A marathon for Jenni Falconer - not a sprint
Podcaster finally publishes book Runner’s High
Jenni Falconer does not believe we should ever put ourselves in a box. “If you have an opportunity, then go for it,” says the Scottish presenter and podcaster. “Because you never know how many opportunities you’re going to have.” Falcon er, now 48, began as a TV presenter after appearing as a Blind Date contestant as an 18-year-old student, eventually working on GMTV and This Morning before shifting to radio (she currently hosts Smooth Radio’s Breakfast show).
“When I started, I was doing an action-adrenaline sports show on BBC Scotland, and it was brilliant, but ... peoplewere like ,‘ Oh no, you’ re the contest ant from Blind Date, not interested ’.
“Eventually,” she recalls, “I earned the reputation of being a presenter – but I was then only known for the programme I’d just done.
“I have no problem being known for doing something, but everyone’s capable of doing so much more.”
In 2019, Falcon er launched Run Pod, her running podcast in which she chats with guests who share her love of running(she’ s been a keen runner since her late teens), and the following year launched collagen supplement brand, Kollo Health. Both have been a success – but that’s not to say Falconer doesn’t find trying new things scary.
“If you’d asked me 10 years ago if I’d be running a business, turning over a lot of money and that we’d have like, eight staff, I would never have believed you. And if you told me I’d have a podcast, and I’d have a book, I would never have believed you. So, I think sometimes you just have to try things .”
The book – her first, called Runner’s High – brings together every- thing she’s learned as a lifelong devotee, and from speaking with various podcast guests over the years (recent famous names have included sports presenter Gabby Logan, The Traitors contest ant Diane Carson, and TV personality, and DJ Gok Wan, who just recently started jogging).
“The minute I tell anyone I’ ve done a book, they’re like, ‘Is it about run- ning?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, how did you know?’,” laughs Falconer, who’ll be doing her ninth London Marathon in April.
She wanted the book to feel inclusive and appeal to all runners.
“That really was key to me. When I first had meetings with the publishers, I said, ‘You’ve got to realisethat I’ ve created a podcast that is wholly inclusive’. I want to chat to Olympians who’ve won gold medals for running, but also people who hate running–who have just started, aren’ t enjoying it, but some for some reason they keep coming back.
She’s a “different person” after a run.
“A lot of people go to the gym and they feel good, or go for a swim, some people go for a walk. Some people write journals, some people meditate ,” says Falcon er .“My meditation is running.”