The Couch to 5K Podcast - John Robins - from Alcohol Addiction to Becoming a Runner; "The Act of Beginning is Where the Magic is"
Podcast host, radio presenter and stand-up comedian John Robins opens up to Giovanna Fletcher about his journey from addiction to becoming a runner. It's a frank and honest conversation where addiction recovery and mental health issues meet running. John tells Giovanna he never thought he would be a runner but he now finds himself preparing for a marathon.
He talks about the process of becoming sober, what he learnt along the way and how running and exercise have become part of the way he deals with his brain. He admits to not enjoying running. But also not enjoying not running! And John talks to Giovanna about how the skills he's learnt from his training are being adapted to life in general.
John says the impact not drinking has had on his fitness is 'nuts'! He says within weeks of giving up alcohol his body began to change and reveals to Giovanna the distraction techniques he used to stop returning to a wine store. He talks through the few injuries he's sustained from pushing himself too hard and has returned to Couch to 5k with a running group called Wellness Warriors.
"Accepting what I can't change, changing what I can and knowing the difference." Thanks John for such an honest chat.
If any issues in this podcast have affected you, please visit the BBC Action Line
https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
The Elis and John podcast is on BBC Sounds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0005fdz
A new season of John's podcast How Do You Cope? begins in April.
John's new book is called Thirst: Twelve Drinks Which Changed My Life
John is running the London Marathon 2026 for Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
Presenter: Giovanna Fletcher
Producer: Mark Shardlow
Exec Producer: Katherine Hogan
For more information on the NHS Couch to 5K programme follow the link below and download the free app.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/?WT.mc_ID=Couch_Podcast_BetterHealth&wt.tsrc=display
What is Couch to 5K? It’s a simple, free running plan for absolute beginners
How do you do Couch to 5K? Download an app(details below) and away you go!
Can you do Couch to 5K on a treadmill? Yes, on a treadmill or outside.
How does Couch to 5K work? You will have a trainer in the app starting you off with a mix of running and walking.
How long does Couch to 5K take? You’ll be going out 3 times a week for 9 weeks at a pace that feels right for you. You’ll run a little further each week. You can repeat weeks and take longer if you want to.
You'll find the NHS Couch to 5K app in all the usual places you get your apps from.
Published on Monday, 9th March 2026.
Available Podcasts from The Couch to 5K Podcast
Subscribe to The Couch to 5K Podcast
We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the The Couch to 5K Podcast webpage.