Melbourne's Youth Sports Performance Specialists
Helping Young Athletes Ages 8-16 Build Speed, Prevent Injuries & Excel In Their Sport
We believe every young athlete deserves to learn running as a SKILL - not just something they figure out through trial, error, and injury.
Natural Born Running specializes in teaching athletes aged 8-16 the movement patterns that unlock speed, prevent injuries, and build resilience for lifelong athletic performance.
We're not just running coaches - we're youth development specialists who understand that proper technique learned young becomes the foundation for athletic excellence in ANY sport.
I created this platform because I lived through what so many of you are going through right now. Years ago, I tore my ACL - not once, but three times. I know first hand the pain and frustration of injuries that could have been prevented.
I spent years in rehab, frustrated by coaches and physios treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause: I never learned proper running technique when it mattered most - as a young athlete.
That's why I made the decision to focus Natural Born Running exclusively on youth sports performance (ages 8-16).
I saw so many young athletes coming into the clinic with niggly injuries and pains that should never have happened in the first place. They way they sit at school, the way their heads are stuck in their screens.
Teaching proper movement patterns to developing athletes doesn't just improve their performance today - it protects them for life. Every parent deserves to give their child this foundation that I wish I'd had.
When I see a young athlete move with confidence, speed, and resilience - knowing they're building habits that will keep them healthy and performing for decades - that's why I do this work.
🎯 Specialized for Ages 8-16
Growing bodies aren't just small adult bodies. Our programs respect developmental stages and build skills progressively, protecting young athletes as they grow.
🔬 Evidence-Based Technique
We teach natural movement patterns backed by biomechanics research, not trendy fads or outdated myths that harm developing bodies.
👨👩👧👦 Parents As Partners
We empower parents to coach their own kids with expert guidance, building confidence and capability in the whole family.
⚽ Multi-Sport Philosophy
Running technique improves ALL sports. We help young athletes excel in whatever they love - football, basketball, athletics, netball, or any sport.
🛡️ Injury Prevention First
Teaching proper movement now prevents the injuries that derail athletic careers later. We build resilient athletes for life, not just faster athletes for next weekend's game.
Mick Breen is a certified Running Coach and Myotherapist with over a decade of experience coaching movement and performance.
After experiencing multiple ACL injuries during his rugby career, he became passionate about protecting young athletes from the same fate.
Specializing exclusively in youth sports performance (ages 8–16), Mick has helped over 150 young athletes across Melbourne improve their speed, prevent injuries, and build the confidence that comes from moving well.
Mick’s coaching philosophy is simple: youth development should be about building strong, resilient, and adaptable movers first — not just chasing wins on the scoreboard. He believes every child deserves the chance to master the fundamentals of movement, so their body becomes an asset instead of a liability.
What fires him up about this work is seeing the transformation in kids who once lacked confidence — the moment they realize they can run faster, play stronger, and move without pain. Those breakthroughs often spill over into every part of their lives, giving them belief in what they’re capable of.
Mick’s unique approach blends his hands-on therapy background with skill-based running coaching. Unlike most programs that just “train fitness,” Mick teaches running as a skill, weaving in strength, mobility, and barefoot principles. The result is a holistic, long-term foundation that not only improves performance today but sets young athletes up for a lifetime of healthy movement.
Every decision prioritizes what's best for developing athletes, not what's convenient or profitable.
Every decision prioritizes what's best for developing athletes, not what's convenient or profitable.
We believe parents are the best advocates for their kids' development. We give you the tools to help your child thrive.
We focus on building athletes who thrive for decades, not just winning next weekend's game.
No parent or young athlete should feel alone on this journey. We build supportive communities where families grow together.
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