The RMA Podcast

The RMA Podcast. Episode 34. Running & Fertility. A journey through IVF to motherhood and beyond. With Kelly McManus

On episode 34 we discuss issues around infertility, a condition which affects so many Australian women. We chat with Kelly McManus, from Sydney about her long journey to becoming a mother. 

We talk to Kelly about the struggles she and her partner went through to become parents. We discuss the financial, physical, emotional and spiritual burden of the rollercoaster highs and lows of fertility treatment, and the joy of finally becoming mum and dad 8 years later to their little girl Niamh. 

Kelly, an avid runner and triathlete, talks to us about her journey through IVF and the processes that involved, whilst maintaining an active healthy lifestyle. We chat about the modifications that she made, and her thoughts on remaining active through pregnancy, and of course it's benefits, where Kelly continued to run right through her pregnancy up until when Niamh was born. 

Kelly shares with us about what becoming a mother has meant to her, and how she loves to spend time being active outdoors with her little babe. 

To follow more of Kelly's journey, and her musings and insights you can find her on instagram at @kelly_runs_and_eats or on her blog https://kellyrunsandeats.wordpress.com where she has also shared much of her story. 

 

Fore more information on IVF as referred to in our chat,  please head to https://www.yourivfsuccess.com.au.

 

This podcast episode is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia and Lava Tribe  Girls Active Wear. 

As a special deal from Lava Tribe, Listeners of the podcast can use the code SHIP FREE RMA for free shipping Australia wide with no minimums.

The RMA Podcast. Episode 33. An honest recap of the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Lisa Weightman.

In Episode 33 of the RMA Podcast we chat to RMA Ambassador and four-time olympian, Lisa Weightman about her latest experience of the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We dive deep with Lisa about how she navigated the trials of training for this extended olympic campaign, the challenges of the long Victorian lockdown, and the ever changing goal posts of training, the inability to race due to the pandemic, managing performance and anxiety surrounding the ever changing landscape around Australia and the world, and the uncertainty of qualification and competition culminating in the Tokyo 2020 olympic marathon. 

Lisa shares candidly with us her thoughts around the differences of this, her fourth olympic campaign compared to those in her past, particularly around the loneliness of these games as her experience, and her thankfulness that in these uncertain times, when the world has been surrounded by a cloud of despair, the Olympics gave us the hope that we longed for, where athletes could showcase their resilience and resolve in striving for their best on the world stage, in a place where the world comes together, united as one. 

Lisa shares with us her thoughts on the race itself in the gruelling heat, her Tokyo Olympic Games experience, hotel quarantine, what she is working towards moving forward post games, how running doesn't soley define us, and what she is looking forward to most after such a long time away from her loved ones. 

You can continue to follow Lisa's journey over on her instagram at @lisaweightman or on her website. www.lisaweightman.com.

This podcast episode is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia and Lava Tribe  Girls Active Wear. 

As a special deal from Lava Tribe, Listeners of the podcast can use the code SHIP FREE RMA for free shipping Australia wide with no minimums.

The RMA Podcast. Episode 32. Living for the long run. Life and lessons of a 200 mile runner. With Harmony Waite.

On episode 32 of the RMA podcast I speak with long time RMA member Harmony Waite. Harmony talks with us about her journey into running, particularly after becoming a mum and her rise into ultra running. We talk about what she loves about endurance events and how they not only test her ability and strengths, but how they challenge her, and what she loves most about the adventures she embarks on. 

We talk at length about running the kind of ultras that Harmony enjoys; 100 milers and 200 milers and why this is her distance of choice. We also dive into the issues one faces when they take on such a challenge. 

Many would think this episode is about an elite runner, however the opposite is true. Harmony is your everyday mum, sometimes at the back end of the pack, raising two children in the suburbs of Perth, and we chat about combining her love of ultra running with raising children. We also chat about the influence that Harmony has had on her children, with her daughter's interest in particular in joining Harmony on some of her grand adventures and forming her own. 

In this episode we learn more about 200 mile races, and in particular Delirious West 200 miler and Irrational South 200 miler that Harmony competed in which you can find more information about at ultraserieswa.com.au.

 

You can follow Harmony and her adventures on instagram @harm_run_y

 

This episode is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia  Hurting Sucks. Especially in Ultra Running. This episode is also brought to you by Lava Tribe Girls Activewear.

To encourage your daughter to be active, enjoy free shipping when you use code SHIP FREE RMA at checkout for free shipping Australia wide. 

The RMA Podcast Episode 31. Running for premature babies part 2. With Founder for Running for premature babies, Sophie Smith.

On episode 31 (Part 2 of the Running for premature babies podcast) we talk to Running for Premature Babies Founder and Director, Sophie Smith. 15 years ago Sophie and her late husband Ash were excited to be expecting the first of their children, triplet boys. At 21 weeks Sophie went into early labour. 5 days later her first born son Henry was born at 21 weeks. Henry lived for one precious hour and died in Sophies arms. It was expected that her next two babies would be born within 24 hours, but they defied the odds and Evan and Jasper were finally born at 24 weeks where they were told that the boys would have a 50% chance of survival. 

Sophie shares with us the highs and lows of what those 82 heart-breaking days were like for her; the 58 days that she spent in the neonatal intensive care unit watching on as Evan and Jaspers fought for their lives.

At 10 days old Evan became very ill with a brain haemorrhage and was removed from his life support and died in Sophies arms.  Jasper fought on and they had some wonderful bonding times together until at 58 days his lungs collapsed and, once again her precious child died again in her arms. 

We discuss the impact this time had on the life of her and her husband Ash and how this led them to found Running For Premature Babies.

Since then, thousands of people have run for the cause, raising more than $4 million for lifesaving neonatal equipment and research giving thousands of premature babies a better chance of survival. 

The Running for Premature Babies Foundation is a registered Australian Charity supporting neonatal units in hospitals around the country.

You can support the work of Running for Premature Babies anytime by creating your own challenge, donating or by participating in their upcoming Premmie Marathon Challenge in the RMA Team this November. 

 

You can follow Running for Premature Babies on Facebook  or on instagram. @runningforprems

 

This podcast is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia. 

 

The RMA Podcast Episode 30. Running For Premature Babies part 1. With Amy O'Halloran & Judy Schulstad.

On Episode 30 of the RMA podcast, our 1 year anniversary special, we are talking about running for premature babies! We interview Proud running mumma and RMA Ambassador, Amy O’Halloran who is mum to two darling premature babies, her first born Henry, who came at 34weeks and Jemima who entered the world at 33 weeks gestation!

 

I chat to Amy about her silent struggle with the guilt and the trauma she faced being a first time mum, under going emergency c sections, and traumatic births (where she couldn’t even hold her baby Jemima before she was taken away), to living in the hospital, the trauma and fear around having a premature baby and leaving to go home without them.

 

We talk about the guilt that weighed heavily leaving Amy feeling as though she had failed Henry and Jemima, which eventually led her to being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression.

Today Amy is so proud of both Henry and Jemima and that she is their mum!

 

I also chat to my mum, Judy Schulstad, about her experience having two premature babies (myself and my sister) 44 years ago, and compare the differences and similarities in the motherhood journey to giving birth to a premature baby, and how she handled the news that I might indeed die.

 

This podcast is part 1 in our series where we are raising awareness and support for the Running for Premature Babies Foundation. In part 2, which will air in a fortnight we talk to its’ founder, Sophie Smith about the legacy she has built along side her late husband Ash in the memory of her beautiful baby boys, now sleeping, Henry, Jasper and Evan, and how we can support families of premature babies through our footsteps.

 

For more information on the Running For Premature Babies Foundation visit www.runningforprematurebabies.com

 

This episode of the RMA Podcast is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia 

The RMA Podcast episode 29. A life of gratitude. Living when you are dying. With Samantha O'Farrell.

On episode 29 of The RMA Podcast we speak with mum, runner and all round beautiful spirit, Samantha O'Farrell. I met Sam a few years ago when she was part of our local RMA sisterhood and instantly fell in love with her infectious love for life. Not long after we met, Samantha was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began her journey through treatment. 

Fast forward only a few short years, Samantha has now been given just weeks to live and I sit down with her for a really raw and heartfelt conversation about life; Sam's life, what she has learnt through her adventures along the way, how running served her, and how we should examine our own lives and what should really be important to us. 

Sam gives us insight into focusing on the now, not only when your time here is short, but how we can truly be alive through every moment that we are given on earth. 

One thing resounds in this podcast and that is that NOW is what we have and NOW is everything. 

This podcast is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia. 

 

The RMA Podcast. Episode 28. From accident to Ironman. A story of resilience and strength with Angela McKenzie (Furneaux)

On this episode of The RMA podcast I speak with Running mum from Northern Qld, Angela McKenzie (Furneaux). Angela is a triathlete who was introduced to the world of triathlon as a child and has been competing ever since.

 

Back in 2018 while Angela was training for her Ironman, she was tragically hit by a vehicle while training on her local country road. This left Angela with devastating injuries which led Angela on a journey to rehabilitation over the last three years. She had to teach herself to walk again, and how to be again. To be a parent, a worker and a friend and also deal with the consequences that come out of such a traumatic experience.

 

In this episode we touch on the specifics of Angela’s accident that day and her experiences of her rehabilitation and what it was like to lace up and compete again in her most beloved event, Ironman.

 

We also talk to Angela about navigating training and competing in triathlon as a shift worker as a paramedic and a nurse, and her journey as a single parent in the early years. This episode is a testament to the strength of the pursuit of purpose even in the face of adversity, and how belief in oneself can overcome the greatest of odds.

 

You can follow Angela and her journey over on Instagram at @angela__mckenzie .

 

This podcast episode is brought to you by fisiocremaustralia

The RMA Podcast. Episode 27. Finding freedom in adventure on the Larapinta Trail. With Michelle Hooper.

In this episode of the RMA podcast we talk again to one of our favourite guests, RMA Ambassador and lover of adventures, Michelle Hooper. 

 

Michelle isn't new to the podcast, having been interviewed on episode 8 about her self-supported adventure on the Cape to Cape track in WA. This time I chat to Michelle about her most recent adventure in May 2021 traversing a supported attempt of the Larapinta Trail in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. 

 

We Talk about what the 230k or so journey, (which actually eventuated in 254k over 76 hours) taught Michelle, how she navigated around her preparation, training and COVID-19 hiccups to the realisation of her dream. We dive into the lessons learned along the way and the meaning behind the adventures she embarks on, and what she learns about herself when she chases those feelings of truly being alive in her pursuits.

 

We discuss all things that go with such an undertaking, like logistics of forming a trusted crew, what to draw on when things get tough and how to push through pain, how to keep moving on little to no sleep, to the fun of hallucinations, needing to use the bathroom on the trail and the surroundings we find ourselves in that light our soul on fire.

 

This project, although Michelle's dream, also highlights the culmination of team effort and camaraderie when people with a common goal come together, and the magic that they can create when everyone is on the same page.

 

I hope you love this insight into chasing adventurous pursuits, and I am sure it won't be the last time we share about them where Michelle is concerned.

 

You can follow Michelle and her adventures over on instagram at @mish_hooper and look out for the film by Marco Noe ( @_mnfilm on instagram) birthed out of this project which will hopefully be out later in the year.  

 

You can read more about the Larapinta Trail at www.larapintatrail.com.au. 

The RMA Podcast. Episode 26. Trail & Ultra Running.The Life, the lessons & empowering women in our sport. With Shona Stevenson.

Shona Stephenson has been one of Australia's best trail and ultra endurance runners, having ranked among the top 10 on the Ultra-Trail World Tour. With over 10 years experience in the health and fitness industry, as an athlete, coach, nutritionist, mentor and personal trainer. 

 

Shona began her journey running after having children when she entered her the City to Surf pushing a pram along its' tough course. Shona didn't love this experience and so her quest began to find a more forgiving surface, and a more enriching experience which led her to the trails, which she instantly fell in love with. 

 

Her passion for trail running, coupled with her talent led her on an incredible journey and subsequent racing career all over the world until her health and personal life caused her to shift her focus to coaching, mentoring and the world of race directing. 

 

It was then that Shona co-founded The Brisbane Trail Ultra, with its focus being to bring a world class event to the shores of Australia much like she had experience in Europe. She has now added the Port Douglas to Cairns Trail Ultra to her portfolio of events. 

 

This episode takes us into the life of an elite athlete; what drives them and motivates them, and in this conversation we discuss how the rise of women in trail running is an ever-growing, evolving and exciting space to be part of. Shona isn't shy when it comes to her passion to support women in our sport, and it is definitely a positive step to have race directors like Shona front and centre in the Trail and Ultra running world. 

 

You can find more about Shona on her website, Ultra Training Australia

 

You can follow Shona over on instagram at @shonastephensontrailrunner

OR

You can register for one of her upcoming races at

Brisbane Trail Ultra

and

Cairns to Port Douglas Trail Ultra

 

The RMA Podcast Episode 25. Embracing moments. One mums journey with a breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, and a story of hope.

Today on the podcast we chat to serving police officer, runner and mum Melissa Dinneen. Mel resides in Melbourne where she is wife to Steve Dinneen from well known running group Dinneen Runners, and together they have three beautiful children.

 

Last year, during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, at only 25 weeks pregnant with their third baby, Mel was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in her left breast. In this episode we discuss Mel’s running journey from struggling first time mum to now, and how her breast cancer diagnosis both shocked and challenged their family. We discuss Mel’s thoughts on her mortality, going through treatment, which she continues to do so, and the safe arrival of her baby girl Emerson. We chat about the messy parts of having cancer, the support of others, and the strength that one finds inside them when they need to fight for the one thing they hold dear; their family.

 

This conversation is one of resilience and hope and the power of community in action. 

 

You can follow along Mel's journey as she continues to share the highs and lows of her battle over on instagram at @darebinrunningmumma and you can connect with Dinneen runners at @dineenrunners or via email at dinneenrunners@gmail.com.

 

This episode is proudly brought to you by fisiocrem Australia