Preparing your Mind for Endurance Events using the Chimp Paradox Model

Nat Taylor: Setting a New Dragon's Back FKT 🐉

This week we’re joined by Nat Taylor to talk about her recent experience setting the new Dragon's Back Race FKT. Nat completed the 380km route from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle in an incredible 75 hours and 39 minutes — taking more than 26 hours off the previous supported FKT record. We chat through the attempt from start to finish, including the huge team effort behind the scenes, pacing through the Welsh mountains, night navigation in the Rhinogs, sleep strategy, fuelling challenges, kit failures, and the mental battle of the final miles into Cardiff. Nat also shares lessons from years of adventure racing and ultra running, why consistency matters more than huge training volume, and how running with friends can completely change an experience like this. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at an extraordinary performance. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/fan_mail/new] This episode is sponsored by Empowered2.  Most businesses significantly underinvest in leadership development. Leadership development should be bespoke and appropriate for the needs of your business, adding value by improving the performance of everyone involved with immediately deployable tools and techniques. Jon helps organisations serious about creating high performing leaders and organisations to create meaningful, memorable and lasting leadership legacy.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/support]

Preparing your Mind for Endurance Events using the Chimp Paradox Model

In this episode Jon and Amie take a practical deep dive into the Chimp Paradox model and how it can be used to create a plan for high-pressure situations, in the context of big races. Using the model’s three systems — the Chimp, Human and Computer — Jon works through a real example based on his build towards the South Downs Way 100 in June, creating a five-step mental preparation plan for race day. The plan includes anticipating difficult thoughts and emotions before they happen, understanding what your brain is trying to protect you from, reconnecting with your values and intentions, and building practical strategies to stay present when things get tough. Although the conversation is centred around ultra running, the ideas are designed to be applied to any high-pressure situation, whether that’s racing, work, public speaking, or everyday challenges. We hope you find this a really practical approach to doing the mental preparation which is so important for your race or big challenge.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/fan_mail/new] This episode is sponsored by Empowered2.  Most businesses significantly underinvest in leadership development. Leadership development should be bespoke and appropriate for the needs of your business, adding value by improving the performance of everyone involved with immediately deployable tools and techniques. Jon helps organisations serious about creating high performing leaders and organisations to create meaningful, memorable and lasting leadership legacy.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/support]

Thames Path 100 2026 Race Review: Highs, Lows & Lessons ⚡

This week Graham returns to the podcast to talk through his experience at the Centurion Thames Path 100, his first attempt at the 100 mile distance. From a fast start and early confidence, to stomach issues, snapped poles, pizza-fuelled revivals, torrential rain, cold night miles and the mental battle that comes deep into an ultra, we follow the race from start to finish. Although the day ended in a DNF after 80 miles, this episode is an honest reflection on what it really feels like to push yourself to the limit in a first 100 miler - and the role friends, crew and support play in getting you through the hardest moments. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/fan_mail/new] This episode is sponsored by Empowered2.  Most businesses significantly underinvest in leadership development. Leadership development should be bespoke and appropriate for the needs of your business, adding value by improving the performance of everyone involved with immediately deployable tools and techniques. Jon helps organisations serious about creating high performing leaders and organisations to create meaningful, memorable and lasting leadership legacy.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/support]

Starting Running & the 'Half Marathon Bet' with Michelle Sinclair 🎲

This week's episode explores highs, lows and lessons from a new runner. We’re joined by Michelle Sinclair, who started running only 13 months ago. We chat about her “why” for getting started, the benefits she's found from it and how she’s approached training — from 5K and 10K plans through to training for her first half marathon — and what’s worked along the way. We also get into the story of a friendly (but very real) rivalry with her husband, Kevin, which led to a bold bet at the White Horse Half Marathon… complete with a 30-minute head start.  Did she beat him? You’ll have to listen to find out. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/fan_mail/new] This episode is sponsored by Empowered2.  Most businesses significantly underinvest in leadership development. Leadership development should be bespoke and appropriate for the needs of your business, adding value by improving the performance of everyone involved with immediately deployable tools and techniques. Jon helps organisations serious about creating high performing leaders and organisations to create meaningful, memorable and lasting leadership legacy.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/support]

South Downs Way 100 Build-Up 📈

This week Jon and Amie catch up on Jon’s training as he builds towards his A-race for the year — the South Downs Way 100. They chat about managing niggles, improving balance, and making more sustainable shoe choices, as well as their new treadmill set-up to help build endurance, add climbing, and better replicate race conditions. There’s also a conversation around the mindset work they’ve both been exploring, learning how to understand themselves better and respond more effectively to the inevitable challenges and setbacks that come with training for big races. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/fan_mail/new] This episode is sponsored by Empowered2.  Most businesses significantly underinvest in leadership development. Leadership development should be bespoke and appropriate for the needs of your business, adding value by improving the performance of everyone involved with immediately deployable tools and techniques. Jon helps organisations serious about creating high performing leaders and organisations to create meaningful, memorable and lasting leadership legacy.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460405/support]