Tim Minchin — comedian, composer, lyricist, actor, and accidental marathon trainee — shares the story of how running has been a thread through every stage of his life. From childhood asthma in Perth, to Melbourne’s struggling artist years, through the highs of Matilda, the heartbreak of Larrikins, and his current build-up to the Melbourne Marathon, Tim reflects on how running has given him resilience, self-worth, and perspective at every stage. It’s a conversation about creativity, leadership, and why running continues to shape the way he approaches life and work.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Growing up with asthma and discovering endurance through hockey

• Why running became a coping mechanism in his toughest Melbourne years

• The role running played during creative success and setbacks — from Matilda to Larrikins

• Stories from his 91-minute half marathon in London and a City2Surf PB at 49

• Training routines, favourite Sydney routes, and rediscovering the joy of running

• How running connects to resilience, creativity, and leadership in his life today

• Preparing for the Melbourne Marathon at 50, and what it means at this stage of his life

• Reflections on identity, ambition, and proving things to yourself when no one else is watching

Follow Tim Minchin:

Website: timminchin.com

Instagram: @timminchin

Spotify: Tim Minchin

Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:

Jason Hunt: LinkedIn | Instagram

Execs Who Run: LinkedIn | Instagram

Website: execswhorun.com

Join the community: Execs Who Run Strava Group

Phoebe Pincus — COO of Startmate, co-founder of Cheeky Run Club, and marathon runner — joins Execs Who Run to share how running has transformed her approach to life and leadership. From ocean swims in Bronte to the cultural boom of run clubs post-COVID, Phoebe shows how running can be more than exercise — it can reshape identity, community, and confidence.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why her Always Swim mantra is about more than just the ocean

• The leap from Startmate Women Fellowship to COO

• The founding story of Cheeky Run Club and the rise of running culture

• Discipline, systems, and the myth of willpower

• How running builds resilience and self-confidence in work and life

• The lessons she’s learned from burnout, overtraining, and recovery

• Her advice on balance, leadership, and doing hard things with joy

  
  

Quote from Phoebe:

“Discipline isn’t forcing yourself to do hard things — it’s building systems so the good things feel easy.” — Phoebe Pincus

Follow Phoebe Pincus:

Instagram: @cheekyrunclub

LinkedIn: Phoebe Pincus

Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:

Jason Hunt: LinkedIn | Instagram

Execs Who Run: LinkedIn | Instagram

Website: execswhorun.com

Join the community: Execs Who Run Strava Group

Xavier Shay joins Execs Who Run to explore how software engineering, executive leadership, and distance running all thrive on structure, systems, and sustained effort.

From his time scaling Square in the U.S. to leading innovation at Bendigo Bank, Xavier brings deep insight into building cultures that work—and staying grounded through running.

🔑 Key Moments in This Episode:

Accidentally signing up for a half marathon on a Wednesday (and running it solo)

The shift from software engineer to manager at Square during hypergrowth

How leadership became a natural extension of systems-thinking

CEO role at Up and how the fintech was integrated post-acquisition

The benefits of running clubs and community in San Francisco and Melbourne

His most meaningful race: a 3-day 200km ultramarathon with his father

The power of consistency, simplicity, and knowing your personal operating system

Why more companies should have gyms—and how wellness builds workplace culture

Follow Xavier Shay:

Xavier Shay’s Blog: https://xaviershay.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xaviershay/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/xshay

Stay Connected with Jason & Execs Who Run:

Jason Hunt (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonzanehunt/

Execs Who Run (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/execs-who-run

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/execswhorun/

Website: https://execswhorun.com

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