I’ve spoken enough about my personal efforts and experience ~ the story is told. However one story that hasn’t been told on this channel is this - We were a team of 16. For 9 months we toiled and strove for more from ourselves to prepare bodies and minds for the amazing challenge of the @mdslegendary . All 16 crossed the finish line. A incredible result for @ironmindinstitute To put this in context, when I did the race in 2016 only 50% of my tent finished the race. The race’s standard DNF rate i...
May 05, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 22
If I had to choose a word to describe the stage it would be - Uncomfortable. It rained. I limped. It sandstorm-ed. I hallucinated. I slept while I walked. I slept in a bush. I chose my response. I smiled. An epic day (and a bit). I spent the vast majority of it in a place I enjoy - on my own; in my own head. There was stuff to get some clarity on. The long reflective periods of silence were healthily broken by moments with Kevin from Cumbria, the 2 Pauls ( @pfarr1980 & @paulbyas ), James at ...
May 02, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 21
It's important to me that I am honest with myself. For years I wasn't. My dishonesty inflicted plenty of pain on me and others close to me. Honesty, I find, has the opposite effect and counterintuitively, the more brutal and confronting the information uncovered, the deeper its properties to bring goodness into the world. The truth is enlightening and empowering despite its often ugly facade. Although the act of being honest with myself is often an internal wrestle, I've fought hard and engraine...
May 01, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 20
The question that had to be answered: “Is my foot really stopping me running and pushing myself more, or is it a convenient excuse not to try?” I’m a father of two under 4. I started the Ironmind Institute 2 years ago and pour every ounce of energy into it daily. I train 2 - 3.5 hours each day to prepare my body to absorb the punishment of running 3,000km around Ireland in summer 2026. Life is full. My physical & mental prep for the Marathon des Sables met my standards. My technical prep did...
Apr 30, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 19
As I lined up to start my second Marathon des Sables, I wasn’t sure on how I would start. In previous days, my, until that point, clear intent had been disturbed due to some achilles tendon issues. A driving reason behind why I was standing here, staring down 250km across the Sahara desert was to settle some regrets from 2016. Therefore, focus and clarity of approach had not been an issue until inexplicably, the ache in my achillies ramped up as the shadow of the race loomed over us. As AC/DC’s ...
Apr 27, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Day 194 of Damian Browne’s prep for the Million Euro Lap —a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland’s coast to raise €1 million for charity. It’s Saturday, January 18, 11:34 AM, and Damian’s savoring a rare, peaceful morning—two coffees deep, kids at the zoo with his fiancée, work simmering. Then, snap: a stiff, throbbing Achilles crashes the calm. Week four of cycle four, a push phase, has been stellar—8+ RQS scores across four sessions, new strength PBs, and a gutsy 2,000-meter interval run last ni...
Apr 07, 2025•22 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Day 184 of Damian Browne’s prep for the Million Euro Lap —a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland’s coast to raise €1 million for charity. Tonight, at 9:30 PM, after a long, stressful day and scant sleep, Damian hits the treadmill with a nagging Achilles stiffness that’s haunted him since returning to Australia. What starts as a cautious test—90 seconds of biting pain—turns into a 30-minute run at 9 km/h, his longest nonstop effort since cycle three’s 28-minute peak. Relief floods in: no flare-up, ...
Apr 04, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Nine weeks since his last recording, life’s thrown a whirlwind his way: a five-week family trip to Ireland, patchy training, a breakthrough 40-minute run, and a near-disaster coaching a team through the Galway Mountains. Picture this: Damian, hauling 29 kilos up a brutal peak, catches the group only to hear, “Have you seen Paul?” Cue the panic—Paul’s vanished, the clock’s ticking, and sunset’s closing in. ✔️ Running breakthrough : 40 minutes on Ireland’s dark roads—28 straight, then 12 more ✔️ I...
Mar 31, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Day 100 of Damian Browne’s prep for the Million Euro Lap —a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland’s coast to raise €1 million for charity. This week, Damian hits a game-changer: his longest run without stopping in 100 days. Late at the gym, past 11 PM, he hops on the treadmill to “play around” and ends up floating through 12 minutes straight, then adds another 10. After weeks of breakdowns and fear, this 22-minute pain-free run—totaling 50 minutes for the week—marks a leap from cycle two’s eight-mi...
Mar 24, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Day 95 of Damian Browne’s journey to conquer a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland’s coast for the Million Euro Lap , aiming to raise €1 million for charity. Fresh off a trip to Ireland, Damian’s back in the grind—cycle three, day three—battling the aftermath of COVID, jet lag, and a nine-day training hiatus. What started as a triumphant return quickly turned into a war against fatigue, fever, and a body screaming for rest. But Damian’s not here to fold. Day one kicked off cycle three with a bang...
Mar 21, 2025•11 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Day 81 of preparing for the Million Euro Lap —a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland’s coast to raise €1 million for charity. Today, Damian Browne faces the final session of cycle two, a run he’s been dodging all week. Fear of another breakdown—rooted in 80 days of nagging Achilles and calf issues—has him reluctant to push. But with a hike in Ireland looming in two days, he laces up and goes for it. What unfolds is a gritty victory: 40 minutes of running, split into two-minute sprints (up to 13 km...
Mar 17, 2025•8 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Day 79 of preparing to run 3,000 kilometers around Ireland’s coast—the Million Euro Lap to raise €1 million for charity. Today, Damian Browne is mid-battle: not just with a brutal bike session, but with his own mind. Recorded amidst the chaos of rescuing his 1-year-old from a mud kitchen, this episode is podcasting at its rawest—an unfiltered dive into a day where performance goals clashed with fatigue, and the mental fight didn’t go his way. Week four of cycle two brought an “almighty” bike ses...
Mar 14, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Day 78 of preparing to run 3,000 kilometers around Ireland’s coast—a monumental challenge dubbed the Million Euro Lap to raise €1 million for charity. Today, Damian Browne is buzzing with momentum, four weeks into cycle two of his training. From 5:00 AM gym crowds in Australia to big jumps in strength and distance, this dispatch is a testament to grit, adaptation, and the power of routine. Week four is all about pushing the numbers—time on feet, load, speed—and Damian’s delivering. With running ...
Mar 10, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Day 65 of preparing body and mind to run 3,000 kilometers around the coast of Ireland—equivalent to 71 marathons back-to-back. Today’s dispatch captures Damian Browne at 4:40 AM, bleary-eyed in his car, wrestling with doubt and fatigue before heading to the gym. What unfolds is a raw, unfiltered look at the grind of endurance training: a morning of running intervals, a body teetering on the edge of injury, and a mind battling to stay disciplined. This episode marks week one of a new training cyc...
Mar 07, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Day 63 of preparing body and mind to run 3,000 kilometers around the coast of Ireland—equivalent to 71 marathons in a row. Today’s dispatch dives into the ongoing battle between a body forged through years of professional sport and the relentless demands of endurance training. A major shift has been made: training now happens first thing in the morning. The change aims to improve recovery, increase sleep duration, and optimize performance. With a new nine-day training cycle in place, today’s ses...
Mar 03, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Day 57 of preparing to run 3,000 kilometers around Ireland, and tonight’s session was a test of discipline, fatigue, and resilience. Finishing training at nearly midnight wasn’t about proving toughness—it was about sharing the reality of what it takes to pursue an ambitious, daunting goal. This journey isn’t just about endurance; it’s about the sacrifices, the behind-the-scenes struggles, and the mental battles that come with training at this level. After years of extreme challenges—from rowing ...
Feb 28, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Day 55 of preparing to run 3,000 kilometers around Ireland, and it was a night of small but meaningful victories. After four consecutive training sessions, I completed a treadmill workout—nine intervals of two minutes each—without breaking down. That was five more intervals than just nine days ago, and even a few at a faster pace. Incremental improvements, but improvements nonetheless. Support the Journey: If you’ve been inspired by this episode, consider supporting the journey by sharing the po...
Feb 24, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Day 52 of training for the 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland has been a frustrating one. The second training cycle started strong, with week one feeling motivational and high-quality. However, a family break disrupted momentum and attempts to fit in training before the trip fell short. The goal remains: to steadily progress, avoid overtraining, and regain belief in the mission. With patience and consistency, improvements will come. The challenge is balancing ambition with restraint, learning fr...
Feb 21, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Day 39 of preparing to run around Ireland, and doubt is creeping in. In this episode, Damian shares his raw and unfiltered thoughts while standing outside a shop at Inch Beach, County Kerry, amidst the rain and wind. He reflects on the mental and physical challenges of preparing for such an immense undertaking, the unexpected hurdles, and the shift in strategy that has led him to focus solely on running instead of incorporating cycling into the challenge. Despite the setbacks, this episode is a ...
Feb 17, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode, we dive into the reality of training when life gets in the way. Today was a mixed bag—an energising start followed by the unexpected challenge of fading energy. I reflect on the importance of listening to your body, adapting when necessary, and the mindset shift required to maintain momentum when things don’t go as planned. What Listeners Will Discover: Why not every session will feel like a win—and why that’s okay. The Adaptability Factor: How to adjust workouts based on energy...
Feb 14, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 5
It’s been a while since the last update. Today marks Day 23 of training, and Damian Browne shares a raw, unfiltered reflection on the struggles, setbacks, and sacrifices required to prepare for the Million Euro Lap. After weeks of grinding through sessions that ranged from solid to subpar, Damian is faced with yet another roadblock—this time, a back tweak during training. Frustration sets in. When you’re already managing an Achilles issue and avoiding running, another niggling injury feels like ...
Feb 10, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 4
" I'm like, finally, I've got the gym. I've got the track. I've got the gym, I've got the sled. Here we go. I can start doing my favorite exercise again, then…" In this episode, Damian Browne shares a raw and unfiltered reflection on the highs and lows of training for the Million Euro Lap . After months of anticipation, he finally secures the perfect gym, the right equipment, and a track suited for his intense training. But just as he prepares to launch into one of his favorite conditioning exer...
Feb 07, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 4
"I got through the training session, fucking real, like if the other stuff was junior infants, this was fucking, um, Montessori stuff." The journey continues as Damian Browne officially kicks off his 22-month training program for The Million Euro Lap. After months of inconsistent training and low-intensity sessions, this episode marks the turning point—where structure, purpose, and intensity return to the forefront. But it's a humbling start. Damian reflects on the reality of rebuilding his endu...
Feb 03, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 3
This episode marks the first step in a grueling 22-month journey as Damian Browne embarks on training for his latest challenge: The Million Euro Lap —an unprecedented feat of endurance that will push him beyond his limits. Recorded in the raw moments of fatigue and self-doubt, this episode captures the unfiltered reality of what it takes to commit to something extraordinary. From sleepless nights with his daughter in his arms to stepping into a demanding training session, Damian shares the inter...
Jan 31, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 2
“Purpose is born in the challenges we embrace, not the comforts we seek.” In this episode, Damian Browne opens up about life after his historic North Atlantic row, sharing the profound lessons learned during his recovery and how these experiences shape his approach to the next great challenge. This podcast isn’t just about extraordinary feats—it’s about what drives them: purpose, resilience, and connection. For listeners seeking inspiration to align their values with their ambitions, this episod...
Jan 27, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Join us as we wrap up the story of Damian's expedition double Kili expedition, recorded in two parts, with a mysterious twist in the middle. In the first half of the episode, recorded just hours before the final summit push, Damian takes you right into the heart of the action, leaving our listeners in suspense with an unexpected cliffhanger. To add to the intrigue, there's no follow-up dispatch, and we are left in the dark, just as Damian was on that fateful day. In the second half of the episod...
Oct 20, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 14
In this episode of "Deep Roots," Damian reflects on the lack of adversity and pain during the climb and worries that there won't be enough value for the listeners. However, he soon realizes that every experience has a lesson to offer. Damian grapples with the idea that his Kilimanjaro expedition might not provide the deep-rooted experiences he's sought for the series. His reflections take us through the challenging path of self-discovery and questioning the purpose of his journey. As he climbs h...
Oct 16, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Welcome to *Deep Roots,* the podcast that delves into the heart of human journeys and the resilience that keeps us going. I In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of adventure, where triumphs and trials often walk hand in hand. We take you through a pivotal moment on our journey when one of our fellow climbers had to make a heartbreaking decision due to medical advice. It's a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life's challenges and how they can impact even the grandest of dre...
Oct 11, 2023•14 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of Deep Roots, hosted by Damian Browne, we join Damian on his second summit attempt of Kilimanjaro. This marks the second day of his journey, and we get a glimpse into the challenges and introspective moments he encounters along the way. Episode Summary: As Damian embarks on another day of climbing, he reflects on the physical toll the journey takes on his body. The steep terrain and the heat are evident, and he notes the fatigue he and his fellow climbers experience. Despite the...
Oct 09, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 11
As the curtain closed on the first groups summit success last week, we quickly find ourselves back at the Machambe gate, where the heartbeats of anticipation resonate in the air. Damian's keen eye observes the bustling preparations of the dedicated porters, guides, and cooks, setting the stage for a thrilling return to this majestic peak. Meet the diverse ensemble of adventurers who will accompany Damian on this exhilarating quest. While some familiar faces like Chidi, Walter, and Fred rejoin th...
Oct 04, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 10
