Episode Details
Back to EpisodesEp 15: Fixing a Hole in Her Heart: That's Where It All Started | Nat Rischin
Description
Nat Rischin never saw herself as a runner.
She grew up doubting her physical ability, struggled with confidence, and spent years stopping and starting; both in running and in believing in herself.
What began with a 5km "fun run" in 2008... while still smoking... slowly evolved into something far deeper. Through knee pain, health scares, heart surgery, near-miss goals, and plenty of self-doubt, Nat kept showing up... and always with more grit than she gave herself credit for.
In this deeply personal episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Nat to explore the long road from short jogs around The Tan to half-marathon breakthroughs, marathon friendships, and a growing confidence that’s been years in the making.
It’s a story about patience, resilience, and how running can change the way you see yourself; even when no one else is watching.
In this episode:
- Growing up without confidence in sport
- Running her first 5km while smoking
- Discovering a heart condition and choosing surgery
- Why running alone became her therapy
- The mental toll of near-miss goals
- Breaking through self-doubt with coaching support
- From half-marathon frustration to marathon fulfilment
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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.