Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic – Episode #13 featuring Vicki Turner now live!

Matt is in conversation this month with Vicki Turner, Sales & Marketing Manager at Bridgedale.

“All we are trying to do is keep people comfortable on the trails, whether they are walking or running. That’s it, that’s our end goal to make durable, comfortable socks. It’s a small ambition if you like but it makes a big difference to people.”

Vicki Turner, Bridgedale

In this episode we discuss the history and heritage of the brand with Vicki, and how Bridgedale doesn’t just design socks but makes them. Their factory at the tip of the Strangford Lough, Newtownards, near Belfast in Northern Ireland has been knitting socks since WW1, when the first army socks were made. The strong heritage in hosiery is a feature of the Bridgedale brand and several of the team have been working in the factory for over 40 years, so they definitely know their socks!

Matt and Vicki discuss Vicki’s journey and background in the outdoors, the brand’s strapline of why “Little things matter”, how trail running has contributed to the growth of the brand, and the success of their collaborative product development process with the end user that also led to the latest Trail Run range. We also learn about the environmental side, yarn suppliers, and Bridgedale’s commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

There is a link on the homepage of the website and the podcast is also available to listen to on the following platforms:

Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Deezer

Hosts & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Vicki Turner LINKEDIN

Useful links:

• Bridgedale: WEBSITE
• Bridgedale Animal Welfare
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference presented by haku #TRC24 WEBSITE

Matt and Becs are in conversation with Hannah Beecham MBE, Founder of RED January.

"When RED January began it was at the point in time when we were really on the cusp of talking about the relationship between movement and mental health. Now we know the benefits it is really around empowering and supporting people to move in a way that works for them" Hannah Beecham MBE

• RED January is designed to support people through winter and tackle increasing inactivity levels. Recent research shows that 1.8m adults are less active in the winter.
• RED focuses on setting realistic movement goals for every day in January. Goals that work for its community and their lifestyles, giving that community a real chance of continuing throughout the year.
• RED also represents a supportive community. People across the globe coming together to empower each other.

In this episode we discuss with Hannah the foundations and beginnings of RED. Hannah's inspiration from trying to find resources to help her mum through to celebrating RED's 10 year anniversary with the REDers and the community!

We discuss supportive and collaborative partnerships and how to get involved in RED, and why RED is working closely with RIA.

A decade of movement accumulating to the launch of an additional RED resource on the 13th May, launching as part of Mental Health Awareness Week and establishing further good habits around movement and the benefits to mental and physical health. Find out more about this in this episode as we announce and talk through with Hannah.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 takes place from 13th to the 19th May, with the theme this year of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.

Thanks for listening!

Host & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• CO-HOST: Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Hannah Beecham MBE LINKEDIN

Useful links:

• RED January: WEBSITE
• RED January Resource: DOWNLOADS
• RED: Community
• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference #TRC24 (8th to 10th December) WEBSITE

The Running Industry Alliance Podcast is produced by Supersonic Podcasts and presented by Matt Ward. We’d be SO grateful if you could subscribe and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you want to find out more about RIA and how you could be a member, just head to our website at www.runningindustryalliance.com

Thanks for listening and we’ll be back with another episode soon, see ya!

Matt and Tom are in conversation with Charlie Allen, founder of Run Social.

‘RUN SOCIAL is a free after work weekly networking event designed to create a healthy, fun, and alcohol free platform for socialising, networking and exercising. It is a social running club where people can enjoy their running, improve the health, and meet new friends and expand their professional networks all at the same time.’

In this episode we hear all about the rapid growth of Run Social, Charlie’s own journey with running from being stood on London Bridge by himself hoping others would show up to run with him to what is today a network of events across the UK, international trips and the healthiest night out in London!

Having come from the worlds of professional sport and recruitment, Charlie is refreshingly not hampered by traditional views and ways of working and his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed have sparked a community where people feel safe, are willing to share experiences and return time after time.

We hear about Run Socials grand ambitions for the future, why partnerships with brands are working and how being a member of Running Industry Alliance has worked for Run Social.

Charlie is a fascinating person with a wealth of ideas and creativity; listeners will get the sense that Run Social will only grow and grow and become a community highly valued and sort after by many.

Go to https://www.linkedin.com/company/run-social/ to find out more or pop along to one of the 15 free Wednesday night run clubs and join in.

Thank you for listening and do subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and to join us on this journey for a deeper insight into the running industry.

Host & Guest:

• HOST & ANCHOR: Matt Ward LINKEDIN
• HOST: Tom Kerry LINKEDIN
• GUEST: Charlie Allen LINKEDIN

Useful links:

• Running Industry Alliance WEBSITE
• Running Industry Alliance ON INSTAGRAM
• Running Industry Alliance ON TWITTER
• Running Industry Alliance ON YOUTUBE
• The Running Conference #TRC24 (8th to 10th December) WEBSITE

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Co-Leads:

• Rebecca (Becs) Richardson LINKEDIN
• Jonathan Midwood LINKEDIN