Simon Ward, Be Battle Ready triathlon podcast - The podcast for strength, resilience, and longevity

Simon Ward
  • 4.5 (23)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

The Be Battle Ready triathlon podcast is where everyday athletes, adventurers, and seekers of strength come to forge resilience - in body, mind, and spirit. Hosted by coach Simon Ward, each episode explores the true pillars of endurance: purposeful training, nourishing nutrition, restorative sleep, a resilient mindset, and the art of recovery. It’s designed especially for those in their 40s, 50s and beyond who refuse to rust - men and women who know that age is no excuse to stop sharpening the blade. Whether you’re preparing for your next Ironman, rebuilding after setback, or simply training for the demands of life itself, this show will help you stay Battle Ready: strong, adaptable, and unbreakable. Expect conversations with world-class coaches, scientists, and everyday warriors - those who walk the path of longevity and high performance - sharing wisdom, tactics, and stories from the front line of endurance. 👉 Subscribe now and step inside the ranks of the Battle Ready Society -  where strength is forged, and rust never wins.

  1. 3d ago

    Your FTP Won't Save You at Mile 150 — With Dave Schell

    If you've ever wondered whether your endurance base could carry you into gravel or mountain bike racing — or whether your FTP is really the thing holding you back — this episode is a timely reality check. Dave Schell is the founder of Kaizen Endurance, based in Boulder, Colorado, and has spent 15 years coaching cyclists and endurance athletes through some of the most demanding events on the calendar — Unbound 200, Leadville, ultra-distance gravel and mountain bike. Before that, he spent seven years at Training Peaks as coach education manager, so he understands both the science and the real-world application better than most. We talk about why FTP is overrated as a race predictor, why skill and technique will give you more free speed than another training block, how to actually prepare your body for eight to ten hours in the saddle, the mental game of ultra-distance events, and why consistency remains the most unsexy and most powerful tool any athlete has. There's a lot in here that applies well beyond gravel.   5 KEY POINTS FTP is overrated for long events — after eight hours everyone regresses to the same sustainable pace. Durability and fat oxidation decide the result. Skill delivers free speed — technique improvements will outperform another fitness block for most athletes, most of the time. Race your race bike — training on the road and racing gravel leaves your body unprepared for the physical demands, regardless of fitness level. Recovery is where adaptation happens — most athletes need permission to rest, not encouragement to go harder. Consistency is the only secret — the work never changes, you just keep doing it week after week. 3 TAKEAWAYS Sign up for something that scares you — if there's no real possibility of failure, you'll wing it. The fear is what gets you out the door. Context beats data — RPE and athlete feedback tell you more than power numbers alone. Data without context is just noise. Extreme moderation wins — train at the right load, not the highest load. The athletes who stay consistent are the ones who progress. KILLER QUOTE 👉 "My job is facilitating consistency — because over 15 years of coaching, consistency is the biggest secret. Whatever helps you be consistent, that's what leads to progress."   CONNECT with Dave Dave Schell is the founder of Kaizen Endurance, coaching cyclists and endurance athletes for ultra-distance gravel and mountain bike events. Website: kaizenendurance.coach Instagram Substack Podcast   Dave's favourite book: Endurance by Alex Hutchinson - Alex was a guest on the show talking about this book. You can listen to that episode HERE   LINKS & RESOURCES Mentioned in the episode: Tim Gabbett research papers - Should athletes be training harder & smarter Acute vs Chronic Workload ratio   Dave also mentioned Goodhart’s Law - “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure” - worth considering for any athlete   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    1h 6m

  2. May 20

    HYROX, Hybrid Athletes and the Nutrition Mistakes Costing You the Race – With Dr Kelsie Johnson

    Thinking about adding HYROX to your training? Or already racing and wondering why your nutrition isn't translating into performance? Dr Kelsie Johnson is a nutrition and performance coach who works with hybrid athletes: people combining serious strength work with endurance sport. With a PhD in nutrition and muscle mass, experience as an S&C coach at Aston Villa Women's, and a background in triathlon and HYROX herself, Kelsie brings both the science and the real-world application. In this episode we dig into what hybrid training actually looks like in practice, why carbohydrate periodisation is the biggest gap she sees in athletes, how to fuel for a HYROX race depending on your start time, and why doing both triathlon and HYROX in the same block is a recipe for burnout. If you've been guessing with your nutrition and hoping for the best — this one's for you. 5 KEY POINTS Don't run HYROX and triathlon simultaneously — use HYROX as your off-season focus instead. Carbs, not protein, are the missing link — most athletes have protein nailed but aren't periodizing their carbohydrate intake around session demands. HYROX is 60–70% running at high intensity — fuelling during the race is non-negotiable, even if it only lasts 60 minutes. The interference effect is real — strength and endurance adaptations compete, so session sequencing matters. Race start times vary wildly — practise your fuelling strategy for different scenarios long before race week. 3 TAKEAWAYS Match your carbs to the session — fuel for the work you're actually doing, not out of habit. Rehearse race day nutrition in training — know your timing, your meals and how you'll carry fuel during the race. A healthy athlete is a fast athlete — under-fuelling is one of the fastest routes to injury and inconsistency. KILLER QUOTE 👉 "If you're putting this much time, effort and money into your training — get the nutrition right. The improvement you'll see is going to be second to none."   CONNECT with Kelsie Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kelsiejohnson_/ https://www.instagram.com/nxpcoaching/ LINKS & RESOURCES Mentioned in the episode: Carbohydrate periodisation  Fuel for the work required ⁠Interference Effect https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5407958/ ⁠Females and underfueling: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/23/3773 Kelsie’s favourite book : There Is No Wall - Allie Bailey   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    1h 15m

  3. May 13

    Carbon-Plated Running Shoes: Faster… But At What Cost? – With Physio Andy Smith

    Carbon-plated running shoes have completely changed endurance sport. World records are tumbling. Recovery between sessions seems quicker. And for many runners and triathletes, they feel almost impossible to ignore. But are they coming with a hidden cost? In this episode, I’m joined by physio and sub-30-minute 10k runner Andy Smith to explore what these shoes are actually doing biomechanically, why we may now be seeing different injury patterns in runners and triathletes, and how to use carbon-plated shoes without breaking yourself in the process. This is a practical conversation about performance, durability, strength, and why “faster” isn’t always as simple as it looks.   5 KEY POINTS 1. Carbon shoes change running mechanics - They reduce load on the calf and Achilles… but shift stress further up the chain. 2. Injury patterns may be changing - Andy is seeing more bone stress injuries in areas like the femur and pelvis. 3. Faster recovery can be deceptive - The shoes may allow athletes to handle more training volume… before the body is ready. 4. Strength is now non-negotiable - Foot, calf, hip, pelvis and core strength all become even more important. 5. Most athletes transition too aggressively - Andy recommends gradually building into carbon shoes rather than using them for every run.   3 TAKEAWAYS 1. Don’t let the shoes do the work - The stronger you are, the more benefit you’ll get from them. 2. Protect your weak links - Hip stability, calf strength and foot control matter more than ever. 3. Build gradually - Introduce carbon shoes slowly and strategically.   KILLER QUOTE 👉 “The shoes don’t reduce injury risk… they just change where the load goes.”   CONNECT with Andy Andy works at my favourite physio Clinic Coachhouse Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic - West Park, Leeds This is his bio page - https://cspc.co.uk/member/andy-smith/   Andy’s favourite book is The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho.  an unforgettable novel about the essential wisdom of listening to our heart and, above all, following our dreams.   🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Mentioned in the episode: It’s the shoes - great article by former podcast guest Alex Hutchinson   Research from Tim Gabbett The training—injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? Load management: What it is and what it is not FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    1 hr

  4. May 6

    Fit But Not Healthy? The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything – Justin Robbins

    What happens when everything looks right on the outside… but something isn’t quite right underneath? In this episode, I’m joined by Justin Robbins, a former Ironman athlete and coach who was training consistently, performing well, and doing all the things we’d typically associate with good health. But a routine blood test told a very different story. What followed was a complete rethink of how he approaches training, health, and life. This is an honest conversation about identity, balance, and what really matters if you want to stay fit for the long term.   5 KEY POINTS 1. Fitness doesn’t equal health - You can train hard and still be metabolically unhealthy. 2. Identity can become a trap - When your identity is tied to performance, it’s hard to step back. 3. More isn’t always better - High training volume doesn’t guarantee better outcomes. 4. Awareness creates change - It often takes a wake-up call to reassess what you’re doing. 5. Health is a long-term game - Short-term performance should never come at the expense of longevity.   3 TAKEAWAYS 1. Ask better questions - Don’t assume your current approach is working. 2. Look beneath the surface - Feeling fit isn’t the same as being healthy. 3. Think long term - Train in a way that supports your future self.   KILLER QUOTE “I was training 15 to 16 hours a week… and still got told I was pre-diabetic.”   🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Justin HERE on Instagram  LinkedIn    Justin's favourite book: Be useful - Arnold Schwarzenegger (surprisingly inspiring) Justin mentioned getting a full blood panel via an online lab. This is the link: https://healf.com/zone   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    1h 10m

  5. Apr 29

    From 20-Year Break to Ironman World Champion – Jane Hansom’s Story

    What happens when you step away from sport for nearly 20 years… and then come back? In this episode, I’m joined by Jane Hansom, who did exactly that. From a long break after university to running a sub-3 marathon, winning her age group at Kona, and building a successful marketing business alongside her training, Jane’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to start. We talk about consistency, mindset, coaching, and how the lessons from endurance sport translate directly into business and life.   5 KEY POINTS 1. It’s never too late to start - Progress doesn’t depend on your past. 2. Consistency wins - Show up. Do the work. Repeat. 3. Coaching is about people - The best coaches adapt to the individual. 4. Mindset transfers - What works in sport works in life. 5. Details matter - Small things make a big difference.   3 TAKEAWAYS 1. Be clear on your goal - Know exactly what you’re aiming for. 2. Do the work, then trust it - Confidence comes from preparation. 3. Find your people - Support makes everything easier.   KILLER QUOTE “There wasn’t a single day in that entire year that I pressed snooze.”   🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim - https://www.nevistostkittscrosschannelswim.com/ UltraSwim 33.3 (Caribbean Edition) - https://ultraswim333.com/ Listen to our recent podcast about the Nevis cross channel swim - https://simonward.podbean.com/e/nevis-to-st-kitts-swim-why-i-finally-decided-to-take-statins/   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    1h 15m

  6. Apr 22

    Don't Mess This Up: 5 Decisions That Make or Break Your Ironman

    You’re 6–16 weeks out. This is the phase where most Ironman races are shaped. Not on race day, but in the decisions you make right now. It’s not about getting fitter. It’s about getting it right. 5 Main Points 1. Stick to the plan - Consistency beats last-minute changes. 2. Respect fatigue - Recovery is part of the training, not a weakness. 3. Practise race day - Don’t leave pacing, nutrition and conditions to chance. 4. Fuel properly - You can’t train hard and under-fuel at the same time. 5. Arrive fresh - Better to be slightly underdone than overcooked. 3 Key Takeaways • Most Ironman plans fail in the weeks before race day • Durability and consistency matter more than volume • The goal now is to arrive healthy, not fitter Killer Quote “It’s not about doing more… it’s about getting it right.”   If you didn’t listen to last weeks podcast Racing an Ironman this year? Ask yourself these 5 questions.   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    32 min

  7. Apr 15

    Are You Racing an Ironman This Year? Ask Yourself These Questions Now

    If you’ve signed up for an Ironman this year, this is the point where things start to get real. You’re no longer thinking about training… you’re already in it. And for many athletes, this is the phase where small cracks begin to appear. Missed sessions, niggles, fatigue, and a growing sense of uncertainty about whether you’re actually on track. In this episode, Simon and Beth walk through the key questions every Ironman athlete should be asking 3 to 6 months out from race day. Not to create panic, but to provide a clear and honest sense-check of where you are right now. Because at this stage, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things consistently, staying healthy, and making sure you arrive at the start line ready to execute. 5 Key Talking Points This phase of training is where most Ironman campaigns either come together or begin to unravel. Consistency matters more than volume. Stop-start training is a major red flag. Durability is critical, especially for older athletes managing fatigue and recovery. Race-specific preparation, including pacing and nutrition, must be practised well before race day. The goal now is not to get dramatically fitter, but to protect your fitness and stay healthy. 3 Takeaways Be honest about where you are. Small issues now can become big problems later. Focus on consistency, recovery, and smart training rather than chasing more volume. Your primary goal is to arrive at the start line healthy, not exhausted or injured. Key Quote “The goal now isn’t to get fitter… it’s to arrive at the start line healthy.”   FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out. Ironman Sanity Checklist   Resources I promised you Race day nutrition Strategy - Get 20 minutes with a Precision Fuel & Hydration expert Train your gut The art of gut training How to train your gut   Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    41 min

  8. Apr 8

    Nevis to St Kitts Swim + Why I Finally Decided to Take Statins

    In this episode, Beth and I reflect on our recent Nevis to St Kitts swim, a brilliant open water adventure that reminded us what it really means to be Battle Ready. We talk about the event itself, the experience of swimming across open water in a stunning setting, and what we learned from it. Then we shift gears into a more personal topic. I share why, after years of resisting it, I’ve decided to start taking statins. It’s not medical advice, but an honest conversation about health, ageing, and the difference between being fit and being truly healthy for the long term. Key Points The Nevis to St Kitts swim experience A 2.5-mile open water swim in warm Caribbean waters, inclusive, well organised, and accessible to a wide range of swimmers. Adventure vs preparation You don’t need perfect preparation to take on meaningful challenges, but the experience highlighted where more specific endurance work would help. Battle Ready in action Being consistently fit allowed us to step into an event like this with confidence and enjoy the experience. Fit doesn’t equal healthy You can look strong, perform well, and still have underlying health risks that aren’t visible on the surface. Why I changed my stance on statins After years of resisting medication, a combination of medical advice, real-life examples, and perspective on long-term risk led me to rethink my position. 3 Takeaways Train for life, not just events Being Battle Ready means you can say yes to opportunities without needing perfect preparation. Don’t confuse fitness with health Performance metrics don’t tell the full story. What’s happening “under the hood” matters just as much. Play the long game Whether it’s training, lifestyle, or medical decisions, the goal is to keep doing what you love for decades, not just today. Killer Quote “Just because you’re fit, it doesn’t mean you’re invincible.” Resources Find out more about the Nevis - St Kitts Cross Channel Swim Nick Parkes podcast - The Day My heart Stopped Mid-Race Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!

    41 min
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4.5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Be Battle Ready triathlon podcast is where everyday athletes, adventurers, and seekers of strength come to forge resilience - in body, mind, and spirit. Hosted by coach Simon Ward, each episode explores the true pillars of endurance: purposeful training, nourishing nutrition, restorative sleep, a resilient mindset, and the art of recovery. It’s designed especially for those in their 40s, 50s and beyond who refuse to rust - men and women who know that age is no excuse to stop sharpening the blade. Whether you’re preparing for your next Ironman, rebuilding after setback, or simply training for the demands of life itself, this show will help you stay Battle Ready: strong, adaptable, and unbreakable. Expect conversations with world-class coaches, scientists, and everyday warriors - those who walk the path of longevity and high performance - sharing wisdom, tactics, and stories from the front line of endurance. 👉 Subscribe now and step inside the ranks of the Battle Ready Society -  where strength is forged, and rust never wins.

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