The Cowbell Podcast - Extraordinary Everyday

Gina Johansen grew up on a horse farm in rural Sweden, riding before she could walk. By 19, she was halfway around the world chasing a life most people only dream about. And that was just the beginning. What followed was a series of expeditions that would stop most people cold — literally. Solo crossings. Record-breaking distances. Temperatures so brutal they don't belong in a conversation abo...

From the outside, she looks like an ordinary mum. But beneath the surface, a fire was smouldering — quiet, patient, waiting. A fire that drove her to the start line of a race most women wouldn't dare picture themselves running. 100 kilometres. Ultra-Trail Australia. The kind of distance that makes most people's jaws drop just thinking about it. And she crossed the line as the final finishe...

Three legends. One trail. Decades of stories that have never all sat in the same room — until now. In this special UTA retrospective, we're joined by Andy Lee (15-time UTA finisher, original 100K record holder), Brendan Davies (current UTA 100K record holder, 10-time miler winner), and Lou Clifton (three-time UTA 100 podium finisher and Blue Mountains race director) to look back at how Ultra T...

Some people run to escape. Owen runs to prove something far more powerful. At 16, Owen's life was turned upside down by a diagnosis that would challenge everything — his health, his identity, and his future. What followed was four years of battles most of us will never face, and a moment at age 20 that changed him forever. But this isn't a story about what he lost. It's about what he b...

In this episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with Ali – a 36-year-old ultramarathon runner, self-confessed carb enthusiast, and proud “slow runner” who proves that belonging has nothing to do with pace or podiums. Ali’s running journey didn’t begin with talent or triumph. It started with a DNF in an 8k race at high school, a moment that convinced her sport wasn’t for her. For more than a decade, ru...

From running out of fuel to searching for a bathroom, this is the one race that’s so unique and so special that you come out the other side a completely different person. Coast to Kosci covers roughly 240km from the shores of Eden all the way to the alpine heights near Mount Kosciuszko. Runners climb thousands of metres, face shifting weather, long stretches of quiet country roads, and the mental...

In this special bumper episode of the Cowbell, we bring together a powerful panel of runners, pacers and volunteers to share raw and unfiltered stories from the rugged trails of the GPT100, an event created by the team at Singletrack and part of the World Trail Majors series. This is not about splits or gear. It is a look into the moments that changed people, challenged them and in some cases comp...

In this deeply moving episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with ultra runner, father, husband, and self-taught app builder Anthony Cribbs ⁠@anthonycribbes_runs , as he prepares to take on the GPT 100 Miler ⁠@gpt100miler in the Grampians once again. Anthony’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and perspective. From starting trail running during lockdowns to pushing through brutal races like Buf...

In this episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with adventurer and artist Elise Marcianti ⁠@elisemarcianti⁠ . From navigating the challenges of an eating disorder to finding freedom through trail running, pole, mural art, and highlining, Elise has built a life fuelled by curiosity and courage. She shares her solo 300km Alpine hike, her passion for community, and how creativity and adventure help her...

n this episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with Cindy Chenhall ⁠@cindychenhall⁠ , a mum, hairdresser, artist, and trail runner who laughs that she runs like a “dim sim thrown down on a plane.” But what began as a joke has become the story of an ordinary dim sim who found her way to becoming an extraordinary 100km ultra mum. Cindy shares how a freak pancreas injury led her to running, how she disc...

From firefighting in the Blue Mountains to taking on brutal ultras and leading a .....challenge, Gavin Clifton lives life in constant motion. In this inspiring conversation, Gavin shares his journey from a restless cross-country kid to a trail running community leader and the driving force behind the ....... We dive into his highs and lows on the trails, the gruelling reality of his first miler at...

After a life-altering ovarian cancer diagnosis at 41, Heather Hawkins laced up a pair of Dunlop Volleys and never looked back. From that first 4km fun run to conquering 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days — including the North Pole — Heather has turned adversity into adventure, purpose, and strength. In this deeply inspiring episode of The Cowbell , Heather shares how running not only became her...

The inaugural Ultra Trail Jervis Bay was more than just a race – it was a true test of resilience, mindset and community spirit. In this special roundtable episode, we catch up with four Endu1 athletes who each brought something extraordinary to the course. 🏃‍♀️ Emma Power fought through a painful setback mid-race but never stopped smiling 🐾 Amy Hewett found unexpected strength – and friendship...

In this special live episode, recorded on the shores of Jervis Bay as the sun set over Voyager Park, we bring you a momentous panel conversation from the inaugural Ultra Trail Jervis Bay. Hosted by Dave and Kelvin, this was the very first Cowbell Podcast recorded in front of a live audience — and what a way to kick things off. We’re joined by four inspiring everyday athletes: 🏃‍♀️ Emma Power – En...

Four years ago, Adrian Copeland was stuck in a cycle of weekend binge drinking. Today, he’s a 300-mile ultra finisher, Ultraman survivor, Finke Desert rider, Everest adventurer, and an all-round endurance beast. In this episode, Adrian shares his raw, no-filter transformation story – from hitting rock bottom to climbing (almost literally) the world's highest peaks. We dive into his darkest moments...

Lisa Sherman is a Sydney based nutritionist, recreational running coach and ultra runner who has built a life around the joy and challenge of running. In this episode, Lisa shares how she combines her love of nutrition, coaching and the trails to help others and herself go further than they ever thought possible. From solo road runs to directing backyard ultras and conquering legendary events like...

After four unforgettable days in the Blue Mountains, we sit down post-race to unpack the mud, the miles, and the madness of Ultra Trail Australia 2025. In this special episode of The Cowbell , three runners — each with their own unique challenge — share what it took to conquer their goals: a first-time miler fuelled by hallucinations and determination, an adaptive athlete backing up a world record...

In this episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with the inspiring Mel Warman – founder and CEO of Boobs on the Run and NSW Chair of the Mother’s Day Classic . What started as a simple Facebook post has grown into a powerful movement that's helped over 5,000 women lace up, discover their strength, and find community through running. With a deeply personal mission, Mel shares how the loss of her m...

Rodney “Rocket” Cottam served as an elite soldier in the Australian Army from 1999 to 2004, involved in high-level operations both at home and abroad. But his military career was cut short after a near-fatal motorbike accident left him with life-changing injuries and led to a medical discharge. After years of intensive rehab, Rodney pivoted into a successful two-decade career in financial services...

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with Charlie Maher , proud Western Arrarnta man, 2010 Indigenous Marathon Project graduate, and now an IMF Ambassador. Charlie’s story isn’t just about running – it’s about resilience, identity, community, and the quiet power of leading by example. Back in 2010, Charlie made history as one of the inaugural four runners in the Indigenous...

In this powerful episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with one of Australia's toughest and most authentic ultra-endurance athletes — Thomas Dade @tomdade11 . From a young boy battling anorexia and self-doubt to summiting some of the world's highest mountains and conquering some of Australia's most gruelling ultra races, Tom’s story is one of grit, vulnerability, and transformation. We explore Tom’...

At just 20 years old, Miah Noble @miahrosenoble⁠ is already one of Australia's rising stars in the trail running world — but her journey to the start line has been anything but easy. In this raw and powerful episode, Miah opens up about how she discovered running during the COVID lockdowns and how it became her sanctuary as she navigated anorexia, OCD, ADHD, and the emotional complexities of growi...

In this special episode of The Cowbell Podcast , we celebrate International Women’s Day with an extraordinary guest - Jess Baird Walsh . A mother of three, entrepreneur, and ultra-runner, Jess has been running every single day for nearly 1,000 days . But what started as a personal challenge became something much bigger - a journey of resilience, self-discovery, and purpose. An unexpected twist of...

In this episode of The Cowbell , we sit down with the electrifying Emma Rose – psychologist, ultra-runner, and mother – whose journey into running started as a way to heal and evolved into a movement for change. Emma shares how she went from avoiding cross-country races in school to running 180km in a tutu to raise funds for paediatric hospitals. We dive into the mental resilience needed for ultra...

What kind of person runs 100km on a treadmill… in scrubs… for charity? Meet Amy Hewitt—a vet, ultra runner, and unstoppable force of nature. In this episode of The Cowbell Podcast , Amy shares how she turned endurance running into a mission, raising $12,000 for veterinary mental health and creating Barking Mad Ultra , Australia’s first ultra where dogs race alongside their humans. From running thr...