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

EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 1H 9M

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

from Simon Ward, Be Battle Ready - The podcast for strength, resilience, and longevity · host Simon Ward

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: [email protected] 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 [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

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: [email protected] 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 [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

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

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This episode was published on May 6, 2026.

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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...

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