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?

George 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.

George 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.

Since 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.

In this episode of The Knot Pod we dig into:

• George's upbringing
• Travelling to find who you are
• Coming "back" home
• London, Manchester, Sheffield vs Staffordshire
• Mental health and wellbeing in London compared to Lichfield
• The MARA running philosophy
• How you can be creative in Staffordshire
• Opportunities in Staffordshire
• Coffee, food and things to do locally

Links:

• George Bettany on Instagram
• MARA Run Club
• George's Ted Talk at TedxStaffordshireUniversity

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Welcome to The Knot Pod
The Knot is the home of Good News for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

On the pod, we interview:

• Inspirational creatives
• Successful entrepreneurs
• Brilliant leaders

These people all call Staffordshire "home".

We talk about their journey, their career and life in our region. The ups, downs, things they'd change and things they wouldn't. We're a platform for growth and conversation about everything related to Stoke and Staffordshire.

Join us for Season 1 of The Knot Pod, listen to this trailer and get ready for regular podcasts every other Wednesday.

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...and remember, when you see something positive in our region, just think "that's one for The Knot"