Maximum Mileage Running Podcast

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, I sit down with ultra-endurance athlete Jon Shield, one of the most accomplished extreme racers in the world. From winning across the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series to tackling brutal multi-day events like the Spine Race, Jon has built a reputation for performing in the harshest conditions imaginable.
Now, he’s just weeks out from the 268-mile Montane Spine Race, often called Britain’s most brutal, chasing redemption and a sub-70-hour record.
We dive into:
 How Jon is balancing injury, recovery, and peak performance 
 Why resilience matters more than fitness in ultra-endurance 
 The reality behind social media, sponsorships, and coaching 
 Lessons from racing in deserts, jungles, mountains, and the Arctic 
 What it actually takes to keep going when everything starts to break 
This is a raw, honest conversation about pressure, setbacks, and pushing beyond perceived limits.
Follow Jon Shield:
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonshieldrunsultras
Jon Shield - YouTube
 Website: https://www.jon-shield.com
 Pain Cave Headwear: https://paincaveheadwear.com
You can also view this discussion on my YouTube channel, Coach Hannah Witt, in my series, The Performance Collective. Coach Hannah Witt - YouTube
Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)
If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.
See you on the next one.
To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835
Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/
Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/
Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/
Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/
Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Maximum Mileage Running Podcast, I sit down with ultrarunner and race director Bob Becker, who at 80 years old became the oldest finisher in history of Badwater 135, one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world.
Bob shares his journey into ultrarunning, including his early experience at the Marathon des Sables, and what it takes to train, fuel, and stay resilient across decades in the sport. From racing in extreme heat and managing sleep deprivation to building durability and preventing injury, this conversation is packed with insights for runners at every level.
I also dive into Bob’s work as a race director through Ultra Sports, LLC, where he created and leads iconic events like the KEYS100 Ultramarathon (https://keys100.com/) and the Daytona 100 Ultra (https://daytona100ultra.com/). His races have introduced thousands of athletes to ultrarunning while supporting charitable causes including cancer research.
Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon or looking to stay consistent long-term, Bob’s story offers a powerful perspective on longevity, mindset, and what’s possible at any age.
🔗 Learn more about Bob Becker: https://bob-becker.com/
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Follow and DM me on Instagram at coach_hannah_witt. You can also email me at [email protected]. I want to hear from you! 
Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)
If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.
See you on the next one.
To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835
Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/
Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/
Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/
Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/
Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, we sit down with Sam Foster to explore how running became the catalyst for a complete life shift.
Before chasing performance goals, Sam spent years in the hospitality industry navigating long hours, heavy drinking, and feeling stuck in a cycle that was hard to break. What started as a simple decision to go for a run gradually turned into something much bigger.
We talk through Sam’s journey into sobriety, the challenges of building consistency, and the lessons learned along the way, including the importance of fueling properly, strength training for durability, and taking a more structured approach to training.
This conversation is a reminder that running is not just about performance. With the right structure and support, it can be a tool to rebuild confidence, create direction, and build something sustainable over time.
You can follow Sam’s journey on Instagram at @run_weasly_92.
Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)
If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.
See you on the next one.
To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835
Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/
Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/
Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/
Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/
Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, we’re flipping the mic and Nick’s interviewing me, Hannah Witt, so you get the full backstory.
I grew up in a tiny town in Tennessee, didn’t even start running that early, and somehow ended up running in college and building a life around this sport. Along the way, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, learned a lot, watched way too much YouTube (Old Gregg, “I like turtles” kid…you know the vibe), and played an unreasonable amount of Chip’s Challenge.
Now I live in the mountains, coach runners, have four cats (plus a stray I feed), and genuinely just love running. Like…running is great. It really is.
We talk about how I found my way into coaching, why I care so much about helping runners actually understand what they’re doing, and how I use science to build training that’s flexible, individualized, and actually makes sense for real life.
Also:
 Why your training shouldn’t feel like a rigid spreadsheet 
 How to build consistency without overthinking everything 
 And how to keep running fun (because it should be) 
If you like running, learning, or mildly chaotic but thoughtful conversations…this one’s for you.
Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)
If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.
See you on the next one.
To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835
Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/
Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/
Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/
Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/
Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, I sit down with Dawn Lisenby, ultra runner, coach, and CEO and race director of East Coast Trail Racing, for a conversation that I think so many runners need to hear, especially this time of year. We talk about what happens when training starts to catch up with you, how small issues can turn into bigger injuries, and why strength and mobility are not optional if you want to keep running long term. Dawn shares her experience with a serious labral tear, how she avoided surgery, and what she learned, sometimes the hard way, about building a body that can actually support your goals.
We also dive into her Run Natural Coaching philosophy, including her thoughts on form, footwear, and why so many runners are missing the foundational pieces that keep them healthy. Beyond her own running, including multiple 100 mile finishes, we talk about the incredible community she has built through East Coast Trail Racing and what it really takes to create safe, challenging, and meaningful race experiences.
If you are dealing with aches, coming back from injury, or just want to train smarter so you can stay in this sport for the long run, this episode is for you.
You can connect with Dawn and learn more about her coaching at runnaturalcoach.com, or follow her on social media at @runnaturalcoach and @eastcoasttrailracing.
Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)
If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.
See you on the next one.
To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835
Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/
Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/
Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/
Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/
Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/