How to Be Superhuman

From reality TV to the punishing sands of the Jordanian desert – this is the extraordinary endurance story of Spencer Matthews. Known to many as a TV personality, Spencer has since carved out a new identity as an ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur, and podcaster, recently taking on the brutal challenge of running 30 marathons in 30 days across the desert. This was more than a physical challenge...

Kayaking prodigy Nouria Newman has faced the extremes of both competitive pressure and raw, untamed adventure – but it was in the wild rivers of the Himalayas that she rediscovered what truly mattered. In a journey defined by resilience, survival and a deep thirst for exploration, Nouria traded podiums for mountains and learned to trust herself in some of the world’s most remote waters. In this ep...

Climbing phenomenon Brette Harrington has spent her life chasing adventure on bold lines in remote places – but few climbs demanded more courage, resilience and emotional strength than her historic free solo of Chiaro di Luna in Patagonia. What began as a shared dream with her partner Marc-André Leclerc would ultimately become a powerful tribute to him, after his tragic passing. In this episode, I...

At 52 years old, endurance swimming legend Martin Strel set out on one of the greatest adventure feats in human history – to swim the entire length of the Amazon River. Battling exhaustion, treacherous currents, parasites, piranhas and mental collapse, Martin’s 66-day journey pushed the limits of physical and psychological resilience. But this was never just about a personal challenge – it was a m...

Ultrarunning athlete Ryan Sandes has pushed the limits of endurance, survival and adventure in some of the most extreme environments on the planet – from brutal mountain crossings and moments of fear on the Great Himalaya Trail to relentless storms and a terrifying night deep in the mountains of Lesotho. Ryan’s relationship with running wasn’t always easy, and his story is one of mental resilience...

Ultracycling phenomenon Lael Wilcox seems to have no limits when it comes to adventures on two wheels. Her record-breaking ride around the world in 108 days is a true testament to endurance, resilience, the power of community and a positive mindset. Faced with unexpected challenges – from food poisoning and poison ivy to navigating remote roads in gruelling conditions – Lael pushed through both ph...

In this special episode, we're sharing a feed drop from Just Ride, a podcast that explores the world of cycling and life on two wheels. Recorded one year ago, this conversation features Lael Wilcox, one of the most inspiring figures in ultra-endurance cycling, as she prepares to attempt a record-breaking around-the-world bike ride. Lael talks about her training, mindset, and the mental and physica...

Paragliding pilot Tom de Dorlodot has spent his life chasing the wildest skies on Earth – but few adventures demand more endurance, survival instincts and sheer nerve than flying among the world’s highest peaks. Alongside his friend Horacio Llorens, Tom set out with an ambitious goal: to take human flight to places it had never been before. When shifting wind conditions forced a change of plan, th...

Today, we’re doing something a little different. I am joined by Aaron Millar from the Armchair Explorer podcast for a quick chat—and then we’re handing things over to let you experience an incredible episode from their show. Armchair Explorer is all about the world’s most inspiring adventure stories, and today’s episode is no exception. Get ready to journey into the untamed wilderness of Iceland t...

In 2022, Preet Chandi MBE became the first woman of colour to complete a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole, covering 700 miles in just 40 days. And that wasn’t the only world record she would go on to break. But these achievements are more than just personal milestones – they’re a powerful challenge to long-held ideas about who belongs in the world of extreme exploration. In this epis...

Jesse Dufton's ascent of Devil's Tower redefined what’s possible in the world of free climbing. Not because nobody had climbed it before him, but because he did it without seeing the rock in front of his eyes. Jesse was born with a genetic condition that left him blind, and his climbing journey from his local crags in the UK to some of the world’s most challenging walls is a testament to innovatio...

Cathy O’Dowd made history as the first woman to summit both the North and South sides of Everest, but her journey to the top was anything but smooth. Facing life-or-death decisions, brutal storms, and the weight of expectation, she learned that success in the mountains isn’t just about strength – it’s about resilience, strategy and knowing when to push forward. In this episode, I talk to the South...

Andrew Cotton has made a career out of chasing some of the biggest waves on the planet. But when a brutal wipeout at Nazaré left him with a broken back, his future as a pro surfer was suddenly uncertain. The road to recovery wasn’t just physical – it was a battle of fear, doubt and sheer determination to return to the giant waves that nearly ended it all. In this episode, I talk to Andrew Cotton a...

Tara Dower’s record-breaking run on the Appalachian Trail pushed the limits of endurance and mental strength. Covering 3,524 km in just 40 days, 18 hours and 5 minutes, she battled extreme fatigue, brutal terrain, and her own mind – where even a "dirt nap" could mean the difference between failure and success. In this episode, I talk to the ultra-runner and trailblazer, whose first attempt at the...

Abdullah Zeinab’s epic Rhino Run adventure crossing South Africa and Namibia redefines what’s possible in endurance cycling. Unsupported and unforgiving, this gruelling 2,750km ultra cycling race put his mental strength, grit and resilience to the ultimate test through breathtaking but brutal landscapes – where a tiny detail, like a tiny screw, made a world of difference.   In this episode, I talk...

Ultra-runner Rob Pope returns with a new season of How to Be Superhuman, featuring the extraordinary stories of athletes who've achieved the seemingly impossible – from conquering terrifying climbs to kayaking down jaw-dropping waterfalls.

Cross-country skier Veronika Mayerhofer is a Mental Performance Specialist at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Austria. In this episode, she analyses the responses from this season’s superhuman guests. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

When endurance athlete Aron Anderson won 2017’s Wings for Life World Run, he raced an incredible 90km. The Swede talks Rob through his amazing sporting CV: he’s competed in four Paralympic Games in three different sports, swum from Sweden to Finland, climbed Kilimanjaro and skied to the South Pole. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

In 2020, American ultra-runner John Kelly ran England's 268-mile Pennine Way in record time, breaking a 30-year-old record in the process. A week later, he lost it. He tells Rob what it took to win it back…Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

Mountaineer and explorer Saray Khumalo became the first Black African woman to summit Everest - but it was far from a simple trip. Three previous attempts had been thwarted by lethal landslides, earthquakes, bad weather and, sadly, numerous deaths. However, this didn't stop Saray's drive and determination to push towards her dream. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuma...

In 2019, Emily Harrington fell 150ft while free-climbing Yosemite National Park’s famous El Capitan. In 2020, she returned and became the first person to free-climb the Golden Gate route in 24 hours. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

In early 2021, 21-year-old teacher Jasmine Harrison set a world record by rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in just 70 days. She talks to Rob about her achievement. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

Camille Herron is an icon of ultra running, and the first person to hold the 50k, 100k and 24-hour world records simultaneously. She tells Rob about how she ran 270km in a single day. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

In 2012, Erden Eruç successfully completed a unique circumnavigation of the globe – his journey had been entirely human-powered. The Turkish adventurer had travelled alone; on foot and by rowboat, kayak, canoe and bicycle. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

When Lael Wilcox won the 2016 Trans Am Bike Race, she cemented her position as the world’s greatest long-distance cyclist. Even more amazingly, she had conquered the 4,200-mile course while still a relative novice. Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman