Follow Holly at Western States this weekend 27-28 June 2026!
Follow Holly on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hollyrranson/
What does it take to become one of the best ultrarunners in the world?
Talent?
Genetics?
Mental toughness?
After spending months speaking with the people closest to Holly Ranson, I discovered a very different answer.
In this special documentary episode, you'll hear from the people who have witnessed Holly's journey from the front row:
• Nic – fiancé, training partner and crew chief• Mel – lifelong friend• Phil Gore – Backyard Ultra World Champion• Brent Ford – ultrarunner, commentator and podcast host• Shaun Kaesler – race director and ultrarunner
Together, they reveal the person behind the performances.
The woman who quietly went from working multiple jobs and battling injury after injury to becoming one of Australia's most accomplished ultrarunners, breaking Australian records and producing one of the greatest performances ever by an Australian woman at the 24-Hour World Championships in France.
But this isn't really a story about running.
It's a story about humility.
Persistence.
Sacrifice.
Friendship.
Character.
And the relentless pursuit of what might be possible.
As this episode is released, Holly is preparing to take on one of the most iconic races in the world – the Western States Endurance Run 100 miler in California. After hearing the stories in this documentary, you'll understand why so many people believe her best is still ahead of her.
Whether you're a runner or not, I think you'll find something of yourself in Holly's story.
Because at its heart, this documentary asks a question that applies to all of us:
What if the best chapter of your story hasn't happened yet?
Special thanks to Holly Ranson, Nic French, Mel Clark, Phil Gore, Brent Ford and Shaun Kaesler for generously sharing their stories and helping bring this documentary to life.
Enjoy!
4 Dec 2025
Pressure - How to Harness It Instead of Being Crushed by It
Pressure is something every runner, athlete, and high-performer faces - but how we experience it and respond to it can make all the difference. In this episode, Rob breaks down what pressure really is, where it comes from, and why most of us unknowingly create it ourselves.
You'll learn:
The psychological roots of pressure and how your brain reacts to it
Common ways athletes build pressure on themselves
Practical strategies to work with pressure instead of letting it overwhelm you
Mindset shifts that help you perform at your best, even in high-stakes situations
Whether you're chasing a personal best, tackling an ultramarathon, or just feeling the weight of daily expectations, this episode will give you actionable tools to turn pressure into performance.
Resources:
Mindset For Runners Community– Join the community for support, coaching tips, and exclusive mindset content.
Follow me on Instagram: @RobMasonRuns for daily insights on running and mindset.
Time Stamps:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction02:15 – What pressure actually is08:30 – How we create unnecessary pressure14:45 – Strategies to work with pressure22:10 – Mindset shifts for peak performance28:00 – Closing thoughts
20 Nov 2025
Inside the Runner’s Brain: Why It Sabotages You (and How to Stop It)
Have you ever wondered why your mind seems to turn against you right when you need it most — in the middle of a tough race, a big workout, or standing on the start line? In this episode, Rob breaks down the three parts of your brain — the Human, the Chimp, and the Computer — and shows you how understanding this simple model can completely change the way you think, feel, and perform as a runner.
Drawing on Professor Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox and A Path Through the Jungle, plus The Brave Athlete by Lesley Paterson and Simon Marshall, you’ll learn how your “chimp brain” can hijack your thoughts, create chaos, and trigger self-sabotage — and how to calm it down when it does.
This episode is all about practical mental skills you can use right away: tools to manage nerves, deal with negative self-talk, handle pressure, and find clarity when your emotions take over.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The three parts of the brain — and which one is running your race
How your chimp hijacks you before, during, and after a run
What it means to “give the chimp a banana” (and how to do it effectively)
Simple tools to get back into your Human brain when things feel out of control
Practical strategies from The Brave Athlete to train your chimp and build calm confidence
How to use the question “What’s the plan?” to stay focused and regain control
Real examples of how elite runners manage their inner chaos
Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to silence your emotions — you just need to understand who’s driving your thoughts. Once you know how to recognise your chimp, manage it, and step back into your Human brain, running (and life) gets a whole lot simpler.
Resources Mentioned:
The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters
A Path Through the Jungle by Professor Steve Peters
The Brave Athlete by Dr Simon Marshall & Lesley Paterson
Learn more about Rob and his course and community:
https://www.robmasonruns.com.au/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
41 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Mindset for runners
Guest appearances
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