The Pyllon Ultra Pod

There are some things in life that we carry alone. Not because we don't have supportive friends or family, but because nobody else can quite carry the weight of something that matters deeply to us. In this solo episode, I explore the quieter side of commitment. The emotional cost of caring deeply about a race, a business, a creative project, or simply the person we're trying to become. Drawing on experiences from racing around the world, building Pyllon, creating films and writing, I reflect on why pursuing meaningful things can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely, and why perhaps that's not something to fear, but something to understand. This isn't really an episode about running. It's about what running, and other long pursuits, reveal about the way we live. I hope it resonates. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can find me here: Substack: https://pyllon.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllonPyllon Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/pyllonultraYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pyllonWebsite: https://www.pyllonultra.com You can also find The Pyllon Ultra Pod wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're enjoying the podcast, sharing it with a friend or leaving a rating and review really does help more people discover it. Thanks for listening.

In this solo episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul takes a slow, reflective journey into the deeper layers of endurance — not as sport, but as a human experience. Building on recent conversations with Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and echoing themes from his latest Substack essay “When the Race Strips Us Back,” this episode explores the emotional costs of going all in, the relationship between mind and body, and the quiet revelations that emerge through long efforts. Drawing on his own experiences; from winning the West Highland Way Race to breaking down in the New Zealand backcountry, Paul opens up about what it means to truly endure, and how suffering, presence, and stillness all play a part in uncovering who we really are. This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a pause.An invitation to feel more. To listen more.And to remember that the long run is more than training — it’s a way home. 🗝️ In This Episode Reflections from three powerful podcast guests - Jeev, Gus, and Alan, and what they revealed about vulnerability, calm, and transformation A behind-the-scenes look at Paul’s mindset during his WHW victory, and what real mental work means Honest stories from his Te Araroa journey across New Zealand - exhaustion, grief, and breakthrough The emotional cost of caring deeply and racing with your whole self Why endurance helps us build a true mind–body relationship The spiritual dimension of long efforts — and how they can reconnect us to what matters 5 powerful lessons endurance has taught over the years A challenge for your next long run: to listen, not chase ✨ Quote from the Episode “Longevity isn’t built on punishment. It’s built on partnership.” 🔗 Links & Resources Substack essay: When the Race Strips Us Back Instagram: @pyllon | @pyllonultra YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Website: pyllonultra.com

In this bonus episode, we sit down with Pyllon athlete Gus Irvine, who just won the 2025 West Highland Way Race — one of the most iconic ultramarathons in the UK. Gus opens up about the years of quiet, committed training that made this win possible. We talk about his emotional relationship with running, the structure and belief that coaching has brought him, and how consistency, community, and sacrifice shaped his path to victory.

Joining Paul today are two people with intimate knowledge of this format. Grant MacDonald, a former GB international and coach at Pyllon, was due to compete at Crawley this year before injury struck — instead, he stepped into the crew role. On the other side of the table is Alice, a Pyllon athlete who not only took on the challenge but hit the qualifying mark to represent Romania at the upcoming World Championships in Albi, France.

We’re joined by Pyllon coach John Connolly and long-time athlete Rachel Normand — a fierce competitor, thoughtful human, and now, a mother expecting her second child. We talk openly about what it means to navigate training, identity, and life as a female athlete, especially during and after pregnancy.

In this special episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, I sit down with Pyllon coach John Connolly and long-time creative collaborator (and pal) Gavin Bussey, just ahead of the release of A Run Through Darkness — the film documenting my 3,000km run across New Zealand.

This episode is a little different from our usual structured approach. It’s a raw and honest conversation between two friends—Pyllon coach Paul Giblin and fellow coach John Connolly. Paul shares the repercussions of his Yukon Arctic Ultra experience, including the frostbite he suffered during the race and the long road to recovery. It’s not all serious, though—expect plenty of laughs, some swearing, and an inside look at what really happened when he hit the SOS button in the middle of one of the world’s toughest races.