Ep 26: Minties, Marathons and Motherhood... How Running Helped Reclaim Her Identity | Lauren Smith
2026-03-24
Lauren Smith is truly in the thick of it.
A full-time teacher. A mum. Running on broken sleep. And trying to carve out something for herself in between everything else.
Lauren has faced pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes, and the heartbreak of loss... all whilst navigating the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum recovery. And yet, she kept showing up.
In this episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Natty sit down with Lauren to talk about resilience, identity, and what it means to pursue something for yourself when life is already overflowing.
From signing up for a marathon she never got to run, to publicly committing to one after becoming a mum, to battling through a brutal half marathon that almost broke her (you can't make this shit up)... Lauren’s story is about doing hard things, even when you’re exhausted.
And now, she’s using her experience to help other mums realise they’re not alone.
Follow Lauren's inspirational journey:
https://linktr.ee/runninggfree
In this episode:
The value of sport growing up in a rural environmentPregnancy challenges, navigating loss and dated medical adviceThe mental strategies that get her through runsBalancing teaching, motherhood, and runningBuilding a platform to support other mumsWhy running became something just for herRunbelievable — real runners, unreal stories.
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🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!
About Runbelievable
Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.
Runbelievable
How Running Shapes Who We Become- No. of episodes
- 45
- Latest episode
- 2026-07-14
Where can you listen?
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🏃 Running Changes Us.
Runbelievable is the running podcast that explores how running shapes who we become.
Hosted by Josh Rischin, runners from all walks of life — from elites to first-timers — share what first got them lacing up and the moments that have defined them.
These are stories of resilience, reinvention, adversity, connection, identity and growth. Stories about the challenges we face, the lessons we learn, and the unexpected ways running influences how we show up in life.
Some guests have overcome addiction, illness, loss, separation or self-doubt. Others have discovered community, purpose, confidence and belonging through running.
Every story offers a different perspective on how running shapes who we become.
Whether you're preparing for your first parkrun or your 100th marathon, you'll find something of yourself in these conversations.
🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:
🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!