FOUNDER - Jess Robson
I founded Run Talk Run in 2017. I’ve struggled with bulimia, depression and anxiety since my teenage years and it’s only through the community and connection I found in running that I’ve been able to manage my mental health in a way that works. I lead Run Talk Run Eastbourne, and proudly support the rest of the RTR community.
COMMUNITY MANAGER - Marti Kapron
I’m a Sport Management graduate from the University of Derby. Passionate about sport, especially running. Experience in sport events organisation, administration, and customer service roles. Ambitious to enhance a portfolio of skills in the areas of management and public communication. Aiming to break the bias and stigmas surrounding women in the sports world and industry.
Running has showed me how strong we really are. It taught me determination, helped me overcome my weaknesses. Thanks to this, I experienced some kind of freedom, and I want you to feel it too :) Besides that, I’m passionate about cooking and aimed at making people smile!
REGIONAL LEADER (NORTH EAST & YORKSHIRE) - Dan Wilson
I’m Dan, I am a huge mental health advocate and passionate about inspiring others to clear their mind through movement & nature. I love the great outdoors, and can’t sit still. I find most joy when running with others. Running helps keep my fitness for a demanding career as a FireFighter. When not running the trails or roads(yawn) I love to lift heavy weights, boulder, cycle, hike and yoga always pushing my mind & body living my own personal mantra of "never give up”.
REGIONAL LEADER (EAST OF ENGLAND) - Daniel Patterson
Hi I’m Daniel and I have been the leader for the Norwich RTR for 4 years and regional leader for the day of England the last few. I have been a runner for 6 years and am a big believer in any form of exercise helping forwards improving mental health. I am always up for a challenge and enjoy any distance from 5k to 50miles.
Running with people is something I enjoy and look forward to doing on a weekly basis chatting about anything.
REGIONAL LEADER (LONDON - SOUTH) - Julia Lowis
Hi, I’m Julia, co-leader of RTR Brixton. I have participated in many sports since childhood and become a keen runner over the last 10 years: I absolutely love getting out on the trails, and my biggest run to date was a 100km ultramarathon in Argentina! But whilst it's always been a big part of my life, it's only since being involved with RTR that I’ve come to fully appreciate the huge benefits which taking part in physical activity, especially in a group, can have on everyone’s mental health. I’ve had my own experience of crippling anxiety which I dealt with through therapy and by sharing with friends, through which I began to appreciate how common mental health struggles are, as well as how much sharing our experiences with others, as well as hearing their stories in return, can help us in managing them. I decided to become a RTR leader partly to give myself structure and ensure I’d always get out for at least one run each week, and partly to help bring the joys and benefits of running and chatting to my local community. I’ve loved being part of growing the South London RTR family, and can’t wait to help others set up their own groups in the area!
REGIONAL LEADER (LONDON - NORTH) - Chloe Guest
Hi, I’m Chloe, the leader of Run Talk Run Hackney in East London! In my early 20s I started to experience frequent ups and downs in my mental health, before eventually being diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) - a rare, hormone-based depressive illness that affects roughly 3% of women. I started running in 2015 as a way of coping, and quickly grew to love the way exercise made me feel. Since then, I have completed over 40 races & challenges in support of Mind, trained as a mental health Crisis Volunteer for Shout helpline, and qualified as a fitness coach & personal trainer to help others discover a joy for movement too. I’m so excited to be a Run Talk Run Regional Leader, and can’t wait to help more people get involved in this wonderful community as walkers, runners or leaders!
REGIONAL LEADER (SCOTLAND) - Ali Eadie
Hello! I'm Ali, the leader of Run Talk Run in Dundee, Scotland. I first stumbled across Run Talk Run in 2019 and instantly knew it was something that myself and my local community would benefit from. At the time I'd just moved to Dundee and was feeling a bit alone and lost in a new city, in a new job, with no sense of community or belonging - that, in combination with the rollercoaster that life can be, was having a negative impact on my mental and physical health - since starting Run Talk Run Dundee the community, friendships and support have grown and grown and it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of. Fast forward a few years and Run Talk Run has become a core part of my ability to navigate and cope with the twists and turns of life, and provides that space for me to check in with my head and actively prioritise my mental health - it's also very much ignited an undiscovered love for running! I am very much looking forward to supporting leaders in Scotland to bring runs, walks and that same wonderful feeling of community support to their own towns and cities.
REGIONAL LEADER (WALES) - Holly Rhys-Ellis
Hi, I’m Holly and I first started as a Run Talk Run leader in 2021 in my hometown, Carmarthen. In 2022 I moved to Swansea with my partner and started up RTR Llansamlet, where I now live. I’m incredibly passionate about supporting people with their mental health and raising awareness of it’s challenges. I have a history of an eating disorder, depression and anxiety. And, although better managed now, I can still stumble into moments of struggle. I am starting a Master’s degree in Nutrition in October 2023 at Chester University, where I hope to combine my passion with mental health and the importance of good and sustainable nutrition to support our mind. I love the Run Talk Run community, and hope to continue as a leader for many years to come, even when I’m old and wrinkly!!
REGIONAL LEADER (SOUTH EAST) - Ben Grey
Hi, I am the Run Talk Run leader in my home village of Oakley (just outside Oxford) and the regional lead for the South East.
I’m passionate about what running can do for the mind, body, and soul. I believe that everyone’s mental and physical health can be improved through being outside and moving. I love the Run Talk Run ethos of being accessible and available to everyone regardless of pace or experience level. Meeting new people and helping them start or reignite a love for running makes me smile every time.
I’m a passionate runner starting with a half marathon or two and then quickly finding a love for longer stuff. My first 50km race was in late 2020 and my longest race will be September 2023 when I take on the T-184. It is 184 miles covering the whole length of the Thames, roughly equivalent to 7 back-to-back marathons in a single non-stop race.
In the rest of my time, I am a running coach and loving father and husband. I enjoy the occasional game of golf and am a passionate reader (although a lot of this is done through audible on long runs!).
REGIONAL LEADER (WEST MIDLANDS) - Hussain Al-Zubaidi
I’m Dr Hussain, a lifestyle doctor and team GB AG long distance triathlete. Movement, community, and nutrition are three cornerstones of my personal and professional life. I have a varied portfolio career across several sectors. These include being the Royal College of GPs lifestyle and physical activity lead, Leamington personalised care lead, as well as a SWIM England clinical advisor. I run a pioneering NHS based lifestyle clinic and fitness club helping to educate and support patients to eat better, move more and connect with their community. I lead a Run Talk Run and two Walk Talk Walks out of the GP surgeries I work at. I’m a well-respected educator delivering numerous talks and lectures to audiences both professional and public including a regular weekly slot on the channel 4 show Steph’s packed lunch.
REGIONAL LEADER (EAST MIDLANDS) - Al Ditheridge
REGIONAL LEADER (NORTH WEST) - Krysia Kubinski
I'm Krysia and I'm the leader of Run Talk Run Worsley and also the Regional Leader for the North West.
I came across Run Talk Run on social media in 2020, at the time I was recovering from an ACL knee reconstruction and looking for ways to get fit. I never thought of myself as a 'runner' and didn't feel ready to join a traditional running group and choose a pace group with the fear of slowing everyone down. Selfishly, as a way to support my own physical and mental health I set up our Worsley group in the hope of finding other like-minded people in my local area who wanted to turn up to run, jog, walk, and talk to each other every week. Since then we have run and walked together countless times, our community has gone from strength to strength, friendships have developed and I've had another knee surgery! "We run a bit, we walk a bit, we talk a lot" has become our local motto.
I strongly believe in the power of getting outside and of talking and moving - not matter the weather, it rains a lot up here! - and try to remind myself of these benefits in between the stresses of daily life. Run Talk Run is a great way to keep accountable and to boost motivation. The support offered through chatting and listening to others and the friendships that are formed through our groups are invaluable and I can't wait to see what's next for the North West RTR and WTW contingent!