Rapid Ascent

Ep. 25: Piotr Babis: The Quiet Achiever Dominating Tasmania's FKTs

In this episode of the Rapid Ascent Podcast, Jez sits down with one of the most understated yet profoundly dominant forces in the Aussie trail running scene: Piotr Babis.  Originally from Poland and now a Park Ranger based at Fortescue Bay, Piotr has been quietly chipping away at some of the most brutal Fastest Known Times (FKTs) in Australia. From the Southwest Traverse to the Overland Track, Piotr’s approach is simple: stay humble, seek adventure, and respect the wilderness.  Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or just starting your trail journey, Piotr's story of going from a "failed" university fitness test at 22 to winning 100-milers is the ultimate inspiration, proving that true strength often comes with a quiet determination and an unwavering spirit to dominate the trails. The Southwest Traverse and the "Impossible 7" The core of our conversation dives into Piotr’s recent feat on the Southwest Traverse. This route links the Western Arthurs, Eastern Arthurs, Port Davey Track, and the South Coast Track — 240km of Tasmania’s most rugged terrain. Piotr completed this massive link-up in just 3 days and 18 hours, a time that seems almost impossible given the mud, bouldering, and the technical climb up Federation Peak alone (not to mention the rest of the route!). We discuss the mental grit required to row across Bathurst Harbour in the dark and the logistical challenge of coordinating a crew that had to run 30km just to meet him. Piotr also reflects on his "Impossible 7" project, where he ran NINE of Tasmania’s most iconic trails in seven consecutive days. This ambitious mission included Frenchman’s Cap, the Overland Track, and the Three Capes Track. We explore how these projects transition from a "romantic notion" in the middle of a race to a fully executed plan, and why Piotr often lets these ideas "sit" for years until the time is right. From Poland to the Tasmanian Wilderness Beyond the records, we get to know the man behind the FKTs. Piotr shares his journey from a teenager training Judo in a small Polish town to moving to London and eventually finding his home in the Tasmanian mountains.  His transition into endurance sports was far from linear, involving stints in England and Canada before he landed in Australia. Now, as a Park Ranger at Fortescue Bay, he balances a 40-hour work week with 100km+ training blocks, often disappearing into the Tasman National Park for evening runs. What’s Next for Piotr Babis? Looking ahead, Piotr isn't slowing down. He is already eyeing international challenges like the 10 Great Walks in New Zealand and the Australian Alps Walking Track on the mainland.  He's also lining up for our NEW event: Run Tasmania Stage Race in November. You can join Piotr here if you hurry (only 5 spots left):  👉 https://runtasmania.rapidascent.com.au Resources & Links • Follow Piotr Babis on Instagram:  👉 https://www.instagram.com/iron_explorer/ • Piotr's FKT Profile:  👉 https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/piotr-babis • Run Tasmania Stage Race:  👉 https://runtasmania.rapidascent.com.au Join the Rapid Ascent Community If you enjoyed this chat, make sure to subscribe and leave us a review! We’re all about the personal challenge, the beautiful locations, and the supportive community. Whether this is your first go or you're an old hand, we're stoked to have you here. • Website: rapidascent.com.au • Instagram: @rapidascent • Facebook: Rapid Ascent Ultra Running #TrailRunning #FKT #Tasmania #UltraRunning #RapidAscent #SouthwestTraverse #PiotrBabis #OverlandTrack #LarapintaTrail

Ep. 24: Courtney Sherwell: The Privateer Who Hustled Her Way to 7th in the World

What does it take to go from crashing twice in your first race to becoming one of Australia's most formidable off-road endurance athletes? In this episode, Jez sits down with Courtney Sherwell — dual Australian National Champion, 3x Queen of the Otways, and self-funded privateer who placed 7th in the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix. Courtney's story is one of pure grit, resilience, and an unwavering love for riding on dirt. We dive into the moment that almost ended her cycling career before it began: a brutal first race at Brackenbury where she broke her nose, crashed twice, and somehow found the courage to keep going. Courtney opens up about the road racing years that didn't feel right, the breakthrough moment in 2022 when she won Dirty Warrny by 40 minutes (having never ridden 246km before), and the 2024 season where she "found all the pieces to the puzzle" – winning both the XCM and Gravel National Championships in the same year. But it's not all podiums and green-and-gold jerseys. Courtney shares the raw reality of life as a privateer in the US — bootstrapping her way across America with her partner John and competing against fully-supported professional riders. She talks about the joy of riding bikes and being in nature, how she stays mentally strong against celebrity competition and how structured training became the key to unlocking her potential. And of course, we talk Otway Odyssey. As the 3x Queen of the Otways and 2022 Great Otway Gravel Grind champion, Courtney has a deep connection to these events. She shares what makes the Otways special and her plans for the 2026 race — shoulder injury and all. What You'll Learn: •Why Courtney kept going after breaking her nose in her first race (and what this teaches us about starting something new) •The "band-aid story" of how her partner John booked Belgian Waffle Ride tickets and forced her onto the world stage •What changed in 2024 that allowed her to win two national championships in one year •The reality of self-funding a Life Time Grand Prix campaign and competing against the world's best •Why riding on dirt is fundamentally different (and more rewarding) than road racing •What makes the Otway Odyssey one of the toughest and most rewarding races in Australia •Practical advice for women getting into mountain biking and gravel racing •Her FTP, nutrition strategy, and top three training sessions This episode is for you if: •You've ever felt intimidated starting something new (especially women in cycling) •You're curious about what it really takes to compete at the elite level without a team •You want to understand the mental game behind ultra-endurance racing •You're considering racing the Otway Odyssey or GOGG and want insider knowledge •You love transformation stories that prove anything is possible with grit and determination   Key Topics & Timestamps 3:46 - The Broken Nose Story: First race at Brackenbury 5:01 - The Crash: Going over the handlebars 6:28 - The 12-Week Training Plan: A turning point 9:32 - Second Race: Choosing the Otway Odyssey 50km 23:37 - The Road Racing Years: Roxsolt Liv SRAM and Knights of Suburbia 43:42 - Life Time Grand Prix: The dream and the reality 44:47 - Belgian Waffle Ride: Announcing herself on the world stage 48:47 - 2024 National Championships: The historic double 56:46 - Marathon National Championship: Racing sick in Wagga Wagga 1:14:45 - Finding the Puzzle Pieces: What changed in 2024 1:16:31 - The Otway Odyssey: What it means to be Queen of the Otways 1:25:42 - Advice for First-Timers: Racing the Otway Odyssey     Mentioned in This Episode Guest: •Courtney Sherwell on Instagram: @courtney.sherwell [https://www.instagram.com/courtney.sherwell/?hl=en] •Courtney's Pet Portrait Art: @petportraits_bycourtney [https://www.instagram.com/petportraits_bycourtney/] Events: •Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon [https://otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au/] - Register now for 2026! •Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) [https://otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au/event-details/gogg/] •Life Time Grand Prix [https://www.lifetimegrandprix.com/] •Belgian Waffle Ride [https://www.belgianwaffleride.com/] •Brackenbury Challenge - Creswick, VIC •Dirty Warrny - 246km gravel race •Cattleman's 100 - Omeo, VIC People Mentioned: •John Davis - Courtney's partner and coach •Sofia Gomez Villafañe - 2024 LTGP Champion   Brands & Sponsors: •Santa Cruz Bicycles [https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/] •SRAM [https://www.sram.com/] •Hammerhead [https://www.hammerhead.io/] •Schwalbe Tyres [https://www.schwalbe.com/] •Ekoi [https://www.ekoi.com/] •Squirt Lube [https://www.squirtlube.com/] Follow Rapid Ascent Website: rapidascent.com.au [https://rapidascent.com.au/]   Instagram: @rapidascent [https://www.instagram.com/rapidascent/]   Facebook: @rapidascentevents [https://www.facebook.com/rapidascentevents]   Podcast: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rapid-ascent/id1463151519] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/055SwA3TBrHKfmu53EJ5aj?si=86625e42bf794ca8]

Ep. 23: James Kelly: The full time lawyer who WON the 2025 Elite National XCM Championship

What does it take to WIN an elite mountain biking championship WHILE working as a high-powered lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with James Kelly to deconstruct his incredible journey to claim the green and gold at the 2025 XCM Nationals. He shares the training secrets, mental tactics, and the one race that changed everything, offering a blueprint for balancing a demanding career with elite athletic performance. In an epic journey of resilience and determination, James Kelly shattered expectations by winning the 2025 XCM National Elite Mountain Biking Championships. By day, he's a senior associate at a Melbourne law firm; by morning and night, he's an elite bike racer. This episode delves into the extraordinary dual life of James Kelly, exploring how he balances a high-stakes legal career with the grueling demands of professional mountain biking. From his unexpected victory in Melrose to his roots in downhill racing, James shares the unfiltered story of his rapid ascent to the top of the sport. What You'll Learn •The exact training philosophy that led to his national championship win, including the power of strength and torque intervals. •James's race-day nutrition strategy for fuelling a 4-hour marathon, targeting 100-120 grams of carbs per hour. •How to develop the mental fortitude to push through your pain cave and overcome self-doubt. •A deep dive into the power data and the key workouts that elevated his performance ceiling. •Why the Otway Odyssey is the ultimate test of endurance and technical skill, and James's strategy for the upcoming race. Key Topics & Timestamps •(00:41) - Who is James Kelly? From Lawyer to Elite Bike Racer •(02:28) - The Unlikely Victory: Blow-by-Blow of the 2025 XCM National Championships •(20:05) - The Double Life: How to Balance a Demanding Career with Elite Training •(41:00) - The Backstory: From Junior Downhill Racer to Endurance Powerhouse •(50:39) - Conquering the Odyssey: A Deep Dive into the Iconic Race •(1:13:57) - 2026 Otway Odyssey Course Preview & Race Strategy •(1:21:05) - Rapid Fire: Nutrition, Gear, and Training Mistakes to Avoid •(1:27:06) - The One Piece of Advice for Aspiring 100k Odyssey Riders Mentioned in this Episode Guest: James Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/] •Events: •XCM National Championships [https://www.auscycling.org.au/nat_champs/xcm] •Otway Odyssey [https://otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au/] •Sea Otter Australia [https://seaotteraustralia.com.au/] •UCI Mountain Bike World Championships [https://www.uci.org/discipline/mountain-bike/6GgdLd5aV5I2T3s4pE4d2] People: •Mark O'Brien [https://www.instagram.com/markobrien1987/](Coach) •Tom Ovens [https://www.instagram.com/ovens_tom/] •Brent Rees [https://www.instagram.com/brentrees_75/] Products/Brands: •Specialized S-Works Epic 8 with RockShox Flight Attendant [https://www.specialized.com/au/en/s-works-epic-8/p/219803] Follow Rapid Ascent •Website: rapidascent.com.au [https://rapidascent.com.au/] •Instagram: instagram.com/rapidascent [https://www.instagram.com/rapidascent/] •Facebook: facebook.com/rapidascent [https://www.facebook.com/rapidascent]

Ep. 22: Brent Rees: From Non-Cycling Teen to Winning Elite Nationals in Under 6 Years

Get ready for a rip-snorter of an episode! We're back from our summer break with a massive chat with one of the most underrated cyclists on the Aussie scene, Brent Rees. This young gun has been tearing it up, from out-sprinting the big names to win the 2023 Australian National Marathon Champs to back-to-back Oceania titles. He recently went toe-to-toe with some of the world's best at Radl Grvl in Adelaide – includine Romain Bardet – proving he's a force to be reckoned with. In this yarn, we get the full story of Brent's incredible journey from buying a bike on a whim in 2017... to mixing it with (and beating many) of the pros. He doesn't hold back, giving us the nuts and bolts of his training, nutrition, and the mindset that's taken him to the top. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to go from a weekend warrior to a world-class athlete, this one's for you. What You'll Learn Brent takes us through his meteoric rise from barely riding a bike in 2016 to racing against Tour de France podium finishers just six years later. He shares the tactical decisions, training philosophy, and sheer determination that got him there. Whether you're chasing your own breakthrough or just love a good underdog story, this episode delivers the goods. From his first national-level mountain bike race in 2017 to his controversial National Championship win in 2023, Brent reveals the secrets behind his success. He talks about recovering on descents, fuelling with massive amounts of carbs, and the importance of tactical racing when you're not the biggest engine in the bunch. Plus, he gives some cracking advice for anyone tackling the Otway Odyssey. Chapters Rapid Ascent [https://rapidascent.com.au/] •Otway Odyssey [https://otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au/] •Radl Grvl [https://www.radlgrvl.com/] •Brent Rees on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brentrees/]

Ep. 21: Adam Kelsall vs ChatGPT*: Can AI create a GOOD Otway Odyssey training plan?

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with his own coach, renowned Australian cycling coach Adam Kelsall, to tackle one of the hottest topics in sport right now: can you trust AI to build your training plan? Jeremy reveals he used a specialised AI tool, Manus, to create a full suite of training plans for every event at the Otway Odyssey. But with the finished product in hand, he lacks the confidence to actually follow it. This kicks off a fascinating conversation that is part-coaching session, part-tech exploration, and part-scientific deep dive. Adam, coach to Commonwealth Games silver medallist Zoe Cuthbert and back-to-back U23 National Champion Harry Doye, puts both Jeremy’s methodology and the AI’s output under the microscope. The result is a masterclass in training theory and a relatable exploration of the classic athlete’s dilemma: should you follow the sensible plan, or the one your ego wants? Key Topics & Timestamps: * (00:00) - Introduction: Jeremy introduces Adam Kelsall and the premise of the episode: Adz vs AI. * (01:11) - Adam’s Credentials: Adam discusses his current roster of elite athletes, including Zoe Cuthbert, Harry Doye, Alana Fletcher, and Tom Locke, and the challenges Australian cyclists face when competing in Europe. * (03:27) - The Demands of Different Disciplines: Adam explains how his background in sports science helps him analyse the specific physiological demands of XC, Enduro, and Downhill, highlighting the underestimated importance of aerobic fitness in gravity disciplines. * (07:00) - Elite Training Hours: A discussion on the training volume of elite U23 riders like Harry Doye (approaching 1000 hours/year) versus established pros like Alan Hatherly (rumoured 15 hours/week). * (09:10) - The AI Experiment: Jeremy outlines his process of using the AI tool Manus to create plans for all Otway Odyssey events, with a key instruction: all recommendations must be based on peer-reviewed sports science. * (11:14) - The Framework: Jeremy walks Adam through the 7-step framework that emerged from his iterative process with the AI: * Who are we training and what are their goals? * What fitness characteristics do they need? * What are the foundational training principles? * What are the training stimuli? * What's the Minimum Effective Dose (MED)? * How do we periodise it? * The importance of recovery. * (43:38) - The Science of Recovery: Adam and Jeremy discuss the undisputed champions of recovery (sleep and nutrition) and why the science is still lacking in measuring recovery effectively. * (51:30) - Periodisation Explained: Adam breaks down how he uses a 4-phase periodisation model (Base, Build, Peak, Taper) to structure a 12-week plan, manipulating duration and intensity to drive adaptation. * (1:18:02) - Polarised vs Pyramidal Training: A deep dive into the 80/20 rule. Adam explains why a polarised model works for high-volume athletes, but a pyramidal model (including tempo/sweet spot) is often more efficient and specific for time-crunched mountain bikers. * (1:26:55) - The Dilemma: Jeremy reveals his personal dilemma. The AI recommended the 8-10 hour/week Time-Efficient plan for him, but his ego wants the 12-16 hour/week High-Volume plan. This kicks off a real-world coaching conversation about ambition vs reality. * (1:40:53) - The Verdict & The Solution: Adam gives his final verdict on the AI’s plan and the role of AI in coaching. He argues that AI can handle the planning, freeing up coaches to focus on the irreplaceable human elements: individualisation, skill development, tactics, and building confidence. * (1:45:07) - The Big Offer: Jeremy proposes that Adam review all 12 AI-generated plans, add his human layer of coaching wisdom, and make them available for free to the entire Otway Odyssey community. ALL FREE AI TRAINING PLANS HERE (please read Adam’s comment document first!): 👉https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OSQodB3o9ohsYlDLpFNJGof1SO5ZmNAy?usp=drive_link CLARIFICATION ON TRAINING ZONES: In the pod. Adam & Jez talk about the Coggan training zones and what percentage of FTP heart rate "Zone 2" falls under. The correct HR zone for Zone 2 is 69%-83% of FTP HR. Full explanation of zones here >  [https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/power-training-levels/] Mentioned in this episode: * Adam Kelsall:Hero Dirt Coaching [https://www.herodirt.com.au/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herodirt/] * Otway Odyssey:Website [https://otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au/] * Athletes: Zoe Cuthbert, Harry Doye, Brendan ‘Trekkie’ Johnston, Ryan Gilchrist, Alan Hatherly, Jack Ward, Sam Hill. *Program used was Manus AI.