Business of Endurance

Welcome to the final episode of Season 10 of The Business of Endurance. This season has taken us from the boardroom to Kona, via high mountains and some of the most demanding races on the planet. We kicked off with Chris Brindley MBE, sharing leadership lessons, critical thinking frameworks and the link between elite sport and high-performing businesses, before hearing from Ironman legend Julie Mo...

Today’s guest is someone whose story will stop you in your tracks. Chrissie Wellington OBE is more than just a four-time Ironman World Champion - she’s an icon of endurance, resilience, and reinvention. Undefeated across 13 Ironman races, Chrissie didn’t even turn professional until the age of 30, making her one of sport’s most extraordinary late bloomers. But her journey from international develo...

We’re honoured to feature South African trail legend, Ryan “Hedgie” Sandes - a living testament to what a curious mind, unwavering discipline, and bold risk-taking can achieve.  From lining up for his first marathon in Knysna with just three weeks of training, to winning the Gobi Ultra and becoming the first ever to conquer the Four Deserts, to his landmark Western States victory, Ryan has consist...

Today’s guest is Ruth Daniels, CEO of British Triathlon and Triathlon England - a leader who has stepped into the sport’s top job with a background that’s anything but typical.  From a successful legal career to steering the global fashion brand Superdry, Ruth brings a rare mix of commercial acumen, fresh thinking, and values-led leadership into the world of endurance sport.  In this conversation,...

Today’s guest is one of the most extraordinary endurance adventurers alive: Sean Conway.  If you’ve ever questioned what the limits of human endurance might be, Sean has probably already gone there. From swimming the length of Britain, to cycling across Europe, to setting the record for the longest ever triathlon, he’s built a career on redefining what’s possible.  Most recently, he completed Iron...

Today, we welcome Joao Andrade - a man whose extraordinary journey from biotech entrepreneur to heart‑tested ultrarunner offers powerful lessons in health, resilience, and leadership.  In just five years Joao progressed from novice runner to conquering the legendary Badwater 135 - all while founding, scaling, and exiting a successful biotech business.  He’s also the co‑founder of One Hundred’s glo...

Today’s guest is one of the world’s leading voices in the science of female performance - and she’s here to change the way you think about training, recovery, and your body.  Dr. Stacy Sims coined the phrase “Women are not small men” - and she’s spent her career proving why.  In this episode, we unpack everything from caffeine and cold-water therapy to cycle-based training, menopause, RED-S, and s...

What does it take to change the course of an entire sport - and inspire millions in the process?  Today’s guest, Julie Moss, did exactly that when she crawled across the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in 1982. That moment, broadcast to millions, didn't just redefine endurance - it redefined what the human spirit looks like under pressure.  In this episode, Julie opens up about...

Today’s guest, Chris Brindley MBE, isn’t just one of Britain’s most decorated business leaders, he’s a master of sustainable success, resilience, and high-performance thinking. Named “Britain’s Best Boss,” former Managing Director at Metro Bank, and Chair of the Rugby League World Cup, Chris brings boardroom wisdom forged in the fires of elite sport. In this episode, Chris reveals the thinking fra...

Welcome to the final episode of Season 9 of The Business of Endurance . This season has taken us on an incredible journey - from Chris Williams of Supertri sharing his Atlantic rowing adventure and boardroom battles, to Paul Kaye, an unmistakable voice of Ironman, revealing how he built a career from scratch. We’ve heard from trailblazing entrepreneur Simon Dent, Ironman legend Kathleen McCartney,...

Welcome to the final episode of season 9 of The Business of Endurance, and what an episode it is.  Today, we have the incredible Chris McCormack - Ironman World Champion, founder of Super League Triathlon, and one of the most successful and respected figures in endurance sports.  In this conversation, Chris opens up about his remarkable journey: from leaving a career in business to move to France...

In this episode of The Business of Endurance, we’re joined by the incredible Matt Trautman - an athlete whose journey embodies the essence of resilience, reinvention, and mental toughness.  From competing as a white-water kayaker to becoming a world-class triathlete, Matt’s story is one of overcoming obstacles, including a severe spinal injury, and finding the strength to not only recover but to t...

What does it take to lead one of Britain’s most iconic sports into a new era?  In this episode, we sit down with Jon Dutton OBE, CEO of British Cycling, to unpack how purpose-driven leadership, bold decision-making, and emotional intelligence are shaping the future of sport.  From orchestrating the ground-breaking Rugby League World Cup to overseeing the path to Paris 2024 and beyond, Jon shares t...

What if the key to Olympic gold - and a life well-lived - came down to only a stride?  In this episode, we sit down with Alistair Brownlee: two-time Olympic champion, endurance icon, and someone who’s been redefining what it means to win - on the course, and in life.  We dive into a decision that perhaps changed everything - walking away from Cambridge University - the power of brotherhood, and wh...

Today’s episode is a little different - because today’s guest is... me. Well, not exactly me, but my digital doppelgänger: AI Charlie.  That’s right, I’ve created an AI version of myself, trained on everything I’ve ever said on this podcast and beyond, and today, I’m putting him in the hot seat. Why? Because I wanted to test something: Can an AI trained on my conversations, thoughts, and beliefs d...

What does it take to be the fastest in the world - not once, but time and time again? And what can business leaders learn from world-record-breaking athletes?  Today, we sit down with Richard Oakes, a four-time world champion, national record-holder, and co-founder of Team Ohten Aveas, the world’s fastest masters cycling team.  But Richard isn’t just dominating the track - he’s also reshaping how...

What does it take to endure? To win? And to keep coming back? In this episode, we sit down with one of the most iconic figures in endurance sport - Ironman champion Kathleen McCartney.  You may know her as the winner of the legendary 1982 Ironman, the race that gave us 'The Crawl.' But her story didn’t stop at the finish line. Kathleen shares the mindset that took her from an inexperienc...

What does it take to break free from the corporate grind, build multiple businesses with zero industry experience, and push your body to the absolute limit in some of the toughest endurance races on the planet?  Today’s guest, Simon Dent, has done it all. From working as a solicitor in the City to promoting celebrity-packed nightclubs, to building some of the most successful marketing and publishi...

What if one voice could change the way you see endurance sport - and even yourself? Today, we’re joined by an iconic voice of Ironman, Paul Kaye - the man who’s called thousands of athletes across the finish line and witnessed some of the most powerful moments in the sport.  But Paul isn’t just an announcer. He’s an Ironman finisher himself, a master of storytelling, and someone who truly understa...

What does it take to reinvent an entire sport? Well, today we sit down with Chris Williams, the commercial leader behind Supertri, the revolutionary triathlon league, shaking up endurance sport From securing game-changing partnerships to creating a team franchise model that financially supports athletes.  Supertri is on a mission to make triathlon faster, more exciting and more sustainable for pro...

Imagine standing on the start line of your very first Ironman and the 3rd in history in Oahu in 1980—no high-tech gear, no fancy nutrition plans, just raw endurance and a relentless drive to push human limits. Now, fast forward 44 years, and that same athlete has just completed his 50th Ironman in Kona in 2024. Kurt Madden —also known as Coach K or Mad Dog—is an endurance sports pioneer, a champio...

Today’s guest is a master of endurance—not just in sport, but in business and life. Ed Chang was a successful lawyer, an Ironman triathlete, and the co-founder of Varlo Sports , a rising force in endurance apparel. But what makes his story remarkable isn’t just the accolades—it’s the mindset, the strategy, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. How do you balance a legal career, a start-up, a...

What does it take to not only survive but thrive against impossible odds? Imagine being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer—not once, but four times. Now, imagine taking on the world’s toughest endurance races in the middle of that battle. That’s exactly what today’s guest, Richard Wright, has done. Richard is more than an endurance athlete; he’s a radical optimist, bestselling author of The Powe...

Welcome to this episode of The Business of Endurance, where we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Colin Cook—a man who has transformed his life from the grips of addiction to becoming an elite triathlete, a Sub 9 Ironman finisher, and coach to some of the sport's best. Colin’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence, and in today’s conversation, h...

Welcome to The Business of Endurance, where we explore the mindset, strategies, and stories of the world’s most extraordinary athletes and coaches. Today, we have a truly remarkable guest: Jo Spindler, one of the most respected figures in triathlon, both as a former professional athlete and now as a world-class coach. Jo's journey is filled with lessons that will inspire and equip you, whethe...