In this episode, Rob and Matt sit down with the incredible Christine Grosart for a completely unfiltered conversation about reinvention, grit, and endurance. Christine’s path to triathlon is anything but conventional. Going from a horse obsessed kid to a Cave Diver, Paramedic, and Offshore Medic, she eventually found herself battling severe weight gain due to the grueling, unhealthy realities of offshore rig life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ditch the Excuses: Whether you're working 14-hour shifts offshore or dealing with terrible facilities, there is always a way to train if you prioritize it. As Christine puts it: "I work to live, I do not live to work." If your job is destroying your health, change it. Turn Your Brain Off: When motivation wanes, imposter syndrome creeps in at the pool, or the workout looks too intimidating, the best strategy is to stop overthinking. Silence the "yeah, buts" and just execute the plan. Find the Right Coach: Having a mentor who holds you accountable, understands your lifestyle, and doesn't tolerate complaining can be the exact catalyst needed for a massive personal transformation. Age and Starting Points Are Just Numbers: Starting a grueling sport like triathlon in your mid-40s after being significantly overweight is entirely possible. It doesn't require innate talent; it requires consistency and a stubborn refusal to give up. Stop Comparing Yourself: Focus on your own baseline. Dreaming of elite levels when you are just starting can be discouraging. Aim to be better than you were yesterday, and don't worry if you're the slowest one up the hill. BEST MOMENTS "I am no exceptional athlete... I'm just someone who doesn't give up." "I work to live, I do not live to work. And that's the important thing. If your lifestyle, if your job is stopping you from doing the things you want to do, change your job and your lifestyle." "If you weren't hard enough, you shouldn't have come." "I'd look in the mirror and wouldn't recognize myself. And when I did look in the mirror, I'd be like, 'that's not me.'" "Just turn your brain off... stop thinking, stop worrying, stop saying 'yeah, but this', 'yeah, but that'. Just turn your brain off." HOW TO CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE: https://www.christinegrosart.com/blog/ironwoman https://www.christinegrosart.com/blog/the-overpriced-brick-session https://www.christinegrosart.com/blog/lovely-loire https://www.christinegrosart.com/blog/allez-allez https://www.christinegrosart.com/blog/dare-to-tri https://www.youtube.com/@cgrosart USEFUL LINKS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fearless-Adventures-Extraordinary-Louise-Minchin/dp/1399401181 Matt Davies Matt is a high-performance endurance and executive coach who helps ambitious business professionals train smarter, perform better, and rediscover what they’re truly capable of — whether that’s crossing an IRONMAN finish line, reclaiming their health, or simply proving mid-life doesn’t have to mean slowing down. Mixing a 20-year career in senior finance leadership alongside years of endurance coaching and racing experience (from “fat banker” to Ironman — his words, not ours), Matt specialises in premium, highly personalised coaching that delivers exceptional value, blending world-class training, accountability, and mindset coaching for people ready to make meaningful, lasting change — with just enough humour along the way to remind everyone that Lycra is still never entirely flattering.* Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/ Rob Hardstone Rob Hardstone, is a battle-tested IronmanU-certified triathlon coach with a knack for inspiring the everyday athlete. A former Crew Commander in the South African Defence Force’s 1 Special Services Battalion, Rob honed resilience during the Border Wars in an unsettled, apartheid South Africa. His daring career as a commercial saturation diver took him worldwide, facing life-threatening challenges with grit and luck. Despite his slight build, Rob’s passion for endurance sports drove him to conquer 11 ultra-distance triathlons, including 5 full Ironmans, 6 70.3s, numerous sprints, ultra swims, and 80km runs. Self-coached through trial and error, he now guides “unlikely” athletes to surpass their doubts. Rob’s humorous, brutally honest storytelling—woven with global adventures and hard-won lessons—sets him apart. Listeners will find unmatched credibility and inspiration from his journey, connecting with guests from all walks who’ve triumphed against the odds. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 Instagram - http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
