The Secret Behind Buddy’s Ultra Successful Pivot to Marathon Running

Buddy Franklin is widely renowned for his power, precision and grit - he is one of the greatest AFL players in history - and an athlete whose engine seemed limitless. But nothing prepared him for the brutal reality of endurance training when he swapped the footy field for the 42.2km streets of New York City. 

What surprised Buddy the most wasn’t the distance, or even the hills - it was how badly traditional sports gels were overpowering his gut - in all the wrong ways. Synthetic formulas, nasty side effects, energy spikes followed by crushing dips … the gels designed to “fuel” him were doing the exact opposite.

Everything changed the moment he switched to raw, bioactive honey - in particular, Honey For Life's On-the-go Snaps. During his marathon prep, Buddy started using the Snaps as his training fuel - and the shift was instant. 

No gut irritation. No crashes. Just clean, steady, sustained energy that carried him through long runs and eventually across the finish line of one of the toughest courses in the world.

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In this exclusive interview, Buddy opens up about how raw and bioactive honey became the backbone of his marathon performance, how he now weaves it into his daily routine, and why it’s the only fuel he’ll use moving forward for running, recovery, and overall fitness. From the gut-safe Snaps that powered him every 5km in New York, to the high-TA and high-MGO honeys he leans on for immunity and energy - Buddy’s training philosophy has officially shifted. Natural. Clean. Consistent. And here to stay.

1. What issues were you facing prior to using bioactive honey for workouts and endurance training?

Traditional sports gels are loaded with synthetic ingredients and when you take them during training or an endurance event, they can wreak absolute havoc on your gut. Most runners will tell you they don’t actually feel good on them and leave you feeling nauseous or unsettled.

When I switched to using the Honey for Life Honey Snaps, the difference was unbelievable. I had zero gut irritation. It was such a game-changer for me that I ended up sharing them around with our marathon squad in New York and honestly, everyone felt the difference.

From that point on, I was sold. It’s the only fuel I’ll use moving forward for endurance training. Natural, clean, bioactive honey just makes sense for performance and my body responds to it so much better than anything synthetic.

2. Now that you have discovered bioactive honey - how do you incorporate it into your fitness regime?

Bioactive honey has become part of both my daily routine and my marathon training.

Daily, I use a large teaspoon in my morning smoothie each day. I mix between the different varieties, however, if I feel like I am coming down with something or I know I have lots of travel coming up I will focus on the honey’s with the Higher MGO and TA ratings to ensure I’m supporting my body the best way possible. Before workouts, I take a teaspoon with a pinch of salt or peanut butter for sustained energy. 

During long runs, I take the Snaps every 5–7km depending on the session. It’s unbelievably easy on my stomach and keeps my energy consistent. 

It’s become the cleanest, simplest fuelling system I’ve ever used.

3. What are the major benefits that stand out? Sustained energy, clearer focus, less gut irritation?

Honestly, all of the above, but the biggest difference is how steady my energy now feels. It’s a sustained energy; there are no spikes, no crashes. Clearer focus, especially during long runs. Zero gut irritation, in comparison to when I use the gels on long runs, this is huge for me. I don’t get that heavy, sloshy, unsettled feeling I used to get with synthetic gels. It’s clean fuel and you can feel that immediately.

4. Congratulations on your recent NYC Marathon success! Walk us through the run! How many snaps (and at what points), any music or pre-race routines?

Thank you! NYC was honestly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The entire day felt enormous before I even started running. 

I don’t run with my phone,  no music, no podcasts. It’s just me, my Garmin or Apple Watch. I like staying fully present, especially in a race like New York where the energy around you is so intense.

My pre-race lead up was huge in New York. I usually keep it really simple but over there I was up at 3am , partly nerves, partly logistics. We had to leave the hotel by 4am to make it to the start area on time. Anyone who’s done NYC will tell you, you burn so much energy before the race even begins. The waiting, the crowds, the shuttle, the atmosphere… it’s electric, but it drains you in a way that normal training never does. The race didn’t start until after 9am, so by the time the gun went off, it had already been a massive morning.

Fuel-wise, I took two Honey Snaps before the race to build a solid energy foundation. Then during the run I used one every 5km, which kept me steady the entire way. It was simple, predictable and so easy on my stomach exactly what you want in a marathon with that much elevation and adrenaline. NYC is wild, emotional and incredibly tough, but it’s also an amazing experience. The crowds, the noise, the energy pushing you forward on every single bridge, it’s something I’ll never forget.

5. You've now signed up for the Tokyo Marathon. Given your NYC experience - will you make any changes to your race plan or preparation strategy?

Yes, absolutely. New York really broke me, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s such a brutal, hilly course, and most of the elevation hits you in the back half of the race. By then, I felt every single year of footy in both my ankles. They completely blew out, but I’d trained so hard to stand on that start line in NYC that stopping wasn’t an option.

I had to drop my pace and go to some pretty dark places mentally just to get through it but I never stopped once. It was tough, but it also taught me exactly where my limits are and how important your mindset is. 

For Tokyo, I’m taking a much more holistic approach. I’m focusing heavily on recovery, mobility and overall conditioning, not just running. My training is more dynamic, more balanced, and much more about supporting my body rather than pushing it to breaking point.

I’m genuinely excited for this one. It’s such a good way to stay fit, grounded and mentally healthy and I feel like I’m going into Tokyo a lot wiser than I was heading into New York.

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