In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to sports dog nutritionist Holly Barker for her no nonsense advice on feeding your dog.
Holly shares her journey from serving as a medic in the RAF, through mental health nursing, to becoming an evidence-based practitioner focused on canine nutrition. She outlines how she educated herself in the absence of formal courses, experimented with diets in working and sport dogs, and gradually developed a full‑time practice.
The conversation addresses what good evidence means in the canine nutrition world, the differences (and similarities) between human and dog nutrition, and how diet should adapt according to the dog's lifestyle, breed, work load and individual response. Holly also dives deep into specific topics like protein levels for active dogs, fuelling for longer runs, hydration, antioxidants, supplements (what works, what to watch out for), and practical tips like rehydrating dry food, or using hearts for taurine.
You won't want to miss this!
Holly's Facebook Group Sport Dog Nutrition
Better Every Day Supplement
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1:22:38
Summer Break (Episode 173)
In this special summer‑'paws' episode, hosts Louise Humphrey and Michelle Mortimer share a friendly, warm chat instead of their usual guest interview. They reflect on recent adventures (including Trail Dog UK’s dog & wellness festival and holiday escapades), explain why they’re taking a break over summer, and give a peek at what’s coming up when they return. Expect updates about upcoming races and new guests, plus an invitation for listeners to engage with them over the summer on Instagram and Facebook.
Episode Highlights
Our summer pause is intentional: to recharge and plan next season, keeping safety and wellbeing at the front of our minds.
Festival highlights: Louise led Pilates sessions with dogs at Trail Dog UK’s first dog & wellness event—plus walks, reconnecting with old friends, and lots of joy.
Doggy adventures: Pickle swam strongly in Cornwall; Michelle’s dog Poppy is still warming to the water—advice encouraged for helping reluctant canine swimmers.
Looking ahead: Louise has some solo races in September; Michelle is planning ultra‑distance events next year. Pickle is stepping back from intensive racing due to age and needing physio; Betsy, her pup, might step up next season.
New podcast guests coming soon: a human nutritionist and dog nutritionist are lined up, along with coverage of other dog sports beyond canicross.
Listener involvement: questions invited for guests; opportunity to share listener stories or ideas; promotion of a new Facebook page and Instagram tagging encouraged.
Canicross Conversations Facebook group & new Facebook page
Instagram (get in touch with ideas and tag us to be featured)
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Canicross Story - Sam
Another of our inspiring Canicross Stories.
Please do leave us a review and share our podcast with your dog friends.
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The Hypnotherapy Edge: Mind–Body Mastery for Runners and Their Dogs, with Zoe Gow (Episode 171)
In this episode, Michelle and Louise welcome Zoe Gow from Mindspace Journey to delve into how clinical hypnotherapy can strengthen the mind–body bond for runners, with a special nod to the unique connection between runners and their dogs.
Zoe shares her personal journey from discovering hypnotherapy in the pandemic to training as a clinical hypnotherapist and supporting endurance athletes with performance, recovery and mental wellbeing. She explains how hypnotherapy works, the power of trance and subconscious suggestion, and how it complements sports psychology.
The episode explores topics like calming pre‑race nerves, overcoming phobias (including goats on the Pennine Way!), stress relief, improving sleep, breath‑work and EFT tapping—even for the trail‑running duo of human and dog. Zoe outlines her typical six‑week programme, how it adapts for ultra‑runners, and shares practical tips and resources—including guided recordings and grounding techniques—for listeners to start applying immediately. This episode is a holistic guide to mental resilience, focus and relaxation, crafted to support both runners and their dogs.
Topics
Introduction to hypnotherapy for runners
Differentiating stage hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy
How hypnotherapy can help with race anxiety, fuelling issues, breathing & confidence
Defining hypnotherapy & explaining trance
Supporting injury recovery and pain management
Evidence and acceptance in sports psychology
Phobias: e.g. goats on the Pennine Way
Managing runner–and‑dog anxiety
Sleep support for endurance events
Introduction to EFT tapping for calm
Links
Mindspace Journey Instagram: @MindspaceJourney
Zoe’s website
Guided downloads: breath‑work, sleep‑audio, EFT sequence
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From Negative Talk to Positive Strides: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Canicrossers with Professor Dawn Carnes (Episode 170)
In this episode, Michelle Mortimer and Louise Humphrey welcome Professor Dawn Carnes, an expert in musculoskeletal health and chronic pain psychology. Dawn introduces a cognitive-behavioural approach to help runners and canicrossers break through mental barriers. She explains how thoughts, emotions and behaviours are interconnected and offers practical strategies: insight into automatic negative thinking, goal‑setting with SMART objectives, problem‑solving, self‑visualisation, and self‑compassion.
Through a live demonstration, Michelle and Louise explore addressing motivations, reframing “chore” workouts (e.g. running intervals) into enjoyable alternatives (like netball), and challenging negative automatic thoughts mid-run. The episode concludes with encouragement to tackle fears one small step at a time, reinforcing that change is achievable by breaking tasks into manageable chunks.
Topics
Cognitive‑behavioural triad: thoughts, feelings, behaviours
Behavioural activation: how exercise lifts mood with dopamine/cortisol
Finding enjoyable alternatives to boring workouts
Problem‑solving demo: overcoming injury with strength training
SMART goals explained
Challenging negative self-talk & predictions
Avoiding perfectionism & embracing fluctuations
"Compare and despair”: the impact of social media
Five-step action plan for sustainable change
The leading podcast for all things canicross and cani-sports. Canicross instructors Louise and Michelle chat to various guests and experts, who love to run or compete with their dogs, about how to keep both dog and human happy and healthy.
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