The MindSets Podcast

🎙️  The MindSets Podcast  welcomes endurance athlete and performance coach Ollie Russell (@russellperformancetraining) for a powerful conversation about resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of excellence. Host Angus Cook (@MindSets_Podcast) takes listeners on Ollie’s intense journey—from growing up as a dedicated rugby player to facing life-altering personal challenges that would shape his care...

In this episode of  The MindSets Podcast , Angus Cook (@MindSets_Podcast) speaks with Toby Simmons (@tobysimmonsuk), diving deep into his raw and resilient story. After choosing to leave formal education, Toby embraced the seasonnaire lifestyle, heading to the mountains where he discovered ski freestyle and competed among some of the UK’s best at events like the Laax World Champs. Training hard—bu...

In this episode of the Mindsets Podcast, host Angus Cook, sits down with Tom Murray (@tomgmurr), host of the " Growth Game"  podcast and a private wealth manager with a fascinating story. Tom opens up about his early struggles with body dysmorphia, how he found solace in fitness, and the seven years he spent traveling through various countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand...

In this episode of The Mindsets Podcast, host Angus Cook chats with Annabel Wellington (@annabel_active), a passionate runner and fitness coach. Diagnosed with coeliac disease at a young age, Annabel opens up about the challenges she faced—physically, socially, and mentally. She shares how this condition influenced her body image, self-care habits, and life choices, and how she discovered new fitn...

In this gripping episode, Angus sits down with Harry Mackarness, a former British Army reconnaissance officer, fitness entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Harry takes us through his decade of military service, beginning in the Parachute Regiment, before transferring to the Light Dragoons where he served as a reconnaissance officer. He shares intense experiences from his military career, deta...

In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of  Travis Owles , a former British trampolining champion turned Hyrox athlete with world-record ambitions. Travis opens up about his early years in gymnastics, where despite being told at age 10 that he’d never make it to the Olympics, he went on to become a national champion in trampolining. His journey took a detour at university, where t...

In this episode, we’re joined by Welsh heptathlete Lauryn Davey, a true embodiment of what it means to be a multi-hyphenate. Lauryn has made waves not just on the track but also in the classroom and the community, proving that you don’t have to limit yourself to one path. As a highly competitive heptathlete, Lauryn has excelled in multiple disciplines, all while pursuing a medical degree with a pa...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Matthews, a true embodiment of resilience and determination. Charlotte's journey is nothing short of extraordinary—starting with her dreams of becoming a professional footballer, which were dashed just a week before she was set to take up a scholarship in America due to a devastating ACL injury. Feeling lost and struggling with her purpose, Charlotte...

In this episode of The MindSets Podcast, host Angus Cook sits down with Darren O'Reilly, former Harlequins and Irish professional rugby player and founder of WholeSupp, a cutting-edge nutrition company. Darren shares his inspiring journey from the high-intensity world of professional rugby to the challenges of corporate life. Discover how his personal struggles with maintaining proper nutritio...

Join us in this inspiring episode as your host, Angus Cook, delves into the extraordinary journey of Juurian Van Der Graaf (@thegreatchoochoo), a passionate former musician from Rotterdam who is cycling around the world to raise money for Movember. After a profound mental health battle associated with tinnitus (a condition leaving Juurian with permanent ringing in his ears) which he developed from...

Episode 36: Heart of a Triathlete – Overcoming Myocarditis w/ Jonny Jackson Join host Angus Cook on the MindSets Podcast as he chats with former professional and Great Britain athlete Jonny Jackson about his remarkable journey as a triathlete. Jonny shares his experiences growing up with his identical twin brother, both of whom pushed each other to excel and reach new heights in the Scottish natio...

David Goggins famously asks "Who's going to carry the boats?" Don't worry David, Georgia will be rowing all of the boats, no matter how hard you try to stop her. In this episode I'm joined by Georgia, a Great British and once fully able, para-rower who has persevered through not one, not two but three life altering incidents including a diagnosis with a terminal illness (MELAS)...

In this episode, we continue the incredible story of Harry from episode 33. We conclude the rocket strike story and discuss the impact that PTSD had on him during the coronavirus lockdown. He then found himself in a jungle, completely cut off from the outer world for 40+ days and then began training the Ukrainian army. All this before we answer your listener questions, the 3 pieces of advice and t...

In this episode we begin part one of a two part story, joined by former member of the British Army and Medic Bravo, Harry Towers. Harry served in the infantry before specialising as a medic. In this episode he shares the first of his most impactful stories from his career including when he had to react to his base being struck by high numbers of enemy rockets. Harry is an excellent story teller, a...

In this episode I'm joined by Georgia (Gee) Robin who grew up going against the grain and challenging herself at aged 12 to beat grown men on the track and be better than the boys at football! After going to university and building a great group of friends, tragically, one of them took their own life, driving Gee to take on the London Marathon in his memory. Gee also shares her story and advic...

In this episode I sit down with former Worcester Warriors rugby player, George Wootten. Sadly George suffered a plethora of serious injuries early in his career which included a double fracture in his spine, causing him to lose his dream of being a long standing household rugby name. Not letting the change of path get in his way, George has since started Theta, a performance clothing brand and has...

In this episode, I'm joined by Charlie Botterill, a current elite Hyrox athlete and former pro cyclist. Charlie discusses some top tips on how to get faster and more tactical with Hyrox racing but also opens up about his past with an eating disorder and how it potentially cost him a career in cycling. *Unfortunately there are a few audio glitches in this pod due to a technical issue unbeknown...

In this episode we sit down with Kiaro, a former pro-football hopeful turned bodybuilder. Kiaro is openly unnatural as a bodybuilder and we discuss the reason he uses testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to aid his training and what the impacts are of using a substance like this. Performance enhancing drugs exist and this is a view from the side of someone who has chosen to use them to benefit t...

In this episode I’m joined by Liv Thomas, a representative of Great Britain 🇬🇧 and England’s 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 International Lacrosse teams!  Live has an extremely impressive background of sport but quickly chose to pursue Lacrosse at Exeter in the UK (yes she chose her university based on the lacrosse program)! Liv has also endured a tumultuous time with injuries, particularly her ACL reconstructive surge...

In this episode we’re joined by Joe Akik, a former international level swimmer 🇹🇳 turned financial advisor! Money🤑 Joe shares his love/ hate story with swimming 🏊 and we then dive deeper into some financial advice for those in the younger generations looking to be smart with money but get the most out of their life at the same time (boosting physical and mental well-being)! 🧠💸  This ones got g...

In this weeks episode, I’m joined by Max Mansell-Rowe a Great British 🇬🇧 power lifter that is making his transition to the open category after a successful series of competitions in the junior ranks. Max shares his powerlifting discovery story, how to perform well enough to compete at the world champs and much much more! 💪  You can find Max on his socials using ​⁠ or by using the podcast social m...

In this episode, I’m joined by Charlie Hubbard who’s just got back from completing a 200km ultra in the Arctic Circle closely followed by a 252km ultra through the Sahara Desert! Charlie shares the reality of being in -45 degree temperatures as well as the soaring heat of the desert and how he managed to be one of only 5 finishers in the Arctic and how he got through Marathon Des Sables despite a...

In this episode im joined by Archie Cobb, a man who took the reality of losing a friend to suicide and decided to build a legacy in their name. Archie has and continues to complete outrageous fitness challenges (like the monopoly challenged featured on the social media pages) to raise money for causes aligned with mental health such as @movembertv and @calm . Archie also shares incredibly valuable...

In this episode I’m joined by Alex Choi, a black belt in Taekwondo and experienced Muay Thai fighter who admits to having hit rock bottom after struggles with cultural differences, generational trauma and grief. To combat things like addiction and PTSD, Alex initially turned to the party lifestyle however, it only made things worse and he found himself at rock bottom. He’s now a very healthy and m...

In this episode I’m joined by Hercules, a successful founder of GoGetters and fitness enthusiast. Hercules hasn’t always been this way. We learn how Hercules battled with insecurities, poor life choices and failed repeatedly on his way to success. You can find Hercules using @hercuules on instagram and @walkingwithhercules on TikTok! Please like, subscribe, share and get involved with the social m...