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

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: [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!

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: [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!