This week, Damien quizzes Sian on one of the hottest topics in running right now — carbon fibre trainers (super shoes). With marathon season in full swing, Damien puts Sian in the hot seat to explore the science, real benefits, and potential risks of these high-tech shoes.

You’ll hear Sian digging into how much performance improvement carbon-plated trainers actually deliver, why they are so specific, the importance of having the right strength and biomechanics first, and the injury risks if they’re used incorrectly. They also discuss the brand new Lidl carbon trainer and share their thoughts on marathon season.

Topics include:

• Realistic performance gains from carbon shoes (often closer to 2%)
• Why strength and biomechanics matter before wearing them
• Injury risks vs rewards
• The new Lidl “Super Duper” carbon fibre trainer
• Marathon season advice

If you’re training for any marathon this spring or thinking about buying super shoes, this episode is packed with honest, practical insights.

Let’s get into it.

Welcome to Episode 3 of In Motion presents The Sports Lab, where we discuss all things in sports with Sian and Damien.

In this episode, the tables turn. After Sian shared her journey last time, it’s now Damien’s turn in the hot seat. We sit down for an honest, insightful Q&A as Damien opens up about his personal path into fitness and running, how it helped him through tough times, and what he’s learned along the way – both as a runner and now as a coach helping others.

From accidental marathon training with zero plan, to discovering the power of community runs, hill sprints, adventure runs, and active recovery, Damien shares practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and the mindset that keeps him (and his runners) motivated.

Whether you’re a complete beginner thinking about your first 5K, a “dad athlete” juggling life and training, or someone looking to improve your mental health through movement, this episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable tips.

Tune in as we explore:

How running became therapy during difficult periods

The biggest mistakes new runners make (and how to avoid them)

Why structure and community matter more than you think

Damien’s favourite (and least favourite) types of runs

Must-have gear, fueling, and injury-prevention wisdom

How to keep the joy in running even when motivation dips

If you love honest conversations about real-life running, mental health, coaching, and building sustainable habits, this one’s for you.

Let’s get into it.

Hosted by Sports podiatrist Sian Thomasson and sports performance coach Damien Walsh, this episode flips the script: Damien puts Sian in the hot seat with 20 targeted questions exploring her expertise in foot and lower limb care for runners and athletes.

Sian shares insights from her extensive background — graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry from Northampton University in 2004, followed by an MSc in Podiatric Surgery, and 12 years of NHS surgical training across various regions. With specialised experience in sports podiatry, including work with The Royal Ballet Company and London Marathon runners, she covers everything from common marathon injuries and biomechanical assessments to custom orthotics, plantar fasciitis management, surgical options for chronic issues, footwear advice, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fracture recovery, and much more.

Whether you're dealing with heel pain, shin splints, overpronation, forefoot issues, or upstream problems like knee or hip pain linked to foot mechanics, Sian's answers offer real-world, evidence-based guidance for runners at any level — plus self-management tips, post-pandemic injury trends, and how she tailors plans to individual training histories.

Tune in as Damien grills Sian on the questions that matter most to active people, bridging clinical expertise with everyday performance needs. Perfect for runners, coaches, and anyone serious about staying injury-free and performing at their best. Let's dive in!

Damien is a sports performance coach who studied Sports and Exercise Science early on, before life took a turn—he lost nearly 4 stone through dedication to health and fitness. In his 30s, he returned to sports studies, dove into boxing, then transitioned to running, ultimately achieving impressive times including a 1:17 half marathon and a 2:50 marathon. His current direction focuses on delivering local, accessible strength and fitness sessions designed to support individuals in their chosen sports, helping them build the foundation needed to perform and thrive.

Their paths crossed in the interconnected world of sports health and performance, where Sian's lower limb and injury expertise naturally complemented Damien's hands-on coaching experience, personal transformation story, and practical approach to sport-specific fitness. What began as professional conversations about athlete care and optimisation grew into the shared vision for this podcast: a platform to bridge disciplines, share real stories, and deliver practical insights from experts across the field.

Join us as we kick things off by exploring our journeys, the twists that shaped our careers, and why we're excited to bring multidisciplinary voices together in "THE SPORTS LAB." Let's get moving!