The Couch to 5K Podcast

• Dr Alex George – From an ED doctor to Love Island and why Couch to 5K is one of the greatest ever health interventions

  In this episode Dr Alex George shares his inspiring journey from struggles with grief, mental health and weight into fitness and running…and finding joy in life.Dr Alex is a former A&E doctor who attracted a large social media following after appearing as a contestant on the TV show Love Island. During the pandemic, he became a trusted voice with his insights from the frontline. He’s now an author of four books and has been a Government youth ambassador on mental health.Alex tells Giovanna about the grief he’s had in his life. In July 2020 his youngest brother Llŷr died by suicide. And whilst a young doctor in Devon, a close friend from medical school died of cancer.He talks openly about the pivotal moment in his life when he recognised the need for change which led him to become alcohol-free and start an exercise journey which began with gentle walking and moved on to running.Giovanna discovers just how big the change in his life has been over the last two years. He’s gone from an unfit 20 stone, struggling with mental health, to a runner, gym goer and exercise-lover. Alex reveals that he’s still been in some difficult places but details how the life-changes have helped him to cope and find joy.He tells Giovanna that he believes running has given him happiness, confidence and resilience but admits it’s not always easy. Alex urges everyone not to lose the joy of running, believing it’s more important to take in nature and have fun than going quickly.His fantasy run is in a North American National Park – although he shares with Giovanna that he would give anything for one more run along a beach in South Wales with his brother who’s passed away.He concludes the podcast saying Couch to 5K is one of the greatest health interventions ever. He believes it changes the downward slope of health deterioration moving people into a positive space, where they can see real results.Our couch buddies on this episode are:Lynn, who’s 53 and from Derbyshire. She began the programme to help with her health issues which included diabetes and celiac disease. Before starting running she had her worse blood test results ever. But since running, she’s seen a massive positive change in her health markers. Ray is 61 and from Hampton in London. He had a heart attack and triple by-pass surgery before starting the Couch to 5K programme. He’s had to re-start twice more because of further health issues. But following medical advice, he’s now completed Couch and gone on to run more that 100 Park Runs. Ray says it’s been life changing and he has loved the whole community of support.What is Couch to 5K?It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginnersHow do you do Couch to 5K?Download an app(details below) and away you go!Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill?Yes, on a treadmill or outside.How does Couch to 5K work?You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.How long does Couch to 5K take?You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.You can download the NHS Couch to 5K app Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1082307672?pt=117868640&ct=BBC%20Podcast%20Series%201&mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.couchto5K&hl=en_GB&gl=USThe Couch to 5K Podcast Presenter: Giovanna Fletcher Producer: Mark Shardlow Exec Producer: Katherine Hogan

  --------  

  57:07
• Jowita Przystal – the Strictly dancer on running for happiness and joy and being told she would never make a runner.

  Strictly’s Jowita Przystal is Giovanna Fletcher’s guest on today’s podcast. She tells how a life-long love of dancing has now been joined by a complete love of running.Jowita started dancing as a little girl in Poland. Giovanna discovers that she loved all forms of dance…except ballroom. Eventually, encouraged by her mother, Jowita took to it, started competing and took the path to becoming a professional.Her ambition was to become a professional on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. And she left her homeland with a one-way ticket, no job, just a suitcase and a determination to get her place on the TV programme. She discovered that doing well on The Greatest Dancer was going to be the best way of achieving her goal. She got on the programme and won it in 2020 which won her a guest spot on Strictly. A year later, she was offered a place on the hit show. And in her first series claimed the Glitter Ball Trophy.Jowita’s running journey has not been so straight forward. When she first tried it, her dancing fitness coach told her she couldn’t run because she was heavy-footed. It put her off!She started running again to take part in the Great Manchester Run in 2025. She wanted to do something to raise money for the Dogs Trust Charity after visiting it with her Strictly Partner Pete Wicks, an Ambassador for the Charity. After her bad experience before, she sought advice on what to do, bought herself some running shoes and after a jog along a beach found she was loving running.However, just 2 weeks before the Run, Jowita injured her ankle which she feared could mean not only missing the race but might also impact her dancing career. She tried a number of remedies as she was desperate to take part. The night before the event, she went on her own fitness test before deciding she was fit. The following day Jowita beat her best time by 9 minutes! Jowita’s fantasy run is somewhere hot by the sea. And her favourite track is something of a classic from Depeche Mode.We also hear from 2 couch buddies who are part of the UK Couch to 5K community.Simon is 36 from Oxford and decided to get fit to improve his health. He’s found it to be something that helps with his mindfulness and finding peace. He now writes about it and encourages others to sign-up.Christine is 27 and from Liverpool, living in Edinburgh. She began the programme because she was embarrassed at her lack of fitness. She says it’s built-up her confidence to the point that she’s a different person. It’s improved her mood, sleep and eating habits. She’s still running 2-3 times a week and her one regret is not starting it sooner.Thanks for listening!What is Couch to 5K?It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginnersHow do you do Couch to 5K?Download an app(details below) and away you go!Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill?Yes, on a treadmill or outside.How does Couch to 5K work?You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.How long does Couch to 5K take?You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.You can download the NHS Couch to 5K app Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1082307672?pt=117868640&ct=BBC%20Podcast%20Series%201&mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.couchto5K&hl=en_GB&gl=USThe Couch to 5K Podcast Presenter: Giovanna Fletcher Producer: Mark Shardlow Exec Producer: Katherine Hogan

  --------  

  44:52
• Dame Laura Kenny on taking up running, competitiveness with her husband Jason and exercise in pregnancy.

  Britain’s most successful female Olympian is Giovanna Fletcher’s guest on this episode. Dame Laura Kenny talks about her switch from full-time cyclist to being a runner and a very busy mum, competitiveness with her husband Sir Jason Kenny and a heartbreaking time trying to conceive. Laura was born with a collapsed lung and had asthma as a child. The consultant advised being active and going swimming as a way of helping her condition. But it was a family holiday in 2000 that dramatically changed Laura’s sporting journey. Her mum had been diagnosed with obesity. And changed her life around to such an extent that she lost 8 ½ stone. Laura and her sister were taken on family bike rides. And the rest is history! Running has come more recently. As a cyclist, she was not allowed to do it because it worked the wrong muscle groups. But as soon as she finished on the bike she took to the road on two legs. Laura talks about keeping up exercise during pregnancy and trying to find time as a parent of young children. She’s very open about her fertility struggles and the mental battle she faced after a miscarriage and, shortly after, an ectopic pregnancy. And she tells Giovana that she believes cycling saved her mental health. She says she would gladly have swapped all her Olympic medals for another baby. Exercise, says Laura, has made her a better version of herself and a better mum. Her fantasy run is along the seafront in Majorca Laura’s top tip is to think about the freedom running will give and urges newcomers to give it a try. And her musical track might have been a Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run however she has been influenced by her son, Albie, who’s become obsessed with music from a band which is close to Giovanna’s heart. We’ll also hear from two Couch Buddies, who are part of the UK Couch to 5K community. Amy, 29, started the programme because she was struggling with her mental health and loneliness. Running got her out of the house 3 times a week. It took her 6 months to complete but she’s now gone on to run the London marathon. She says running Couch has given her so much confidence and belief. Phil, 48 ,started it to try to “beat the average” and live a longer life following the death of his parents. He also needed to improve his fitness to achieve his ambition of becoming a special constable. He hadn’t run for 30 years. Now he takes his running shoes everywhere he goes. Some FAQ’s:What is Couch to 5K?It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginnersHow do you do Couch to 5K?Download an app(details below) and away you go!Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill?Yes, on a treadmill or outside.How does Couch to 5K work?You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.How long does Couch to 5K take?You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.You can download the NHS Couch to 5K app Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1082307672?pt=117868640&ct=BBC%20Podcast%20Series%201&mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.couchto5K&hl=en_GB&gl=US

  --------  

  40:47
• Colson Smith on his life-changing journey from an overweight 11 year old Coronation Street actor to regular runner.

  Giovanna Fletcher welcomes Colson Smith, the Coronation Street actor who’s been through a remarkable body transformation and running journey.Colson joined the Street aged 11 and his character, PC Craig Tinker, has just been killed-off. Colson believes he was originally hired because of his looks; ‘the ginger fat kid’ is how he describes it.He talks to Giovanna about how he hated running and PE at school, finding creative ways to avoid it and speaks openly about making his debut at 11 on TV and reading the hurtful social media comments about his size and his body. He explains that he always wanted to change but didn’t know how to. And he felt pressure to stay as he was as his job and role was to be fat and funny.Colson also talks about his first experiences of going to a gym and a crash and burn approach to dieting at the age of 18. He tells Giovanna he’d go a day without food and then be so hungry that he’d drive to a fast-food restaurant and binge on 4 meals.When lockdown hit, Colson, without work for the first time since 11, felt liberated. He went on his first run at night to avoid being seen, hidden by a balaclava and cap. He talks honestly about his progress and the realisation that what started as running to lose weight became running for enjoyment.In a moving conversation Colson tells Giovanna that he now likes himself, something he didn’t in the past. And that running has changed his life in so many ways using it as a tool for many reasons from enjoyment and progress to being out in nature.He also reveals how Fern Britton came to the rescue when he was encased in the Big Brother house, getting frustrated at the lack of exercise! He tells Giovanna that he can’t think of an aspect of life that running has not made better.Colson’s fantasy run is in a European city he’s not previously visited, getting his trainers on and getting lost.His top piece advice to beginners is to get out there and do it for yourself.And his favourite running track is Van Morrison singing Days Like This.Also on the podcast we hear from 2 Couch Buddies.Daniel talks about starting Couch to 5K to improve his overall fitness. He’s 32 and a lorry driver and was weighing more than 22 stone. He describes the struggle at the start but how he now loves running and how his life has changed dramatically.Charlotte talks about taking up running to improve her health having never done any regular exercise. Like Daniel, she feels the programme has changed her life for the better.What is Couch to 5K?It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginnersHow do you do Couch to 5K?Download an app(details below) and away you go!Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill?Yes, on a treadmill or outside.How does Couch to 5K work?You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.How long does Couch to 5K take?You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.You can download the NHS Couch to 5K app Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1082307672?pt=117868640&ct=BBC%20Podcast%20Series%201&mt=8Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.couchto5K&hl=en_GB&gl=US

  --------  

  43:44
• Dr Punam Krishan on prescribing running for better health and how best to be injury-free

  In this episode Giovanna Fletcher is joined by Dr Punam Krishan – GP, mum, and passionate supporter of Couch to 5K.Dr Punam shares her personal journey into running, reflecting on the physical and mental health benefits it’s brought her and why she often recommends the Couch to 5K programme to her patients.A regular on the BBC’s Morning Live, Dr Punam is both a medical expert and a realist. She understands the challenges many of us face in finding time to exercise, but she’s a firm believer in the long-term health benefits of making it part of our lives.She reveals to Giovanna that her running journey began in 2024 when she was invited to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. At the time, she wasn’t a runner – and still doesn’t claim to love it – but she’s found a way to make it work for her.After recommending Couch to 5K to patients, she decided to try it herself, choosing Jo Whiley as her coach. She returned to the programme in 2025 and is now encouraging Morning Live viewers to get involved too.In her GP practice, Dr Punam regularly promotes walking and running to help manage conditions like weight issues, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, perimenopause symptoms, and mental health struggles.Coming from a South Asian background, she speaks passionately about breaking down cultural taboos around exercise. She’s working to challenge old attitudes and create new habits in her community – and she’s proud that her own parents have taken up brisk walking to manage their health, something she couldn’t have imagined growing up.In this episode, Dr Punam also shares practical advice for beginners, especially on how to avoid injury. Her biggest tip? Listen to your body. Rest, stay hydrated, and don’t skip those warm-ups and cool-downs.She finds her most rewarding runs happen when she ditches the music and heads into nature. Listening to the birds, watching the clouds, and soaking up the greenery helps clear her mind and gives her a much-needed break from screens. She calls running her “pill of endorphins.”Her fantasy run takes place in a special part of Scotland, her favourite track comes from an American rapper. Her ultimate advice? Just give it a go – and make it your journey.We also hear inspiring stories from the Couch to 5K community:• Carly and Sandra, a mother and daughter, discovered they’d both started the programme at the same time. Now they cheer each other on and run side by side. • Bex shares her powerful story of taking up running after a miscarriage. It helped lift her out of a dark mental space and gave her a real sense of achievement.What is Couch to 5K?It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginnersHow do you do Couch to 5K?Download an app(details below) and away you go!Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill?Yes, on a treadmill or outside.How does Couch to 5K work?You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.How long does Couch to 5K take?You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.You can download the NHS Couch to 5K app Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1082307672?pt=117868640&ct=BBC%20Podcast%20Series%201&mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.couchto5K&hl=en_GB&gl=US

  --------  

  47:54

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About The Couch to 5K Podcast

The Couch to 5K Podcast: Podcasts in Family