Movement, Mindset & Motivation

Short Description and chapters

In this episode of Self Matters, host Charlie Wells interviews Martin Yelling, a renowned running coach, mental health advocate, and CEO of the charity Stormbreak. Martin shares his inspiring journey from a disadvantaged upbringing to becoming an elite athlete and mental health advocate. Discussing his experiences, he explains how running helped him manage his emotions and shaped his life. Martin also talks about founding Stormbreak, a charity focused on using movement to improve the mental health of children. With over a million 'stormbreaks' delivered, Martin highlights the importance of early intervention and the balance between digital innovation and human well-being. Listen in to learn how Martin's initiatives are creating a positive impact on mental health for both children and adults.

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00:00 Introduction to Self Matters
00:06 Meet Martin Yelling: Runner and Advocate
01:07 Martin's Early Life and Running Journey
04:09 From Athlete to Coach and Advocate
10:57 The Birth of Stormbreak
19:56 Stormbreak's Impact and Expansion
24:24 Martin's Personal Wellbeing Strategies
26:53 A Vision for the Future of Mental Health
29:58 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

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People in this episode

Host

Charlie Wells

Charlie Wells is Founder & CEO of HelloSelf. He is dedicated to improve mental wellbeing for all. After a life-altering brain haemorrhage in 2011, he embraced a second chance at life, prioritising personal wellbeing and positive impact.

Inspired by this journey, HelloSelf, the company behind the Self Matters podcast, was born to address the growing demand for mental health services.

Main guest

Dr Martin Yelling

Martin has a PhD in physical activity promotion and behaviour change. He has been a global Strava ambassador, an adidas and Garmin consultant, and is the official London Marathon coach and in 2024 hosted the race media centre. He is the founder of the Marathon Talk (a podcast with over 12million downloads) and has worked extensively in brand strategy, organisational growth, people development and coaching, (including working with many corporates, charities, MP's and media). Martin is married to two-time Olympic marathon runner and Commonwealth medallist Liz Yelling and they have two boys and a daughter. Martin tries to keep up with his wife running around the Dorset trails or keep up with his children around the house whilst being the CEO and founder of the children's mental health charity stormbreak. Stormbreak, founded in 2018 is an ambitious charity that works providing children's prevention and early intervention services in an integrated way in health, education and social care. Just recently the charity recorded their 1 millionth stormbreak engagement. Martin believes in that movement is an incredible mechanism for supporting and shaping mental health in children and adults. Movement and being active has certainly kept his path straight (er) on many occasions and now almost a grown up, moving supports his mental and physical health every day. Martin is a former international runner and elite National duathlon champion, Hawaii Ironman finisher and Comrades finisher. He likes creating opportunity, inspiring optimism, making an impact and doing good things with good people.