In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Jason Rantall – runner, dad, mental health advocate, Better Mental founder, and a very familiar face in the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra world.
And honestly, this one is powerful.
Jason’s story starts in Gisborne, growing up in a small country town where football was everything, everyone knew everyone, and sport was a big part of life. As a kid, Jason loved running without even really realising it. He was fast, he loved footy, and movement gave him a kind of freedom.
But behind the outside version of Jason, there was a lot going on.
Jason speaks very openly about growing up with mental health struggles, being diagnosed with bipolar, OCD, psychotic episodes, anxiety and depression in his 20s, and then living for many years with alcohol addiction.
This is not one of those neat little “I changed my life and everything was instantly wonderful” stories.
Jason is very clear about that.
Change was hard. Recovery was hard. Rebuilding his marriage, his health, his family life and his sense of self was hard.
But running became the catalyst.
On 31 January 2017, Jason quit smoking. On 1 February 2017, he started running.
And that first run?
A hilly 2.3km loop in 40-degree heat, while overweight, unwell, and wearing work shorts and Dunlops.
As you do.
Jason came home looking so wrecked his wife Kerry nearly called an ambulance – but something had shifted. He kept going.
Since then, running has helped Jason rebuild his life from the inside out. He has now been smoke-free for more than nine years and alcohol-free for eight years.
We talk about how running started as something that wasn’t necessarily healthy – almost another addiction – and how over time it became something much deeper. A way to be with himself. A way to practise presence. A way to build awareness. A way to stop running away from pain and start moving through life differently.
Jason also shares the work he and Kerry now do through Better Mental, their registered charity focused on mental health, addiction, connection and community. What began as a small monthly catch-up has grown into a real community hub, with connection groups, barbecues, education, lived experience conversations and support.
And of course, we talk about running.
A lot.
Jason has created some pretty huge challenges of his own, including running from where he was born to where he lives now, covering 422km over 10 days, and running 801km around a track to raise awareness for lives lost to suicide in Victoria.
Then Paul Pratt finally convinced him to try a Backyard Ultra.
And that changed things again.
Jason talks about why he fell in love with the format – not just because of the running, but because of the community, the connection, the crew, the tents, the hourly reset, and the way people help each other keep going.
Which is exactly why the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra world suits him so beautifully.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Growing up in Gisborne and being raised by a young single mum
- Football, small town sport, and finding freedom through movement
- Living with mental health challenges from a young age
- Alcohol addiction, shame, guilt and the difficulty of change
- The moment Jason decided to quit smoking and start running
- Why running saved his life – but not in a neat or simple way
- Learning to turn running from avoidance into awareness
- Better Mental and the community work Jason and Kerry now do
- Why connection, movement and community matter so much
- Jason’s own huge running challenges and charity runs
- Being pulled into Backyard Ultra by Paul Pratt
- Why the Backyard and Frontyard Ultra format feels so special
- Kids watching what we do, not what we say
- Why Jason doesn’t fully identify as “a runner”
- Running for joy, not pressure
- Training with Crazy Running Man and discovering speed again
- The importance of presence, process and taking the next step
Jason’s tips and takeaways
Jason shares so many simple but powerful ideas in this episode, including:
Start small.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to change everything at once. Just put your runners on. Walk out the door. Start there.
Consistency beats intensity.
Jason talks about how big bursts of motivation usually disappear after a few weeks, but small consistent actions can grow into real habits.
Don’t wait for rock bottom.
Change can start before everything falls apart. You don’t have to wait until life forces you into a corner.
Be careful who you spend time with.
Jason believes the people around you matter. If you spend time with people moving in a healthy direction, it becomes easier to move that way too.
Stay in the process.
Instead of getting overwhelmed by the finish line, the distance, or the big goal, come back to the next step. Then the next one. Then the next one.
Be yourself.
Jason’s message is simple and beautiful: be you, do your best, and don’t try to be a poor imitation of someone else.
Pass the Baton
This episode includes our new Pass the Baton segment, where each guest answers a question from the previous guest – and then leaves a question for the next one.
This time, Jason answered Paul Pratt’s question:
If money and time were not a barrier, what’s one event you would love to enter?
Jason’s answer is very Jason – big, meaningful, and tied to something much bigger than just running.
He also left a question for my next guest…
…but you’ll need to listen to the episode to hear what it was.
Links
Better Mental website:
www.bettermental.com.au
Facebook:
Better Mental Together
Instagram:
bettermental__australia__inc
Jason’s running Instagram:
Jason__Storwart__Rantall
💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?
If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset – a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.
🙏 A couple of big favours
- If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast – it helps more runners discover these conversations.
- I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you, or someone you know, has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club
🎧 Don’t miss an episode
Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.
