{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Knot","title":"George Bettany, Founder of MARA Run Club. \"All the things that make me happy are in Staffordshire\"","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3254,"description":"Can you be creative in Staffordshire? Can you be yourself? Is Staffordshire or Stoke the best place to be if you're creative, entrepreneurial and ambitious? How does Staffordshire really compare to London and other cities?\nGeorge Bettany is the founder of MARA Run Club, based in Lichfield with clubs in Stone and Stoke. MARA's philosophy promotes a way of being that is akin to buddhism and expresses itself through running. George Bettany started MARA in his hometown of Lichfield, now hundreds of runners every week gather on Staffordshire high streets to run mindfully for their physical and mental health.\nGeorge grew up in Lichfield, played football across Staffordshire and then went away to cities all over the UK to find himself and pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. Only to be led back to Staffordshire, home, after COVID.\nSince then, he's happier, more creative with more friends and better wellbeing. Despite London being a global business hub where he built his last business, he's now choosing Staffordshire as the best place to build MARA.\nIn this episode of The Knot Pod we dig into:George's upbringingTravelling to find who you areComing \"back\" homeLondon, Manchester, Sheffield vs StaffordshireMental health and wellbeing in London compared to LichfieldThe MARA running philosophyHow you can be creative in StaffordshireOpportunities in StaffordshireCoffee, food and things to do locallyLinks:George Bettany on InstagramMARA Run ClubGeorge's Ted Talk at TedxStaffordshireUniversityJoin The Knot for more good news about Stoke & Staffordshire:The Knot NewsThe Knot LifeSupport The KnotSponsor The Knot","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/xpipfIHA69ctwL9TjK99yxbFnvz3x9uVu77UC--aGYc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jYmVl/NDBkYTgzNzNiNzAz/NzhjOTdhYjAxNzkx/MDk4Yi5QTkc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}