It starts with an idea. One that neither runner nor designer fully understands until they’re halfway through it, physically spent or creatively wrung out, still choosing to show up.
For Lachlan Stuart, that idea was 58 marathons in 58 days. For Eugene D’Haig Craig, it’s a hat brand built on purpose, emotion, and design with heart. Though they walk (or run) different paths, their stories intersect through Yeah Buddy – a brand grouted in movement, mateship, and meaning.
Yeah Buddy isn’t just about performance gear – it’s about purpose. The Australian brand creates premium, sustainable running gear using innovative materials like ReVive, made from recycled plastics, and 100% Australian Merino Wool. Through initiatives like 1 Tree Planted, 1% For The Planet, and their Buy 1, Plant 1, Remove 1 program, they’re committed to giving back to the planet while empowering runners to push their limits.
Lachlan, a Yeah Buddy ambassador and founder of The Man That Can Project, completed his epic 58 marathons in 58 days from January to March 2025, and now features in an upcoming documentary that follows the emotional and physical layers of his 58-day challenge – one marathon every day across shifting landscapes, weather systems, and mental terrain.
Having started his interest in running with the 400m track, over time he worked his way up to ultras, and he’s gone from chasing speed to now chasing what’s possible physically, mentally, and emotionally through distance.
When he first spoke with Yeah Buddy founder Leon Sheppard about becoming an ambassador, something simply clicked.
“It was the vision that hooked me,” he says.
“Yeah Buddy isn’t just about running, it’s about creating a community that shows up for one another.
“Everyone’s journey is different, but when we come together, we go further. After talking with Leon and hearing what he was building, I just felt a buzz. I’m still so pumped to be a part of it, because it’s the kind of mission I want to represent.”
Throughout the 58-marathon journey — a run-a-day feat across diverse terrain — Yeah Buddy gear became a constant companion.
“The gear, especially the signature hat, became a conversation starter,” Lachie says.
“We ran through remote towns and people would ask, ‘What’s that hat?’ It represented more than just a brand, it represented movement, heartbeat, terrain.
“It fit perfectly with what we were doing: covering every kind of environment and emotion. It felt like a natural partnership right from the start.”
Back in the studio, Eugene shapes stories like this through colour and form. As Creative Director at Yeah Buddy, Eugene’s design ethos shaped the very gear Lachie wore on his 58-day venture.
“More than anything, I just love the process of creating,” Eugene says.
“Yeah Buddy is just the right mix of product, performance and passion that speaks to both of us, so it wasn’t hard to be absorbed into making something truly special.”
He explains he draws inspiration from connection, from real people and real stories.
“If I feel stuck, I go to the source,” he says. “I try to understand the subject, the purpose, and the people behind it. What do they feel? Where have they come from? What is their story? Design for me is a process of translating emotions into something that can move and inspire.”
And one of Eugene’s proudest moments? Seeing a stranger out on a run wearing a Yeah Buddy cap.
“It was a moment where I realised this is much more than just what I see on my screen,” he says.
“These are real people all over Australia, even the world, who have connected with our vision and have bought and worn our awesome caps.
“At that moment, I could not have been more grateful or proud to be part of Yeah Buddy.”
Lachlan’s story will soon stretch even further thanks to a documentary on the way, co-produced by Ben Turner, Gerson Machado and Lachlan himself. From Day One, when he injures himself but keeps going, it’s clear the film will be more than about a physical feat.
“We want people to see the truth behind achievement,” he says.
“Vulnerability. Mateship. Resilience. Yes, we were chasing something big, but we were all going through our own stuff.
“My wife and I were going through IVF at the time. She joined us on the road for one of those moments, which didn’t go how we’d hoped, and that added a deep emotional layer to the challenge.
“We’re not sugar-coating anything. You’ll see the setbacks, the doubts, the days I didn’t want to keep going, but also how having the right people and the right tools can help you move forward. We want people to take away the idea that a bad moment doesn’t have to become a bad day or a bad life. There’s power in sharing your story. We raised over $160,000 for mental health, but more importantly, we want people to feel seen, understood, and supported through the film.”
For Eugene, it’s that same emotional honesty that drives every design. Whether it’s a cap inspired by topography, a tribute to a loved one lost to cancer, or a nod to a runner’s journey, the story is what matters.
“Each cap has meaning and purpose and is designed with love, care, and connection,” he explains.
“We’re always looking for ways to celebrate the everyday runner through art and story.”
Because whether it’s stitched into fabric or pounded into pavement, both Eugene and Lachie believe the same thing: that movement is medicine, and meaning is made when people dare to show up — for themselves, for each other, and for the stories still waiting to be told.
About the 58 Marathons In 58 Days Documentary
Directed by: Ben TurnerProduced by: Lachlan Stuart, Ben Turner, Gerson MacadoExecutive: Yeah BuddyEdited by: Gerson Machado
