The OCRWC Podcast

This incredible athlete is collecting World Championship titles like they're baseball cards and we are here for it! After an inspiring performance in Morzine at the UWC where she absolutely dominated, she's got big plans for the rest of the year which include all distances, including OCRWC in Mammoth Lakes, California. Are we seeing the era of Ulrikke?

Join us for this double whammy episode where we get not one, but two fan favorite athletes! In this episode we are joined by Danes Ida & Leon, as we talk about OCREC 2024, Plans for 2024, and their new training programme, and how it works for everyone from the amateur to the pro athlete.

In this episode we are joined by Melissa Linden. As well as being a successful ocr and endurance athlete, Melissa has a goal in mind; making ocr more accessible and welcoming for women. In 2023 women made up 31% of the racers, and we don't believe this is enough. We talk about the issues she and other women have faced, and the easy solutions that could be implemented by race brands to make a more welcoming environment for women.

Join Matt Willis & Francesca Chiorando as they talk about 9 years of The OCR World Championships, as we come up to the 10th Edition in 2024. Matt Willis, a pro athlete and OCR Media personality, is one of the very few people (if not only) to have run not only every single OCRWC event, but also all of the NorAm Championships. They talk over each year, the highs and lows, each location, and why OCRWC is the premium championship event out there.

Shell first took on OCR as a bucket list dream, and fell in love at first sight. When her son Luccketta lost his best friend to suicide, she did the only thing she knew how to help him, and got him involved in Spartan Races. This lit something in him, and he realised that if all children had access to this sport, it might help them, and so Lionsheart Fitness was born. Since then they have been serving the community and building the OCR community up with love, safety of being and physical strength, and they've never looked back.

As the Director of Video for the OCR Report, Jason Dupree has experienced a tonne of what can happen during a live stream of an OCR. From fast paced sprints in Mexico, to 27 hours of World's Toughest Mudder, Jason has been there. We talk about what it means to put on a successful live stream, what can go wrong, and what can go right.

In this episode we are joined by Elite OCR athlete Annie Dube. We learn the importance of time, trial, and adapting when it comes to the success of an athlete. Whether pro, age group, or open anyone can learn from how Annie approaches an OCR! We talk about her experiences in racing, her thoughts on the new Spartan Competitive format, and discuss the OCRWC 2024 location of Mammoth Lakes, and what changes to expect this year.

Ian Hosek of USAOCR joined us this episode to talk about upcoming selections for the US Nation OCR Team and hoe people can apply for Pro or Age Group... Not so spoiler... Deadline is coming up soon! We also recapped what USAOCR is all about, and how it's involved in the sport. Keep listening for sunlight related chatter and more info on his training programs.

They've been around for ten years now, since the very first OCR World Championships, supporting our event, athletes, and even bigger, supporting vulnerable children around the world. OCR Gives Back is an amazing organization that supports children in need through play and sport. Steve spoke to us to talk more about what they do and how we can all get involved. Stay tuned for some big OCRWC news too!

It doesn't take long talking to Federica to realise how many of the varied OCR Championship events worldwide she has taken on. From a non competitive background Fede found her way into competitive OCR, putting a lot down to how incredible and supportive the UK OCR community is. Her training and determination is paying off, and with each season we see her progress further on both the UK and international stage... where will 2024 take her?

Rose Wetzel has been on the OCR scene since the early days and has seen a lot of the changes that have happened in the sport, as well as going through many herself. We talk about learning to hold your head up high, how your childhood can impact how you deal with the obstacles in life and out on the course, and how she's found a passion in public speaking.

Veejay Jones has been on the scene long enough to know the ins and outs of the sport. Well regarded as someone who when he showed up he would perform, Veejay took the decision to take some time off from OCR to recover from a bug. He came back with a bang at Spartan World Championships in Abu Dhabi and has big plans for 2024, that aren't just limited to performing at races!

Kevin is well known on the OCR scene as Bubbles the Clown, we've all heard the high pitch voice and seen the antics of the neon green bedecked rubber masked man... But there's a lot more to him than just entertainment. After an insanely impressive performance at Deka World Championships it was time to get him on and talk about his love for Hybrid racing, explore a little more about what it actually is, and why he is so good at what he does. We also delve into mental health and the importance of caring for yourself and others, and how OCR has played a huge role in so many people's MH.

If you've ever wondered what running World's Toughest Mudder is like then this is the episode for you. Cali suffered from hypothermia in 2022 and vowed to come back in 2023 better prepared. As one of only a handful of women to ever run 90 miles at WTM she certainly fulfilled that goal. Join us in this fascinating chat about setting goals, how the type of goal you set impacts your mindset, and what it's really like to run a 24 hour race competitively.

Joshua Fiore has been a familiar name since before most of us got into OCR. We talk about his entry into the sport and his progression to becoming the first winner of the Spartan Ultra in 2017, to his recent stellar performance at WTM. he talks us through the mindset of Ultra, the importance of fitness in your forties, and what his plans are for 2024.

Norwegian athlete Signy Karoline took on her first OCRWC in London in 2019. Since then she's moved up the ranks from Age Group to Pro, this year competing in all four competitive races, taking the win in the 100m. We chat about her journey into OCR, and where she plans to go in the future.

In this episode we catch up with 4 time OCRWC 2023 podium placer, Ian Hosek. As an OCR coach, athlete, and head of USOCR Ian has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sport. We talk the highs and lows of OCRWC 23, how it feels to compete alongside athletes he trains, and what it's like running a national federation.

Hot off the OCRWC podium in 2022, Kempson hit 2023 running with multiple wins in the Savage Pro series. He joins us to talk about his year so far, the current landscape of OCR, and what he hopes to see for the future.

Familiar faces on the European OCR scene, married athletes Sara and Martin Backstrom, better known as Team Stream, have steadily worked their way up the ranks. From their first event where they came top 50th, to today where they both in August had multiple podiums and this weekend are competing at the Fiso World Champs. We catch up with them to talk about competing and working as a married couple, and how they go to where they are today,

In this episode we're joined by Anna Trimble, a passionate advocate for women's holistic health, who has a knack for the art of cycle syncing. With a background in Kinesiology, Anna has combined her love of fitness and wellness to explore how harnessing the power of the menstrual cycle can optimize women's fitness training. What sets Anna apart is her practical understanding of how this method can be simply implemented for women of all training levels.  We discuss her method for cycle syncing to improve her health and wellness, and how she was influenced by "In the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life"

Jonas has been completing in OCR for the last ten years, and he parts of his success down to how vibrant the scene in Denmark is. We talk about the local races and championships in Denmark, and what OCR in Europe looks like right now. We also discuss his experience at the rent OCR European Championships, and what success in competition looks like to him.

In this episode we are joined by Swiss athlete Manuel Dufaux. Having performed well at OCRWC in recent years; in 2022 coming 4th in the 15k, he decided to commit to the US Spartan 3k series after the European series was cancelled. Despite changing distances, he's had an impressive run and is currently sitting top of the US Elite standings. He has big goals for OCRWC 23, and the way things are going, he's in with a chance.

Hot off her incredible multiple wins at the 2023 FISO European Championships, we caught up with Danish athlete Ulrikke Evensen. She's worked her way up through the years, often missing out at the last moment, but this weekend she proved she is worth her mettle and pulled several great performances out of the bag. We chat about the event itself and how it differs from other championship races, her performance, her journey here, and everything in the world of OCR today.

Seasoned OCR athlete Nicole Mericle took a long break from OCR after surgery on her ACL. The journey back has been long and not straightforward, but on her return to OCR she took the first event of the Spartan 3k series by storm by placing 1st. We catch up with what she's been up to since we last spoke, how her recovery has progressed, the experience of returning to competition, and what the Spartan 3k is all about.

With years of OCR experience under his belt, including already having been the Race Director for OCRWC in Ohio and Blue Mountain, Garfield, currently Senior Director of Special Events at Spartan has been brought on board to be the Race Director for the 2023 OCRWC event. We talk about his history in OCR, where he learnt his biggest lessons, his love of the sport, and what to expect at Mammoth Lakes, California.

Alex has been going from strength to strength and she's already taking 2023 by storm. We sit down to chat about her motivation behind becoming a competitive athlete and she got there. We also cover media coverage, body image, and what we can do to keep our bodies strong as we age.

Like most of us who work in OCR media, Will's journey began with a desire to share and learn more about the sport, and a frustration at lack of information out there. Starting with World's Toughest Podcast, named for his favorite event, his dedication to media grew into the OCR Report. With OCR ramping up post pandemic, The OCR Report is geared up alongside to bring as much coverage of what happens each weekend to you at home, from the new Spartan 3K series, to the Stage series, Deka, and beyond. With a new initiative to support the sport, Will also shares exclusive details on you can be involved, earn discounts, and take part in something very exciting, designed to honour and recognise age group racers.

After the huge announcement of a partnership between Spartan Race and OCRWC, the rumor mill has been running wild. Fran sits down with Joe & Adrian to talk about why it happened, and what it really means for the sport and the event. But most importantly, they discuss whether burpees will be making an appearance at OCRWC...and will they...?

After an impressive end of 2022 including performances at OCRWC, TWC, and Spartan WC, Rylan has kicked off 2023 at the top of the OCRWC rankings with strong hybrid events. We catch up with him to talk about Gov Games, Hybrid racing, coaching, and most importantly hie personal development and goals.

In 2022 Tyler Veerman decided to take on OCRWC last minute, and left with the 15K and Co-ed team gold. Following this he went on to run 100miles at WTM several weeks later. 2023 will see him continue his pursuits in OCR, but now there's something else he wants to take on...

Whilst living in the States, Martin Perrier found and became hooked on OCR, with an impressive CV of racing, from the first ever OCRWC in 2014, WTM, and Fuego Y Agua to name a few. When he moved to Geneva he missed the community feel of OCR and turned to Ultra Running, quickly building an equally prestigious list of achievements from UTMB, Backyard Ultra, and a record breaking 6 UTWT in one year. In this episode we talk about the mental aspect of ultra running, how one prepares for a huge event, how we can all apply this, and the importance of those around us who support us along the way.

In this episode we catch up with OCRWC champion Karin Karlsson (Abrahamsson). 2022 saw her return to racing after becoming a mother, and she shares her victories and her challenges along the way. We have an honest conversation about body recovery post-partum and how becoming a mother impacts your fitness and ability to train, and she shares her wisdom on how she coped and the lessons she learnt.

For years Dustin Dorough was a key part of the Spartan Race experience, from his time in marketing, on the build crew, and most famously as one of the original startling MC's in OCR. We talk about the heyday of the sport, and how things have changed from the early days to now.

After an incredible 2022 season, Kris Rugloski has become the name on everyones lips. With an ability to tackle short course to Ultras, she is an athlete who shows great promise for many years to come. Yet it is not just her athletic prowess which makes her an incredible asset to the OCR community. Her faith, positive attitude, and social spirit truly embodies what this sport is all about to those who love it most. We chat with her about her past season, how she manages her accomplishments, and what she plans for 2023.

With a strong sporting background, and a powerful competitive spirit, Rylan took on the challenge of OCR after overcoming personal struggles. With impressive performances over the last year, more recently at Spartan NorAM and Dekafit, all eyes are on this youngster to see how he will perform at the upcoming OCRWC. I had the pleasure of getting to know this rising star, learning more about his inspirations and life goals, and how he has got to where he is today.

In this episode I am joined by four incredible women who achieved and hold the Hyrox Female Team World Record, even after the World Championships in Las Vegas. Whilst all once upon a time OCR athletes, three regularly compete, two featuring on most of the Spartan Elite podiums this year, and one travelling Europe taking on a range of OCR events. A showcase of the top UK female OCR talent currently competing.

With an extensive background in OCR and as an Elected Director on the Board of the UK Obstacle Sports Federation (UKOSF) James is working with the UKOSF team to get OCR and ninja sport recognised as official sports in the UK. He joins Francesca and Adrian to talk about their goals in the UK and as a larger organisation, and the landscape of current OCR.

With a background in Olympic running and a stellar OCR career, childhood friends Jess & Faye decided to team up to provide comprehensive, tailored coaching to OCR athletes. Talking about their inspiration, what it takes to set up a new business, and what they've faced along the way, I find out all about their joint venture.

On the road to recovery from an ACL tear the big question on everyones lips is, when will Nicole be back racing? We catch up on her progress and goals for the year, and how the OCR Development team is progressing.

Reigning Euro champ Leon Kofoed returned to defend his title, but how did he perform? Leon joins us to recap on all the happenings at the Euros, his recent racing, life as an athlete, and how he plans to be podium ready for OCRWC in Vermont this September.

After an epic performance at OCRWC 2021, all eyes were on Kris Rugloski, and she hasn't disappointed. In recent weeks alone she has taken the World championship title at Hyrox, and 3rd in a stacked field at Spartan Big Bear in the same weekend. Taken first at Savage Race Charleston, and second at GoRuck. She is quickly proving herself to be a hugely adaptable and strong athlete, with an upward trajectory ahead of her. I chat to her to get to know a little bit more about her reasons for competing, how she trains, and what she hopes to achieve this year.

Our guest for this episode needs no introduction, we are joined by the much celebrated champion of OCR, Jon Albon. If you've ever wondered what Jon's favourite style of racing is, how he feels about standardising the sport, and the biggest secret of all, how he trains, we have it all here. We get the low down on his new and comprehensive training app, sharing all of his secrets on how he became the athlete he is today.

Ida has been steadily rising through the ranks in OCR, and after her sweep at OCRWC 2021 she is more determined than ever to succeed. In this episode she joins me fresh off her tour of the US. We talk about the importance of training with a coach, the semi pro/pro life, standardisation of OCR, and her goals for the year.

Did you know that the #OCRWC was the first event in obstacle course racing to test for performance enhancing drugs? In this episode of the OCRWC Podcast, we talk to Drug Free Sport International, our testing partners, about the history and future of drug testing in OCR and our event.

In this episode Francesca is joined by the founder of OCRWC Adrian Bijanada, who will be answering your questions.

To kick off season two of the OCRWC Podcast Francesca Chiorando is joined by Jack Bauer, the king of race data, and owner and editor of UK based OCR news site Mud & Glory, Fabian Yeo. In this episode they look back at the successes and surprises of 2021 and their predictions for the upcoming season.

Join Francesca & Adrian in the finale episode of season one as they discuss the highs and lows of the 2021 event and a few sneak peeks of what to look forward to next year.

Join guest host Matt Willis as he talks to 2019 Spartan World champion and 2019 OCRWC Short Course champion Nicole Mericle. From performance predictions to the future of OCR, as well as Mericle's determination to encourage more women into OCR this episode is a comprehensive coverage of OCR today, ahead of the 2021 OCR World Championship event.

Ever wondered how long the courses at the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships take to build? Where the ideas come from, how they plan, how they even start the build? In this episode Francesca is talking with Brett Stewart & Sid Morris, two experts in OCR course design & build, and two of the team who bring the course to life. Ahead of a busy month creating the 2021 OCRWC courses, brett & sid took some time out to give us an insight into where the ideas come from and come to life; and some super exclusive information about what to expect this year in Vermont!

Back in 2013, Adrian Bijanada had an idea... the very next year he delivered the first Obstacle Course Racing World Championships. Backed by an incredible team and a vision to deliver life-changing moments for the athletes, the event has gone from strength to strength. We chat about the struggles and triumphs of the past, the future of OCR, and the plans for this year. 2021 is promising to be the biggest and best World Championship event that OCR has yet seen, a true homecoming for athletes, supporters, and friends.

Known for her endurance performances, "Live Wire" is a familiar and loved face on both the UK and US OCR scenes. Amie has been forced to take a break from training and competing after suffering twice from Covid, multiple complications, and the lasting effects of long covid. Opening up fully for the first time after receiving bullying messages online when she shared she was ill, Amie talks us through the reality of the virus, and how no matter how strong or fit you are, it can still floor you and have devastating effects.