Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Pyllon Ultra Pod: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Paul Giblin
Conversations on living the ultra life. Inspired by ultra running we discuss the people, the places, the culture and the training behind our everyday running lives. Hosted by Paul Giblin and / or James Stewart.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday46 min
Long Run Conversations #4: The Stories We Tell Ourselves | James Stewart
James Stewart joins Paul for another conversation, picking up a question that began with something they had both noticed: how easily we can construct convincing explanations for our own behaviour, and how difficult it can be to recognise when those explanations aren't telling the whole story. They begin with running, and the reasons we sometimes give ourselves for stopping in a race. An injury might be real, but is it always the whole reason we stopped? And when does an explanation that helps us feel better about a decision become something we genuinely believe? From there, the conversation moves into identity, self-deception and the relationship between motivation and behaviour. Why can we feel enormously motivated by a future goal while struggling to do the ordinary work required to reach it? And how much of what we do is driven by the person we are, rather than the person we'd like to be? James also reflects on his own journey through running, how his identity has changed, and the small behavioural changes that eventually led to performances he once couldn't have imagined. Along the way, Paul and James explore the role of coaching in understanding what's really going on beneath an athlete's stated problems, and whether we're always as good at understanding our own motivations as we'd like to think. It's an informal, wide-ranging conversation that leaves one question unanswered: Are we actually searching for the truth about ourselves, or simply an explanation we can live with? Find out more about Pyllon Ultra and our coaching at pyllonultra.com. Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, follow the show and share the episode with someone who might enjoy it too.
- Oct 1, 202619 min
What Does a Coach Get to Claim?
An athlete finishes an extraordinary race. The coach has been there through the training, the doubts, the changes of plan and all the ordinary weeks that made getting to the start line possible. So how much of what happens next belongs to the coach? In this solo episode, Paul starts with an athlete finishing the Tor des Géants and his own discomfort with turning someone else's achievement into evidence that the coaching works. From there, he looks back at how his understanding of coaching has changed, from essentially giving athletes lighter versions of his own training to something much harder to define. He tells the story of an athlete who was strong, committed and successful, but repeatedly couldn't finish 100 miles. Eventually, rather than prescribing another training block, Paul offered to run the distance with him. It was something he'd almost never recommend, but for that athlete, at that moment, it seemed more useful than getting any fitter. The episode explores belief, judgement, mistakes, different coaching relationships and the awkward relationship between results and good coaching. A great result doesn't necessarily prove the coaching was great. A bad one doesn't necessarily mean it failed. And some of the work that matters most may never appear in a training plan or a finish-line photograph. There isn't a particularly clean answer here. Just a question Paul has become less certain about the longer he's coached: what is a coach actually responsible for, and what do they get to claim afterwards? Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, follow the show and share the episode with someone who might enjoy it too. Thanks for listening.
- Sep 10, 202612 min
Where We Put Our Weight
Show notes For a long time, my race calendar organised most of my life. There was always another training block, another trip, another race. Western States would lead into Chamonix, Chamonix into UTMB, and the things I was going to deal with afterwards could usually wait a little longer. The strange thing is, I was happy. Running gave me progress, identity, incredible experiences and somewhere to go when other parts of life were harder to understand. Sometimes it probably helped me avoid things too. I’m not sure those two things are as easy to separate as we like to think. The last couple of years have almost reversed that pattern. Frostbite, recovery, moving house, the croft, work and all the ordinary jobs of life have become the new calendar. The big running ambitions never disappeared. I just became very good at telling them to wait. In this short solo episode, I talk about a recent day on Ben Nevis, lying in hospital after Yukon, a difficult TDS, the years when racing occupied almost everything, and why I’m now trying to work out how much space I want to give the athlete again. I’m not sure balance is quite the answer. Maybe some of us naturally put our weight somewhere, and the question is how far we allow the pendulum to swing. Paul Giblin is an ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. Keep up with Pyllon: Instagram: @pyllon / @pyllonultra Substack: Pyllon YouTube: Pyllon Coaching: Pyllon Ultra If you enjoy the Pyllon Ultra Pod, you can follow the show on your podcast app and share an episode with someone you think might enjoy it. Thanks for listening.
- Aug 6, 202659 min
Long Run Conversations #3: The Next Big Thing
Another episode of our Long Run Conversations with John Connolly. Ultra running has always moved in waves. One year it's barefoot shoes. Then maximal cushioning. Heat training. Carbon plates. Heat suits. Weighted vests. High-carb fuelling. Some of those ideas genuinely move the sport forward. Some quietly disappear. In this conversation we explore why we're so drawn to the next big thing, how social media and marketing influence the way we train, and why it's often the unglamorous basics that make the biggest difference over time. Along the way we chat about: Heat suits and weighted vest training Barefoot shoes, maximal cushioning and carbon plates High-carb fuelling and the rising cost of race nutrition Why elite athletes aren't always the best models to copy How to think more critically about new training ideas The difference between genuine innovation and clever marketing Why consistency still beats novelty As always, this isn't about dismissing new ideas. It's about asking better questions before changing the way you train. If you enjoy these conversations, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next. Find Pyllon Ultra: 🌐 https://pyllon.substack.com
- Jul 2, 202648 min
Long Run Conversations #2: What Racing Reveals
Winning is the part everyone sees. The pressure beforehand, the difficult decisions, the quiet conversations between crew members, the volunteers standing in the rain, and the moments when an athlete is wondering whether they can keep going are much easier to miss. After spending the weekend crewing for Gus as he defended his West Highland Way Race title, Paul and John sat down to compare notes. The conversation begins with the race itself but soon broadens into something much bigger. They discuss how defending a title feels very different from chasing one, the responsibility that comes with supporting an athlete through difficult moments, and the fine line between coaching, crewing and simply being a friend. Along the way they reflect on what makes the ultrarunning community so special, why races can bring out both the best and worst in people, and the stories that rarely make it onto social media. This is the first of what we hope will become a regular series of conversations between two friends, coaches and long-time observers of the ultra running world. In this episode How this year's West Highland Way Race felt different from last year The pressure of defending a race title Crewing Gus through a difficult day The differences between coaching and crewing What spectators and social media rarely see The role of volunteers and support crews Community, belonging and friendship in ultrarunning Why racing often reveals more than finishing times Paul Giblin is an ultra runner, coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra. You can connect with Paul here: Website: https://pyllonultra.com Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/pyllon Pyllon Ultra: https://instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pyllon
- Jun 25, 20268 min
The Loneliness of Caring Deeply
There are some things in life that we carry alone. Not because we don't have supportive friends or family, but because nobody else can quite carry the weight of something that matters deeply to us. In this solo episode, I explore the quieter side of commitment. The emotional cost of caring deeply about a race, a business, a creative project, or simply the person we're trying to become. Drawing on experiences from racing around the world, building Pyllon, creating films and writing, I reflect on why pursuing meaningful things can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely, and why perhaps that's not something to fear, but something to understand. This isn't really an episode about running. It's about what running, and other long pursuits, reveal about the way we live. I hope it resonates. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can find me here: Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon Pyllon Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pyllon Website: https://www.pyllonultra.com You can also find The Pyllon Ultra Pod wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're enjoying the podcast, sharing it with a friend or leaving a rating and review really does help more people discover it. Thanks for listening.
- Jun 16, 202632 min
Long Run Conversations #1: Training, Honesty and the Messy Middle
In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul sits down with Pyllon coach John Connolly for a more informal conversation about training, racing and the things that often sit beneath the surface for endurance athletes. This is not a polished lecture or a neat list of training tips. It is more of a coach-to-coach conversation about what we notice in athletes, what people often struggle with, and how easy it can be to overthink the process when training starts to feel uncertain. We talk about the messy middle of training, the gap between what athletes think they should be feeling and what they are actually experiencing, and why honesty is such an important part of long-term development. A quick note on the audio: we had some technical issues during the recording, so Paul’s side of the conversation is not quite where we would normally want it to be. We have cleaned it up as best we can, and decided to share the episode because the conversation felt worth putting out. In this episode we cover: The uncertainty athletes often carry into race season The value of honest conversations between coach and athlete The importance of staying connected to the bigger picture What we are noticing in runners at this point in the year This one is a little more relaxed, a little less polished, and hopefully useful if you are somewhere in the middle of your own training process. Thanks for listening. You can find more from Pyllon here: Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon and https://www.instagram.com/pyllonultra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon Website: https://www.pyllonultra.com
- May 7, 202617 min
You’re Closer Than You Think (But You Don’t Trust It Yet)
Show Notes At this point in the season, a lot of runners start to question themselves. Races are getting closer. Training suddenly feels more exposed. Sessions that felt perfectly normal in winter now feel loaded with meaning. A flat run becomes evidence that something is wrong. A bad session suddenly feels significant. And yet, objectively, many runners are actually in a very good place. In this solo episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, I explore the strange gap between what’s actually happening in training… and what it feels like is happening emotionally. Why confidence often lags behind fitness. Why uncertainty never fully disappears, even for experienced athletes. And why learning to tolerate that uncertainty might be one of the most important skills in endurance sport. I also reflect on my own training, conversations with athletes, old experiences in Chamonix, and the subtle psychological effects of comparison culture and social media. This episode is about trust. Trusting consistency. Trusting the process. And trusting that progress often feels far less dramatic than we expect it to. In this episode: Why runners often feel behind even when training is going well The difference between objective progress and subjective feeling Why confidence reacts faster than fitness The hidden psychological cost of comparison and constant visibility Why endurance sport demands commitment before certainty How experienced athletes learn to tolerate ambiguity rather than eliminate it Why patience and emotional steadiness matter more than most people realise And maybe most importantly: How to keep moving forward even when you don’t fully trust where you are yet. Coaching & Pyllon If this episode resonates and you’re interested in coaching, you can find out more at: pyllonultra.com Pyllon is about more than training plans. It’s about building something sustainable and meaningful around running and life. I also write regularly on Substack: pyllon.substack.com And you can follow along here: YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra If you enjoyed the episode, subscribing or sharing it genuinely helps support what we’re building. Thanks for listening.
Get The Pyllon Ultra Pod summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Podcasts in similar categories.
The Jamie Kern Lima Show
Entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima interviews experts and celebrities about overcoming self-doubt and building self-belief.
The Dr. John Delony Show
A therapist answers callers' questions about relationships, mental health, and personal struggles with practical advice.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
A sports podcast featuring Bill Simmons and a rotating cast of guests including athletes, celebrities, and media personalities.
The Mel Robbins Podcast
A motivational podcast offering research-backed tools and personal stories to help listeners make positive life changes.
Fantasy Football Today
Experts break down fantasy football strategies, player decisions, and league dilemmas to help you win.
KSR
Matt Jones and the KSR team cover UK news and opinions weekdays from 10 to noon.
We're Out of Time
Discusses the fentanyl crisis, mental health, and resilience through interviews with recovery experts, survivors, and public figures.
The Zach Lowe Show
NBA analysis and interviews with league insiders and prominent figures, featuring game breakdowns and discussions about the league.
About The Pyllon Ultra Pod
Conversations on living the ultra life. Inspired by ultra running we discuss the people, the places, the culture and the training behind our everyday running lives. Hosted by Paul Giblin and / or James Stewart.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Pyllon Ultra Pod in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Pyllon Ultra Pod daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Pyllon Ultra Pod as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Pyllon Ultra Pod podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Pyllon Ultra Pod product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Paul Giblin.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Pyllon Ultra Pod release new episodes?
The Pyllon Ultra Pod publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Pyllon Ultra Pod cover?
The Pyllon Ultra Pod covers topics including Sports, Fitness, Running, Health & Fitness, Mental Health. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Pyllon Ultra Pod summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.