Challenging the Status Quo, One Marathon at a Time with Hannah Cox
Release Date: 10/27/2025
Challenging the Status Quo, One Marathon at a Time with Hannah Cox
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode, I speak with Hannah Cox, a business owner, runner, and community builder who is about to embark on an extraordinary challenge: Project Salt Run. This involves running 100 marathons in 100 days across India, following the route of a forgotten 4,000-kilometre-long hedge, to raise £1 million for charity. This is a conversation about the difference between doing a good job and doing good work, turning obsession into purpose, and the power of refusing to accept the status quo. Hannah shares the story behind her businesses, Better Not Stop and the Better Business Network, and how...
info_outline
From Public Service to Professional Coach with Sandra Whiles
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Sandra Whiles, a coach, mentor, and author. Sandra shares her journey from a long and successful career in public service, including twelve years as a Chief Executive of a council, to becoming a professional coach. She discusses the motivations behind this significant career transition, the importance of leaving a role well, and how she found a new way to make a difference. Sandra also talks about the process of writing her new book on coaching, The Coaching Tools Compendium. Key Takeaways Understanding your core values, such as...
info_outline
How 2025 started and what's next for the Do Good & Do Well Podcast
Do Good and Do Well
This month, I’m taking some time for deeper reflection, and I wanted to share some of that with you. This special episode is a collection of standout moments from this year's conversations, all woven around the central theme of purpose. You'll hear clips from all of my incredible 2025 guests, each sharing insights that made me pause and think. We explore why we do the work we do, what gets in the way, and what this idea of 'purpose' truly means. I've created this as a space for you to reflect, too. As you listen, I invite you to consider what resonates, what challenges you, and what small...
info_outline
Unpacking Your Story: From Achilles' Heel to Superpower with Katherine Powell
Do Good and Do Well
Welcome to a deeply insightful episode of Do Good and Do Well with the brilliant Katherine Powell. Join us as we explore what happens when we truly listen to our inner selves, the wisdom of slowing down, and how stories we've inherited shape us. Katherine, an executive coach, supervisor, and transactional analytic counselor, shares her journey and philosophy of leading "just as they are." This conversation is not about quick fixes, but about the profound power of self-respect, curiosity, and non-judgment as ultimate superpowers. Key Takeaways: Our early life experiences and inherited...
info_outline
Sustainable Travel Made Simple with Catherine Mack
Do Good and Do Well
Hello, and welcome to the new and improved Do Good and Do Well podcast! In this episode, I speak with Catherine Mack, a travel writer with nearly two decades of experience in ethical and sustainable travel. I was wrestling with the dilemma of wanting to explore the world with my children while holding onto my values of community and responsibility to the planet. This conversation with Catherine brought a sense of hope, exploring how we can travel in a way that has a positive impact. We delve into alternatives to mass tourism, the power of slow travel, and how our choices as travellers can...
info_outline
Speak Up, Share Your Story: Finding Your Voice with Siobhan Strode
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode, I had a brilliant conversation with Siobhan Strode, an advocacy consultant, mentor for change-makers, and the founder of This Sister Speaks. With her rich background in communications, education, activism, and politics, Siobhan helps people and organisations find their confidence, raise their voices, and make real, lasting change. We talked about the incredible power that comes from sharing your own story, the importance of leading from your core values, and the idea that true leadership begins with understanding who you are and what you stand for. Siobhan shared such valuable...
info_outline
Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Accounting for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs with Kirsty Heywood-MacDonald
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode, I chat to Kirsty Heywood-McDonald, the founder of Heywood-MacDonald Accountancy Services. Kirsty discusses her mission to break down barriers and create inclusive environments for neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs. Kirsty shares her personal experiences with redundancy and discrimination, which fuelled her passion to establish a business that supports and empowers individuals with disabilities. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurs with neurodiversity and disabilities often face challenges such as stress, anxiety around finances, burnout, and difficulties with organisation,...
info_outline
How to Stop People-Pleasing with Astrid Korin
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode, I chat with Astrid Korin, an accredited transformative executive coach, about people-pleasing. We discuss what people-pleasing is, how it shows up in our lives, and what we can do about it. Astrid shares her insights from her 20 years of experience working with senior leaders worldwide. Key Takeaways: People-pleasing can be defined as going over and beyond to accommodate others, even when it is not in our best interest. Some common signs of people-pleasing include difficulty saying no, overthinking conversations, and struggling to give and receive feedback. ...
info_outline
Finding Hope in the Polycrisis: A Conversation with Keri Jarvis
Do Good and Do Well
In this episode of Do Good and Do Well, I'm joined by Keri Jarvis, a coach, charity co-founder, and advocate for social change. We delve into the concept of the polycrisis - the interconnected challenges of our times - and how we can navigate these complexities while maintaining our well-being. Keri shares her insights on the importance of community, experimentation, and self-compassion in creating positive change. Key Takeaways The polycrisis describes the interconnected nature of today's challenges, including climate change, poverty, inequality, and mental health. It's crucial to view...
info_outline
066 Mediation with Leah Brown
Do Good and Do Well
066 Meditation with Leah Brown Sarah welcomes Leah Brown, founder and leader in mediation and to the podcast. Leah is a corporate lawyer and accredited mediator who transforms dysfunctional boards. She runs The WayFinders Group helping leaders navigate uncharted territory one conversation at a time. Leah is a lecturer, a podcast host, an agented writer, an accomplished violinist, a person of faith, and loves walking her dog. Leah discusses her journey from a corporate lawyer to becoming an accredited mediator and her passion for reconciliation and restorative justice. The conversation explores...
info_outlineIn this episode, I speak with Hannah Cox, a business owner, runner, and community builder who is about to embark on an extraordinary challenge: Project Salt Run. This involves running 100 marathons in 100 days across India, following the route of a forgotten 4,000-kilometre-long hedge, to raise £1 million for charity.
This is a conversation about the difference between doing a good job and doing good work, turning obsession into purpose, and the power of refusing to accept the status quo.
Hannah shares the story behind her businesses, Better Not Stop and the Better Business Network, and how her father’s final words continue to shape the choices she makes today. We discuss building communities, facing uncomfortable conversations, and why she believes we are not powerless to create change.
Key Takeaways
-
Doing Good Work vs. Doing a Good Job: Hannah distinguishes between doing a good job (being reliable and hardworking) and doing good work, which involves aligning your professional life with your personal values, such as caring for people and the planet. For her, a successful business is not just financially profitable but is also making the world a better place.
-
The Power of Asking for Help: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but an act of vulnerability. Hannah learned from her mother that if you do not ask, you do not get, and the worst that can happen is someone says no, leaving you in the same position you were already in.
-
Ideas Land When the Time is Right: Hannah was obsessed with the story of the Great Hedge of India for ten years before the idea for Project Salt Run fully formed. This shows that an idea might not work initially, but it can be revisited later when you have had new experiences that allow it to develop into what it needs to be.
-
Refuse to Accept the Status Quo: The project is about challenging the idea that we are powerless to create change. Hannah discusses how significant societal shifts, like the introduction of the weekend, have happened because people refused to accept things as they were.
Episode Highlights
-
[04:36] Hannah discusses the career shift she made in her thirties, moving from wanting to do a good job to wanting to do good work that aligned with her values.
-
[15:10] The origin of the Better Business Network, which started from a single LinkedIn post seeking a community of business owners who care about people and the planet.
-
[29:21] Hannah introduces Project Salt Run, explaining her decade-long fascination with the Great Hedge of India and how it evolved into a plan to run 100 marathons in 100 days
-
[53:15] Hannah's advice for people who want to make an impact but do not know where to start: ask yourself why you want to make a difference and ensure the reason makes sense to you
About the Guest
Hannah Cox is the founder of Better Not Stop and the Better Business Network, organisations dedicated to helping purpose-driven businesses grow their impact.
Episode Links
1% for the Planet
Frank Water
-
Website: https://www.frankwater.com/
ClientEarth
-
Website: https://www.clientearth.org/
Big Change
-
Website: https://www.bigchangecampaign.com/
Project Salt Run
-
Website: https://projectsaltrun.com/
-
Follow on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok (@projectsaltrun)
Better Business Network
Hannah's business network for purpose-driven entrepreneurs
betternotstop
Hannah's sustainability consultancy and B Corp certification service
- Website: https://betternotstop.com/
B Lab
-
Website: https://www.bcorporation.net/
Better Business Act
-
Website: https://betterbusinessact.org/
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Year Compass
-
Website: https://yearcompass.com/
Make Good Design
- Website: https://makegooddesign.co.uk/
Additional Resources
The Great Hedge of India by Roy Moxham
The book that inspired Hannah's journey
You can find me on Linked In, or sign up to my weekly newsletter Sarah Fox Newsletter where you’ll find the best of me. I send emails on doing good and doing well and some behind-the-scenes stuff.
Or if you’re a coach and want tailored supervision and business development support, join this newsletter instead Still Coaching.