Rewired Runner

30/07/2026

Stop waiting to feel motivated.

One of the biggest lessons I learned after my stroke was that motivation is unreliable.

I kept waiting for the day I’d feel ready to put in the work.

That day never came.

Instead, recovery taught me something far more powerful.

Action comes first. Motivation follows.

Every small step creates momentum. Momentum builds confidence. Confidence makes the next step easier.

That lesson didn’t just help me recover from a stroke.

It’s the same lesson that’s helping me prepare for UTMB today.

Whether you’re recovering from a stroke, training for your first run, chasing an ultramarathon, or simply trying to move forward through a difficult time…

Don’t ask yourself, “Do I feel motivated?”

Ask yourself, “What’s one small step I can take today?”

📖 READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE AT REWIREDRUNNER.COM

⬇️ Link in the comments below.

I’d love to hear from you.

What’s one small step you’re committing to today?
Stroke Survivors Wellness Foundation
American Stroke Association
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand
Stroke Foundation
Heart & Stroke

23/07/2026

02/07/2026

On Tuesday night, Seven Sharp shared part of my stroke recovery story.

Seven years ago, I was learning to walk, talk, swallow, and use my left side again after stroke.

This year, I’m preparing to stand on the start line of UTMB Mont-Blanc — 170km through the mountains.

But this story is not really about running.

It is about what happens when life changes without warning.

It is about recovery. Rebuilding. Resilience. And the small steps no one sees, repeated over and over, until life slowly starts to open up again.

For runners, ultra runners, UTMB athletes, stroke survivors, families, carers, and anyone rebuilding after a major setback — I hope this is a reminder that progress can start very small.

One step.
One repeat.
One hard day survived.
One small win at a time.

I’m grateful to Seven Sharp / TVNZ for sharing this story and helping show what we are trying to build through Rewired Runner — a place for real recovery stories, practical ideas, and reminders that progress is still possible.

If this story resonates, please follow Rewired Runner, share it, or tag someone who may need to see it.

01/07/2026

Stroke recovery can feel too big.

So make the goal smaller.

After my stroke, I learned recovery does not always come from one massive breakthrough.

Sometimes it comes from one tiny win.

One step.
One movement.
One word.
One short walk.
One repeat.

If the goal feels impossible, shrink it until it becomes possible — then repeat.

That is how small wins become progress.

What is one microgoal you can do today?

Follow Stroke Recovery by Rewired Runner for practical hope, lived experience, and recovery tools after stroke.

25/06/2026

On Tuesday night, Seven Sharp shared part of my stroke recovery story.

Seven years ago, I was learning to walk, talk, swallow and use my left side again after stroke.

This year, I’m preparing to stand on the start line of UTMB Mont-Blanc — 170km through the mountains.

But this story is not really about running.

It is about recovery. It is about rebuilding. It is about the small steps no one sees, repeated over and over, until life slowly starts to open up again.

I’m grateful to Seven Sharp / TVNZ for sharing this story and helping show what we are trying to build through Rewired Runner — a place for stroke survivors and families to find hope, practical ideas, and belief that improvement is still possible.

If you are a stroke survivor, family member, carer, therapist, or someone rebuilding after a major setback, I’d love you to connect with this page.

Follow Rewired Runner for more real stroke recovery stories, practical ideas, and reminders that progress is still possible.

And if this story resonates, please comment, share, or tag someone who may need to see it.
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand
Heart & Stroke
American Stroke Association
Stroke Foundation
Runner's World
Ruth Croft
Mark Ford
Brooks Running
UTMB Mont-Blanc
Garmin

Credit: Seven Sharp / TVNZ. Shared with thanks.

23/06/2026

Stroke recovery endurance does not start with fitness.

For many survivors, endurance starts with something much smaller.

A shower.
A short walk.
Standing for a few minutes.
Getting through the day without needing to collapse afterwards.

After my stroke, small efforts could wipe me out. I had to rebuild from a starting point I never expected to face.

But one small effort, repeated often enough, can become walking.
Walking can become confidence.
Confidence can become more life.

This reel is a reminder for stroke survivors, families and carers: recovery is not always about huge milestones. Sometimes it is about doing one small thing today, then giving yourself permission to build slowly.

If you are in stroke recovery, what is one small thing you are trying to build back right now?

Please comment below. Your answer might help another survivor feel less alone.

And if you know someone rebuilding after stroke, please share this with them or tag them gently.

Follow Stroke Recovery by Rewired Runner for practical, lived-experience stroke recovery content.
Stroke Foundation
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand
American Stroke Association
Heart & Stroke
Mark Ford