests - Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and what they revealed about vulnerability, calm, and transformation A behind-the-scenes look at Paul’s mindset during his WHW victory, and what real mental work means Honest stories from his Te Araroa journey across New Zealand - exhaustion, grief, and breakthrough The emotional cost of caring deeply and racing with your whole self Why endurance helps us build a true mind–body relationship The spiritual dimension of long efforts — and how they can reconnect us to what matters 5 powerful lessons endurance has taught over the years A challenge for your next long run: to listen, not chase ✨ Quote from the Episode “Longevity isn’t built on punishment. It’s built on partnership.” 🔗 Links & Resources Substack essay: When the Race Strips Us Back Instagram: @pyllon | @pyllonultra YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Website: pyllonultra.com

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