PODCAST · sports
Rapid Ascent
by rapidascent
Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best in endurance.
Episodes
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Ep. 25: Piotr Babis: The Quiet Achiever Dominating Tasmania's FKTs
In this episode of the Rapid Ascent Podcast, Jez sits down with one of the most understated yet profoundly dominant forces in the Aussie trail running scene: Piotr Babis. Originally from Poland and now a Park Ranger based at Fortescue Bay, Piotr has been quietly chipping away at some of the most...
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Ep. 24: Courtney Sherwell: The Privateer Who Hustled Her Way to 7th in the World
What does it take to go from crashing twice in your first race to becoming one of Australia's most formidable off-road endurance athletes? In this episode, Jez sits down with Courtney Sherwell — dual Australian National Champion, 3x Queen of the Otways, and self-funded privateer who placed 7th in...
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Ep. 23: James Kelly: The full time lawyer who WON the 2025 Elite National XCM Championship
What does it take to WIN an elite mountain biking championship WHILE working as a high-powered lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with James Kelly to deconstruct his incredible journey to claim the green and gold at the 2025 XCM Nationals. He shares the training secrets, mental tactics, and the...
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Ep. 22: Brent Rees: From Non-Cycling Teen to Winning Elite Nationals in Under 6 Years
Get ready for a rip-snorter of an episode! We're back from our summer break with a massive chat with one of the most underrated cyclists on the Aussie scene, Brent Rees. This young gun has been tearing it up, from out-sprinting the big names to win the 2023 Australian National Marathon Champs to...
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Ep. 21: Adam Kelsall vs ChatGPT*: Can AI create a GOOD Otway Odyssey training plan?
In this episode, Jeremy sits down with his own coach, renowned Australian cycling coach Adam Kelsall, to tackle one of the hottest topics in sport right now: can you trust AI to build your training plan? Jeremy reveals he used a specialised AI tool, Manus, to create a full suite of training plans...
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Ep. 20: Brendan "Trekky" Johnston: From Cancer-Surviving Electrician to Racing at the Top of the World
What does it truly take to be a champion? In this episode, Jez sits down with Brendan "Trekky" Johnston — one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected cyclists — for a conversation that goes far beyond race results. While his six National Titles and victories at iconic races like the...
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Ep 19: How to Win The Otway Odyssey with Tali Lane Welsh
What does it take to not just win the Otway Odyssey, but to dominate it from the front, leaving a field of world-class athletes in your dust? In this episode, we do a deep dive with Tali Lane Welsh on his incredible solo victory at the Otway Odyssey In 2024. Tali got away early and, in the words…
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Ep. 18: "We're Just Riding Bikes Here": Peta Mullens & Dylan Johnson on having fun, checking egos & riding for the RIGHT reasons
What if you had to choose between a pro cycling career and your love for the sport? Australian mountain bike legend Peta Mullens made that exact choice in her early 20s — walking away from a world tour road career to rediscover her passion on the trails. Fast forward to today, she's a 15 time...
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Ep. 17: Holly Ranson on Breaking Records, Backyard Ultras & Chasing the 24-Hour World Record
Episode Summary In this episode, Jez sit down with Australian ultra-running sensation Holly Ranson, just 11 days before she attempts to break the 24-hour ultra running world record in France. Holly shares her incredible journey from professional triathlete and NRS cyclist to a dominant force in…
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Ep. 16: "Stronger for Longer": How Kate Kellett became 24-hour Mountain Biking ELITE WORLD CHAMPION
In this episode, we sit down with Kate Kellett to hear the incredible story of her nine-year journey to become the 2023 Elite Women's 24-Hour Solo World Champion. From a late start in the sport to a nail-biting finish in the final hours of the world championships, Kate's story is one of…
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Ep. 15: Stage racing with lions, rhinos & Tibetan monks!: With Sam Maffett & Marcel Shields
There's something uniquely transformative about multi-day, stage races... Especially when they take you to far flung corners of the world and cut you off from social media, creature comforts and your "normal" routine. That's why Sam Maffett & Marcel Shields not only deliver stage races as part of...
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Ep. 14: Running as "rebellion" & why more women should participate in sport with Sophie Geraghty
Sophie Geraghty is not your ‘typical’ runner — but then again, who is? Growing up with two alcoholic parents, living through chaos and instability, and battling an eating disorder for over two decades, Sophie has faced challenges that would stop most people in their tracks. But instead of letting...
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Dan and Bec McConnell interview after winning the 2021 Otway Odyssey
Shortly after their wins at the 2021 Otway Odyssey we conducted a live interview with Dan and Bec McConnell at the Forrest Brewery on Saturday afternoon - and here is a recording of that fascinating discussion. Hosted by Adam Kelsall, their conversation starts with how they started on bikes, and...
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Ep.12: Update from John & Sam on events and impact of COVID-19
Make sure you tune into the final episode of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host Ben Hucker and special guests Sam Maffett and John Jacoby. Sam is the General Manager of Rapid Ascent and John was the founder of the company in 2004. They have some important updates for participants doing Rapid...
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Ep.11: How a talented rugby player switched to elite endurance after knee blowout
We're very excited to announce pro multisport triathlete, Ben Allen, as our guest for Episode 11 of the Rapid Ascent podcast. We've had some ultra runners, adventure racers and mountain bikers to date but Ben is our first pro (off-road) triathlete. Ben has more than a decade of racing experience...
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Ep.10: A cancer diagnosis at age 17... 2 weeks from MTB World Champs
Brendan Johnston has cemented himself as the most consistently high performing mountain biker in marathon XC events all over Australia in recent years. He has collected 4X National XCM Championships, 19 straight Marathon wins and was a National XCM Series Winner in 2016/17. But he took the long...
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Ep.9: Olympic MTB dreams shattered... what do you do next?
From windy Wellington to sunny Wollongong, Samara Sheppard had her sights firmly set on Tokyo 2020. Her Olympic dreams have been shattered though. Changes to the Olympic selection policy made it almost impossible for Samara to qualify. Find out how she still manages to keep a big smile on her…
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Ep.8: A life of adventure with a "little bit" of running mixed in
We're super pumped to announce Kellie Emmerson as our guest for Episode #8 of the Rapid Ascent podcast. Kellie's a 3x Australian long-distance trail running champ, a PhD Student, Ultra Trail World Tour Runner, a Neurological Occupational Therapist and in-demand Running Coach. Oh and she's won the...
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Ep.7: How a nasty MotoX injury lead to a career in Mountain Biking
He's got a ready smile, an infectious laugh and one of the most engaging personalities of anyone in the pro mountain bike ranks. He's also been described as the "Riders Rider" by the mountain bike fraternity. Meet GIANT sponsored rider Josh Carlson. After years of racing motocross and Supercross...
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Ep.6: AIDS survivor, cancer survivor and supreme adventure racer
In the 1990s, Deanna Blegg was a super-fit 24-year-old. But she soon became a super-sick 24-year-old. She lost 20 kilograms in six weeks. She had constant fevers, sweats, nausea, and swollen glands. She could barely stand without passing out. A round of antibiotics had no effect. So she went back...
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Ep.5: A nasty fall and a broken femur... the Doctor said he'd never race a MTB again
Paul van der Ploeg has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in mountain biking over the past several years. Not only on the Australian mountain bike circuit, but also in Europe and around the world. The monster from Mount Beauty embraced the modern Eliminator XC format early in his...
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Ep.4: 535 consecutive half marathons for a mate you've never met...
He's a father of four and runs a local gym in Geelong with his wife. But he's also a Guinness World Record holder and just completed 535 consecutive half marathons in June 2019. In Episode 4 of the Rapid Ascent podcast we interview running machine and 2019 Surf Coast Century participant, Matt...
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Ep.3: Is this man one of Australia's greatest endurance athletes?
In Episode 3 of the Rapid Ascent podcast we interview the founder of Rapid Ascent—the man himself, John Jacoby. At just 19 John became a World Marathon Kayak Champion. He went on to win 3 more World Kayak titles along with 3 Multisport World Championships. He was the given the keys to the city of...
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Ep.2: Juggling work as a senior barrister, mum of 4 and a life of endurance
Sharn Coombes was a Crown Prosecutor in Victoria for three years. She is now a member of the Victorian Bar and manages a busy schedule bringing justice to some of Victoria's worst criminals. She's also a devoted wife, Mum of four kids, an endurance athlete and Runner-Up Australian Survivor 2018....
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Ep.1: Man dies on the beach then goes for a run in the desert
Sean Purcell is lucky to be alive. In 2014 he went for your typical Sunday morning jog with his dog. His wife and 4 kids expected him home not long after. Well, he never came back. Find out what happened next and the transformation that ensued...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best in endurance.
HOSTED BY
rapidascent
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Rapid Ascent have?
Rapid Ascent currently has 25 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Rapid Ascent about?
Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best in endurance.
How often does Rapid Ascent release new episodes?
Rapid Ascent has 25 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Rapid Ascent?
You can listen to Rapid Ascent on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Rapid Ascent?
Rapid Ascent is created and hosted by rapidascent.
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