From Beginner to  1/2 Marathon Runner with Gemma O'Neill: Racing Through the Wild to Beat Brain Cancer
Hosts: Hayley & Justine
Guest: Gemma O'Neill
Duration: ~35 minutes

In this uplifting and empowering episode, Hayley and Justine sit down with Gemma O’Neill, a self-proclaimed non-runner turned 1/2 marathoner, whose story is as courageous as it is inspiring.
Gemma shares her unexpected leap into running, her transition from swimming to pounding the pavement, and how she’s now training for the Big Five Marathon in South Africa — one of the toughest and most scenic races in the world. And she’s not just running for herself: Gemma is racing through the wild to beat brain cancer, raising funds and awareness through her support of Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer.
🎧 What to Expect in This Episode:


00:13 – Meet Gemma: From “I don’t run” to training for a marathon


01:21 – Why brain cancer research is deeply personal for her


02:37 – All about the wild and challenging Big Five Marathon


02:58 – How swimming shaped her mindset for running


03:35 – Emotional highs, lows, and learning curves of marathon training


06:55 – Essential running gear and strategies that made a difference


07:57 – Laugh-out-loud running stories (including “The Vomit Incident” at 19:26)


13:34 – Training with a family and why support means everything


15:01 – The surprisingly hard parts of running no one talks about


16:24 – Real talk on fueling, gels, and why tissues matter (20:17)


22:22 – Why running with friends changes everything


27:48 – The simple, joyful truth about why she runs


31:02 – Gemma’s heartfelt advice for anyone thinking about starting


33:49 – How listeners can support brain cancer research and Gemma’s mission



💬 Notable Quote:

“I never saw myself as a runner — but this journey has shown me I’m stronger than I thought. And I’m not doing this just for me.”


🧠 Support the Cause:
Gemma is fundraising for Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer, a charity funding critical research into one of the most underfunded yet deadly cancers in Australia.
🔗 https://cb4bc.grassrootz.com/big-5-marathon/gemma-oneill?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrun5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrfw54JMTItcqORUTvpO1hevmEQZQg6txfeOUzw6vVfZ7MUU9Kat3qdcS4Un_aem_aOv_8YLf5DcZb4DiEA3tYg
Carries website Caries beanies for brain cancer
https://www.cb4bcbig5.com/

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💌 Got a story like Gemma’s? Reach out to the show! Email us @[email protected]
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