When Jovelia Shield arrived in Australia, she couldn't speak English, knew almost no one, and soon found herself trapped in an abusive relationship.

After leaving her former partner, Jovelia found herself as a single mum living in a women's refuge. Over the years that followed, she would endure extraordinary loss (losing three close family members), yet ultimately discover that running could offer something she never expected.

This is ultimately a story about resilience, kindness, and the remarkable people who helped Jovelia find hope again.

In this episode:

• Starting over in Australia as a young mother
• Escaping an abusive relationship and rebuilding her life
• The strangers who became family
• Coping with unimaginable grief
• Discovering running later in life
• Why running became her place of peace

Runbelievable — real runners, unreal stories.

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is start again.

After years of partying, drinking, and feeling increasingly disconnected from himself, Lou Daeschler made a drastic decision. He packed up his life in the UK and moved to Australia in search of something different.

What followed was a complete transformation.

Running became more than exercise. It became structure, purpose, identity, and eventually obsession. But just as everything seemed to be falling into place, Lou received a diagnosis that forced him to rethink everything.

Follow Lou's journey: https://www.instagram.com/ultra.lou/

In this episode:

• Leaving the UK for a fresh start in Australia
• A destructive university lifestyle and its consequences
• Losing more than 30kg through fitness and running
• Going from a 43-minute 5km to 140km training weeks
• The double stress fracture diagnosis that stopped everything
• Learning the difference between commitment and obsession

Runbelievable — real runners, unreal stories.

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.

Clay Dawson never planned to become a runner.

A market research study looking for overweight uni students set him on a path that would eventually lead to marathon victories, Australian representation, and some of the most remarkable endurance performances imaginable.

Yet despite all the success, Clay has spent much of his running journey battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether he truly belongs.

Clay is always looking to help shape and mentor the next generation of runners.

https://www.instagram.com/clay_dawson/

In this episode:

• The research study that changed everything
• Losing weight through accidental running
• Winning the Brisbane Marathon
• Representing Australia in the 100km Championships
• Why success often felt uncomfortable
• What he'd tell anyone who doubts themselves

Oh, and in a comical twist, Clay sets the record straight on an age-old stat.

Runbelievable — real runners, unreal stories.

🌏 Episodes, community, and all things Runbelievable:

http://runbelievable.au

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday; hit follow so you don't miss a lap!

About Runbelievable

Runbelievable is the podcast for every runner. From your first parkrun to your 100th marathon, from walk-run intervals to dabbling in trail running, every runner has a story worth telling. Through honest conversations with runners from all walks of life, Runbelievable explores the challenges, achievements, setbacks, and experiences that connect us through running and shape who we become.