Running Towards Mental Wellness with Richard Loftus 🎙️
In this episode of the TRUUMAN Podcast, host Lewis Hackney sits down with Richard Loftus, founder of Well Run Brum—a wellbeing-focused running group for men. With a career spanning two decades in the theatre and live music industry, Richard also serves as a non-executive director at Birmingham’s historic Grosvenor Road Studios. Richard’s journey is one of mental health recovery through running, building community, and redefining what men’s wellbeing support can look like.
About the Guest: Richard’s background in arts and culture gave him a deep understanding of the power of community and storytelling. After facing his own mental health struggles, he turned to running—not just as an individual pursuit, but as a way to create space for other men to connect, reflect, and heal. His initiative, Well Run Brum, is more than just a running group—it’s a movement. Through weekly runs, guest speakers (Conversational Pacemakers), and a focus on mental resilience, the group fosters open conversations about mental health in a way that feels natural and supportive.
What to Expect in This Episode: This conversation dives deep into: Richard’s Personal Mental Health Journey: How running helped him recover and reframe his mindset. The Creation of Well Run Brum: Why he started it and how it’s helping men open up about their struggles. The Power of Conversational Pacemakers: How guest speakers bring insight and encouragement to the group. Why Running Helps with Mental Health: The connection between movement, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. Building Community Through Shared Experience: How running together fosters trust, accountability, and brotherhood. Why Men Struggle to Open Up About Mental Health: And how initiatives like Well Run Brum are breaking down those barriers.
Key Takeaways: Running isn’t just about fitness—it’s about clarity, connection, and emotional release. Men often struggle to talk about mental health, but shared activities like running create natural spaces for conversation. Well Run Brum isn’t about pace—it’s about support. The goal is movement, both physical and mental. Guest speakers, or ‘Conversational Pacemakers,’ bring valuable insights, showing that mental health conversations don’t have to feel forced or heavy. Community is crucial—having people around you who ‘get it’ makes all the difference.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/wellrunbrum
https://www.strava.com/clubs/wellrunbrum
https://wellrunbrum.komi.io/ https://www.instagram.com/richardjloftus
Here is the link to Jordan Stephens substack: https://substack.com/@jordanstephens
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amateur-True-Story-About-Makes-ebook/dp/B079HW5N56
