The Training For Trekking Podcast

In this episode, I interview adventure coach Josh Wood (straight from his self-quarantine), and we discuss physical preparation for guides and backpackers as well as some great ways to stay active and productive when stuck at home. Josh is an incredibly interesting adventure coach. He works with hikers and guides and helps them get in a position where they thoroughly enjoy their adventures, by imp...

In this episode, I share a few simple home workout strategies a hiker can use if they are currently working from home. Many hikers out there at the moment are stuck at home. And many hikers are struggling with inactivity. But let me tell you now... Physical activity and training will be incredibly important at this time. You may not be training for a significant adventure in the near future but fi...

In this episode, I interview expert podiatrist Damian Gough, and he dives deep into the common hiking problem of plantar fasciitis. Inside he explains what it actually is, and the proven ways a hiker can overcome it.   Plantar fasciitis is the bane of many hikers existence. We have all experienced it. And it is terrible.    All too often I see hikers reaching out for help with this issue, but gett...

In this episode, I describe a few easy ways to keep your adventurous spirit alive during these tough times. Times are tough. Adventures are getting cancelled. Many people are restricted to their local areas. Or even in their homes. And in among all of this, the very last thing on most peoples lives is an adventure. Which is a shame. Because as hikers, we know how important adventure is to our live...

In this episode, I invite online client Jen on the show, to discuss her recent adventure to Mt Kilimanjaro, how she trained for this challenging trek and how she overcame her knee pain. Inside the episode: The training Jen did to overcome some serious knee pain which had plagued her for years How she overcame a few scary challenges during her preparations (which are all too common for hikers) How...

If you have had your big adventure cancelled, this podcast will share with you a few simple things you can do to keep positive. So many hikers and trekkers out there have had their trips cancelled over the last week.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Which absolutely sucks. And I have personally talked to a number of hikers over the last few days, who are really feeling at rock bottom. And whether you have been planning the...

In this episode, I interview Lee Welton (the founder of Trailside Fitness) and we discuss how to best prepare and train for a major thru-hike.   Completing a major thru-hike sits on many hikers 'one day list'. Whether it is the Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail in the USA, the Te Araroa Tramp in New Zealand or the Shikoku Pilgrim's Trail in Japan - every hiker has dreamed about conquering one of...

This episode shares with you my simple, 3-step formula for overcoming and preventing lower back pain during hiking and everyday life.    There is nothing more debilitating, more frustrating and more stressful then lower back pain while hiking.    That jolting pain during descents.   That heart-pumping anxiety whenever you step in a pothole or have a slip, stumble or slide.   That constant ache dur...

In this episode, I discuss how hikers can best train at home or in the outdoors, to get themselves fit, strong and resilient for their future adventures.  With the current crisis, many hikers are choosing to train away from the gym (by choice or necessity).   Which is fair enough! But, often the 'knee jerk' reaction to this type of training by hikers, is to return to the basics...      i.e. lots o...

In this episode, I interview Kyle Kamp from Valley To Peak Nutrition, to discuss some practical and actionable nutrition strategies for hikers who follow some variation of plant-based eating.   Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or just eat a high percentage of plant-based foods, there is no doubt there are many hikers and adventure athletes out there following some type of plant-based eating.  ...

Today I share with you a simple, long term approach to training for hikers. Often I find myself talking about preparation for hikers who are 16, 12 or 8 weeks out from their adventures... But what if you are 12 months out? Or 18? Or two years? What can you do then? Because following a structured plan for this time (for most) is a recipe for boredom and burnout... Instead, you want to ensure you co...

Today, I share a few training options for hikers, when the weather is too horrendous to hit the trail. All too often, the weather can get in the way of our hiking. Rain, storms, hail, snow. Even extremely hot weather can limit us on the trail... Traditionally, when faced with this, hikers like to say "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing" or "y ou'll be hiking in all weather so...

In this episode, I share with you the single most important mental preparation tip for a challenging hike, trek or mountaineering adventure. If you follow this tip, you can feel confident that you are ready and able to tackle the major challenges your upcoming adventure will throw at you. == Need some extra help getting physically and mentally prepared for an adventure? Check out The Online Summit...

In this episode, I discuss my system of training hikers for a challenge hike (such as 50km in 24 hours). There are so many amazing hiking challenges out there. Whether it is 50km in 24 hours, 100km in 48 hours or anything in between. They are a great goal to aim for, can be an amazing social event and, of course, raise money for so many amazing charities. But I have one major issue with them... So...

In this episode, I recommend some physical and mental strategies to prepare for the challenge of hiking over uneven and rough terrain. Whether it is mud, scree, traverses, rock hopping, river crossings, roots or just generally rough terrain, sometimes hiking definitely ain't a walk in the park! For some, these challenges are just part of the fun. But for many others, these can cause a serious amou...

This episode is specifically talking to those who are training for a significant trail adventure in the near future (and want to do it pain-free!) Joint pain while training for a hike, trek or a mountain adventure sucks. And unfortunately, it is so incredibly common. Whether it is foot pain (like plantar fasciitis), shin pain (shin splints), knee pain (hikers knee), hip pain or lower back pain - a...

In this episode, I share a powerful strategy which you can apply to improve and upgrade your hiking training, no matter what your current situation is. Quite often hikers get caught up chasing the idea of 'the best'. What is the best type of training? What is the best number of days to work out? What is the best diet for the trail? But sometimes when we end up chasing 'the best' we don't end up do...

In this episode, I discuss a few simple strategies on how a hiker can avoid the dreaded post-trail blues. One of the hardest parts of any adventure is coming back home. Back to the monotony of work... endless social commitments... emails... phones... tv... stress. After experiencing so much magic and peace on the trail, it is no surprise so many hikes struggle emotionally when they return to reali...

In this episode, I explain how hikers, trekkers and mountaineers can get strong, without putting on any extra weight in muscle. Strength training is amazing for hikers. Everyone should be doing it. But one common objection I hear is that hikers don't want to put on extra weight in muscle, which they will then have to carry around on the trail. And considering how obsessive the hiking community can...

In this episode, I discuss some practical strategies a trekker can use to best prepare their body for the rigors of hot weather hiking. Hiking in the heat can be seriously tough... Whether you are thru-hiking through the desert on the Pacific Crest Trail, trekking through the jungles of Borneo or simply hitting some day hikes in the summer sun, high temperatures really add an extra element of chal...

Today I discuss how you can best prepare and train for a high altitude hike if you don't live near any mountains.   High altitude trekking has captured the imagination of so many people around the world. Who hasn't daydreamed at some point of standing at the top of Kilimanjaro? Or of conquering the pilgrimage to Everest Base Camp? But, while most of us have the opportunity to prepare physically be...

In this episode, I discuss my simple (and proven!) formula on how to prepare your body for an elevation gain hike, if you live at sea level. One of the most common questions I hear is "Where I live is about as flat as a pancake, how can I get ready for a mountain trek?" And unfortunately, the common answers I hear usually fall a bit short... While things like "hit the stair master", "get your legs...

This episode will tell an aspiring trekker exactly what they need to do in their training to get fit, strong and resilient to conquer the Kokoda Trail! The Kokoda Trail is a pilgrimage for Australian trekkers. Renowned for its rough terrain, stunning landscapes and it's wartime history, it is something which has sat on so many hikers bucket list for years. But while we know it is a serious physica...

In this episode, I discuss a number of popular training methods in the hiking and adventure community which are entirely overrated. When you are training for a hike, trek or mountain adventure, there are a million ways to go about your preparation. Some of them are good. Some of them are bad. And some of them sound good in theory, but in actual fact are not worth your time...     You may see plent...

In this episode, I interview Mark Walters, an experienced hiker, outdoor enthusiast and physiotherapist and we discuss a broad range of subjects to do with injury, training and hiking. Injury while hiking and trekking are incredibly common. Things like knee pain, sprained ankles, tendon issues and back pain are common complaints from the trail. Unfortunately, the common advice around preventing an...