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Our Story
Alex Foord
Founder and Sport & Exercise Psychologist
I have lived with anxiety and depression for most of my life. There were times when I thought they would get the better of me but there was always one thing that kept me going - running.
Running has been one of the most powerful tools I have found to help combat my struggles. This is the reason l left a career in marketing to retrain as a personal trainer. I wanted to help others feel the benefit exercise, specifically running, had on my mental health and quality of life. Since then I have gone on to complete an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. I have also spent some time working as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner within an NHS mental health trust.
The benefits of exercise for mental health have been widely reported, however incorporating it into our daily lives can often be far from simple. Suggesting to someone with anxiety or depression that they should go for a run may seem simple, but in reality that could be a very daunting and difficult task for them. I have always been surprised at the lack of support on offer to help people take that step into using exercise to improve their mental health. This is the reason I set up the Mindful Running Project.
Our aim is to create a community who support and motivate each other to use running as tool to help with stress, anxiety, depression or any other type of problem we may face throughout our day-to-day lives.
The Concept
Numerous scientific studies have reported psychological benefits of running. Such benefits include improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, better resilience to stress and enhanced ability to solve problems. However, finding the motivation to take advantage of these improvements can be difficult, especially if you are experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood.
This is where the Mindful Running Project can help. We are not a normal running group. There are no personal bests, interval sessions or hill repeats with us. Our primary goal is to use running as a means to facilitate self-reflection and support each other through difficult times You do not need to be any particular level of fitness or an experienced runner to join us. As long as you are able to run or walk at a moderately strenuous pace then you can begin to unlock those psychological benefits. If you become physically fitter along the way then that is an added bonus. We offer a friendly, empathic and non-judgemental space to help you take advantage of the numerous benefits running can offer.
Our unique approach looks to combine running with three other key factors;
1. Nature
Spending time outdoors in nature can also help foster positive thoughts and emotions such as calmness, happiness and creativity, as well as improve concentration. All our runs are conducted outside to ensure we are making the most of what nature has to offer.
2. Community
Adding a social element to your running can also help manage mental health problems. Surrounding yourself with people who have shared similar experiences is a great way to find support and feel understood. It also acts a powerful motivator to make physical activity part of your routine.
3. Resilience Building
Techniques such as goal setting, self-talk, relaxation and building confidence can all form part of your mental resilience toolkit to help manage life's challenges. We provide psychoeducational information and resources to help you develop these skills.
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