Rachel Beaton, Clout Chaser

What happens when you find out that your passion is running after attention and clout? 

In this episode "Runfluencer" Rachel Beaton joins me, Dean Horwitz in her debut podcast that goes big on attention and clout and takes you behind the screen of one of SA's hottest rising running influencers. 

Rachel dives right in using her signature quirky and hilarious personality to recount her most embarrasing running moments involving an oval office in the middle of Joburg and how being one of 10 children has larely defined her life and who she is. 

Rachel's remarkable running achiements are only matched by her humour and openess as she recounts how she went from watching Netflix marathons to conquering South Africa's toughest Ultra-Marathon, the Comrades all while building a social media community focused on the shared pain, humour and controversial opinions that make the sport of running so great. 

Rachel candidly discusses her approach to social media as a 'runfluencer,' balancing content creation with training, and how running has positively impacted her mental health and how she maintains a work-life-running balance that is a great example to anyone looking to go down the same road. 

Dean and Rachel share some playful banter about her so-called disdain for trail running, her evolving social media presence, pushing people's buttons and her future running and non-running goals, all while sipping high-protein recovery milk that tastes like "Cocoa Pops" 

As it began this episode ends on a lighthearted note with the signature Trail Chaser's word association game, revealing Rachel's bubbly and humorous personality that has endeared her to so many in the social media space. 

This episode is a must-listen for followers, fans and even critics of Rachel as well as anyone who is interested in what it takes to build up an impressive social media community all while balancing your career and your passion and dedication to running while still maintaining a positive, friendly and bubbly personality! 

Transcript

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Trail Chasers Podcast, host Dean Horwitz interviews Rachel Beaton, a trail runner and social media content creator. Rachel discusses her unique journey in blending running with content creation, sharing her insights on maintaining authenticity, handling online criticism, and balancing her passion for running with her professional life. From the Comrades Marathon to her social media strategies, Rachel's story is one of resilience, humor, and inspiration.

Keywords

• Rachel Beaton
• Trail running
• Social media strategies
• Running inspiration
• Authenticity in content creation
• Comrades Marathon
• Runfluencer journey
• Handling criticism
• Running and content balance
• Motivation for runners
• Personal branding
• Ultra-marathons

Transcript

Dean Horwitz:
Welcome to The Trail Chasers Podcast, Rachel! I’m excited to have you here today. How are you feeling right now?

Rachel Beaton:
I’m feeling a little bit concerned. I’m a bit nervous, to be honest.

Dean Horwitz:
Is this your first podcast?

Rachel Beaton:
Yes, it is!

Dean Horwitz:
Well, don’t worry. This isn’t live, and we’ve got a great editing team. You’re in good hands!

Rachel Beaton:
That’s a relief!

Dean Horwitz:
So let’s start with the most important question of the day: Would you like a high-protein recovery milk?

Rachel Beaton:
I’d love to try one!

Dean Horwitz:
Perfect! I’ll let you enjoy that while we chat. Now, tell me: Who is Rachel Beaton?

Rachel Beaton:
Who is Rachel? That’s a deep question! But I’ll give it a shot. I’d say Rachel is a runner, first and foremost. And I’m probably mostly defined by being the oldest sister. I come from a big family – I’m the oldest of 10 kids! So, I think a lot of my personality comes from that role. You could say I’m a little bossy and outgoing, probably from growing up in such a big family.

Dean Horwitz:
Wow, 10 kids! That’s amazing. We’ll talk more about that later. But to switch gears a bit, what’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on a run?

Rachel Beaton:
This is a bit embarrassing, but I’ll share it. So, I was doing a long run with a group and running to meet them. On the way there, my stomach started acting up, and I knew something was wrong. I had two options: try to make it to the group and risk some real discomfort, or take care of it discreetly. So, in the middle of the night in Johannesburg, I found a bush. But right after I finished, someone walked past, and I had to pretend I was admiring the tree. It was pretty awkward.

Dean Horwitz:
Ha! I think we’ve all had those moments on the run. I’m sure other runners can relate! Moving on, what would you say is your greatest achievement in running and life?

Rachel Beaton:
Well, running-wise, I think it’s got to be the Comrades Marathon. It’s such a huge event in South Africa, and it felt amazing to be part of it. On a personal level, I’m proud of being financially independent. I’ve been financially independent since I was 18, which I think I’m really proud of.

Dean Horwitz:
That’s incredible! Being independent at such a young age is no small feat. Now, when you’re not running, what else do you do?

Rachel Beaton:
I work in social media. I manage social media accounts for a few clients, create content for them, and do copywriting. Writing has always been something I enjoy, so it’s been great to incorporate that into my work.

... (Content continues similarly throughout)

Call-to-Action

Thank you for tuning into this inspiring episode of The Trail Chasers Podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe for more stories of resilience, adventure, and authenticity from trail runners and creators like Rachel Beaton. Share this episode with your friends and join the conversation on social media. Happy trails!