Evolve Pod Ali Hollest

Episode one of a mini series on Human Performance featuring Jonny Huntington.

Jonny is a world class Elite Para skier, climber and explorer, former army officer and ultra runner.

Only recently Jonny has finished a 350km 11 day ultra marathon from Manchester to London

2014 was a pivotal point in Jonny’s life after suffering a bleed on the brain, causing paralysis from the neck down to his left side.

After vigorous and extensive rehabilitation Jonny was discharged from the Army and trained his way to representing GB in disabled cross country skiing. However the biggest challenge is yet to come. Jonny is setting his sights on becoming the first becoming the first ever disabled person to travel from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole solo, unsupported and unassisted!

Jonny is a sports scientist with a keen interest in psychology, nutrition and physiology. As well as being a performance coach to athletes and leaders alike.

”First and foremost, I’m an athlete. My injury hasn’t changed this. It may cause me to rethink my approach towards training or a certain event, but intrinsically the challenge is the same – with the right attitude and hard work, anything is achievable”

Episode 39 with Andrea Fawell.

This episode brings to the pod a very accomplished athlete. Andrea and I have been working together for a while now and as a team, have already hit some notable success, including the Summer Spine race, a 268 mile continuous ultra marathon.

But there is so much more to Andrea! Having completed various Ironman triathlons, Ultra runs including the infamous Marathon Des Sables and the Devizes to Westminster Kayak challenge, Andrea is now on a mission to help understand the effects of climate change on the Polar Ice caps and beyond.

We talk adventure, challenges, perception of self and much much more.

As ever, take a listen, learn and grow.

Episode 38 with pod favourite Dan Walmsley.

I wanted to get Dan back on to start to open that box of Wellbeing. I hear the term bounded around quite a lot these days, but what does it really mean and how can we apply wellbeing into our own lives?

We have broken it down into 4 key pillars to help you understand the key areas of looking out for yourself and allowing yourself to grow. Have a listen to Dan and I talk through:

Physical Wellbeing
Nutritional Wellbeing
Emotional Wellbeing
Financial Wellbeing

How do these affect you?

Listen, learn and grow.

Episode 37 with Nick Kershaw.

What an energetic and positive episode this proved to be! Nick is the founder and dynamism behind Impact Marathon, a running events business on a mission to use the simple power of running to uplift and empower runners and communities all over the world.

In this episode we get into the driving forces behind impact marathon and the impact one can have on global communities. We also get into the real life challenges of running your own business and transitioning from full time employment into self employment and how keeping on top of ones wellbeing is a key marker to succeed.

We finish on the importance of sticking to your core values, both personally and professionally.

Loved it.

Listen, learn, grow.

https://www.impactmarathon.com/
instagram: @impactmarathon @nkjershaw

Episode 36 with Darren Edwards. I've been looking forward to this chat for quite some time. Darren's story is one of trauma, pain, growth success and much much more!

In 2016 Darren suffered life changing injuries in a climbing accident in North Wales. Adventure was a massive part of Darrens identity pre accident. we discuss what adventure means to Darren now and how he has managed to undertake some insane challenges thus far such as Kayaking from Lands End to John O'groats, with more on the horizon such as the Iconic 7 in 7 in 7 (7 marathons, 7 days, 7 continents).

We also talk quite openly about the journey of emotional rebuild and setbacks as Darren has adapted over the last 7 years. Tragically Darren lost his dad to suicide in 2021 and as ever, it's fantastic to hear someone turn such tragedy into amazing positivity.

I look forward to sharing this pod with you. Take a listen, learn and grow.

Episode 35 with Pete Crocombe.

Pete and I seem to be cut from similar cloth. We're both heavily involved in sport and in particular, running. However we both see the massive value that sport and participation plays in mental health and wellbeing.

Tragically and suddenly Pete's father Paul took his own life in February 2020. This is a story of how something truly harrowing has been turned into a beautiful mechanism for change, for influencing and inspiring people to make changes to habits and lifestyle through sport, exercise and physical health.

Starting on 26th March 2022 and finishing less than 7 days later, Pete, Gus, Liam and Jack ran 90 minute shifts from Lands end to John O'Groats covering 1450kms and roughly twice the elevation of Everest. What an epic and amazing feat of endurance! we discuss the reasons why and what drives Pete to continue to live his life in the memory of his amazing father Paul.

If you would like to find out more, please follow this linkhttps://linktr.ee/mentalmiles where you can donate to help more people improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

Listen, learn and grow.