Episode 495 - Mark Backhouse – Running for the Love of Challenge, Community & the Trails

This week, I’m joined by Mark Backhouse—a fellow Delirious WEST athlete, a trail runner from Perth’s hillside trails, and a man who balances 4 kids, a full-time job, and midnight trail runs with a grin. Mark’s running journey has been anything but ordinary. From his first marathon on the cobbled streets of Rome to 3am trail runs before school lunches and work meetings, he’s all about chasing the mental and physical freedom that running brings. His story is grounded, relatable, and full of quiet motivation. In this episode, we chat about: 🌄 Growing up in a military family and how moving often shaped his resilience 👟 Finding running later in life—starting with a personal health goal and growing into ultra distances 🕐 How he fits 200-mile training into a jam-packed life with 4 kids and a big job 🧠 Why running is his meditation, reset button, and therapy session 🎽 Delirious WEST highlights, sleep deprivation, and pushing through mental barriers 📅 His approach to planning and prioritising running like any other essential part of life Mark’s Running Wisdom: ✅ Put your run in the calendar—make it non-negotiable ✅ You don’t need to be fast, you just need to keep going ✅ The discomfort is the point—growth starts where comfort ends Whether you’re a parent trying to juggle it all, a new runner just finding your rhythm, or someone contemplating your first ultra—Mark’s story will remind you that showing up (even at 3am!) is always worth it. 🎧 Tune in now and be inspired! A couple of BIG favours: 1) please like and review this podcast so more people will discover it :) 2) come on the podcast and talk about your running journey and/or refer someone you’d love me to interview (whether you know them or not :) )  Lets not keep the power of running a secret any more!  Hit me up on Facebook/Instagram (FitMIND FitBODY) or send me an email - Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co  Don't miss an episode of the FitMind FitBODY Podcast. Sign up to our email list and get notified when new episodes are released. https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/