The Pyllon Ultra Pod Podcast

In this deeply honest episode of the Pyllon Ultra podcast, 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.

Topics include:

• What training looks like (and feels like) during pregnancy

• How Rachel’s mindset and body have changed the second time around

• Her plan to return to running after birth

• The emotional and practical challenges of staying connected to your identity as a runner

• Support systems, useful resources, and advice for other female athletes

This isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about adapting with purpose, building trust in your own body, and redefining what endurance really means.

Whether you’re training through pregnancy, coaching women through these seasons, or just curious to listen — this is a conversation we all need to hear.

🎧 Tune in now, and share with someone who needs it.

📘 ROAR by Dr. Stacy Sims – www.drstacysims.com/roar 📙 Go Ahead, Stop and Pee – View on AbeBooks 🎙️ Active Mom Podcast – carriepagliano.com 📄 NHS Return to Running Guidance – Download the PDF

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• Learn more or get in touch: pyllonultra.com

Thanks for being part of the journey. #theultralife | #pyllon

Most people don’t think of ultra-running as creative. It’s numbers. It’s structure. It’s repetition. But the best runners — the ones who stay in it for the long haul — often aren’t just tough. They’re imaginative. Flexible. Quietly inventive.

In this episode, I explore why creativity is a powerful tool in training, racing, and staying in the game when things don’t go to plan.

From reframing long runs to adapting goals mid-race, to how we coach and train when life gets messy — this is about the art of movement, not just the metrics.

You’ll hear a few personal stories, a bit of coaching insight, and a quiet reminder that sometimes, improvisation is the real superpower.

🎧 Listen if you’ve ever had to reimagine your plan mid-run — or if you're looking for a little freedom in how you move forward.

📬 Read the full written version at: pyllonultra.com/ember

Thanks for being here — and for being part of this community.

If this resonated, feel free to share it with someone who might need it too. You can follow or reach out via:

📬 Newsletter: @pyllonultra 🖤 Personal IG: @pyllon ▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon

See you out there.

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.

We talk about the discomfort of putting something so personal out into the world, the role of Alice’s energy in keeping the whole thing moving, and the quiet moments of vulnerability that came not just during the run, but in shaping the story afterward.

There’s plenty of west coast banter, swearing, some honesty about fear, doubt and storytelling — and the formal proposal of a new XP ritual involving frostbitten toes and Yukon tradition that you probably just have to hear to believe.

This one’s real. It’s not polished. And I’m proud of that.

🎥 A Run Through Darkness is now live on The Running Channel.

👉 Read more reflections here: Ultra Life

👉 Watch the film here: The Run Show

Links & Mentions:

• 🎥 Film: A Run Through Darkness — Watch it on The Running Channel

• 🌍 More episodes & coaching: pyllonultra.com

• 📸 Instagram: @pyllonultra // @pyllon

• 📝 Substack: The Ultra Life

What happens after the race is done, the film is released, or the effort is over? In this solo reflection, Paul explores the quiet space between doing the work and discovering what it meant. Drawing from his own experience at the Yukon Arctic Ultra — and a story from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert — this episode is about stillness, identity, and trusting the process, even when the result isn’t clear.

In This Episode:

• The silence that follows big efforts
• Why we shouldn’t tie our identity to outcomes
• What runners and creatives have in common
• Jack Gilbert and the pursuit of meaning beyond applause
• A quiet reminder for anyone still waiting for the meaning to catch up

Links & Mentions:

• Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• More episodes & coaching: pyllonultra.com
• Instagram: @pyllonultra @pyllon
• Substack: The Ultra Life

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.

Hear about: ✅ How the frostbite happened ✅ What went down when the rescue was activated ✅ The treatment Paul has received so far ✅ How this experience has changed his perspective

This is an unscripted, casual conversation between two Pyllon coaches—something different from our usual episodes but packed with real stories, real consequences, and real lessons from the ultra world. There are some sweary words!

⚡ Follow Pyllon for coaching, training insights, and more: 🔗 Website: www.pyllonultra.com 📸 Instagram: @pyllonultra 🎧 More Podcasts: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms ▶️ YouTube: YouTube.com/pyllon

⚡ Follow Paul @pyllon