🎙️ West Coast Ultra Podcast – Episode Title: Mindset, Mountains & UTMB with Andy Berry

Host: David Taylor

Guest: Andy Berry – ultrarunner, fell running standout, and Bob Graham Round challenger

🧭 Episode Overview

In this episode, I catch up with Andy Berry — who you might remember from Season 2, Episode 8 — to dive into his recent Bob Graham Round attempt, his mindset as a mountain athlete, and how he’s preparing for one of the biggest races in the ultra world: UTMB. From local grit to global competition, Andy opens up about his training, mental resilience, and what keeps him pushing forward.

🗂️ What I Talked About with Andy:

Segment 1: Getting to Know Andy

I asked Andy to share how he got into mountain and ultra running, and we explored some of the key moments that shaped his journey.

Segment 2: The Bob Graham Round

We talked about what makes the Bob Graham Round so legendary, what Andy learned from his recent attempt, and how it compares to global races like UTMB.

Segment 3: All Eyes on UTMB

Andy told me why UTMB is his next big goal, how his training has evolved, and what strategies he’s using to tackle altitude, climbs, and fierce competition.

Segment 4: Mindset & Momentum

We explored how Andy stays motivated through tough training blocks, the mental tools he uses on race day, and what might be next after UTMB.

Segment 5: Quickfire Round

I wrapped up with some rapid-fire questions:

• Favourite post-run meal
• Go-to gear
• Dream race
• Underrated training tip
• Favourite mountain or hill
• UTMB soundtrack pick
• 
  

🔗 Links & Resources

• My Coaching Profile: https://teamrunrun.com/find-a-running-coach/?fwp_keyword_search=david%20taylor
• Follow me: @davidultrarunner
• Follow Andy: @fiorberry or his coaching account @andyberrycoaching
• Andy's BGR Record attempt blog post: https://www.inov8.com/blog/post/andy-berry-bob-graham-round?srsltid=AfmBOooBL3Fs4_wBl_3h7C7EDxwVsxJUWxk2rdLkvS84aJIf8Hirj6as

🙌 Thanks for Listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps others find the show. Catch you next time on the trails!

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In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I sit down with returning guest and friend of the show Scott Brown, who recently made ultra-running history by completing a double traverse of the West Highland Way — and setting a new record while doing it.

Scott was last on the podcast back in Season 2 (Episode 4), and I’m thrilled to have him back to take us deep into the physical, mental, and emotional journey behind this epic effort on one of the UKs most stunning trails.

We chat about:

• His deep connection with the West Highland Way
• How the idea for the double WHW came to life
• What training, logistics, and crew support looked like
• How he dealt with the lowest moments and unexpected challenges
• What this experience taught him about resilience, purpose, and recovery
• Scott’s humility and mindset are incredible, and this one will definitely inspire anyone pushing toward their own limits.

• 👉 Listen on Acast
• 👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts
• 👉 Listen on Spotify

Alongside hosting this podcast, I’m also a running coach with Team RunRun. If you’re looking for support with your training — whether it’s your first ultra or a big personal goal — I’d love to help you get there.

👉 Check out my coaching profile

• Follow me on Instagram: @davidultrarunner
• Follow Scott: @sbf_scottbrown

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world if you could:

✅ Like the episode

✅ Leave a review

✅ Subscribe to the West Coast Ultra Podcast

Your support helps more people find the show and keeps these conversations going!

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In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most important but overlooked aspects of ultramarathon training: the difference between meaningful challenge and pointless suffering.

Inspired by the Excellence, Actually podcast episode “The Art of Doing Hard Things”, this show explores how we can train smarter—not just harder—by avoiding “Zombie Burnout,” reframing our approach to stress, and aligning our effort with purpose.

I also break down what this looks like inside a 12–16 week ultramarathon training block, and the biggest mistakes I see runners make when chasing big goals.

• Why “hard” doesn’t always mean “helpful” in endurance training
• How to recognise and avoid Zombie Burnout
• A breakdown of a realistic and purposeful ultra training cycle
• Common traps runners fall into (comparison, overtraining, under-recovering)
• How to build a long-term mindset that supports both performance and joy

1. Training with Purpose, Not Just Pain
2. Ask better questions. Train with intent. Stop following hype.
3. Avoiding Zombie Burnout
4. How to recognise when you’ve lost the emotional connection to your training—and how to reset.
5. Applying the Excellence Framework in Your Training Plan
6. A step-by-step look at what a meaningful 12–16 week ultra plan should actually look like.
7. Common Pitfalls to Watch For
8. Mistakes I’ve made—and you can avoid—to stay healthy, consistent, and motivated.
9. Coaching & Community
10. Details on my 1:1 run coaching and how to get in touch.

Instagram: @davidultrarunner

1:1 Coaching Enquiries:

👉 David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach | Team RunRun

If you’re working toward a big ultra or need help avoiding burnout while still pushing your limits, I’d love to work with you.

If this episode hit home for you:

• Share it with a friend or your running group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Follow or subscribe so you never miss what’s next

Next week, I’ll be back to the usual interview format with a previous guest and friend of the show that's just smashed a long standing FKT so stay tuned and keep those legs—and your mindset—moving forward.

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Going solo again and in this double-header episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I dive into two hot (pun intended) topics iwhere i look at two of the most misunderstood—and underused—tools in ultramarathon training: heat adaptation and speed training.

Whether you're lining up for a summer ultra, training through a heatwave, or wondering why short fast intervals can help you go longer, this episode breaks down the science and the strategy behind both.

The aim is to provide some discussion on these topics and hopefully arm you with some ideas and tips to tanslate to your training.

What You'll Learn:

• Why heat training boosts endurance, plasma volume, and cooling efficiency
• How to acclimate using saunas, hot runs, or post-run baths
• Hydration mistakes to avoid in hot weather
• How speed training improves running economy, fatigue resistance & neuromuscular sharpness
• Practical workouts: strides, hill sprints, fartleks & tempo runs
• How to balance speed with ultra endurance

Connect with David:

📸 Instagram: @davidultrarunner

🏃‍♂️ Coaching & Plans: David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach on Team RunRun

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In this solo episode, I delve into the quieter, often unspoken side of ultrarunning: what happens when motivation fades?

No injuries. No illness. Just a deep, unsettling disinterest in running. Right in the middle of peak racing season, this conversation is for anyone who's ever felt burnt out, disconnected, or unsure of their "why."

• Why motivation fades — and why it’s normal
• The emotional and physiological toll of training overload
• Life stress and post-race blues
• Losing your “why” and identity as a runner
• Personal reflections from my own journey
• Signs you might be in a slump
• What helps (and what doesn’t) when the spark disappears
• The science behind sustainable motivation

✅ Give yourself permission to pause

✅ Move without pressure or metrics

✅ Reframe your identity beyond running

✅ Talk to someone — vulnerability builds resilience

✅ Focus on intrinsic goals like joy, solitude, and connection to nature

❌ Don’t force it

❌ Avoid signing up for races out of guilt

❌ Stop comparing yourself to your past self

• Self-Determination Theory in sport psychology
• David’s reflections post-US 100 - Episodes 11 and 12
• Previous episodes on post-race recovery and identity

If this episode resonated with you, David would love to hear your story.

📸 Instagram: @davidultrarunner

💬 Share your burnout experience or how you found your way back

If this episode helped you, consider:

⭐ Leaving a review

📤 Sharing it with a friend

📩 Sending it to your past self as a reminder

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This week, we will go back to the normal format with an interview with one of the local legends in Ayrshire.

Many of you will know Bert through the Fit Ayrshire Masses, but on this week's episode, we talk about:

• His fitness journey and early C25K ''ing'
• Realising that you don't have to run fast all the time and using running as a way of managing to lose over 6 stone
• Finding out what types of races and events he likes most
• Discovering the world of ultrarunning and, like many of u,s popping his ultra cherry on Run the Blades 50k
• Becoming a more confident runner and tweaking what he was doing through coaching
• Completing his biggest challenge to date - the Wall 70-mile ultramarathon
• and much more

Let's Connect/links

• You can follow Bert on Instagram here: @bert_runs.lifts.life_
• If for some reason you aren't already following me on Instagram, then you'll find me here: @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want me to coach you?

Get in touch and see how I can help either here or by using the link in my bio: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach

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Something a little bit different this week, where I am joined by not one, not two, but three guests.

I am joined by a previous guest of the show, Scott (S1 E6) and our crew for the Ultra Scotland 100, George and Michael.

Both George and Michael are also fresh off crewing duties from the West Highland Way Race, just two weeks after crewing Scott and I on the Scotland 100.

I have been crewed by all the guys so it was super interesting to hear what it is like being a crew member - and you also get to hear what it was like crewing on the Scotlans 100.

We talk about:

• Their background
• How did they prepare for the race
• What the experience was like on race day
• Some insights and reflections
• Advice if you are looking to crew, or looking to get a crew

Let's Connect/links

• If for some reason you aren't already following me on Instagram, then you'll find me here: @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want me to coach you?

Get in touch and see how I can help either here or by using the link in my bio: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mixing things up a bit this week where we have previous guest and friend of the show Kayleigh interview me about my time on the Southern Upland Way completing GB Ultras Ultra Scotland 100 Race.

This race covers 104 miles of the National Trails and around 18 thousand feet of climbing

We talk about:

• Some of my background in running and what led me here
• Preparations for the race and what specific training I did to get myself ready
• How the race panned out (TL;DR went well, then didn't)
• What's up next?

Let's Connect/links

• If for some reason you aren't already following me on Instagram, then you'll find me here: @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want to work with me?

Get in touch and see how I can help either here or by using the link in my bio: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.