He won the English Fell Running Champs. Then he walked away from the sport completely.
We have been back through our archieve of episodes to select our favourite guests incase you missed it the first time or just want to relive it all!
Gary and Ben are joined by Tom Addison — a runner many will remember for dominating the UK fell scene, taking the 2014 national title and chasing England vests throughout his teens and twenties. But this episode isn’t about medals. It’s about what comes after them.
Tom talks openly about the obsession that fuelled his running career, the burnout that followed, and the panic attacks that forced him to step away from the sport he loved. From racing at Wooden Tops as a kid to rebuilding his life through boxing, therapy, and fine furniture making, this is a story of reinvention with no filter.
We talk fell running culture, junior club racing, mental health, identity, and why sometimes walking away is the bravest decision of all.
🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
👟 Growing up in a fell running family and club culture
🇬🇧 Earning his first England vest at 15
🏆 Winning the English Champs in 2014 – and what it really cost
😰 The mental and emotional crash that followed
🥊 Boxing, woodworking, and rebuilding structure
🪵 Finding purpose through craft and creativity
👨👩👧 Family, fatherhood, and a new definition of success
Why You Should Listen:
If you’ve ever tied your identity to your sport, battled burnout, or wondered what’s next after the peak — Tom’s story will hit home. A champion’s journey, with all the pressure and none of the gloss.
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00:00 - Intro: From fell running to fine furniture
02:23 - Childhood in a fell running family
06:40 - Early nerves and racing for Helm Hill
09:50 - Junior coaching and Billy Proctor’s role
13:40 - First England vest at 15 years old
17:00 - Watching Rob Jebb and chasing national teams
20:30 - 2014: Winning the English Championship
26:45 - Balancing training with a manual job
30:20 - The obsessive mindset and burnout
34:50 - Panic attacks and personal upheaval
39:40 - Boxing for structure and recovery
43:15 - How woodworking became his new focus
48:10 - Craftsmanship and striving for quality
52:20 - Instagram, identity and validation
56:45 - Fatherhood and redefining ambition
01:01:20 - Closing thoughts and what’s next
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