Afleveringen
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In Episode 21, we sit down with sisters-in-law, best friends, and ultra runners Rachael and Nagiska for one of our most heartfelt conversations yet.
We start at the very beginning, exploring their childhoods, how they found running, and the friendship that has become the foundation of their journey. Along the way, we discuss body image, personal transformation, mental health, postnatal depression, navigating grief after losing loved ones, and the importance of having people around you who believe in you through life’s toughest seasons.
Of course, we couldn’t finish without diving into their incredible running achievements—from Nagiska’s standout performance at Hardcore Harry’s Last One Standing to both women achieving 30-yard personal bests at the Melbourne Front Yard Ultra.
More than anything, this episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t built overnight, healing isn’t always linear, and sometimes the biggest dreams become possible simply because someone is willing to run beside you.
Whether you’re an ultra runner, chasing a goal of your own, or simply looking for a conversation that reminds you of the power of friendship and perseverance, this episode is for you.
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In Episode 20 of The Crow's Nest Podcast, we sit down with Jason Rantall, known throughout the backyard ultra community as "The Stalwart."
Today, Jason is a respected ultra runner with a backyard ultra personal best of 49 yards, a mental health advocate, and co-founder of Bettermentall Australia Inc. But his journey to this point has been anything but easy.
Jason shares his story with remarkable honesty, taking us back through his childhood, the influences that shaped him, and the struggles that followed. We explore his battles with addiction, bipolar disorder, and the years spent searching for a way forward.
At 44 years old, Jason discovered running. What started as a simple decision to make a change became the catalyst for transforming his life. Running gave him purpose, structure, hope, and ultimately a path toward healing.
We also dive into his love of backyard ultras, the lessons learned through endurance sport, and how he and his wife have turned their lived experiences into helping others through Bettermentall Australia Inc.
This is a conversation about resilience, accountability, redemption, and the power of choosing a different path when life feels at its darkest.
Whether you're a runner or not, Jason's story is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.
#backyardultra #running #mentalhealth #community
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In Episode 19 of The Crow's Nest Podcast, we sit down with backyard ultra athlete Joel Sexton.
Known throughout the running community for his generosity, positivity, and willingness to help others, Joel's journey into the sport began not as a competitor, but as a crew member. After supporting athletes on the world stage, including crewing for Tim Kaprazac during his Australian team campaigns, Joel eventually stepped onto the course himself and went on to represent Australia at the Backyard Ultra Satellite Championships.
In this conversation, we explore Joel's early years, family, core values, mindset, mental health, and the lessons he's learned through running. We also dive into the importance of community, the friendships that make the backyard ultra world so unique, and why giving back to others has become such a defining part of who he is.
This episode is a reminder that success isn't measured solely by results, but by the impact we have on the people around us.
Whether you're a runner or simply someone looking for inspiration, Joel's story is one you won't want to miss.
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In this episode of The Crow’s Nest Podcast, we sit down for an honest after-race debrief following Melbourne Front Yard Ultra.
Brandon unpacks his race from start to finish — the strategy, nutrition, highs, setbacks, mental battles, and the moments that pushed him to his limits. From the early race excitement to the deep overnight hours where every loop becomes a test of resilience, this conversation gives a real look into the backyard ultra experience.
Throughout the episode, we also hear voice notes from other athletes who took on the same challenge, sharing their own reflections, standout moments, lessons learned, and what the race revealed about them.
Raw, emotional, inspiring, and at times hilarious — this episode captures the reality of what happens when ordinary people choose to do extraordinarily hard things.
Whether you’re a seasoned ultra runner, crewing from the sidelines, or simply curious about the mindset behind endurance events, this is a conversation that goes far beyond running.
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This one’s raw, honest, and deeply personal.
In this episode, Tim and Rachel Kacprzak open up about the parts of their story that shaped everything— their childhoods, their relationships with their parents, and the lessons they carried into adulthood.
We talk about what it was really like becoming young parents, growing up while raising kids, and learning—sometimes the hard way—how to support each other through every season of life.
This isn’t just about running or achievements.
It’s about growth, communication, and the conscious choice to build a life you genuinely love… together.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to stay connected, keep evolving, and show up for your family while chasing big goals—this conversation is for you.
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In this episode of The Crow’s Nest Podcast, we sit down with Margie Hadley- one of Australia’s most remarkable ultra runners.
Margie has represented Australia at the Satellite Championships, running 47 yards, claimed multiple backyard ultra victories, and most recently became the last woman standing at the Hardcore Harry challenge—running for 75 days and covering nearly 3000 kilometres.
But this conversation goes far beyond the results.
Before ultra running became part of her life, Margie faced one of her toughest battles- cervical cancer. It was on the other side of that experience that she found running, using it as a way to rebuild not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
We go right back to the beginning—exploring Margie’s early life, the challenges that shaped her, and the journey that led her into the world of endurance running. We then dive deep into the mindset required to take on backyard ultras, and what it really takes to keep showing up when your body is breaking down and your mind is being tested.
Margie also takes us inside her experience at the Hardcore Harry challenge what 75 days of running actually looks like, the highs, the lows, and the moments that define you.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, perspective, and what’s possible when you refuse to quit.
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We put it out to the people… and you absolutely delivered. 🙌
In Episode 15 we asked our community to share the best advice they’ve ever received, and the responses were too good not to talk about. From running and sport to relationships, parenting, mindset and life in general — some are funny, some are powerful, and some might be exactly what you need to hear today.
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🔥 BONUS EPISODE 🔥
MVP Through Fresh Eyes
You’ve heard Brandon and I unpack MVP- the heat, the pressure, the lessons. But this time, we’re shifting the lens.
Because you never forget your first backyard ultra.
In this bonus episode, we sit down with Tom and Aaron to debrief their very first experience stepping into the backyard format at MVP. From pre-race nerves and quiet doubts to the moment it stopped feeling exciting and started feeling real. We unpack what it’s like to discover your limits in real time.
With impressive 10 and 20 lap performances, both of them proved that your first backyard isn’t just about how far you go… it’s about who you become out there.
We talk mindset, community, turning points, and what surprised them most about the format. Raw, honest, and reflective- this episode captures the beauty of seeing MVP through fresh eyes.
Because sometimes the most powerful growth happens when you have no idea what you’re walking into.
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Episode 13 – The MVP Debrief
The race that breaks you… and reveals everything.
MVP wasn’t just hot and brutal, it was exposing. The kind of race that strips you back to your preparation, your standards, your mindset, and the conversations you have with yourself when things start to hurt.
In this episode, we unpack the full debrief! What went right, what cracked under pressure, the turning points, and the lessons that will shape the year ahead.
We’re also sharing a powerful crew voice note from Alex Cleary- a raw, behind-the-scenes perspective of what it looked like from the other side of the loop.
Lots of mentions of performances displayed by runners at the event! This one has it all! Enjoy, ca-cawww!
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To kick off the new year, we sit down with Ramona Lever-counsellor, coach, author, and a respected voice in the wellbeing space with over 25 years of experience helping people create meaningful, lasting change.
In this raw and honest conversation, we explore the power of mindset and what it really means to set authentic goals that align with your true purpose — not external expectations. Ramona shares insights on navigating post-race blues, managing self-talk, building confidence, and reconnecting with your why, both in running and in life.
This episode is a powerful reminder that your best year doesn’t come from doing more, but from aligning deeper. A grounding and intentional way to start the year, wherever you are on your journey.
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In Episode 4, Darryl joined us to share his journey through ultra running- the miles, the mental battles, and the grit it takes to keep showing up. As promised, he’s back for an end-of-year reflection, and this time he’s joined by his incredible partner and crew, Annaliese.
This episode explores the same finish line through two very different perspectives- the runner and the person standing beside them for every loop, every decision, and every late-night moment.
Together, Darryl and Annaliese reflect on the year that was: the race highlights, the toughest moments, the lessons learned, the gear that made a difference, and the growth of Mind Over Miles Run Club. They also share what it’s really like navigating backyard ultras from both sides on the course and behind the scenes and what they’re carrying with them into the year ahead.
A raw, honest and grounding conversation about endurance, support, community, and what it truly takes to go the distance.
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In this milestone 10th episode, we sit down with the incredible Bardie Somerville- carpenter, public speaker, endurance runner, and the driving force behind The Shift, an organisation reshaping mental health conversations for blue-collar workers.
Bardie shares her journey through the trades, the challenges faced, and the powerful mission that fuels her work in creating connection, vulnerability and change across the construction industry.
We also dive into her recent TIACS fundraiser - an attempt to run 190km for the 190 lives lost to suicide in construction each year exploring the preparation, the emotional weight of the cause, the moment it all changed, and the impact that followed.
Beyond her achievements, Bardie brings warmth, humour, honesty and a down-to-earth energy that makes even the toughest topics feel safe and human.
This is a conversation about resilience, advocacy, community and the courage it takes to keep going.
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This week on The Crow’s Nest Podcast we sit down with the incredible Emma- an athlete who somehow manages to be equal parts fun, fierce, grounded, and wildly inspiring. She’s the perfect mix of bravery, banter, big-hearted honesty… and yes, the occasional sneaky gin & tonic. 🍸
Emma takes us right back to where it all began: her first ultra marathon in 2012, the mindset shifts that shaped her as a runner, and the lessons she’s gathered over more than a decade on the trails. As a mum of three, an ICU nurse, and a standout crew member, she has a way of blending humour with hard-earned wisdom that makes every story hit differently.
Emma is the whole package — generous with her time, unfiltered with her honesty (and toilet chats), and deeply passionate about lifting others up. Whether you’re thinking about signing up for your first 5km or you’ve been in the ultra world for years, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, lighter, and ready to chase something bigger.
Hit play, settle in, and enjoy this beautiful, hilarious, and heart-filling chat with the one and only Emma.
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Emily Smith is one of those people whose stories stay with you long after the conversation ends. From her fearless transition from professional cricket wicket keeper to AFLW player, to the meaning behind her favourite tattoos collected from around the world. Emily brings laughter, honesty, and perspective to every part of her journey.
This episode dives into resilience, chasing new challenges, and living life with unapologetic passion.
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What an enjoyable chat this one was! Sitting down with Patto felt less like an interview and more like catching up with an old friend. From childhood antics and rock band days to the backyard ultra world and the stories in between, we were laughing nonstop and soaking up every moment. This episode is full of heart, humour and some cracking yarns; you’re going to love it!
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Fresh from the Shepparton GV Backyard Ultra, we dive into what went well, what we’d change next time, and the biggest lessons the event taught us. Alongside our own recap, you’ll also hear reflections from fellow runners with a reminder that in backyard ultras, community is above all else.
Special thank you to GV for such an incredible event and shout out to Tim, Ollie, Joel, Emma, Patto and Matty for their input (Instagram accounts tagged in show on instagram).
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Episode 5 – The Journey to GV: The Crows Backyard Ultra Packing List
With just 11 days to go until the Shepparton Backyard Ultra (at time of recording), we take you behind the scenes of all the prep that goes into race day. From packing lists to food strategies, planning, gear, and the mindset needed to tackle a backyard ultra. Whether you’re a runner, supporter, or just curious about what it takes, join us as we break down Brandon’s approach to getting to the start line ready.
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In this episode of the Crow's Nest podcast, Darryl Tollett shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in the UK to becoming a passionate ultra runner in Australia. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to running, including his first marathon experience and the transition to ultra marathons. Darryl emphasizes the importance of community support, the challenges of injuries, and the lessons learned along the way. His story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of personal growth through sport. In this engaging conversation, Darryl Tollett shares his journey through ultra running, detailing his intense training for the Sydney event and the challenges he faced during the race. He discusses the importance of mindset and visualization in achieving goals, as well as his future aspirations, including participating in the UTMB. Additionally, Darryl highlights the creation of his run club, Mind Over Miles, aimed at fostering a supportive community for runners. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to push their limits and pursue their dreams.
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Surviving the Storm: Lisa & Marcus on Hyperemesis Gravidarum
It wasn’t morning sickness—it was survival.
Lisa shares her harrowing journey with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and Marcus reveals what it’s like to watch the person you love suffer through it.
A raw, honest conversation about pain, resilience, and the power of love in the hardest moments.
#hyperemesisGravidarum #HGAwareness #TheCrowsNestPodcast #pregnancy #WomensHealth #RealTalk
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Episode 2
No Fluff, Just Feathers: Welcome to The Nest
In this official first real episode, Brandon and Jess open up the doors to The Crow’s Nest and invite you into their world.
From teenage sweethearts to married with two boys (and a whole lot of life in between), this episode is part love story, part therapy session, and part laugh-out-loud chaos. We talk about how we met, how we’ve grown, what we’ve overcome, and why this podcast matters to us—and hopefully to you, too.
Brandon shares his journey from martial arts to ultra running, fatherhood, and mental endurance, while Jess opens up about identity, motherhood, burnout, and growth.
Plus, we answer your questions from Instagram—including why Brandon only has one eyebrow, how Jess feels about being the solo parent during race weeks, and what fuels The Crow mid-ultra (spoiler: it’s not kale).
We’re so glad you’re here.
Topics we cover:
Our relationship & family story Parenting highs and lows Running, sacrifice & identity Your spicy IG questions Why we started this podcast What’s coming next in The NestDon’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram @the.crows.nest.podcast
Ca-cawww!
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