The OCRWC Podcast

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Join us as we talk to some of the biggest names and most intriguing characters in Obstacle Course Racing, ahead of this year’s World Championship in Vermont.

OCRWC


    • Aug 24, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 59m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The OCRWC Podcast

    Ulrikke Evensen - S4 EP 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 54:19


    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?

    S4 Ep12 - Ida Mathilde R. S. & Leon Kofoed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 89:40


    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.

    S4 Ep11 - Melissa Linden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 80:03


    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.

    S4 Ep10 - Matt Willis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 57:17


    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.

    S4 Ep9 - Lionhearts Fitness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 57:20


    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.

    S4 Ep8 - Jason Dupree

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 71:34


    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.

    S4 Ep7 - Annie Dube

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 58:29


    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 - USAOCR S4 Ep 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 53:47


    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.

    OCR Gives Back- Steve McCollum S4 Ep 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 64:55


    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!

    Federica De Caria S4 Ep 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 63:40


    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 S4 Ep 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 62:41


    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 S4 Ep 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 52:34


    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 Gregory AKA "Bubbles the Clown". S4 Ep 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 54:16


    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.

    Ep 21 S3 - Cali Schweikhart

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 51:58


    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.

    Ep 20 - S3 Joshua Fiore

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 58:31


    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.

    Ep 19 S3 - Signy Karoline Kolstoe

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 51:41


    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.

    Ep 18 S3 - Ian Hosek

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 66:07


    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.

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    Ep 17 S3 - Ryan Kempson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 62:32


    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.

    ocr kempson ocrwc ryan kempson
    Ep 16 S3 - Team Stream, Martin & Sara Backstrom

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 51:20


    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,

    Episode 15 S3 - Anna Trimble, Cycle Syncing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 59:34


    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"

    Episode 14 S3- Jonas Drescher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 63:16


    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.

    Episode 13 S3 - Manuel Dufaux

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2023 45:56


    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.

    Episode Twelve S3 - Ulrikke Evensen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 70:51


    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.

    Episode Eleven S3 - Nicole Mericle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 50:24


    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.

    Episode Ten S3 - Garfield Griffiths

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 59:22


    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.

    Episode Nine S3 - Alex Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 57:48


    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.

    Episode Eight S3 - Will Hicks from the OCR Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 72:39


    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.

    Episode Seven S3 - Joe De Sena & Adrian Bijanada, Battle of the Burpees

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 45:38


    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...?

    Episode Six S3 - Rylan Schadegg

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2023 87:36


    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.

    Episode Five S3- Tyler Veerman '22 15k WC

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 68:12


    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...

    Episode Four S3 - Martin Perrier

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 78:31


    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.

    Episode Three S3 - Karin Karlsson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 63:26


    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.

    ocrwc karin karlsson
    Episode Two S3 - Dustin Dorough

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 62:50


    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.

    Episode One S3 - Kris Rugloski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 50:19


    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.

    Episode Twelve S2 - Rylan Schadegg

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 74:22


    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.

    Episode Eleven - S2 - Hyrox World Record Female Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 67:27


    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.

    Episode Ten S2 - James Burton, Director of UKOSF

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 66:14


    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.

    Episode Nine S2 - Grit Coaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 60:14


    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.

    Episode Eight S2 - Nicole Mericle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 73:25


    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.

    Episode Seven S2 - Leon Kofoed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 68:27


    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.

    Episode Six S2 - Kris Rugloski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 50:36


    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.

    Episode Five -S2 Jon Albon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 54:25


    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.

    Episode Four S2 - Ida Mathilde Steensgaard

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 78:29


    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.

    Episode Three S2 - Drug Free Sport International

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 47:55


    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.

    Episode Two S2- Community Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 34:42


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

    Episode One S2 - Jack Bauer & Fabian Yeo

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 52:12


    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.

    Episode Eleven - OCRWC 2021 round up

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 46:01


    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.

    Episode Ten - Nicole Mericle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 59:14


    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.

    ocr matt willis mericle nicole mericle spartan world
    Episode Nine - Behind the scenes of the OCRWC 2021 Course

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 42:36


    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!

    Episode Eight - Adrian Bijanada, founder of OCRWC

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 42:18


    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.

    Episode Seven - Amie "Live Wire"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 62:49


    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.

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