With the Believe Strive Achieve Endurance podcast our aim is to become the go to place for triathlon motivation and coaching advice.
The Believe. Strive. Achieve. Endurance Podcast brings expert and everyday athletes together and synthesises the information to help you get faster. We’ll cover topics from physiology to psychology, to injury to winning and everything in between for endurance loving athletes.
Hosted by one of our expert coaches, Diogo Custodio, we ensure that whoever the guest is, there is something that you can take-away, learn and use straight away in your own quest to conquering your own performance. Join a group of like-minded individuals as we all:
Believe. Strive. Achieve.
Do you have any guests you would like us to interview or topics you would like us to cover on the podcast?
Past Episodes
In this episode, we meet with Nick Hart from the Altitude Centre. Nick is a specialist in extreme environment physiology and brings this knowledge into the discussion with our head Coach Philip. This conversation explores the basics of physiological testing, altitude and heat training. All of these are services available at the Altitude Centre in London.
First, we discuss how physiological testing enables athletes to understand their signature or blueprint of their physiology. This can illuminate training efficiency opportunities.
We also cover altitude training methodologies and the best practices for athletes to use altitude training to boost performance or time spent training. We consider how home rental of altitude tents and exercise machines can be a viable alternative for athletes wanting to maximise their time or recover effectively from injury.
Finally, we look into the importance of heat adaption and training for heat tolerance. This new service in their centre impacts more athletes than you would have realised.
This is one of those episodes where you want to keep diving deeper, but for now, we will scratch the surface and explore more of this in subsequent episodes.
This episode's guest is a world record holder, a true endurance athlete and someone who constantly challenges what is possible and forces us all to ask, why not?
We first encountered this athlete after hearing he was the first Para athlete to complete the Northern Channel crossing. Not only did we not know what the Northern Crossing was, but we soon discovered an incredibly inspiring athlete who was excellent in cold water and distance swimming.
Additionally, he is a pioneer in making the open water and countryside more accessible for people with disabilities. He is involved with several charities and organisations where he passionately believes in making sport accessible.
Jonty Warneken is a GB para-athlete, an ice swimming world record holder, and is heavily involved in OMT, the World Open Water Swimming Association and the Ice Swimming Association. We are delighted to spend some time talking to him, though we realise his ability to normalise some of the most daunting endurance feats is infectious. There is a strong chance that by talking any longer with him, we would jump at the opportunity of going cold water swimming, completing an ice mile and looking for the next distance swim challenge. Why? Well, because why not?!
In this fascinating episode, we explore his feats of endurance, ability to withstand freezing temperatures, and how he works with a greater sense of purpose to achieve his goals.
For more information on Jonty and some of what we have covered in today’s episode:
Ice Swimming
International Ice Swimming – https://internationaliceswimming.com/
Para Ice Swimming – https://www.openwaterswimming.com/para-swimmers-made-ice-swimming-history-at-the-5th-iisa-world-championship/
Para-swimming
Para V swim series – https://www.para-v.com/
Open Water Swimming Advisory Board – https://www.openwaterswimming.com/announcing-our-new-wowsa-advisory-board/
Charity Work:
Opencountry charity – https://www.opencountry.org.uk/
Yorkshire dale river trust – https://www.ydrt.org.uk/
In this episode, we have coached athlete and physio Rosemary Fernando and her business partner, Cat-1 cyclist and physio Penny Colloff, talking to us about their experiences of starting a new business as physios and a bit more about their profession.
In this episode, we look at what athletes can do to gain the most out of a physiotherapy session, how they can understand what different pains mean and how to decide if they need to go and see an expert or if they can carry on working through a niggle or pain.
Listen to this fascinating, informed and genuine conversation between two passionate professionals and our coaching team. There will undoubtedly be something for all abilities as we explore how athletes can use this knowledge and inspiration to get back onto their podium, whatever that may be for them.
In this episode, we meet Carmen Somerset, a long-distance swimmer. Carmen used to train in our Oxfordshire Swimming Squad before moving to Brighton, where she moved from lake swimming all year round to sea swimming all year round. This change moved her towards longer-distance events. She has completed the Channel swim as part of a relay, Lake Windemere, The Rampion wind farm and swum the length of Loch Ness. Next year, she is focussing on a Channel swim solo.
After her Channel Relay, she reflected on swimming and wrote down the following thoughts:
"My swimming has taken me far beyond what I thought or even expected it could, and that's so important to me; I have let it evolve, I have welcomed opportunities, I have tested myself, I have met incredible people, swam in amazing places and made memories that will last a lifetime.
Swimming is not something I do; swimming is me. I've never felt more determined about anything, and I am giving this challenge everything I have."
We explore what training for these long-distance swimming events looks like, the natural fears people get of open water and how that can resonate in life, as well as some really fantastic insight into mindset and psychology that can be useful for all athletes hoping to balance extra-ordinary dreams through their busy lives. This one is a must-listen episode.
There are many reasons for wanting to complete a triathlon. In this podcast Coach Denise talks to Lesley Walker, who has recently completed her first middle-distance triathlon. Lesley took on a series of challenges to raise money for Alzheimer's Research, stretching her abilities both physically and mentally. Here she reflects on what she has learned during this process and what she would pass on to other athletes.
Life doesn’t always go as planned, in this episode, Coach Alan and Coach Will discuss if your training should be adjusted when you’re under stress.
In this episode, Coach Philip has a very candid conversation with Mark Harvey (Harvey). Harvey and Philip have known each other since they raced their first 70.3 (or Half IRONMAN as they were called) in 2008. They then went on to complete their first IRONMAN in the same year before Philip began to try and go faster, and Harvey wanted to go longer!
Have a listen to see what you can learn by facing the limits of your endurance.
In this episode, Coaches Denise, Alan, and Diogo talk about the Off Season and the benefits that it can have for an athlete. This often misunderstood part of the training cycle is covered in a lot of detail, with the coaches exploring how this could look for different athletes at different points in their training life.
In this episode we recover the Coaches on the Couch episode where coach Philip and coach Alan spoke about the the aspects of choosing a race that suit your training and motivations.
In this episode we hear our coaches discussing what was their most valuable coaching moment of the year and how the make this a meaningful insight for their athletes to hear too. This seemingly straightforward topic caused our coaches to really pause and think about what value they were actually applying to athletes – the result may actually surprise you.
In this episode we recover the Coaches on the Couch from the 31st of May, where coach Alan and coach Kevin spoke about the work that has been done by the Norwegian athletes and coaches that are putting them in the Spotlight.
In this episode our guest is one of our coached athletes. David Maia, is a coached athlete who suffered a bike crash last August that put him in coma for one month.
David shares with us how his recovery was from learning how to walk again to the start line of a Triathlon race in this past month of March.
His will power and resilience allowed him to have a fantastic recovery that not only gives him the chance to live a normal life but to keep doing what he loves the most, Triathlon.
In this episode, Coach Philip talks with Simon Roche, who recently completed the Marathon des Sables. The MdS, as it is affectionately known, is labelled as the toughest foot race on earth, and Simon came in the top 50, amongst the elite runners and was proudly the 8th Brit across the line. Simon's Coach, Trevor, also joins the conversation and the pair talk about the preparation needed for such an event, how they managed setbacks and the extreme level of trust in the process that they both focussed in. There are lessons here for all athletes of any ability to take forwards and realise that you don't have to start by being one of the best in the world, you have to trust the process and slowly chip away at getting better, and you will travel very far. It was also fascinating to hear how much preparation and specific training played pivotal roles in success. If planning is a big part of success, then this experience certainly added to it, and there are direct associations that all of you can apply to your racing and everyday life. We hope you enjoy hearing about this race in the desert!
Instagram – MrRocherun (@rocherun) • Instagram photos and videos
Website – Simon Roche is fundraising for The Gatehouse (justgiving.com)
In this episode, Coach Philip and Coach Alan, guide us through the six pillars of Triathlon Development. They look through the theory from the principles for athlete development according to the British Triathlon Federation but bring it back to how these ideas, set up for high performing, Olympic medalist hopefuls, is as applicable to age groupers and amateurs as it is to the elite. Have a listen and a learn and let us know what you think.
If you would like to know more about this subject, please visit the British Triathlon website.
If you would like to know more about this subject, please visit the British Triathlon website at https://www.britishtriathlon.org/gb-teams/talent/athlete-development-framework/the-six-pillars
In this episode, we talk to coached athlete Milly Pelmore. Milly worked with her coach Philip for about a year and is looking towards completing her first IRONMAN this summer. Milly has Endometriosis, which means she has to manage her training around her symptoms, and this episode looks at how she manages that, her work-life balance, and her training.
Milly has Endometriosis, which means that uterus cells and tissues are found outside the womb. Like the womb, the tissue will shed its lining during every menstrual cycle. Unlike the womb, where there is somewhere for the bleeding to escape, the blood has nowhere to go, often becomes scar tissue and can be excruciatingly painful at random times, not just when a woman is menstruating. This is relatively common yet can take a long time to be diagnosed. Milly has to manage her training around her symptoms, and this episode looks at how she manages that, her work-life balance, and her training.
Milly has an extraordinarily positive outlook on her situation, and her ability to pivot problems into opportunities is inspiring. Listen to this episode and learn more about Endometriosis and how you can take her skills and apply them to your own training or life problems.
If you, or someone you know, has Endometriosis or think that you do, please check out the charity page below, or speak to your doctor.
Instagram – @millypelmore
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/milly.taylor.77
Twitter – @millypelmore
Find out more about endometriosis and the impact it can have:
UK charity: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/
A recent piece 220 Triathlon did on an end triathlete: https://www.220triathlon.com/training/women/exercising-with-endometriosis-a-triathletes-story/
A 2021 BBC piece on Endometriosis and sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/56276626#:~:text=When%20endometriosis%2C%20a%20condition%20that,on%20her%20life%20and%20career
In this episode we recover the Coaches on the Couch recorded on the 22nd of February when Coach Philip and Coach Alan discussed a very controversial subject, Foot Strike! In this episode you can listen both coaches opinion about the importance of foot strike.
In this episode we will recover the Coaches on the Couch from 25th of January where Coach Philip, Jon and Kevin discussed why would you spend 5h on the turbo and how can you do it. This is a time where a lot of athletes like to spend a lot of time doing turbo, this episode will be useful, why not listening to it while you do one of your indoor sessions?
In this episode, coaches Philip and Alan discuss the Off-Season: What is it? Why is it important? When is it over? Should you take one...and much more. If you are someone who has just started their off-season or are unwilling to stop for fear of losing fitness, then this episode is for you.
If you’re relaxing in your off-season now, we hope you enjoy this one even more!
As we lead into the final days of this season, when is the right time to call it a day? When should you do one more race? How do you know which is the right decision? In this episode of Coaches on the Couch, coaches Alan and Philip talk about that final race of the season.
Some athletes struggle to find the best way to manage the pressure that sometimes they put themselves for a race, in this episode, Coach Philip tells how to manage the anxiety and the nerves that athletes often have before a big event and have the best experience on the big day.
In this episode, we have an interesting chat with coach Kevin Smith. Kevin is a cycling and triathlon enthusiast and a coach. He has worked with Tri Training Harder for the past couple of years and has been cycling coaching and guiding from his house in France for years before that. After living in New Zealand for four years, Kevin has moved to France and owns a B&B at the bottom of the famous Alpe d’Huez climb. Tri Training Harder has run some training camps there. It is also where Kevin hosts some cycling camps out of his B&B. he encourages anyone who loves cycling to come and join him and his family in one of the most picturesque places to train and enjoy outdoor activities in the world. His experience and attention to detail are fascinating, and we know you will love to hear about his coaching philosophy and approach.
If you would like to know more about our training camps in France, please visit this link, and if you would like to know more about Coach Kevin’s place, please visit his website.
Get to know coach Kevin a little bit more in this episode.
Get to know coach Kevin a little bit more in this episode.
If you would like to know more about our training camps in France, please visit this link, and if you would like to know more about Coach Kevin’s place, please visit his website.
In his episode, we meet Coach Sorrel Williams: a passionate and extroverted coach that tells us her story of how she changed her past from generally not a sportsperson to become a Triathlon Coach and a full-distance triathlon finisher. Sorrel never had any background in sports and didn’t even know how to swim when she started, but that didn’t stop her from changing the direction of her life. Her can-do attitude and positive outlook on life are infectious. As one of our senior coaches, there are always nuggets of information that she can impart from her work with the Academy juniors to her work in other areas of triathlon and coaching. Tune in and have a listen.
In this episode we recover last week’s Coaches on the Couch where Coach Philip has guided us through the process of reflecting on a race and the details we need to to be aware of when racing.
With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games happening at this time, this is the perfect moment for you to learn as much as possible about the aspects of racing and what you can take from others and your competition experiences.
In this episode, we chat to Coach Soraya. Soraya is enthusiastic with a huge passion for the sport. She came to Triathlon coaching after some time working as a PT. For our coached athletes, she’s famous for her Strength and Conditioning workouts and if you met her on one of our camps, you will know her for her big smile and positive outlook on the steepest of climbs! Today, we find out more about her as the coach and the athlete.
If you want to read more about Soraya, check her profile here. This year, Soraya moved from the UK to New York where she has to face a totally different experience in triathlon and huge challenges and is now our US-based coach and representative.
Pretty much every triathlete has posed the question: “how can I improve my run?” when looking at the results list. “Improving my run” is the most common request that athletes have when come to us for coaching.
In this episode, we listen to the Coaches on the Couch, where Coaches Alan, Diogo and Philip discuss how can you run faster off the bike and what aspects you need to consider to be able to improve your run for the race day. These coaches review the different options often athletes consider as well as suggesting a straightforward approach to action as you aim to improve your run off the bike.
In this episode we get to know Isabel Tew, a positive and energetic person who talks to us about the benefits of learning and applying breathing techniques not just throughout our day but also for focussing through workouts and racing.
Isabel has a Yoga background and has been studying about meditation and breathing techniques in order to help people build their self-awareness and take in what is around them.
The return to swimming has been a major issue for most of the triathletes around the world, being unable to practice one of the most technical segments of triathlon is causing some stress into the athletes and make them wonder how ready or not they feel for the race day. In this episode, Coach Alan Ward and Coach Philip Hatzis discuss what we have learned from the return to swimming after a big pause due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In our 50th episode, in celebration of International Women's Day, Coaches Denise and Rita bring together a panel of our female athletes who bring together a range of experiences and insight in racing and training. As a male or a female athlete, this will be a fascinating conversation.