James Hansen didn’t grow up expecting to stand on the podium. The Tasmanian middle-distance runner started as an underdog, fuelled by nothing more than the joy of running and the stubborn belief that showing up matters. Over the years, that joy was tested - through injury, self-doubt, and most dramatically, a life-threatening brain clot that could have ended his career.

In this conversation, we talk about the mental highs and lows of racing at the elite level, how faith has shaped James’s approach to sport and life, and the ways he’s learned to build resilience when the path ahead isn’t clear. We also discuss body image in running, the pressure of chasing times, and why letting go of outcomes can make you a stronger athlete. James shares the moment he almost skipped nationals and how turning up changed the trajectory of his season.

James’s career so far shows that the real victories aren’t always at the finish line. His story is about perspective, persistence, and holding onto the love of running — even when the going gets tough.

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James Hansen is one of Australia’s top middle-distance runners, specialising in the 1500m and 5000m (and now dabbling in the half marathon). Based in Tasmania, he has represented Australia on the international stage and is known for his tactical racing style and relentless work ethic.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram: @james_hansen @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom @mikrocoffeeroasters

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Alice checks in from NYC, where she’s frothing the birthplace of Pilates and accidentally joined a circus disguised as a track session (yes, there was a man planking with a TV on his head). She’s also signed herself up for another relay - Hood to Coast - because apparently she’s a “relay girl” now.

Back home, Elise is out of the treadmill cave and back running with her kelpie Joey — who’s on her own fitness comeback. With the New York Marathon looming, Elise is embracing the “undercooked but on the start line” approach (with a side of Aperol spritz in Italy).

Expect rat tattoos, wine-tasting marathons, border security cheese smuggling and plenty of chat about how to get marathon-ready without breaking yourself.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom @mikrocoffeeroasters

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

In this episode of Run With It, host Elise Beacom continues her interview with Grace Tame, focusing on Grace’s experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse and how she rediscovered running as a healing mechanism. Grace discusses her past struggles with eating disorders, the autistic traits that complement running and the fine line between running for therapy and running to mask deeper troubles. Also, PEANUT BUTTER. A lot of peanut butter in this episode. Plus, a special shout out for Andy Buchanan.

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This episode includes discussions about child sexual abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders and mental health. If any of these topics are distressing for you, please call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential support and resources.

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Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace Tame has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. She was the first female in Tasmania to be granted the right to speak under her own name about her personal experience of sexual abuse as a child. "Grace appeared as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign (run by sexual assault campaigner and Walkley award winning journalist Nina Funnell). Since then, she has used her voice to raise awareness of the impacts of grooming and the other various injustices faced by child sex abuse survivors.

Before returning to her home of Tasmania in 2020, Grace lived in the USA for almost seven years where she graduated with Associate Degrees with Honours in Liberal Arts and Theatre Arts from Santa Barbara City College. In the USA she worked as a yoga instructor and an artist with clients including actor John Cleese and musician Martin Gore.

Grace is an excellent runner who has won several marathons and ultras, including the Great Ocean Road Ultra Marathon, the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon and the Australian Outback Marathon.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram:

@tamepunk

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

-- Visit the Grace Tame Foundation for more information on Grace’s advocacy work

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Running is a thread that weaves through many aspects of Grace Tame’s life.

In this special two-part episode of Run With It, host Elise Beacom connects the dots with Grace, who’s an advocate, public speaker, writer, artist, runner, and the 2021 Australian of the Year (TW: child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault).

Part one traces Grace’s sandy footsteps from the Australian Outback Marathon to the political and emotional terrain of survivor advocacy. Grace shares what it took to set a course record in brutal conditions at her recent marathon near Uluru, and how running has become a metaphor and outlet for life’s bigger battles.

We hear about her role at the Grace Tame Foundation, an organisation championing education, legal reform, and accessible support for survivors of child sexual abuse. Grace also reflects on the complexities of receiving the Australian of the Year award, offering a sharp, honest take on media scrutiny, public expectation and the weight of visibility.

From the connections running creates to our environment and the people around us, to bonds expressed through oil paint with a toothbrush, Grace is full of stories brimming with strength, shared experience and a good whack of humour.

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This episode includes discussions about child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault. If any of these topics are distressing for you, please call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential support and resources.

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Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace Tame has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. She was the first female in Tasmania to be granted the right to speak under her own name about her personal experience of sexual abuse as a child. "Grace appeared as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign (run by sexual assault campaigner and Walkley award winning journalist Nina Funnell). Since then, she has used her voice to raise awareness of the impacts of grooming and the other various injustices faced by child sex abuse survivors.

Before returning to her home of Tasmania in 2020, Grace lived in the USA for almost seven years where she graduated with Associate Degrees with Honours in Liberal Arts and Theatre Arts from Santa Barbara City College. In the USA she worked as a yoga instructor and an artist with clients including actor John Cleese and musician Martin Gore.

Grace is an excellent runner who has won several marathons and ultras, including the Great Ocean Road Ultra Marathon, the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon and the Australian Outback Marathon.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram:

@tamepunk

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

-- Visit the Grace Tame Foundation for more information on Grace’s advocacy work

See Mostafa “Moz” Azimitabar’s painting of Grace for this year’s Archibald Prize

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

In this episode of Sole Sisters, Elise and Alice embrace the weird, wacky and wonderful – venturing into Greek mythology, horoscopes and whether you can catch influenza A from aquatic birds.

There hasn’t been much running on both sides, but there’s been some good trauma bonding, and you best believe it, there’s still plenty to talk about. They cover their chaotic experience staying at the “Pink Pussy Palace” for marathon weekend on the Gold Coast, which was all glitz and jet skis and potential bed bugs. They recap their friend Jess’ marathon race experience including a hearty carb load and a vodka cruiser at the 41k mark.

The fallout of that trip was a big crash and burn for AB who was smacked down with sickness. But she’s recovering just in time to do another unhinged ultra relay in the US. EB’s injury rehab is going nicely – she’s getting some continuous runs in and hopping around the gym to her heart’s content.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram:

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@alicebaquie

@mikrocoffeeroasters

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Professional ultra runner Lucy Bartholomew ran her first 100k at Surf Coast Century when she was 16. Not because she wanted to be someone, or become someone. She just wanted to run it. And she did – with her dad right there on her shoulder.

In this conversation, we talk about the “Ned effect” era, where runners are taking on big challenges to become known, rather than having a more intrinsic motivation. We discuss body image issues which are rife in running and made worse now by social media, and the hardships Lucy faced finding her identity as a young athlete in the public eye. We also ponder whether awareness around eating disorders and under fuelling is getting through to the next wave of runners in the running boom.

Hearing Lucy speak will make you want to run trails! She has a contagious positive energy that you can’t help but be inspired by. Lucy is currently in Chamonix where she’s preparing for her third Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) at the end of August. She hopes to better her 10th place performances from the past two years.

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Lucy Bartholomew is one of Australia’s most accomplished ultramarathon and endurance athletes. She’s earned podium finishes at several major races, including Ultra‑Trail Australia and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. She is one of few women to complete both the Ultra‑Trail du Mont‑Blanc and the Ironman World Championship in the same year (and she did it twice – in 2023 and 2024). A Salomon-sponsored athlete, Lucy is also a coach, creator, and passionate advocate for trail running and women’s health.

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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

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Follow us on Instagram:

@lucy_bartholomew

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

@mikrocoffeeroasters

-- Watch Running Out - Larapinta Trail Read Bravey by Alexi Pappas

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.

Calli Hauger-Thackery is a born racer. She ran a debut marathon that most athletes would fantasise about – 2:22:17 – which earnt her the title of 2nd fastest British woman ever (shared with Charlotte Purdue at the time).

But Calli describes her 2023 debut as both a blessing and a curse. Her time qualified her for the Paris Olympics, which would be her second marathon ever – talk about baptism by fire! After a disappointing DNF at Paris, Calli bounced back in a BIG way! She came 7th at Berlin in 2024, running a PB of 2:21:24, solidifying her place as the 2nd best Brit all-time. And earlier this year, she put herself right in the mix at Boston, coming home with 6th place.

We talk about Calli’s time training with Melbourne Track Club a few years back, and the mindset shift she made after some frustrating years of not making teams. Calli now has plenty of opportunities in front of her. She’s been selected to run the marathon for Great Britain at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this year, but is likely to have another option in the 10,000m (maybe even the 5,000m – let’s see)!

And most importantly, we also get the love story between Calli and now husband/coach Nick Hauger – and it’s a real goodie!

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Follow us on Instagram:

@callirianne

@runwithit.pod

@elisebeacom

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer

In this episode of Sole Sisters, Alice recaps the Red Bull Race the Sun relay where she and her teammates ran 345km with 6,000m+ elevation gain. Give the girl a space blanket and a barley sugar!

The objective was to get from the Gold Coast at sunrise to Tenterfield in New South Wales before the sun rose again. And guess what, they beat the sun! They also came third overall.

But it was far from glamourous. It was six sweaty bodies bundled in two vans with crushed Nutri-Grain on the floor, a lack of music, no sleep and plenty of stomach aches.

Meanwhile, Elise is a different shade of broken, experiencing her first baby stressie.

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Follow us on Instagram:

@runwithit.pod

@alicebaquie

@elisebeacom

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer