She's made history as the first woman to ever complete the notorious Barkley Marathons. In Frozen Lake State Park, Tennessee, Jasmin Paris completed the 100-mile course with just 99 seconds to spare, and saw supporters quite literally on the edge of their seats willing her to reach the yellow gate at the finish line.Jasmin is the co-founder of The Green Runners, and she uses her platform to speak out on green issues and help other runners make more sustainable choices, with the races they might choose, or how they train for runs.We talk about things that helped her complete the Barkleys, including how she trained, what she ate, what kind of support she received and how she mentally prepared.We cover what it was that helped her complete this year's race over and above other years.She tells me how she always believed it was possible - and she did it to prove it to herself, but also to show that it could be completed by a woman. We also talk about her biggest moment of doubt.Although she eats a healthy diet at home, we talk about the kind of calories needed to get through the miles, and Jasmin talks me through what a typical training week might look like.We talk about how nostalgic Jasmin is now about her training and looking forward to getting back into it ready for new things ahead.Jasmin touches on the changes race directors could consider to encourage more female participation, including pregnancy deferral and better facilities generally.Taking action on green issues is something that Jasmin is passionate about, and we talk about her platform and how she has to combat her anxiety about social media to promote what she believes deeply about.Pledging to fly less, reuse kit, eat less dairy and speak out, we talk about what The Green Runners represents. Jasmin has turned down opportunities to races in Australia and Mexico due to her pledge not to fly.We discuss how policy change at a higher level is crucial, and although individual responsibility is important, collective change is crucial.She's ready for her next challenges and May brings more races for Jasmin.If you're interested in fell running, Jasmin gives her advice on how to get started too.Listen in to hear first hand from a record breaker and all-round superwoman!Find out more about The Green Runners at www.thegreenrunners.comFollow Jasmin on X @JasminKParis

Dr Minil Patel is not only a doctor, but a vegan bodybuilder, member of Plant-Based Health Professionals, ambassador for Climate Games and Running On Plants, and a runner!If there's one thing that Minil proves, it's that being vegan does not make you weak.Owning the term "soy boy", he shows that getting ripped is entirely possible by living on plants alone.We talk about how education on food and nutrition is key to getting fit on a plant-based diet, and how transitioning to plant-based milk cured his digestive issues.Vegan for the animals, the health and fitness benefits were a happy side-effect to Minil's vegan diet.Trying to keep snacks and packaged foods out of the house, he tells me that planning is key for him to stay healthy and having prepped food is a really great idea.We talk about ignoring the trolls, and how the word "soy boy" is used to try and emasculate vegan men, Minil is reclaiming the term and reminds us that vegan women outnumber men by at least double, and that trolls try and equate eating meat with masculinity and often send homophobic and racist comments to him and other vegans. As a doctor people tend to take Minil more seriously where his veganism is concerned, and his bodybuilding success shows how shredded you can get on a plant-based diet.He tells me that a beetroot juice needs to be made with cooked beets, not raw ones - that can get messy!!Minil only started running last June with the Running On Plants 5K Challenge, and he quickly caught the bug. He'll be doing it again this June to see if he can beat his PB.We talk about whether the strength training can complement running, and Minil gives us a run down of what a typical day might look like for someone so busy, who manages to fit in his strength and running.Minil is on Instagram - @drironjunkie and on Facebook, he's also an ambassador for Running On Plants He's an ambassador for Climate Games  Minil is also on the Plant-Based Health Professionals Network

Paul Youd: Octogenarian, animal activist, and ultra runner.At age 86, Paul is currently on a mission to complete a million push-ups between the age of 80-90, Paul is up for a challenge and uses his fitness to promote veganism and stand up for the animals.When we recorded, Paul had briefly put a halt on running as he was healing from a broken leg – now I’m pleased to report he’s back running again.Since becoming a vegan Paul has reversed the symptoms of his osteoarthritis and takes on challenges now to fundraise for local animal shelters, and Viva! charity.Inspired by the likes of Rich Roll,  David Goggins, Dr Michael Gregor, he can knock out 1,000 press ups in one hour, and claims he is so full of energy that sometimes he just skips along the canal path because he feels so well. A member of Vegan Runners, Paul says that activism for animal rights is now his default position and that his motivation is to be fit enough to play with his grandchildren.Paul is an ambassador for Running On Plants - www.runningonplants.org Find out more about Vegan Runners at www.veganrunners.org.ukHe fundraises regularly for Viva! www.viva.org.ukYou can follow Paul on Instagram @youdpaul and on Facebook.Read his blog at https: www.nobreadisanisland.blogspot.com

Filmmaker Tom Pickering is founder of the Running On Plants initiative, which encourages people to move while maintaining a plant-based diet - the idea is to promote a compassionate and cruelty-free lifestyle, which also benefits our own health.As a lifelong vegetarian and vegan, Tom has never eaten meat, and in his latest film I Could Never Go Vegan, which premiers this spring (2024), he explores the reasons behind people's reluctance to go vegan. He talks to some of the most influential vegans and athletes, and goes undercover to witness the truth behind where our meat comes from.It will be the longest cinema run of any vegan film as far as Tom is aware, with dates to be announced shortly.The Running On Plants Campaign holds monthly challenges to motivate people to get moving, and you can get free resources, recipes and training plans through www.runningonplants.org and on socials Instagram and Facebook, while also joining the Running on Plants Strava Group.You can find out more about I Could Never Go Vegan at https://icouldnevergovegan.co.uk/

Content creator, runner, vegan and mum, Fiona Brennan celebrates being a "slow" runner and we talk about life at the back of the pack.We discuss how a DNA test revealed that she is built more for endurance than speed and how that revelation has completely changed her outlook.From the community of Park Run, to finding a run that suits your style, we talk about how running can be an escape from the day to day drudgery, or a place to just have a laugh with friends.We also talk about how since becoming a vegan Fiona has never felt healthier, and how she has her sights set on a marathon in France where drinking wine is obligatory.Main message from Fiona - anyone who wants to try running should get out there and try it.

Holly Johnson is the editor of the UK's only in-print vegan magazine and host of the Simply Vegan podcast.In this episode we talk about what the turning points are to going vegan, how to talk about veganism with children and how finding a job that aligns with your values is important.Holly is a great cook too and we talk about favourite things to eat and the joys of an air fryer - she really does love an air fryer! Running is a big part of Holly's life and she is a member of the Vegan Runners.You can find out more about Holly's work at www.veganfoodandliving.com and The Simply Vegan Podcast on your favourite players. Follow both on Instagram at @veganfoodandliving and @simplyveganpodcastFind Holly on Instagram at @holly_anne_johnson

Long-distance athlete and evolutionary biologist Professor Ben Garrod is fresh off tour and takes the time to chat to me about our time on the Dragon's Back Race and the science behind running.Ben has spent six years in Africa, Madagascar, the Caribbean and even been a tour guide in The Arctic, but he still loves running around his hometown of Bristol. We discuss night running and how it differs for men and women, the camaraderie you get from a multi-day event,  and what drives us to challenge ourselves.He talks about how saving the life of a Nile monitor lizard stopped him wanting to eat his goat curry, and how vegetarianism followed.Our serious chat inevitably spirals into chaos and topics on farting, swearing, and strange dreams about "float running" are all covered.Key messages from Ben - "yes you can", "yes you are a runner" and "turns out we're really mean".Extra points if you can spot the moment where the dogs start barking!Enjoy this one on your long run - it should inspire you to have a go at that next thing you were considering putting your name down for.Find out more about Ben and his work at www.bengarrod.co.uk Follow him on Instagram @ben_garrodFollow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DrBenGarrod

Cathryn Scott, aka Cardiff Mummy Says, is a successful mummy blogger who loves running and has recently been bitten by the ultra bug.Noticing a lack of female-only running groups in her city, Cathryn was instrumental in setting up the club She Runs: Cardiff, where women can feel safe and find enjoyment running together.She's been a vegan for five years, about the same time she got into running, and with three children of her own she's smashing it by juggling family time with her passion for running.Cathryn talks to me about how important it is for mums to find their own time and demonstrate to our children that it's ok to take on challenges, why she found vegan to be the best way for her, and how she manages a successful blog as a mummy influencer and still finds time to run.You can find out more about Cathryn through her channels www.cardiffmummysays.com www.sherunscardiff.org - and follow her on Instagram @cardiffmummysays

Jay Grady, one half of the Trail and Error podcast, is a vegan ultra runner and 2023 Hatchling. Enticed into running ultras following a walking pilgrimage with his wife, Jay has competed in the likes of UTMB Mont-Blanc and the Arc of Attrition and is already plotting future challenges.We talk about our shared Hatchling experience in a heatwave, and how his Trail and Error counterpart Tris Stephenson (fourth overall in the Dragon's Back Race) approaches running so differently.Veganism is a huge part of Jay's life, and complements his running and his ethics. With the Cornish coast on his doorstep, Jay gets to run on trails most days, and for his day job he's a clinical sports massage therapist and body mechanic.Follow him on Instagram at @vegan_runner_in_kernow

She's an elite marathon and ultra-marathon runner, but Fiona Oakes finds time to look after more than 500 animals at Towerhill Stables Animal Sanctuary over and above everything else.Running is a way to promote veganism and for Fiona, who eats just one meal a day, her opportunities to toe the starting lines with other elite runners, only serves as an opportunity to shout louder about her passion for looking after animals and living a vegan life.She's starred in the film Running for Good, and sat next to the likes of running royalty Rich Roll, but Fiona remains humble and passionate for the things that matter most to her. An extraordinary runner and ambassador for animals, Fiona continues to push the boundaries on what she can achieve and shows us that anything is possible.

Lisa Marley is a vegan chef and trains other chefs how to cook some of the best plant based recipes. She's a ProVeg Chef Trainer and her recipes have appeared in some of the most popular publications.She can knock up a vegan feast like no other, and she shows others how easy it can be too on her easy to follow videos on social media.In this episode Lisa tells me how to make the best calorie packed snacks for on the run, plus some great ideas for puddings and cheese alternatives.We also discuss Delia Smith's stance on vegans......Link to Lisa's School Plates recipes: https://proveg.com/uk/

Damian Hall, Green Runner, author of We Can't Run Away From This, winter Spine Race winner 2023, Barkley Marathon's four-looper.This ultra-hero continues to compete in the world's most top level events, and all while flying the flag for the environment and saving the planet.

Nicky Chrascina has run more miles than anyone else to claim her place in the 100 mile club, and continues to run ultras spanning across the world, from the Marathon Des Sables, to the more recent Mustang Ultra in Nepal. She's also the founder of activewear company Flanci, and supports people from all backgrounds to try an ultra marathon.

He's the brains behind the National Running Show with his company Raccoon Events, where he brings together not only some of the best runners in the world, but creates a community for everybody who enjoys running.He's run 100-milers, had visions of emus, and come up with challenges like the Indoor Relay - all to give people reasons to come together through running.One of the sport's true nice guys, Mike Seaman talks about how the Run Show came to be, the reasons he runs, and why we should all be getting outdoors.

Vic Owens, aka The Happy Runner, is the fastest person to complete the Monarch's Way, has tackled Cobain Events' The Tunnel three times, taken on The Bridge Ultra, run more than 30 miles on her drive and 60 miles around her back garden, and does it all wearing no shoes. This barefoot, vegan runner, has the mental strength most of us can only dream of - and she's even trained herself out of hallucinations. Mind you, she lets on that her biggest fear is water. Even the toughest among us get scared. Listen as I ask Vic about all these challenges, and learn why her son was the reason for her to go vegan.

With an events company putting on some epic multi-day events, including the so-called "Toughest Mountain Race in the World"- the Dragon's Back Race, Shane Ohly, owner of Ourea Events talks about encouraging female participation, and levelling the playing field for women runners. He also talks about prepping for challenges like DBR, and encouragingly talks about how a positive mindset can really get you further than you ever thought. I ask him for some training tips to get me to the start line, and he gives some great suggestions for 2023 Dragons and anyone thinking of entering in the coming years.

Meet Nikki Love - she's about to run across Australia! She talks to me about her incredible determination, what drives her to run, challenges she faces running through her 50s, and how she keeps that mindset to "chase extraordinary" and prove that she can get the job done. Running 65 consecutive marathons across Oz, she's taking on the Guinness World Record attempt to cover a distance of around 4,000kms from Perth to Sydney. If she does, she'll be the fastest female to cross Australia on foot! Find out more at https://www.nikkilove.co.uk/runaustralia

Welcome to the new Vegan Fitness Runner Podcast, out soon! I'm Laura Briggs, and I'll be talking to some incredible guests on the topics of ultra running, record breaking attempts, fitness, nutrition, and of course veganism.