Kia Ora e te whānau. It’s hot, eh? This week we’ve got another greatest hit for you. In fact, not that we really pay attention to the numbers, but we have our most popular episode on DCR ever, Number 83 with the legendary Scotty Stevenson. It was hot the night that we recorded the podcast. Scotty walked into Eugene’s lounge dressed up to the nines in full TV makeup (having just left the tele to come do the pod) and proceeded to lay down one of the most engaging, honest, and entertaining hours that we ever recorded.

Scotty Stevenson

A broadcaster and journalist best known for his rugby commentary and reporting which makes him automatically one of the most well-known New Zealand TV personalities. He’s a sports journalist with TVNZ, and also works with Spark Sport and Radio Hauraki, commentating on cricket and the America’s Cup. He’s also a sports writer, has ghost-written and written a string of some of the best sports books, from Straight 8 about Kieran Read, to Kiwi Pair about Eric Murray and Hamish Bond. Scotty has been previously known by his childhood nickname “Sumo” as, by his own account he was the “fat kid in speedos” at surf lifesaving. But things have changed. If you were to Google Scotty Stevenson, the number one thing that pops up on auto-search is “Scotty Stevenson weight loss”. It’s because Stevenson has changed. Markedly. He has noticeably shrunk. And for those who’ve been watching closely, he started running. He’s kept very quiet about it, but goodness me, the man is well and truly hooked. Three years ago, he couldn’t run 85m. In 2019, he ran 85km, no less, through backcountry New Zealand in the Old Ghost Ultra in just over 12 hours. For those who saw the TVNZ report he did on the event, you’ll know that he found it an extremely emotional experience. We talked to Scotty about that race, his life leading up to running, what sparked his decision to lace up, and the myriad of changes that this has had on his life.Enjoy!

--- --- ---

Episode Links

Scotty Stevenson on Instagram

Scotty Stevenson on Twitter

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Ultraspire NZ

Spring Energy NZ