Running Like a Blind Man: Launching the Running Academy of Central Australia

In Episode 1594 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, host Murray Stewart shares a candid update about his degenerative hearing loss, his decision to seek help from Hearing Australia, and how personal challenges can be met with action. Murray explains how achievement becomes his best distraction and motivator when life presents difficulties. The episode spotlights the foundation of the Running Academy of Central Australia, a new not-for-profit incorporated association Murray has established to develop elite runners. He outlines the academy’s goals, the region’s natural advantages—altitude (575m), heat, abundant running tracks and training terrain—and the local talent pool, including Indigenous athletes. Murray highlights his credentials as a fully qualified Athletics Australia coach and the world’s only blind epileptic coach, and reflects on his past success coaching two Australian age 400m champions, Katara Wallace (“Supercat”) and James Swayo. He explains why those accomplishments give him confidence to build the academy and attract runners from across Australia and overseas. The episode also dives into Murray’s coaching philosophy—what he calls “running like a blind man.” He describes practical performance tips: listening to competitors’ footsteps and breathing to time pushes, feeling pace and rhythm, and using wind and body positioning to gain advantage on the track. Listeners can expect a mix of personal storytelling, practical coaching insight, and an invitation to join or support a new athletic initiative aimed at producing future champions from Central Australia. This episode closes with Murray’s energizing call to get involved and his excitement about the academy’s future.