Fitness Freaks

Ben, George and Sam chat about the season, their biggest nuggets they took away, the guests that they had and where they want to take the show in the future. Season 1 is just the start....

Mat Dowle is a passionate and experienced triathlete. And after an experience he'd never forget in Tenby, he vowed with his friend Dale to create a race for other passionate triathletes to provide that same type of high end experience you get when you race in the big boy races like Challenge and Ironman. And so, Ironbourne Long Distance Triathlon was born. A race created by triathletes, for triathletes, with experience at the heart rather than money.

This week we were delighted to have Chris Bird on to chat us through his own journey in running and also how he applies Canova training to himself and his athletes. Renato Canova is a hugely successful Italian running coach with a methodology that flies in the face of conventional wisdom. But as we've learnt time and time again, convention doesn't mean correct! With Canova training it's all about specificity. Training at around your chosen race pace and building up your tolerance over time. As Chris says, it's about feeding the baby! (in that you can't feed a baby a huge meal on day one!!). Thankfully Chris has agreed to come back on the show in a few weeks to put some meat on the bones! But for now, let's be happy we may have found a different way... that clearly works!

Have you ever thought about your purpose? Why you do the things you do? And how, if you can think it through, you can tie exercise in to your purpose? It's an extremely powerful motivator, especially when the chips are down. And factor habit in to that too. Can you create positive, easy habits that allow you to train and stay training for the long term? This week the 3 of us talked about why we think we'll be exercising for the rest of our lives, whether we've given any thought to our purpose (or if we even believe we need to have a purpose), some of the habits we believe help us stay training and also some of the mistakes we see people new to exercise make regularly? All in all it was a mixture of factual answers to training questions and existential questions to push ours and your thinking!

This week we chatted with all round good human Eloise du Luart. Eloise is a professional triathlete who has suffered injury and illness in the pursuit of doing what she loves. But in a positive turn, it took some of the setbacks for Eloise to truly focus why she does what she does. And as Eloise put it herself "a happy athlete is faster than a perfect one". So now Eloise is not only training hard as a pro triathlete but she's on Instagram and YouTube sharing her journey and making sure it's real. Sharing her highs and lows, ups and downs in the hope that people are able to cut through the BS or "perfect days and lives" that pervade spcial media. She's just a good human, doing what she loves and sharing the reality of that with everyone. 

This week we chat with the legend that is 4 time Paralympian; Claire Cashmore. Claire started at Athens 2004 and hasn't looked back since, winning medals in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio (where she won gold!!). After Rio it was time for swimming to take a back seat and triathlon take centre stage as Claire pivoted in to the wonderful world of triathlon for a crack at Tokyo 2020 (subsequently 2021). We talked through Claire's journey in to this new sport for her, what drivces her, how lockdown has been, her training schedule and so much more. She really is a lovely human! We hope you enjoy this informal chat as much as we did. To find Claire on social media her Instagram is @clairecashmore1 and her website is https://clairecashmore.com/ To pre-order a copy of her exciting children's book "Splash" then click this link https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/splash-claire-cashmore?variant=32836557144142

Mary isn't one for mad spontaneity so when she decided to do her first ultramarathon, with 6 weeks notice, whilst in a speed block for a 5k PB, you could say I was surprised. But... we love a challenge and we love being scared by big dreams. SO Mary dived head first and I pledged to support her in her training and try to get her ready. So here we are, 3 weeks out. This week Mary describes what the race is all about, her plans to tackle it (both mentally and physically) and it was her chance to ask questions of George, Sam and myself. It's time for Mary to eat her own biscuits....

If you ever need a lesson on grit and determination then this is it. This week Sam and I walked to Alex Mathew. A friend of mine for a few years now (since meeting on Instagram!) Alex has been on quite the journey. I mean, what type of person does it take to beat the "lazy Alex" in their head only to have a heart attack whilst out running and then, once again, change their mindset from doing the minimum possible to doing the maximum allowable! And that's where we find Alex. A heart attack and 2 ultramarathons down (one of them the 4 x 4 x 48 David Goggins challenge) and now looking for new challenges because of his knee!! These are the type of people we love talking to and these are the people that redefine what is possible for us all. No excuses for us now!

Why not have a special guest that is actually one of the hosts of the show?! It's been too long without George and we were pining for him. So we made it happen and had a catch up, to see how he's training out there, what kind of sessions he's doing and why he has to take flares to avoid cheetah's!! We also all talked through a lot of our favourite run sessions that get us where we need to be, in case you were looking for a new session or two!

This week we caught up with good guy and rapid runner, Nick Bester. We chatted with Nick about his journey in running, from running Comrades Ultramarathon 3 times to running a 1:44 half marathon and now a 1:09 this past weekend. Nick credits his consistency, a focus on strength and conditioning and his mentality when he trains. We talk through his aims for the season in the marathon (he's running in the elite start at Wrexham) and some of his favourite training sessions. Nick is such a great guy and we're all following along with his progress and wishing him the best of luck. To find Nick his Insta is @justalilbester and he's Nick Bester on Strava too. And as for us here; Ben YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisMessyHappy Website - www.thismessyhappy.com Instagram - @thismessyhappy Strava - Ben Bridges Sam is on Insta as @beggsam and on Strava as Sam Begg George is on Insta as George_Steele_

This week we're excited to be talking to Dr Neil Stanley. Neil is a bona fide sleep expert with 39 years of experience in the field. And not just 39 years experience of sleeping, I have more than that!!! Neil has worked in the neuroscience division of the RAF, was director of sleep research at the university of surrey and is one of the countries leading independent sleep experts having written and peer reviewed numerous scientific papers on the subject. Neil has also written the excellent book "How to sleep; an antidote to the nonsense" which you can find on amazon, audible and numerous stockists. We talked with Neil about the myth of 8 hours and how your sleep need is as genetic and individual as your height. We talked about how to create the best environment for sleep and how night owls and morning larks approach it all so differently. We chatted about how useful smart watches, oura rings, whoop bands and apps are at tracking sleep (spoiler; not very!) and we talked about some of the best ways to get to sleep if you've exercised late and are feeling that sweet endorphin buzz that tends to keep you away like a steaming cup of coffee!! You can find Neil's webiste here - http://www.thesleepconsultancy.com/ He's also on twitter as @drneilstanley Here is a link to his book on amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Sleep-Well-Neil-Stanley/dp/0857087681/ref=sr_1_3?crid=34QCFTY6XYJSD&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+sleep+well+book&qid=1614285323&sprefix=how+to+sleep+w%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3 And as for us here; Ben YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisMessyHappy Website - www.thismessyhappy.com Instagram - @thismessyhappy Strava - Ben Bridges Sam is on Insta as @beggsam and on Strava as Sam Begg George is on Insta as George_Steele_

This week Sam and I got to sit down with Andy Raynor and chat with him about his YouTube channel, his running journey and how he's getting on training for hgis sub 2:40 marathon attempt. What was interesting is that Sam and I are also aimoing for sub 2:40 (mind is admittedly a year off) but we're all training so differently. So we thought a bit of idea comparison and session chat would be just what the doctor ordered for everyone. Happy days. Once again we learnt so much. To find Andy on social media, here are his favourite hangouts; YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFODRunner Instagram - @fodrunner Strava - Andy Raynor (FOD Runner) And as for us here; Ben YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisMessyHappy Website - www.thismessyhappy.com Instagram - @thismessyhappy Strava - Ben Bridges Sam is on Insta as @beggsam and on Strava as Sam Begg George is on Insta as George_Steele_

This week we spoke to ex-team GB marathoner and all round awesome person; Holly Rush. We found out how Holly got to be an elite runner, how she trains, her favourite races and her goals for this season. We also all chatted about our excitement for London this year and how it's such a special race if you live in this country (and even if you don't). Holly is disarmingly down to earth and fun. She's open, honest and the conversation flows easily. You can find Holly on social media on Instagram under the name @rushbynature and at her website

It's a topic i'm fascinated with; how to adopt the elite athlete mindset. That is to say; how to approach training like a pro. We may not be able to match the top level athletes physiologically but mindset is something that anyone, at any level, can cultivate until it is so strong that no set back will stop them from their ultimate goal. This week I talked to Sam about his approach to training, his history in running and triathlon, the mindsets and sessions of some of the best athletes he has trained with and what we thing sets elite athletes apart and how we can learn from it.

This week we spoke to Marco Altini, runner and creator of the HRV4Training app. This is a super cool app if you're a stats geek but even if you're not. It tracks your heart rate variability (the difference between beats over a minute) to use physiology and science to tell you when is the optimal time for you to train and when you might need to back off. It's the only app that is scientificaly proven to work using the camera technology on your phone and it doesn't just take in to account training stress, but life stress as well. Here's the thing; wouldn't you like to know when you're about to get ill? or about to cross the line in to overtraining? This app can guide you through all of this!! So for me as a coach but also as an athlete I think it's going to be able to help me stay far more consistent with my training and see the gains flood in. You can find Marco in these places; Website - https://www.marcoaltini.com/ Twitter - @altini_marco Instagram - @altini_marco App Store - HRV4TRAINING

This is it! I left Graham alone between his penultimate and final run because I could sense he just needed some time and space without me bugging him. So now we're catching up with some insight in to his final 2 runs and how the team did in general. How they finished in terms of mileage, feet of ascent and mind and body. These people are absolute beasts!! How far do you think they got in the end?! If you want to know more about these guys then here are their teams details www.pyllonultra.com Here is a link to their chosen charity - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endeavour2021 And, as always, here is my details Website - www.thismessyhappy.com YouTube - This Messy Happy Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam can be found in Insta as @beggsam And George is @George_steele_

It's really starting to bite now and Graham has faced his battles over the last day or so. But i'm glad to report he's won those battles. Graham talks us through what it feels like to be over the half way mark of this epic challenge. Where they're at as a team and the crazy things you do to have an epic run when you let Mr Ego get the better of you! Madness but the good type... If you want to know more about these guys then here are their teams details www.pyllonultra.com Here is a link to their chosen charity - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endeavour2021 And, as always, here is my details Website - www.thismessyhappy.com YouTube - This Messy Happy Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam can be found in Insta as @beggsam And George is @George_steele_

We catch back up with Graham after his second 4 hour shift of running during the week. This time he was on the 4-8am shift and he even recorded a voice memo for us to play at the start!! It really is an insight in to what happens to the body and mind during an even like this and I feel like I'm learning something new every chat. Great stuff! And half way through the event.... If you want to know more about these guys then here are their teams details www.pyllonultra.com Here is a link to their chosen charity - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endeavour2021 And, as always, here is my details Website - www.thismessyhappy.com YouTube - This Messy Happy Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam can be found in Insta as @beggsam And George is @George_steele_

With his first run bagged Graham catches us up on how it went personally and where the team are in relation to their goals of 1,000 miles for the week and 100,000 feet of ascent. It all seems to be going well in the early days but, as the team have found out over the past 2 years of the Endeavour challenge, its the later days that make or break the challenge! So let's see how Graham think's it's going so far. If you want to know more about these guys then here are their teams details www.pyllonultra.com Here is a link to their chosen charity - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endeavour2021 And, as always, here is my details Website - www.thismessyhappy.com YouTube - This Messy Happy Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam can be found in Insta as @beggsam And George is @George_steele_

Every now and then you hear of people taking part in challenges so crazy and inspiring that you have to find out more. This is that. Grahan is a friend of mine along with John Connolly who you may know as the first ever guest on the podcast! Graham and John with 7 of their friends (including professional ultra runner Paul Giblin) are currently in the midst of running 1,000 miles in 1 week, with 100,000 feet of ascent. Just let that sink in... that's about a marathon per day every day and 3,000 feet of climbing thrown in. Graham was kind enough to come on to the show daily and tell us how the team are getting on and how his body and mind are holding up throughout the process. So here it is.. day 1. Check back tomorrow for day 2 and find out how Graham's first 4 hour shift went.... If you want to know more about these guys then here are their teams details www.pyllonultra.com Here is a link to their chosen charity - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endeavour2021 And, as always, here is my details Website - www.thismessyhappy.com YouTube - This Messy Happy Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam can be found in Insta as @beggsam And George is @George_steele_

Have you ever had those conversations with yourself where you say you'll "try" to get this session in during lunch? All the while knowing full well you've already allocated enough time for the session, so why would you "try"? Surely you just "do". That's just one example of a destructive way of talking to ourselves that already puts us in a negative mindset at the start of a workout. "Trying" to fit something in has negative connotations if you know you've already got the time. This week we talked to Triathlon Mindset Coach Adelaide Goodeve about her journey from chronic fatigue syndrome to mindset coach to athletes from pro to amateur. Adelaide works with some of the worlds top triathletes on their mindsets. The habits they form, the narratives they create for themselves and their self talk. We asked Adelaide how you start and end your day like a champion, what are some of the most destructive types of self talk, the type of work she does in her bootcamps and with her professional athletes. It was another great chat and huge thanks to Adelaide for coming on the show. You can find out more about Adelaide here; Website - www. adelaidegoodeve.com and on Instagram @adelaidegoodeve as well as on Facebook and Linkedin. You can find Ben at www.thismessyhappy.com, YouTube is This Messy Happy and Instagram @thismessyhappy George is on Instagram - @George_steele_ Sam is also on Insta - @beggsam

This week we thought we'd kick off the new year with a topic no-one has ever talked about before. A lockdown. In seriousness it's not like we haven't been through it before but we may have learnt a few lessons from the last 2 times. So we share our thoughts on how to train through the lockdown now that you may find yourself time rich (or not), we chat about some inspirational events coming up and the people doing them and generally have a good old chat about all things triathlon, running and exercise. Come join the chitter chatter.

This week we were very lucky to have a chat with Simon Ward. Simon is one of the top coaches in the UK although he would hesitate to call himself a Triathlon coach nowadays. More a life coach with a specialism in Triathlon. We talked to Simon about what it is he think's he's done to be named 220 Triathlon Magazine Coach of the Year a whopping 6 times! As well as his concept of a physical pension, thoughts on the PTO and Ironman, creating the programme that discovered the Brownlees and how we could all do with a different perspective on what being physically active actually is. We were very lucky to have Simon on the show and if you want to know more about him then you can find him at the following; Website www.simonward.co.uk & www.TheTriathlonCoach.com Podcast - https://simonward.podbean.com Facebook Group - The Triathlon Coach Cafe And as always you can find us at; Ben - www.ThisMessyHappy.com & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnOksyxFnRBGHK1ZyLRJGA Ben's Insta - @thismessyhappy Sam's Insta - @beggsam George's Insta - @george_steele_

This week we were lucky enough to chat to professional triathlete Tom Davis fresh from his awesome performance and 12th place finish at the PTO/Challenge backed Daytona middle distance triathlon. It was an absolutely stellar field including both Brownlees, Javi Gomez, Lionel Sanders, Identikits, Schoeman, Luis and that's only just scratching the surface. So what was it like to finds himself in 1st place at one stage? We also got Tom's opinion on hoe the PTO are doing it differently for our pro's, his love of middle distance racing and his future goals in the sport. What a legend. Thoroughly nice guy and we wish him all of the luck in the work. It's definitely a bright future ahead for Tom!

This week we chatted with the head of S&C at Leeds Beckett University; Dane Mitchell. We wanted to know how he approaches strength and conditioning in an endurance specific environment. Dane has worked with elite athletes, Olympic medal winners (including our very own Ali and Jonny) and everyone in between. Dane's journey is very karmic as well, just like we like! He's thriving now because he gave so much of his time and passion up front with no expectation of receiving back. What a guy!

This week we discuss the criteria we use when picking a race, from the course profile to the time of year, the country and how it might play to our strengths! We talk about how you can factor in process goals or "B" races to gauge your progress and prepare you for the biggie! We talk about how are seasons are going to look next year. I'll give you a little spoiler; Ben likes flat courses because he's a baby wetwipe....

Rob Griffiths is a coaches coach. He is one of the course tutors on the BTF Level 3 course, head coach of various Tri Camps, coach of athletes from beginners to Olympians with over 40 years in the game. And that's not even his day job!! By day Rob is a coach in the business world. He's just one of those people who fascinates and inspires and adds value with every piece of advice. We hope you find this podcast as exciting as we did!

This week we got to speak to Mark Brown who is aiming to race the Celtman (and extreme Triathlon with a swim in a frigid loch, a devilishly hilly ride and a run up a mountain (or Ben or whatever they're called!). The reasons behind wanting to do this and how it helps his training and racing mindset. We also touched on technology and some of the new ideas coming out. Do we have to beware of jump in with reckless abandon?!

This week we sat down and chatted all things winter training. How we get ourselves out of the door, what kit we wear (clothing, footwear, head torches etc), what type of sessions we do and everything in between. I think we all learnt something from each other as well so it was really valuable on so many levels. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to help us out and reach more people.

This week we have 2 tasty treats for you, firstly... we have a jingle to call our own! Huge props go to musical genius Tim Wood for some retro 80's brassy awesomeness. But we also got to chat to personal trainer and manager of The Better Body Shop gym about how he would prepare someone for winter training either in a gym or at home without gym equipment. George took us through a few exercise ideas and the reasons behind all of it for both runners and triathletes. Juicy value incoming!!

This week, in honour of the cancelled Kona and the Elite only London Marathon we talked about what might have happened this year at Kona (Ironman World Championships) and how we all define success. Do elite athletes define it in different ways to us mere mortals? And is there any difference in how those who aim to "compete" in races to those who aim to "complete"? We all name drop MASSIVE clangers this week, which is pleasing. What get's you off of the sofa and out there?

This week we talked with Level 3 high performance triathlon coach Craig Lane about his journey to multiple coach of the year awards and numerous Team GB representations from obesity, depression and overworking. Craig is a highly respected coach known for his innovative approaches to problems that runners and triathletes face. From putting athletes on a turbo in a hot yoga studio to adapt to climates to testing their blood glucose with a home testing kit to find out the perfect time to take on a gel, Craig is always thinking outside the box. And although we clearly confused ourselves and started talking about reverse polarisation we actually meant reverse periodisation!! Doh. So sit back and enjoy the story of craig locking himself in a rental property's bathroom... and so much more To find out more about Craig - www.coachcraigtri.co.uk or @coachcriagtri on Instagram And as always for more on Ben - This Messy Happy on Youtube, www.thismessyhappy.com and @thismessyhappy on Instagram Sam - @beggsam on Instagram George - @george_steele_

This week we have a chat to top amateur ultra runner John Connolly about how he got his start, how he surrounds himself with the right people and what the hell you think about when you're running for 18 hours!! John talks about the importance of intrinsic motivation and connecting with his "why" to make sure he's never going to stop running. There are definitely takeaways for everyone in this episode and a powerful message of being able to achieve your goals whenever you start and from whatever starting point. John's (via Paul) contact details - www.pyllonultra.com To find out more about Ben, Sam and George; Ben - YouTube (This Messy Happy) & Instagram @thismessyhappy Sam - Instagram @beggsam George - Instagram @george_steele_