The Best Athletics Podcast

Nick Bester
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Running
  • Updated Fortnightly

Welcome to the Best Athletics podcast! We will be bringing you regular updates from Best Athletics - including club news, upcoming races & events, regular coaches corner, member and athlete interviews alongside bringing on guests from across the running community and much more!

  1. George Kusche: Inside a Record Breaking Comrades Performance Ep.26

    18 June

    George Kusche: Inside a Record Breaking Comrades Performance Ep.26

    Fresh off an outstanding performance at Comrades, Nick, founder of Best Athletics, sits down with elite runner George Kusche to discuss training, racing, fuelling and what it takes to perform at the highest level. From race day tactics to balancing training and recovery, George shares practical insights that runners of all abilities can apply to their own training. In This Episode 00:00 – 01:31 Intro & first reactions 01:31 – 02:32 Which is harder: the Up Run or the Down Run? 02:32 – 07:30 When did George know the record was possible? 07:30 – 10:51 Experiencing Comrades from the front of the race 10:51 – 15:36 Fuelling strategy on race day 15:36 – 19:30 Did the race unfold as planned? 19:30 – 25:00 The relationship between speed and ultramarathon performance 25:00 – 34:30 A deep dive into George's training 34:30 – 37:20 Balancing training, life and performance 37:20 – 39:50 Sleep, recovery and daily habits 39:50 – 41:40 Life as a full time athlete 41:40 – 44:40 What's next? 44:40 – 46:30 The best advice George has received 46:30 – 48:44 What everyday fuelling looks like 48:44 – 52:23 Outro 💙 Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next ultra, this episode is packed with insights from one of the sport's most exciting athletes. 🎧 Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway

    52 min
  2. Ep. 25 Jake Ran to Japan: 280K Weeks, Motivation & Marathon Goals

    04/11/2025

    Ep. 25 Jake Ran to Japan: 280K Weeks, Motivation & Marathon Goals

    Nick Bester, the coach and founder behind Best Athletics, joins Jake from Ran to Japan to talk training, recovery, motivation, and chasing marathon dreams. They cover everything from 280k weeks and smart cross-training to fuelling, heat adaptation, and whether YouTube helps or hinders performance. A must-listen for runners who love to train hard and smart.

    35 min
  3. Sub 2:30 in Berlin – Pushing Through the Heat - Ep.24

    01/10/2025

    Sub 2:30 in Berlin – Pushing Through the Heat - Ep.24

    In this episode, Nick Bester sits down with Cole Gibbens to unpack an incredible run at the Berlin Marathon going sub 2:30 despite tough conditions. We dive into how the race unfolded, handling the heat, and what it’s like to experience Berlin compared to London. We also cover the realities behind the performance: tummy issues, training blocks, mileage for mental health vs. overdoing it, and whether chasing the kind of mileage we’ve seen from the likes of Ran to Japan is worth it. We chat coaching (and a possible announcement 👀), calorie monitoring, and social media from Insta to YouTube. Plus, what it’s like stepping into the world as a sponsored adidas athlete, and what’s next in terms of training philosophy: mileage or more quality? An honest, insightful look behind the grind, the mindset, and the future 🙌🏽

    38 min
  4. Unlocking Your Mental Edge with Robin Hughes - Ep.23

    15/08/2025

    Unlocking Your Mental Edge with Robin Hughes - Ep.23

    In this episode of the Best Athletics Podcast, Nick Bester sits down with Robin Hughes, founder of Getahead an app that provides Mental Training Plans, to explore the often-overlooked side of performance - your mindset. They dig into questions every runner has wondered: Is there such a thing as mental talent, just like physical talent?Can you actually train your mental strength to push further?How much untapped potential lies in your mind?What’s the ideal pre-race mindset?Are some people simply untrainable from a mental perspective?Whether you’re chasing PBs or just starting out, Robin shares practical insights to help you level up your mental game. 📲 Follow Robin: @getaheadmindset

    47 min
  5. Unlocking Strength for Runners – with Kate from Valere Endurance Ep.23

    07/08/2025

    Unlocking Strength for Runners – with Kate from Valere Endurance Ep.23

    In this episode, Best Athletics founder Nick Bester sits down with strength and conditioning coach Kate from Valere Endurance to unpack everything runners need to know about strength work. From how often you should train, whether you really need a gym, to tackling persistent injuries like Achilles pain. This conversation is packed with practical advice. Kate shares her expert insights on injury prevention, muscle maintenance beyond age 25, and the one exercise no runner should skip. Whether you're a beginner or elite, this episode will help you build a stronger, more resilient running body. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your running community. To learn more or work with Kate, follow @running.on.island.time on Instagram or visit the Valere Endurance website for details on their programs and contact info. Thanks for listening – and remember, strength is speed in disguise! https://www.valereendurance.com/

    46 min
  6. Bigger Than Running x Nick Bester Ep.22

    30/07/2025

    Bigger Than Running x Nick Bester Ep.22

    In this episode, Aubrey sits down with Nick Bester, founder of Best Athletics, for an honest and energising conversation about the running journey and everything that comes with it. From humble beginnings to performance running, they dive into: 🏃‍♂️ How they each got started in running👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Balancing training with fatherhood, marriage, and work📈 Nick’s transition into coaching and building a thriving community🤝 The mindset behind celebrating others’ wins🔥 Nick’s new coach and what’s next for his own journeyIt’s real talk about the highs, the hard bits, and why this sport is bigger than running. Follow & Connect: 🎧 Aubrey – @bigger.than.running🎧 Nick – @justalilbester🏃‍♂️ Best Athletics – @bestathletics Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts |

    49 min
  7. Christa Cain: Triple Gold at the Island Games & Life on the Rise Ep.21

    25/07/2025

    Christa Cain: Triple Gold at the Island Games & Life on the Rise Ep.21

    Founder of Best Athletics, Nick Bester, catches up with standout BA athlete Christa Cain fresh off her incredible performance at the 2025 Island Games—where she brought home three golds and a bronze and set a 10,000m record. They chat about: How it felt to race at the Island GamesManaging the quick race turnaroundsHer favourite distance to raceBalancing training with more time off workHer thoughts on improvement, future goals, and go-to race shoesPlus, her ultimate post-race treatFollow Christa’s journey @christasjc 🇮🇲 Island Games Champion 🏃‍♀️ 5K: 16:33 | 10K: 34:53 | HM: 75:27 | Marathon: 2:37:25

    28 min
  8. Chasing Marginal Gains: Jack Kavanagh on Consistency, Progression & Future Ambitions Ep.20

    08/07/2025

    Chasing Marginal Gains: Jack Kavanagh on Consistency, Progression & Future Ambitions Ep.20

    In this episode of the Best Athletics Podcast, Nick Bester sits down with rising athlete Jack Kavanagh to unpack his journey from casual runner to serious competitor. Jack shares how he got into the sport, the year on year progression that’s propelled him forward, and what a typical high mileage training week looks like. They dive into: Jack’s favourite workoutsHis nutrition and fuelling strategiesLife with support from ON RunningTop tips for runners chasing big improvementsAnd his bold future goals — including a sub-2:30 marathonGive it a listen on your easy runs or during your commute - it’s packed with practical insights, inspiration, and honest reflections from an athlete on the rise.

    33 min
See All (27)

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Best Athletics podcast! We will be bringing you regular updates from Best Athletics - including club news, upcoming races & events, regular coaches corner, member and athlete interviews alongside bringing on guests from across the running community and much more!

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Bester
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nick Bester 2023
  • Show Website
    The Best Athletics Podcast

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