How Perth mum went from PE dodger to marathon runner

Bethan Winn forged notes to dodge PE and used beer and marshmallows as coping mechanisms. Now, after a life-changing visit to the doctor, she runs marathons for fun.

Perth mum and professional Bethan Winn. Picture: Supplied

Growing up, I was always the kid who hated sport.

I saw myself as quite a big, chunky child that wasn’t good at it – too slow, too uncoordinated and forging notes to get out of PE at school.

Now, physical activity is the foundation of my mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

It’s not a “nice to have” – it’s essential, from physical, mental health, and productivity and emotional perspectives.

In my early 20s, marshmallows and beer were my coping mechanisms – not 10km runs.

Bethan Winn in her younger years

But here I am now, 42, and living in Perth, running marathons for fun and clocking ultra relay races with my mates.

It still feels wild to say.

I discovered running in my late 20s, when I was burning out as a high school teacher in London.

I loved the job, but I was stretched so thin I could barely function — working weekends, crying in the evenings, and just feeling empty.

I didn’t have time and energy for socialising and doing things that made me happy.

I was burned out and thought I was depressed, so went to the doctor thinking I needed medication, but she said, “Let’s try something else first”.

That’s when everything changed.

We’d both seen a story that morning saying regular exercise could be just as effective as antidepressants for mild depression.

So I started running … slowly, nervously, mostly at night in baggy clothes when no one could see me, mainly because I didn’t want to be judged.

Being in London, I used my runs to explore and enjoy nature.

I got an old exercise bike, and started from the “couch to 5K” programs and printed plans from Runner’s World, which I’d stick on the fridge and tick off.

Basic, but it worked.

Bethan Winn is passionate about running. Picture: Supplied

I wasn’t trying to go fast, I just wanted to start, and every week, I got a little stronger – enough to do a 10km, then a half marathon, and then I figured, why not a full?

In 2010, I ran my first marathon and still remember the feeling, this fire in my belly like, “I can actually do hard things.”

When we moved to Australia later that year, it all fitted into place.

The climate and lifestyle made it easier to stay active, and I got into triathlons for a while.

I shifted careers to work as a critical thinking coach and run corporate training on decision-making, mindset and habits – but I always come back to movement.

It’s fundamental for physical and mental health, builds resilience, confidence and mental clarity – especially for women juggling career and parenting pressures.

Running gives me clarity. It helps me cope and builds my confidence in every part of life. And now, with two young kids, a 10-year-old and 8-year-old daughter, it means even more.

When I ran my most recent marathon, I grabbed their hands for the final 100m and we crossed the finish line together.

My daughter put on my medal and said, “I’m proud of you, Mum”. That meant everything.

These days, I run for health, strength and longevity.

Not for the scales but for joy, often running with a friend.

We chit chat, go for coffee afterwards, and it’s one of my favourite things to do.

I want a long healthspan, not just a long life, and to be that 80-year-old who can still piggyback her grandkids.

A lot of parents try hard to bring balance into their kids’ lives but when they’re of an age when they can make their own decisions, it’s so important for them to have seen adults prioritising their health and fitness.

Bethan Winn. Picture: Supplied

Of course, I still have days when I don’t want to do any physical activity.

People might think I’m super disciplined, but I’m lazy by nature.

The difference is consistency, and having a good physiotherapist’s number is important – even a quick foam roller before bed helps.

And when I skip a day, I get back to it.

You haven’t failed until you stop trying, and persevering, doing strength work and physio exercises really does make a difference.

My biggest advice for people starting out on their physical activity journey is: nobody’s watching you as closely as you think they are.

The judgment you fear is usually your own.

Find what feels good.

Make it easy and rewarding.

Set a goal, rope in a friend, and get outside if you can.

Running doesn’t have to be fast or fancy, but goal-setting, community and self-compassion – not perfection – are key to consistency and ongoing mobility.

There’s no point wishing to be fit and active and healthy at 80 if you’re not doing those things now.

Physical activity has become my anchor; it’s not about weight, it’s about keeping me grounded and connected to myself, my community, and the kind of future I want to grow into – strong, steady, joyful.

And always moving forward, even if it’s just one step at a time.

Bethan Winn, 42, will be taking part in not-for-profit industry association AUSactive’s Million Moves, which starts on September 1 and runs to the 21st. People can sign up to get access to exercise apps and work out for free with partnering businesses. Insights about participants in the challenge will be collected for univeristy research.

Originally published as How Perth mum went from PE dodger to marathon runner