Ep 748 | The Surprising Story of Couch To 5k - Creator Josh Clark
Summary
Hosts Jody Rainsford and David Heller interview Josh Clark, the creator of the Couch to 5K program. Clark shares how he developed the nine-week plan in 1996 for his mother after a personal breakup, eventually leading to its global adoption by the NHS and BBC. The episode explores the program’s altruistic origins, its psychological impact on users, and its role in making running accessible to millions worldwide.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Josh Clark
Josh's personal journey into running
Creating the Couch to 5K plan for his mom
The science of habit formation and early victories
Online community growth and the program's name
NHS partnership and global impact
Detachment from fame and altruism
Training load spikes and gentleness
Parkrun and the evolution of running culture
Making running safe and accessible for all
Life-changing confidence from finishing C25K
Outro and other podcast recommendations
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