Martin Yelling

Empowering independence as a leader and coach

“My goal in coaching is to make myself redundant. I want to establish coaching relationships that lead to independence, not dependence.”

We're very excited to welcome Martin Yelling to the podcast! As host of the Marathon Talk Podcast, and London Marathon coach, Martin will be well known to many listeners.

We talk to Martin about his approach to running and how that's changed over the years, His coaching mindset, and how he tries to do himself out of a job as a coach, and how he applies that same mindset to leadership of the charity he founded; Stormbreak. From the pursuit of seconds in his youth to a focus on the joy of distance running in later years, Martin reflects on the transformative power of running and how his outlook on competition has matured over time.

Dive with us into Martin's coaching philosophy, a unique blend of relational and person-centred approaches. Discover why he believes in understanding the whole individual, and the significance of the journey, urging those he coaches to focus on the process rather than fixating on outcomes. Find out how this shift in perspective has not only elevated his own running experience but also those he coaches.

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Go Do:

How can we listen to, and validate those around us?

Create space to really listen to someone close to us this week. Having heard them, validate how they are feeling and what they tell you.

We'd love to hear what emerges for you as you work through these questions. Follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: hello@runalive.co.uk

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This season of the podcast is sponsored by Run Unbound Endurance Coaching.

Whether running your first half, discovering trail running, tackling an ultramarathon or attempting one of the UK big 3 rounds, Run Unbound can help you to achieve your goals in a fun and inspiring way.

We are so grateful for Run Unbound's support Find out more about them here.

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Show Notes:

The RunAlive Podcast x Martin Yelling

Introduction

• Martin describes his background, running a charity, and his experience in running and endurance sports.

• Martin talks about his family and wife's involvement in athletics.

Martin's Love for Movement and Nature

• Martin talks about what brings him to life, particularly moving in nature.

Martin's Running Journey and Competitive Shift

• Martin discusses different stages in his running career and his wife's accomplishments.

• Reflecting on chasing seconds in his younger years and shifting focus.

• Martin's outlook on running and cycling now, emphasising enjoyment.

Martin's Coaching Philosophy

• Ed Perry questions Martin about coaching and passing on his knowledge.

• Martin explains his relational coaching approach and being person-centred.

Leadership and Authenticity

• A conversation about being authentic in leadership.

• Martin reflects on the importance of acknowledging mistakes and openness.

• The discussion briefly touches on empathy and giving feedback.

Stormbreak - The Charity

• Martin talks about Stormbreak, the charity he co-founded. Stormbreak focuses on early intervention through physical activity and emotional regulation for children. They have collaborated with children and adolescent mental health practitioners, teachers, and sports coaches to develop an approach that encourages children to use movement to support their mental and physical well-being. Martin mentions that they have supported over 40,000 children by delivering more than 650,000 "storm breaks," short periods of mentally healthy movement.

Emotion Regulation:

• Martin emphasises that movement is a powerful tool for children to regulate their emotions. Children may express their emotions through actions such as anger or fear, and it's crucial for adults to validate these emotions and support children in recognizing and responding to them.

• Movement can help children manage their emotions and build essential skills for emotional well-being.

Leadership Approach:

• Martin shares his leadership style, which prioritises independence and patience. He encourages people to be patient with others and emphasises the importance of listening and validating their feelings and thoughts.

• He believes that leaders should focus on helping individuals discover what works best for themselves and build their self-worth.

Values:

• When asked about his values, Martin mentions his faith and the influence of his beliefs on his values and behaviour. He discusses how these values guide his interactions with others and his contributions to the world.

Closing Thoughts

• The hosts express their gratitude for the interview, highlighting the joy, wisdom, and encouragement shared by Martin. They discuss Martin's accomplishments and look forward to what's next for him, mentioning the marathon talk with Abbott World Marathon Majors and coaching activities.

The interview showcases Martin Yelling's insightful perspective on coaching, his dedication to helping children through Stormbreak, and his values that guide his approach to leadership.