Can you start running at any age?

Is running the new 'dating trend'?

How to get better at marathons?

When do you know you are ready?

Their self-discovery through running

Help to discover their purpose in running

How to get out of the door and show up?

Some see them as dating opportunities, while for others, it's a chance to learn more about themselves.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

Becoming a runner has always lingered in Natasha's mind, especially now that it’s a 'thing' with young people. She sees others joining run clubs and signing up for marathons and triathlons, and even flying overseas to run in events or various locations.

In this episode, she invites two runners to help her understand why they do it, and what keeps them coming back for more.

Meliani Lee is a budding enthusiast who just decided one day to buy a nice pair of running shoes, while being deskbound in her job as a client lifecycle management specialist. She started long-distance running in 2023, and last year, completed one full marathon and three half-marathons.

Arthur Tong is the founder and head coach of Elevate Performance Coaching. As an Ironman-certified coach, his philosophy isn’t just about crossing finish lines, but about creating meaningful, lasting transformation.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:22 Advantages of running: Can you start at any age?

9:26 Is running the new 'dating trend'? Importance of community too, to support running newbies

14:19 How do you get better or faster at running in marathons?

16:08 When do you know you are ready?

18:00 What they learn about themselves when it comes to running

23:07 Helping people discover their own 'whys' in discovering running

27:47 Calling couch potatoes: How to get out of the door and show up?

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by ST Video: Joel Chng and T Kumar

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, Natasha Liew & Rebekah Chia

ST Podcasts’ executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg



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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

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#tup #tuptr

Some see them as dating opportunities, while for others, it's a chance to learn more about themselves. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. Becoming a runner has always lingered in Natasha's mind, especially now that it&rsquo;s a 'thing' with young people. She sees others joining run clubs and signing up for marathons and triathlons, and even flying overseas to&nbsp;run in events or various locations. In this episode, she invites two runners to help her understand why they do it, and what keeps them coming back for more. Meliani Lee is a budding enthusiast who just decided one day to buy a nice pair of running shoes, while being deskbound in her job as a client lifecycle management specialist. She started long-distance running in 2023, and last year, completed one full marathon and three half-marathons. Arthur Tong is the founder and head coach of Elevate Performance Coaching.&nbsp;As an Ironman-certified coach, his philosophy isn&rsquo;t just about crossing finish lines, but about creating meaningful, lasting transformation. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:22 Advantages of running: Can you start at any age?
9:26 Is running the new 'dating trend'? Importance of community too, to support running newbies 14:19 How do you get better or faster at running in marathons? 16:08 When do you know you are ready? 18:00 What they learn about themselves when it comes to running 23:07 Helping people discover their own 'whys' in discovering running 27:47 Calling couch potatoes: How to get out of the door and show up? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (<a href="mailto:natashaz@sph.com.sg">natashaz@sph.com.sg</a>) Read Natasha&rsquo;s articles:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/iSXm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/iSXm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dZXW_VwShT6euratHeDwt">https://str.sg/iSXm</a> Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/8Wav" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/8Wav&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Qs4ZUkDj3q4bnPqS8YH1G">https://str.sg/8Wav</a> Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/v6DN" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/v6DN&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YLaW6rx1_QdqF3aIAy2ax">https://str.sg/v6DN</a> Filmed by ST Video: Joel Chng and T Kumar Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, Natasha Liew &amp; Rebekah Chia ST Podcasts&rsquo; executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/5nfm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/5nfm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lVWPuRyh5m8VD7V76OV1m">https://str.sg/5nfm</a> Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/9ijX" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/9ijX&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2gkqh0LEQ_ChzavW5BHf8F">https://str.sg/9ijX</a> Spotify:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/cd2P" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/cd2P&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1A48Vj69llfD3EPQP2ZvlM">https://str.sg/cd2P</a> YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/wEr7u" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/wEr7u&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749785082534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0E_5URg6fGezX4tTSQnxxB">https://str.sg/wEr7u</a> Feedback to:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a> 
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Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcasts website:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
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 #tup #tuptr

Natasha and her guests unpack the latest current affairs, every Thursday.

Synopsis: Join host and correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. 

Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah

Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis

Editorial producer: Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media

Synopsis: Join host and correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.&nbsp;
Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah
Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor &amp; Ernest Luis
Editorial producer: Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media

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