Life & LeisureJun 19, 2026 – 5.00amNicole Cikarela is chief executive of Push for Better Foundation, a health promotion charity. She lives in Perth.Why running?Running gives me a simple, efficient return: physical strength and mental clarity wherever I am. There is something about getting out the door, moving your body and letting your thoughts settle that resets everything. I’ve recovered from metastatic melanoma, which completely reshaped how I think about my health. Running makes me feel strong, capable and grounded, and it played a meaningful role in my mental fitness, especially during treatment and recovery. It’s not about pace or performance, it is about feeling good in my body and clear in my mind.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles