EP19 - The Mindset Trick That Changed His Running Forever. Nigel Richards on how The Chimp Paradox got him back running

Episode 19: How The Chimp Paradox Helped Me Start Running – with Nigel RichardsHow do you go from barely being able to run a mile… to training for one of the toughest races in the UK?In this episode of the RUNcensored Podcast, Gary and Ben are joined by Nigel Richards, a former driving instructor from Wrexham who turned his life around with the help of running—and a mindset model from the best-selling book The Chimp Paradox by Prof. Steve Peters.Nigel shares how a single book changed the way he thought, moved, and made decisions. With Gary’s coaching and support, Nigel went from running in the rain for one minute at a time to signing up for the Lakeland 50. But this conversation isn’t one-sided—Nigel also helped Gary rethink how he approached his own racing mindset using the Chimp Model.This episode is a powerful blend of coaching insights, personal breakthroughs, and practical tips for anyone starting their running journey—or looking to get their head back in the game.What is The Chimp Paradox?Written by psychiatrist Prof. Steve Peters, the book explains how your brain has two main drivers:The Chimp (emotional, reactive)The Human (logical, rational)Understanding how these systems work helps you manage emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve performance. The Chimp Model has been used by elite athletes including:Sir Chris Hoy (Olympic cyclist)Ronnie O’Sullivan (snooker world champion)Victoria Pendleton (Olympic cyclist)Steven Gerrard (football legend)In This Episode:Why Nigel started running after 20 years behind the wheelHow The Chimp Paradox helped him take control of his mindsetGary’s experience applying the model to his own racingWhy emotion, identity, and self-talk matter more than speedThe role of coaching, community, and setting meaningful goalsCadence, balance, breathing, and building beginner-friendly routinesNigel’s road to the Lakeland 50—and a Mars bar meltdown for the agesChapters:00:00 – Intro & van trouble banter01:37 – Meet Nigel Richards02:33 – Discovering The Chimp Paradox04:46 – Nigel’s first rainy run session08:00 – Coaching challenges & transformation11:06 – How The Chimp Paradox changed everything15:20 – Gary’s race mindset & helicopter thinking25:00 – Uncovering your “why” with the Stone of Life31:35 – Nigel signs up for the Lakeland 5037:15 – Local running groups & coaching moments44:00 – Cadence, breathing & habit building54:00 – Mindset, drills & the 3 stages of a marathon01:03:45 – The Chimp beyond running01:04:42 – How the Chimp model applies beyond running01:05:34 – Steve Peters’ background & elite sport connection01:07:00 – Final thoughts & the power of timing in mentorshipWhy You Should Listen:Whether you’re just getting started or trying to rediscover your motivation, this episode is for anyone who’s felt stuck or unsure of how to move forward. Nigel’s journey proves that it’s not just about miles—it’s about mindset.👉 New episodes drop every Tuesday. Follow, subscribe, and let us know how you manage your inner chimp.#RunningPodcast #TheChimpParadox #BeginnerRunning #TrailRunning #RUNcensored #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #NigelRichards #MentalResilience #Lakeland50RUNcensored Podcast 🎙The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod📩 Get in touch: [email protected] by Chris Davies, Eastwood Mediawww.eastwood-media.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.