Ep21: Losing Luca and Leila, and Finding Purpose Through Running, with James — Devon
From Marathons for Miracles by Olly Brown
May 21, 2026 · 55 min · Season 1 · Episode 21
About this episode
James shares his journey of loss and how running has helped him find purpose and hope.
Week 22 takes us to Devon, as James joins us ahead of another marathon on the South West coast. James shares the story of losing his son Luca after a devastating diagnosis during pregnancy, followed by a miscarriage, and later the loss of Leila. He speaks openly about navigating repeated loss, the emotional toll of difficult decisions, and the long road that has followed through genetics testing and IVF treatment. We talk about the reality of living year-to-year between pregnancies, the frustration of unanswered questions, and how running became an outlet for grief, purpose and hope. This Sunday, we head to Devon for Marathon 22, running alongside James on a route shaped by family, memory and meaning. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 👉 Follow the journey and support the cause at marathonsformiracles.com All episodes contain sensitive discussions around pregnancy loss and grief. Experiences shared are personal and are not a substitute for medical advice. Please seek professional support if needed. Listener discretion advised.
People in this episode
Host: Olly Brown
Guest: James
Topics covered
- grief
- pregnancy loss
- running
- IVF treatment
- family
- purpose
Keywords
- marathon
- grief
- pregnancy loss
- IVF
- running
- family
- Devon
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Marathons for Miracles, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
Places: Devon
More episodes of Marathons for Miracles
- Ep24: Midwifery, Motherhood, and Supporting Families Through Loss, with Jess & Laura — Somerset · June 11, 2026 · 54 min
- Ep23: Ness's Story, and Funding Research to Prevent Stillbirth, with Jonny — Surrey · June 3, 2026 · 44 min
- Ep22: Three Losses, One Rainbow Baby, and the Anxiety Between, with Bex — Gloucestershire · May 28, 2026 · 49 min
- Ep20: From Heartbeat Scan to A Missed Miscarriage, with Nicole — Cornwall · May 14, 2026 · 49 min
- Ep19: Three Miscarriages, a Molar Pregnancy & the NHS Three-Loss Rule, with Tom & Amy — Yorkshire · May 7, 2026 · 1h 2m
- Ep18: Loss, Faith & Finding Strength, with Ryan — Herefordshire · April 30, 2026 · 44 min
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