EP22 - MY BRAIN FELL OUT! : Mel Sykes on Running 268 Miles After Brain Surgery
EP22 - “My Brain Fell Out”: Mel Sykes on Running 268 Miles After Brain Surgery
How far would you go after brain surgery? For Mel Sykes, the answer was 268 miles. In this episode, Gary and Ben sit down with Mel to hear her incredible journey from brain surgery to completing the Montane Spine Race—one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
Diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a condition where part of her brain pressed into her spinal canal, Mel faced surgery with the terrifying possibility that she might never run again. But instead of slowing down, she did the opposite. She signed up for the Spine Race—268 miles of relentless mud, snow, and hallucinations across the Pennine Way.
In This Episode:
The first signs of Chiari Malformation—headaches, blurred vision, and balance issuesFacing brain surgery and the mental strength it took to endure itLearning to walk and run again — one painful step at a timeEntering the Spine Race post-surgery and battling through brutal conditionsWhat it’s like to run 268 miles when your body has been through hell and backThe state of cheating in ultra running and why race integrity mattersKey Moments:
00:00 – Intro and Meet Mel Sykes
05:00 – Discovering the Symptoms: Headaches, Blurred Vision & Balance Issues
11:30 – The Diagnosis: Chiari Malformation and the Road to Brain Surgery
19:45 – Facing the Surgery: Risks, Reality, and Mental Strength
27:20 – The Long Road to Recovery: Learning to Walk and Run Again
36:00 – Returning to the Trails: First Steps Back into Running
43:50 – Entering the Spine Race: 268 Miles of Brutality
53:15 – Training for Ultras Post-Surgery: Lessons Learned
1:01:40 – Facing Adversity: Running Through Pain and Pushing Limits
1:11:20 – Cheating Scandals in Ultra Running: Integrity and Fair Play
1:20:50 – Mel’s Mindset: How Brain Surgery Changed Her Approach
1:29:10 – Future Races and Plans: What’s Next for Mel?
1:36:30 – Outro and Final Reflections
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT
💬 Got a question for Mel, Gary, or Ben? Drop us a message—we might read it out next episode!
#RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #BrainSurgery #SpineRace #ChiariMalformation #EnduranceRunning #MentalStrength #AdventureRaces
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
RUNcensored
The RUNcensored Podcast with Gary House and Ben Mounsey
Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media
Welcome to RUNcensored — the no-nonsense running podcast where chaos reigns, the laughs are real, and nothing is off-limits. Hosted by trail runner and coach Gary House and fell running legend Ben Mounsey, this weekly show is packed with unfiltered stories, bold opinions, and brutally honest banter.
Whether it’s a world record at the London Marathon or a meltdown halfway up a mountain, Gary and Ben tackle the highs and lows of running with humour, heart, and zero ego. If you’re into trail running, ultrarunning, fell races, or just enjoy hearing two mates take the mick out of running culture — this is your new favourite podcast.
What to expect:• Trail tales & race fails – from DNFs to daft ideas that somehow worked
• Epic guests – including elite athletes, adventurers, and everyday legends
• Hot takes & debates – hydration vests at 5Ks? Robot marathons? We’ve got thoughts
• Community questions – funny, weird, relatable Q&As from listeners
• Gear & training chat – occasionally useful, often ridiculous
• Unfiltered conversations – running, life, mental health, and whatever else comes up
No coaching plans. No polished performance talk. Just a proper chat about what it’s really like to run, race, and mess it all up — and maybe laugh about it later.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday.
🐾 Suitable for trail warriors, road runners, and anyone who’s ever cried into their race vest.
RUNcensored: Running, stories, and absolute chaos — uncut and uncensored.
#TrailRunning #RunningPodcast #Ultrarunning #FellRunning #OutdoorAdventures #RunningCulture #RunningWithDogs #Canicross #MentalHealthAwareness #FitnessHumor #RUNcensored
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Where can you listen?
