EXECS WHO RUN

Marie “Lootie” Leautey ran around the world. Over 28,000 kilometers. Four continents. One stroller. Zero injuries.In this episode of Execs Who Run, Lootie shares how she went from a pack-a-day smoker to the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe on foot—solo and self-supported. Her story is one of radical reinvention, powered by spreadsheets, strategy, and a deep curiosity about what’s possible.Key Moments in This Episode:The run that changed everything: from a 1km struggle to marathon trainingHow Greece sparked her love of triathlon and event creationLeaving corporate leadership to build grassroots sports communitiesPlanning a global run like a CFO: logistics, injury prevention, and mindsetRunning through COVID, crossing the Andes, and pushing through the NullarborHow she stayed injury-free across 28,000+ kilometersThe moment she reached the Sydney Opera House and what came nextResources & Links:Lootie’s Website: lootie-run.comLootie’s Book: Lootie’s World Run on AmazonWorld Runners Association: worldrunnersassociation.orgFollow Marie “Lootie” Leautey:Instagram: @lootierunWebsite: https://lootie-run.comStay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:Jason Hunt Instagram: @jasonzane_Execs Who Run Instagram: @execswhorunJason Hunt LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonzanehuntExecs Who Run LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/execswhorunWebsite: execswhorun.comSupport the Show:If Lootie’s story inspired you, please follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favourite podcast platform—and share it with someone who needs a little motivation to start their own run.

Former Wallabies star Ben Alexander shares the unfiltered truth of life after elite sport—and how running helped him rediscover his energy, identity, and purpose.Key Moments in This Episode:How Ben got selected for the Wallabies after just 6 Brumbies gamesThe mental and emotional collapse after the 2013 Lions seriesThe pain of identity loss—and why it haunted him for yearsThe unexpected power of Parkrun and a weekly rhythmFounding Running for Resilience and its growing national impactWhy he now defines mental health as an energy problem, not a character flawThe leadership lessons sport gave him—and the ones it didn’tResources & Links:Running for Resilience: https://runningforresilience.orgThe Dock, Canberra: https://thedockkingston.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benalexander21Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:Jason Hunt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonzanehuntExecs Who Run LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execswhorunInstagram: @execswhorunWebsite: execswhorun.comSupport the Show:If Ben’s story struck a chord, follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run. And share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Clive Ormerod has led some of the most exciting brands in Australasia—but at his core, he’s a man who finds his best thinking on the run.In this episode, Clive joins Jason to talk about his unique journey from aspiring pilot to retail entrepreneur, Nike marketing leader, Les Mills CEO, and now global CEO of AS Colour. With stories from New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, and beyond, Clive shares the mindset shifts that have shaped his leadership and the role running plays in keeping him grounded, clear-headed, and driven. Key Moments in This Episode: Growing up in South Africa and discovering sport later in lifeHow retail and Nike shaped his leadership and love for movementLeading Les Mills through global disruption and the COVID crisisThe link between endurance sport and leadership resilienceReturning to New Zealand and redefining success through simplicityWhy every leader should commit to doing something hardLessons on storytelling, team culture, and customer obsession Follow Clive Ormerod:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliveormerod/Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run: Jason Hunt: LinkedIn | InstagramExecs Who Run: LinkedIn | InstagramWebsite: execswhorun.comStrava: Join our Strava Group Support the Show: If Clive’s story inspired you, follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favourite podcast platform. Share this episode with a friend or leader who’s ready to run toward growth.

Tim Dettmann is on a mission to make Australia healthier—one lift, one run, and one conversation at a time. In this insightful and inspiring episode, Tim shares how he evolved from rural physio to health business builder, global marathon runner, and thoughtful advocate for equitable exercise access. Whether it’s leadership, fitness, or finding your limits, this episode is full of energy and wisdom.Key Moments in This Episode:Sunday trail runs, pacing ultras, and recovery gone wrongThe moment a drunken bet ignited a marathon obsessionWhy Tim left elite sport for everyday health impactBuilding Kieser from two employees to 26 clinics nationwideHow to lift twice a week and save lives—literallyVolunteering with TriMob and Ocean HeroesRunning 2:43 at Berlin and aiming sub-2:40 in ChicagoThe powerful life lesson behind pacing a mate through a 100-mile raceResilience, leadership, and tofu brains (!)Resources & Links:Kieser AustraliaTriMobOcean Heroes Follow Tim Dettmann: LinkedInInstagram: @timdettmann (adventure and running updates) Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:Jason Hunt LinkedInExecs Who Run LinkedInInstagram: @execswhorunWebsite: execswhorun.comSupport the Show:If Tim’s journey inspired you, follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favourite podcast platform—and share this episode with someone aiming to run toward their full potential.

Mia Farrow’s life is the ultimate endurance story—civil war survivor, immigrant, banker, mother, and mountain runner. From sprinting in her brother’s shoes through war-torn Serbia to conquering Aconcagua’s icy heights, Mia shares how running shaped her resilience and how motherhood deepened her purpose.Key Moments in This Episode:Growing up during the Yugoslav Wars and training on rubble tracksRunning as both refuge and rebellion during adolescenceFrom immigrant to investment banker: breaking into Wall StreetWinning the Everest Marathon and finding home in high altitudesJuggling motherhood and marathon dreams in a new countryHer solo speed ascent of Aconcagua after just 10 days at altitudeReclaiming identity through running after an 8-year breakFollow Mia Farrow:https://www.instagram.com/mia_highaltitude/https://www.instagram.com/mia_farrow23/Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run: Jason Hunt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonzanehunt/Execs Who Run LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execswhorunInstagram: @execswhorunWebsite: https://execswhorun.com Support the Show:If Mia’s journey inspired you, please follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favorite podcast platform—and share this episode with someone chasing their next summit.

Commodore Peter Scott’s journey from submarine commander to mountain ultrarunner is as bold as it is inspiring.In this episode, Peter reveals how a life of deep-sea leadership transformed into a pursuit of ultra-distance endurance—and what it taught him about service, sacrifice, and self-mastery.Key Moments in This Episode:- What it takes to earn submarine command in the Navy’s elite training program- The day his submarine ran aground and the leadership reckoning that followed- Why he left drinking behind to pursue his first marathon- The transformation from marathoner to ultrarunner to UTMB finisher- How the mountains replaced the majesty of the sea- The four Ps that guide Peter in races—and in life- What self-belief really means under pressureResources & Links:Peter’s Book: Running DeepFollow Peter Scott:LinkedIn: Peter Scott on LinkedInJoin the Community:👟 Strava Group: Execs Who Run on StravaStay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:Jason Hunt: LinkedInExecs Who Run: LinkedInInstagram: @execswhorunWebsite: execswhorun.comSupport the Show:If Peter’s story moved you, please follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favourite podcast platform—and share this episode with someone who leads—or runs—with purpose.

Heather Hawkins faced ovarian cancer at 41 and transformed her toughest moment into a remarkable journey of resilience, adventure, and advocacy.In this deeply moving conversation, Heather shares the story of how running helped her reclaim life, conquer incredible global challenges, and raise powerful awareness for ovarian cancer.Key Moments in This Episode:Heather’s transformative cancer diagnosis and journey back to health.From a 4km fun run in gardening shoes to ultramarathon adventures.Winning the North Pole Marathon at -41°C.Completing the World Marathon Challenge: 7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days.Running the Marathon des Sables, 250km across the Sahara Desert.A 520km epic ultramarathon across Australia's Outback.The deeper purpose behind Heather's running and advocacy work.Her next goal: setting a new Australian 24-hour running record at age 60.Resources & Links:Heather’s Book: Adventurous SpiritOvarian Cancer Australia (ovariancancer.net.au)Can Too Foundation (cantoo.org.au)Calix Immunotherapy (calixar.com)Follow Heather’s Journey:Heather’s Instagram Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:Jason Hunt (LinkedIn)Execs Who Run (LinkedIn)Instagram: @execswhorunexecswhorun.comSupport the Show: If Heather’s journey moved you, please follow, rate, and review Execs Who Run on your favourite podcast platform, and share this episode with someone who could use a dose of inspiration.

Roger Hanney isn’t just a runner—he’s a force of nature.As the man behind HOKA’s rise in Australia and New Zealand, Roger helped turn an obscure, oversized shoe into one of the most trusted names in running. From battling early industry scepticism to watching the big brands follow suit (looking at you, Nike), he’s lived the brand’s growth from the inside out.But Roger’s story doesn’t stop at retail strategy and product launches. He’s also an ultra-endurance athlete who became the first Type 1 diabetic in the world to complete the 4 Deserts Grand Slam—a series of four 250km footraces across the Atacama, Gobi, Sahara, and Antarctica.In this two-part conversation, we go wide and deep. In Part One, we cover: 👟 The early days of HOKA and why the brand was seen as “moon shoes” 👟 Whether Nike really did follow HOKA’s lead on shoe design 👟 Roger’s mindset shift after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 👟 What it took to build trust in a radically different running shoe 👟 Balancing brand leadership, family life, and long trail runs 👟 Why sometimes, you just need to give it a goPart Two goes deep into the 4 Deserts Grand Slam, what it takes to suffer well, and how adventure has shaped Roger’s view on leadership and life. Stay tuned.This one’s for the shoe nerds, the adventurers, and anyone who’s ever asked, “Can I really do this?” 🔗 Connect with Roger📸 Instagram – @roger.hanney 🌐 HOKA ANZ – hoka.com.au | hoka.co.nz 🔗 Connect with Jason & Execs Who Run🔗 Jason Hunt – LinkedIn 🔗 Execs Who Run – LinkedIn Page 🌐 execswhorun.com 📸 Instagram – @execswhorun 📣 Like this episode?If Roger’s story hit a nerve or got you thinking: ✅ Follow the podcast ⭐️ Leave a review 📤 Share it with someone who’d love itAnd don’t miss Part Two, where we take on the deserts, the suffering, and the mindset behind it all.

Michael Batko has never taken the traditional path. From working as a hotel entertainer in Greece to becoming a kickboxing runner-up in Austria, his early life was fuelled by curiosity, energy, and a desire to connect with people. That mindset carried through to a global career in consulting and finance—before he made the leap into Australia’s startup scene.After helping scale MadPaws and Expert360, Michael now leads Startmate, one of Australasia’s most influential startup accelerators. He’s helped shape a founder-first ecosystem, backing over 270 startups and building a vibrant community across Australia and New Zealand.But beyond business, Michael is also a runner, a new dad, and the founder of Startup Striders—a running group that brings startup operators together for parkruns and post-run chats. In this episode, we explore how he uses running as a tool for focus, clarity, and connection—and how becoming a father has transformed his leadership and priorities.In this episode, we cover: 🏃‍♂️ What he learned from kickboxing, hospitality, and working across cultures 🏃‍♂️ How he broke into startups by playing five-a-side football 🏃‍♂️ Building Startmate from a Google Sheet into a high-impact accelerator 🏃‍♂️ The power of doing fewer things, better — and killing off distractions 🏃‍♂️ Why Startup Striders has been key to consistency and community 🏃‍♂️ How fatherhood has changed the way he thinks, works, and leadsThis is a conversation about choosing what matters, showing up with intention, and carving space for clarity—on the run and in leadership.Connect with Michael: 🔗 LinkedIn – Michael Batko 📝 Substack – batko.substack.comConnect with Jason & Execs Who Run: 🔗 LinkedIn – Jason Hunt 🔗 Execs Who Run – LinkedIn Page 🌐 execswhorun.com 📸 Instagram – @execswhorun Let us know your biggest takeaway from the episode — message us on LinkedIn or Instagram. And if you’re enjoying the show, follow and share Execs Who Run — we’ve got more unscripted conversations coming your way.

Left in Australia at 15 to pursue a better future, Ayesha Razzaq built a career leading major transformation at Energy Queensland—all while conquering the Six World Marathon Majors and raising over $75,000 for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.Ayesha knows what it means to step outside her comfort zone. Growing up as a diplomat’s daughter, she moved between countries, but nothing prepared her for being left alone in Australia as a teenager. That challenge shaped her independence, resilience, and self-belief—values that have driven both her leadership and running journey.Now, as Executive GM of Retail at Energy Queensland, she’s leading an industry shift toward renewables while also pushing her own limits in endurance sports. She’s gone from handing out medals at a 5K fun run to finishing all Six World Marathon Majors, and along the way, she’s used running as a way to give back—supporting Indigenous communities through the IMF and mentoring others to push their own limits.⏱ Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Ayesha’s unforgettable New York Marathon finish02:00 – Being left in Australia at 15 and how it shaped her independence07:00 – Her first 5K fun run and the unexpected path to marathons10:00 – Getting involved with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation19:00 – Completing all Six World Marathon Majors and what she learned26:00 – How running fuels her leadership at Energy Queensland34:00 – The breakthrough that helped her shave 50 minutes off her PB42:00 – Why mindset was the game-changer for Chicago 202349:00 – Ayesha’s advice for life, leadership, and running📲 Join the ConversationWhat’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Message us on LinkedIn or Instagram (just search Execs Who Run) 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow Execs Who Run on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. If this episode inspired you, leave a review or share it with someone who’d love it!🔗 Follow & Connect with Ayesha📍 Strava 📍 LinkedIn 🏃‍♀️ Resources Mentioned🏅 Indigenous Marathon Foundation🌎 World Marathon MajorsAyesha’s mantra—"If it’s to be, it’s up to me"—has shaped her approach to running, leadership, and life. This episode is all about pushing limits, leading with resilience, and making an impact.🎧 Tune in now and let us know what resonated most with you! 🚀

What happens when you take an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for problem-solving, and a desire to push boundaries? You get Robert Fowler—a cybersecurity leader who’s spent his career tackling complex challenges, both in business and on the run.At just 17, Robert co-founded a million-dollar computer business before transitioning to cybersecurity at Tyson Foods, a company that runs deep in his family. But that’s just the beginning. When he took up running, he decided to take it a step further—literally—by joggling (running while juggling). And in true Robert fashion, he didn’t stop there—he joggled the Chicago Marathon… using three oranges.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Robert’s journey from young entrepreneur to cybersecurity leader✔️ The lessons he’s learned from business, problem-solving, and leadership✔️ How joggling became his way of making running more exciting✔️ The mindset required to take on extraordinary challenges🔗 Links & Resources:📌 Connect with Robert Fowler 📌 Follow Execs Who Run 📌 Check out past episodes If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves running, leadership, or just a great story.🚀 Keep running, keep leading, and keep pushing your limits!

Welcome to Execs Who Run!This trailer introduces the heart of the podcast—unscripted conversations with senior leaders who lace up and hit the road. Host Jason Hunt shares the mission behind the podcast and what you can expect from future episodes, including:Real stories of resilience, balance, and growth from leaders who run.Insights into how running shapes clarity, leadership, and mental health.The little things that make a big impact, like routines and planning.About the HostJason Hunt, a Kiwi based in Sydney, is an elite marathon runner, former professional triathlete, and executive search professional. With a career working for and partnering with top companies like Air New Zealand and Qantas, Jason brings a unique perspective on leadership and endurance.Follow and connect with Execs Who Run on social media:Instagram: instagram.com/execswhorunLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/execswhorunWebsite: execswhorun.comSubscribe now and don’t miss the first episode—coming very soon!