From Beginner to  1/2 Marathon Runner with Gemma O'Neill: Racing Through the Wild to Beat Brain Cancer

Hosts: Hayley & Justine

Guest: Gemma O'Neill

Duration: ~35 minutes

In this uplifting and empowering episode, Hayley and Justine sit down with Gemma O’Neill, a self-proclaimed non-runner turned 1/2 marathoner, whose story is as courageous as it is inspiring.

Gemma shares her unexpected leap into running, her transition from swimming to pounding the pavement, and how she’s now training for the Big Five Marathon in South Africa — one of the toughest and most scenic races in the world. And she’s not just running for herself: Gemma is racing through the wild to beat brain cancer, raising funds and awareness through her support of Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer.

🎧 What to Expect in This Episode:

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  00:13 – Meet Gemma: From “I don’t run” to training for a marathon

  
  


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  01:21 – Why brain cancer research is deeply personal for her

  
  


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  02:37 – All about the wild and challenging Big Five Marathon

  
  


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  02:58 – How swimming shaped her mindset for running

  
  


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  03:35 – Emotional highs, lows, and learning curves of marathon training

  
  


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  06:55 – Essential running gear and strategies that made a difference

  
  


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  07:57 – Laugh-out-loud running stories (including “The Vomit Incident” at 19:26 )

  
  


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  13:34 – Training with a family and why support means everything

  
  


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  15:01 – The surprisingly hard parts of running no one talks about

  
  


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  16:24 – Real talk on fueling, gels, and why tissues matter (20:17 )

  
  


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  22:22 – Why running with friends changes everything

  
  


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  27:48 – The simple, joyful truth about why she runs

  
  


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  31:02 – Gemma’s heartfelt advice for anyone thinking about starting

  
  


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  33:49 – How listeners can support brain cancer research and Gemma’s mission

  
  

💬 Notable Quote:

“I never saw myself as a runner — but this journey has shown me I’m stronger than I thought. And I’m not doing this just for me.”

🧠 Support the Cause:

Gemma is fundraising for Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer, a charity funding critical research into one of the most underfunded yet deadly cancers in Australia.

🔗 https://cb4bc.grassrootz.com/big-5-marathon/gemma-oneill?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrun5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrfw54JMTItcqORUTvpO1hevmEQZQg6txfeOUzw6vVfZ7MUU9Kat3qdcS4Un_aem_aOv_8YLf5DcZb4DiEA3tYg

Carries website Caries beanies for brain cancer

https://www.cb4bcbig5.com/

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💌 Got a story like Gemma’s? Reach out to the show! Email us @womensrunningcollective@outlook.com

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