Running didn’t change Roman Kemp’s life overnight, but over time it gave him clarity, structure, and a calmer mind.
In this episode of The Runna Podcast, Ben and Anya sit down with broadcaster and presenter, Roman Kemp, as he begins his return to running, and opens up about why physical movement has become the most important tool in his mental health toolkit.
“The mental side of running is definitely the best thing for me. Going out on a run makes you feel like you’re going to have a good day. Those endorphins are built into us for a reason – they’re part of how we’re meant to live.”
Roman speaks honestly about anxiety, pressure, and life in the public eye – and why running, more than the gym or any other habit, helps him feel grounded. Not because it’s easy. But because it creates space to think, breathe, and reset.
Roman’s running journey isn’t about chasing PBs or proving anything. It’s about showing up for himself – mentally as much as physically.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why physical movement is Roman’s number one support for his mental health
How running helps him manage anxiety and gain perspective
What changed when he stopped training for aesthetics
Why some of his best ideas happen while running
How structure and routine can feel grounding, not restrictive
Running Isn’t Just Physical
One of the biggest ideas Roman returns to throughout the episode is that running isn’t just about fitness.
For him, movement – especially running outdoors – creates uninterrupted time with his thoughts. No phone, no scrolling, no pressure to perform. Just motion, breath, and a chance to process what’s going on in his head.
“Running gives me something the gym never really did. In the gym, you do a set and then you’re on your phone. When you’re running, you can’t do that. You’re just with your thoughts, and when you’re with your thoughts for long enough, you start seeing problems differently.”
He talks candidly about how gym culture didn’t always support that, how injuries forced him to rethink how he trained, and why being alone with your thoughts while moving can actually make problems feel smaller, not heavier.
Letting Go of Vanity (and Finding Something Better)
Roman reflects on how his relationship with training has changed over time – especially the shift away from training to “look a certain way.”
Letting go of vanity changed everything. Running became less about appearance, and more about function, feeling, and mental balance.
There’s also a wider conversation about success, fame, and equality, including why running can be one of the few places where status disappears, and effort is all that matters. Everyone starts with the same two feet and the same doubts.
Watch or Listen to the Full Episode
Hear the full conversation with Roman Kemp on The Runna Podcast, covering mental health, movement, returning to running, and finding structure without pressure.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Watch on YouTube.
If you’re getting back into running, struggling with consistency, or looking for a realistic way to support your mental wellbeing, this episode will meet you exactly where you are, and remind you that movement doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Your Runna plan meets you exactly where you are in your journey and guides you every step of the way.