You don’t need a six-pack, a sponsorship deal, or a collection of finish-line selfies to build a brand around running.
I should know. I built Runners Gateway as a quiet rebellion against everything the running world tells beginners they need to be.
This isn’t a tutorial. It’s a story. If you’ve ever thought about building a business around something you care about—but worried you weren’t fit enough, loud enough, or influencer-y enough—this is for you.
From Couch to Continent to Community
My story didn’t start with a finish line. It started with a wheezy walk around the block. At 42, I was overweight, exhausted, and stuck. Eventually, I changed my life through movement—culminating in a 5,400km walk across Australia. It was a life-shifting moment.
But then, I slipped. Weight crept back on. My fitness fell away. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Once again, I felt like I didn’t belong in the fitness world.
And that’s when the idea for Runners Gateway hit me:
What if there was a space for people who felt like outsiders in the running world? People who are slow, scared, overweight, or just starting?
What if running could be framed as personal transformation—not competition?
So, What Is Runners Gateway?
Runners Gateway is a brand and a community for beginner, slow, and overweight runners. It’s for the ones who Google “how to start running when you’re unfit” and close the tab because it all feels too hard.
It includes:
- Free guides like the Start Running
- Courses like Walk Run Achieve and Lifestyle Reboot
- A private social platform (not Facebook!) where members can connect
- YouTube, Threads, a newsletter, and an entire ecosystem of encouragement
It’s heart-centred. Encouraging. Real. We start with walking. We celebrate tiny wins. We talk about mental blocks, not just mileage.
And it’s growing.
How I Built It (Without the Gatekeeping Nonsense)
No one crowned me a running coach. I’m not an elite athlete. I didn’t build a following by filming my splits and flexing in gear reviews.
I built it with:
- A story
- A clear person I wanted to help
- An email list (small but mighty)
- Real, relatable content
- Consistency over perfection
I used tools like Aweber, Facebook, YouTube, and a simple WordPress site. I used my own journey as the curriculum. I wrote, recorded, encouraged, and invited.
I didn’t sell hype. I offered hope.
What Other Runners Can Learn From This
If you’re a runner (or walker) who’s found meaning through movement, you don’t have to become an influencer to share it.
You can build a business that feels real.
Start with:
- Your story (especially the messy middle)
- One person you want to help
- A way to reach them (Threads, email, video, whatever fits)
- Something simple to give (a guide, a checklist, a course)
You don’t need permission.
You need purpose.
Where To Now?
Here’s the truth: I wouldn’t have built any of this without first watching a free video training series from a guy called Stuart. It opened my eyes to what was possible—and more importantly, it helped me realise I could build something meaningful without needing to be famous or tech-savvy.
If you’re curious about Runners Gateway, you can check it out here.
But if you’re more interested in how to build a heart-led business around your own story, I’d strongly encourage you to watch that same free video series that changed everything for me. No pressure, no hype—just a window into what’s possible.
Click here to watch the free training
Because yes—you can build something meaningful without selling out.
And you can even do it from the back of the pack!