People Make Pyllon: Joy, Identity and Why Fun Still Matters

In the third instalment of our People Make Pyllon series with James Stewart, we explore the deeper forces that drive motivation, consistency and performance - and why fun, identity, and agency are often overlooked in training and coaching.

We talk about joy as a performance enhancer, the neuroscience of fun, and how ownership and self-identity play a crucial role in how we train, recover and stick with it over time. This is a reflective and practical conversation for anyone rethinking how they show up in sport, life and work - and how to bring more meaning to the process.

We only made it through the first five of ten planned themes - so look out for part four soon.

---

🧭 Show Notes

In this episode, Paul and James dig into the real drivers of long-term performance and engagement: joy, identity and agency.

It’s not about race results or training blocks: it’s about how we see ourselves, what we choose for ourselves, and how we make it all feel worth it.

They cover five key ideas:

1. Joy as a performance enhancer - Why joy improves consistency and psychological resilience

2. The neuroscience of fun - How novelty, play and reward reinforce habit and learning

3. Agency in training - Why taking ownership leads to better engagement and motivation

4. Identity as a hidden driver - How seeing yourself as a runner influences daily choices

5. Fun as protection against burnout - Why intentional variety and social connection matter

Throughout the episode, they draw from coaching experiences, athlete stories, and personal shifts, reflecting on how and why we stick with the things we care about.

This is for anyone trying to reconnect with the reason they started in the first place.

---

🔗 Links and extras

Subscribe to The Ultra Life – Paul's weekly reflections on running, endurance and life:
👉 https://pyllon.substack.com

Watch our latest short film Space to Return on YouTube:
👉 https://youtube.com/pyllon

Follow us on Instagram:
👉 https://instagram.com/pyllon
👉 https://instagram.com/pyllonultra

Explore coaching, community and more:
👉 https://pyllonultra.com