Abnormal

Dean Karnazes is one of the most iconic endurance athletes in history — and in this episode, we dive deep into the mind and body of a man who has pushed human limits further than almost anyone alive. Dean has run 350 miles nonstop, completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, raced across deserts, glaciers and mountains, and continues to take on extreme challenges well into his 60s. But behind...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Damien Fitzpatrick — former pro rugby player and CEO/Founder of Pillar Performance — the company redefining how athletes think about micronutrition. We break down the real science behind recovery, why most people take supplements incorrectly, and how micronutrition can change your energy, sleep and performance. Damien also shares the untold story of building Pil...

Siobhan Haughey just won gold at the National Games — but her story started long before the headlines. In this conversation, recorded just after the Paris Olympics, Siobhan opens up about the real life behind being Hong Kong’s most decorated athlete. She talks about the mental toll of elite sport, what it feels like to carry a city’s expectations, and how she stays grounded while constantly chasin...

In this episode, Pakhung, a world champion in rope skipping, shares his journey from a passionate athlete to a social media influencer and entrepreneur. He discusses the evolution of rope skipping as a sport, the impact of social media on its popularity, and the importance of teamwork and community in maintaining motivation. Pakhung also opens up about the pressures of competition, the significanc...

Ant Haynes is one of Hong Kong’s most respected CrossFit athletes, a multiple-time CrossFit Games competitor, former Hong Kong rugby player, and co-owner of Coastal Fitness. But behind the medals and highlight reels lies a powerful story about sacrifice, burnout, and rediscovering balance. In this episode, Ant opens up about his journey from professional rugby to CrossFit, how he built one of Asia...

Re-release: A listener favourite from the Abnormal archives Hyrox has exploded across the world — but how did it reach Asia? In this conversation, Gary Wan, the man responsible for bringing Hyrox to Asia, joins us to share the story behind one of the fastest-growing fitness movements on the planet. Gary talks about how he discovered Hyrox, the early struggles of launching it in a new region, and t...

What does it really take to build a world number one? In this episode, I sit down with Andrei Vasilevski and Anton Dubrov, the coaching masterminds behind Aryna Sabalenka, to reveal the truth about what it takes to reach, and stay at, the top of the tennis world. From the emotional highs of Grand Slam victories to the unseen struggles behind the scenes, they share how trust, discipline, and daily...

From burnout to Bangkok, this is the story of Gabe Heck, one of the fastest-rising athletes in the Hyrox world. Known as the Beast of Bangkok, Gabe went from a corporate job in Singapore to living his dream as a full-time coach and elite athlete in Asia. In this episode of Abnormal, Gabe shares how he rebuilt his life after injury, discovered the power of endurance sport, and created a business do...

Ben Cullen, aka Benny Cee, is a DJ, producer, entrepreneur, and MC whose energy seems limitless. But his journey hasn’t been easy. From arriving in Hong Kong with nothing, struggling to pay rent, and even eating bananas for dinner because he couldn’t afford food, to now DJing in Ibiza, MCing for global Hyrox events, and running successful businesses, Ben’s story is one of resilience, positivity, a...

Josh Li went from working as a personal trainer in London to building two fast-growing businesses across Asia, the Middle East, and now the U.S. — Nutrition Kitchen and OnePT. In this episode, Josh opens up about the risks he took, the lessons learned from building companies with almost no starting capital, and the brutal reality of entrepreneurship when your back is against the wall. From survivi...

Marc Hofmann’s story is one of passion, persistence, and creating meaning through hospitality. Arriving in Hong Kong a decade ago with little experience, Marc started as an intern at Black Sheep Restaurants — cutting bread and learning the ropes. Ten years later, he’s the Managing Director and co-creator of Jean-Pierre, one of Hong Kong’s most exciting new restaurants. In this episode, Marc shares...

Nic White has lived the highs and lows of professional rugby. The Wallabies scrum-half with over 70 Test caps has played all over the world, won trophies in Europe, and helped Australia to famous victories — including beating the British & Irish Lions and breaking South Africa’s 62-year Ellis Park hoodoo. In this episode, Nic opens up about announcing his retirement only to be called back days...

From the rugby pitch to the boardroom, Daniel Temm has lived two very different lives. After a career as a professional rugby player, he stepped away from sport and into the unknown, pouring his savings and energy into building a business from scratch. Today, he’s the CEO of Puresport, one of the UK’s fastest-growing wellness brands. This episode is about more than rugby or entrepreneurship. It’s...

In this episode, Aisyah Rafaee shares her incredible journey as Singapore's first Olympic rower, discussing the challenges of crowdfunding her way to the Olympics, the pressures of competing, and her experiences with mental health and IVF. Aisyah emphasises the importance of resilience, community support, and the lessons learned from her athletic career as she transitions into coaching and nav...

Olympic medalist and NHS doctor Philip Doyle joins the Abnormal podcast to share the unbelievable story of how he balanced saving lives with chasing Olympic glory. Starting rowing in university, Philip went on to represent Ireland at two Olympic Games—while also working gruelling 114-hour hospital weeks, sneaking in rowing sessions at 2AM during night shifts. In this raw and powerful conversation,...

Andrew Glaze is a full-time firefighter, ultramarathon runner, and one of the most consistent endurance athletes on the planet, with a streak of running 100+ miles per week for over 280 consecutive weeks. In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew shares how running helped him overcome trauma, cope with PTSD, and find peace through pain. We talk about the mindset it takes to run for hours on end,...

In this episode of Abnormal, I welcome back elite athlete James Kelly to discuss the evolving world of Hyrox, the potential for it to become an Olympic sport, and the intricacies of training for both Hyrox and marathons. We delve into the importance of understanding training loads, the significance of zone 2 training, and the 80-20 rule in fitness. JK shares insights on coaching beginners, the bal...

In this episode of Abnormal, I sit down with Wales and British & Irish Lions winger Alex Cuthbert, one of rugby’s most explosive and experienced players. From the high-pressure moments of Lions tours to the personal challenges of injury, criticism, and mental health, Alex opens up like never before. We explore what it takes to stay at the top, how he rebuilt confidence after hitting rock botto...

In this episode of Abnormal, I sit down with Swiss endurance swimmer and ocean activist Noam Yaron, who’s attempting the longest open-water swim in a wetsuit — a grueling 180km journey from Calvi to Monaco. We dive into his 5 day non-stop swim, hallucinations, swimming while asleep, and encounters with sharks, jellyfish, and whales — all in the name of marine preservation. Noam shares why he belie...

In this episode of Abnormal, I interview Cherie Walker, head coach of Cirque du Soleil, who shares insights into the unique challenges and rewards of coaching elite performers. We discuss the rigorous training processes, the importance of character development, and the cultural dynamics within a diverse team of artists. Chapters 00:00 The Art of Performance Selection02:54 Training the Unseen Skill...

FREE Goal-Setting Template: https://www.petelaverick.com/product-page/the-abnormal-discipline-code-your-no-bs-blueprint-to-crushing-goals In this episode of Abnormal, I interview Kaat Dumarey, a performer with Cirque du Soleil, who shares her incredible journey from gymnastics to the world-renowned circus. Kaat discusses the adrenaline rush of performing, the rigorous training and discipline requi...

FREE Goal-Setting Template: https://www.petelaverick.com/product-page/the-abnormal-discipline-code-your-no-bs-blueprint-to-crushing-goals In this episode of Abnormal, I interview Delphine Dultzin, co-founder and CEO of On The List, a members-only flash sales platform that addresses the issue of unsold luxury inventory. The conversation delves into consumer behaviour, the operational model of the b...

FREE Goal-Setting Template: https://www.petelaverick.com/product-page/the-abnormal-discipline-code-your-no-bs-blueprint-to-crushing-goals In this episode, Dr. Aaron D'Souza discusses the concept of The Enhanced Games, an alternative to the Olympic Games that allows performance-enhancing drugs. He addresses the recent ban by World Aquatics, the motivations behind creating The Enhanced Games, an...

In this episode, Sebastien Borget, co-founder of The Sandbox, discusses the concept of the metaverse, its importance, and how it is evolving. He explains the role of blockchain technology in creating a decentralized virtual world where users can own digital land and monetize their creations. In this conversation, we delve into the evolution of digital payments, the impact of scams on cryptocurrenc...

In this episode, I interview Brett Hawke, the Head Swimming Coach for the Enhanced Performance Team, discussing the revolutionary concept of the Enhanced Games. This multi-sport event allows athletes to use performance enhancing drugs legally, aiming to provide financial rewards and disrupt traditional sports models. The conversation explores the motivations behind the games, the health and safety...