This week I'm joined by swim coach and author Paul Eaglestone, whose new book Freespeed offers a simple but powerful approach to improving front crawl technique — especially for triathletes. Paul shares insights from a lifetime in swimming, including his early coaching work with Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, and why he believes most triathletes can find "free speed" in the water through better technique, not harder work. From hydrodynamics and stroke mechanics to the role of kicking, turn...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 429
In this candid and deeply personal episode, Beth takes the lead to discuss a topic close to her heart—body image and the challenge of making sustainable changes to weight and body composition. Stepping away from racing and performance metrics, Simon and Beth reflect on the psychological, emotional, and practical aspects of health-focused weight management, particularly for those with a history of disordered eating. Topics Discussed: Beth’s personal history with scales, disordered eating, and bod...
Jul 02, 2025•59 min•Ep. 428
One week after crossing the finish line at Ironman Austria, Beth returns to the podcast to share what the experience really felt like—after the adrenaline wore off. From analysing her performance to navigating recovery, she opens up about the emotional rollercoaster, the lessons she’s taking forward, and how her mindset continues to evolve. Whether you’re planning your own big event or just curious about what happens after the finish line, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest debrief. Wha...
Jun 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 427
In this emotional and inspiring episode, Simon sits down with Beth to unpack her unforgettable day at Ironman Austria. From tranquil lake swims and smooth alpine roads to an intense race against the clock and searing heat, Beth shares the highs, lows, and mental battles of race day. This is more than a race recap—it's a story of resilience, mindset, and sheer determination. What You’ll Hear: How pre-race nerves were surprisingly absent (until they weren’t!) The benefits of arriving early and sta...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 426
In this episode, Simon chats with Martin Whitaker — a performance coach and PhD researcher specialising in blood flow restriction (BFR) training — about powerful tools for boosting performance, enhancing recovery, and staying fit for life. Topics Discussed: What is blood flow restriction training and how does it work? Strength and hypertrophy gains with lower loads Case studies from ACL rehab and elite football clubs VO₂ Max development using low-intensity interval training with BFR Using BFR fo...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 425
This week, I’m joined by triple Olympian, world champion cyclist, PhD engineer—and now author—Emma Pooley. From humble beginnings as a cross-country runner to Olympic silver in the time trial, Emma shares her fascinating athletic journey, why she hated cycling at first, and how she learned to love descending. They explore: Why joy—not just performance—should drive training Emma’s candid experience with eating disorders in elite sport The benefits of real food over engineered nutrition Her new bo...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 424
Beth is back! Just two weeks out from Ironman Austria, Simon and Beth chat through the highs and hurdles of her training journey. From emotional breakthroughs in the pool with swim coach Ray Gibbs to navigating the challenges of a new bike setup, nutrition plans, and a warm-up race at Outlaw Half—this episode is packed with insights for any triathlete prepping for race day. Key Topics: Beth’s follow-up session with swim coach Ray Gibbs Embracing technique over speed and building long-term swim e...
May 28, 2025•47 min•Ep. 423
You’ve trained for months, followed the plan, and now race day is approaching. But even the best preparation can fall apart without smart execution on the day. In this solo episode, I break down the five essential components of a successful race day plan — helping you avoid common pitfalls and stay calm, confident, and in control. Whether you’re doing a triathlon, long sportive, or any endurance event, these strategies will help you perform at your best when it counts. What You’ll Learn The #1 r...
May 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 422
This week, I’m catching up with an old friend and long-time triathlon devotee, Tim Ashelford. With over 35 years in the sport, Tim has quietly built a life around consistent training, minimal injuries, and a mindset that favours long-term health over short-term glory. Together we explore: The early days of UK triathlon clubs (and some very questionable kit choices!) Why Tim chose not to pursue Ironman long-term The underestimated value of sprint and standard-distance racing How to stay healthy, ...
May 14, 2025•50 min•Ep. 421
What does it really mean to be battle ready? In this episode of the High Performance Human Podcast, host Simon Ward breaks down a smarter, more sustainable approach to health and fitness — one that’s built for the demands of everyday life, not just race day. Forget chasing peak performance 24/7. Instead, Simon explores how to create a balanced, resilient body and mind through consistent training, smart recovery, and holistic health habits. Whether you're a triathlete, weekend warrior, or just so...
May 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 420
In this heartfelt and deeply insightful conversation, Simon Ward speaks with long-time podcast listener and endurance athlete Dave Hill, who shares his recent journey through an unexpected prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Despite being in excellent health, with a strong training routine, healthy nutrition, and a proactive attitude towards wellbeing, Dave’s story begins with a routine blood test that flagged an elevated PSA level – a silent sign that something was amiss. Topics...
Apr 30, 2025•57 min•Ep. 419
Why You Should Listen Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. In this solo episode, Simon dives into five practical, science-backed priorities that can help you feel younger, move better, and stay strong well into your later years. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to keep doing the things you love for longer, this episode is packed with real-life-tested strategies to support healthy ageing. From lifting weights to sleeping better, eating smarter and moving more — this is your roadmap to a...
Apr 23, 2025•33 min•Ep. 418
In this solo episode, Simon Ward breaks down six simple but powerful daily health metrics that can help you make smarter training and lifestyle decisions—without being overwhelmed by tech or data. And the best part is they are either free or very cheap to measure. Whether you're an athlete over 50, a weekend warrior, or simply looking to better understand your body, these metrics offer valuable insights into your health, recovery, and overall performance potential. Why They Matter Tracking just ...
Apr 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 417
When I trained for my first Ironman back in 1995 — nearly 30 years ago — there weren’t many resources available. That presented a real challenge. It was all trial and error. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got the opposite problem: too much information. With so much out there, it can be hard to know what really matters. The key? Getting the right information — and focusing on the things that actually make a difference on race day. Most athletes are fixated on crossing the finish line — and sure...
Apr 09, 2025•30 min•Ep. 416
What do you get when you combine a full-distance Ironman with not one but two full Hyrox events? A self-created endurance monster called TRIROX—and that’s exactly what Gaz McNamara is taking on to raise funds for the military charity REORG. (BREAKING NEWS - The event date is now set as 20 Sept, 2025) Gaz, a former military PTI and triathlete with two decades of experience in physical training and rehabilitation, shares the why, how, and what was I thinking? behind this uniquely brutal challenge....
Apr 02, 2025•51 min•Ep. 415
Army officer. Ironman triathlete. Paratrooper. Kona qualifier. Rosie Wild is no stranger to pushing boundaries—both physically and mentally. In this episode, she shares her remarkable journey from academic Latin scholar to Sandhurst Sword of Honour recipient, and from knee injury to elite endurance athlete. Why You Should Listen: Rosie’s story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and quiet determination. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone chasing a challenging goal, her perspective ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 414
Indie Lee is making waves in the middle- and long-distance triathlon scene. If you missed our 2023 conversation about her journey, be sure to check it out. Today, we’re diving into her 2024 season, filled with incredible results, surprising breakthroughs, and tough disappointments. Indie shares a refreshingly honest insight into the challenges of professional triathlon—from the highs of success to the struggles behind the scenes. We discuss how working with a new coach helped her unlock the bene...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 413
The internal body clock—also known as the circadian rhythm—is something you’ve probably heard of. But did you know that every cell in your body has its own internal clock, and they’re not always perfectly in sync? I didn’t either! That’s why I’ve invited today’s guest, Professor Karyn Esser from the University of Florida, to help us explore this fascinating topic. As Chair of the Department of Physiology and Aging, Karyn and her team have been at the forefront of research on circadian rhythms—sp...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 412
Triathlon has been a recognised sport in the UK for 42 years, with the first official event held in 1983. My guest, Steve Trew, was there at the very beginning. Steve has had an incredible career in sport, particularly in triathlon. As one of the UK’s first triathlon coaches, he blended his experience as a competitive runner, triathlete, and personal trainer to help shape the sport—long before formal coaching education programmes even existed. He was also a pioneer of triathlon training camps, l...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 411
What if you could track your body’s readiness, optimise recovery, and boost your overall health—just by measuring one key metric? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Torkil Færø, author of The Pulse Cure, to explore the power of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). While many athletes use HRV to fine-tune their training, Dr. Torkil takes a broader approach—one that puts health first. And as I’ve learned over the years, when your health is in a great place, performance becomes much easier to optimise. We...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 410
Beth is back on the show as we check in on her Ironman Austria preparation! If you’ve been following along, you’ll remember that Beth had upcoming visits with Louisa (the physio), Ray Gibbs (swim coach), and Phil Burt (bike fitter). (If you missed those discussions, check out the links in the show notes!) Now that she’s completed all three sessions, we sit down to discuss her experiences and how each one is shaping her training and racing. Key topics in this episode: Beth’s anxiety ahead of her ...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min•Ep. 409
If you’re not familiar with Long Course Weekend (LCW), it’s a unique take on a full-distance triathlon—spread over 2.5 days. The concept is simple: •Swim 3.8K on Friday night •Ride 180K on Saturday •Finish with a full marathon on Sunday The original event took place in Tenby, Wales, following a course similar to the Ironman—though, fun fact, LCW actually came first! Since then, it has expanded to Belgium, Holland, Mallorca, and, most recently, Yorkshire. There’s now a range of distances availabl...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 408
At the time of recording this episode, I was in sunny Barbados—where January temperatures soar above 30°C. A stark contrast to the freezing weather I left behind in the UK! While the warm climate is great for a holiday, it presents unique challenges for training. That brings us to today’s topic: heat training. I’m joined by Dr. Lindsey Hunt, Senior Sports Scientist at Precision Fuel & Hydration, and a leading expert in this field. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 The benefits of heat training �...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 407
Welcome to this week's episode featuring Mike Goddard, entrepreneur, a current World and European triathlon champion in the 75-79 age group sprint distance and an avid fell runner. I invited Mike after he engaged with one of my recent posts about reducing training volume while maintaining performance. He didn't just maintain his fitness. He achieved unprecedented fitness, for him at least, winning his age group both the Euros and the World Championships in the sprint distance. If you're interest...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 406
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Emma Bexson. Emma is a champion Ironman age-group triathlete, a competitor in the Pro category of Hyrox events, a mother of three, and the owner of her own chiropractic clinic. Oh, and she rides racehorses every morning for fun! But Emma’s story doesn’t stop there. I first came across Emma about 15 years ago when a friend, Steve Lumley (aka the “Grumpy Old Coach”), shared a Facebook post showing her in the hospital after a serious bike crash...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 405
This week, I’m thrilled to welcome Paul Wheat, a dedicated 55-year-old triathlete who exemplifies what it means to be a High Performance Human. For Paul, high performance transcends athletic excellence; it encompasses all aspects of life, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships, and mental health. The beauty of this journey is that you don’t need to be a top-tier athlete to excel in these areas. Paul’s transformative journey began in 2020 when he joined my SWAT Inner Circle after exp...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 404
This week’s episode is a re-run of a conversation with Dr. Kelly Starrett (also known as K-Starr in the Crossfit world) from 4 years ago. Kelly is a renowned expert in strength and mobility. He is a coach, physical therapist, two-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, speaker, and the co-founder of The Ready State, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of guided movement, mechanics, and mobility instructional videos. This is a great time of year to start new ...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 399
Last week marked a milestone as we released our very first episode on Christmas Day, and today, we’re excited to bring you our inaugural episode on New Year’s Day! Similar to last week’s engaging conversation with the Grumpy Old Coaches, today's episode takes on a relaxed vibe. I'm joined again by Mrs. Ward, and together we’ll share some reflections—along with a glass of Prosecco—on our holiday season and its impact on our training routines and our healthy habits. We’ve both appreciated the down...
Jan 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 403
Welcome to a special Christmas Day episode of The Grumpy Old Coaches! Can you believe this is our very first podcast published on Christmas Day, after almost 400 episodes? In the spirit of the season, we’ve reunited at the White Lion in Wigan, with Steve Lumley and myself joining Marc Laithwaite for our annual Grumpy Old Coaches reunion. It’s been a year since our last get-together, so we have plenty to discuss. We'll reflect on 2024 and share our experiences of not quite achieving our goals due...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 402
There’s no such thing as a silly question—if it’s important to you, it’s worth asking! As a coach, I love helping people solve their challenges, and curiosity is a huge part of that process. Asking questions and exploring ideas is how we grow, and I encourage you to keep them coming. This week’s podcast is a little different—there are no guests, just me answering a selection of listener questions. If you’ve got a question you’d like me to address in a future episode, don’t hesitate to send it my...
Dec 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 401
