The Amateur Athlete Diaries

What does it really take to chase elite performance while living the busy life of a Architect?In this episode of The Amateur Athlete Diaries, I sit down with heptathlete and full-time architect Lucy Woodward. An athlete balancing one of the most demanding disciplines in sport with a seven-year professional career pathway to becoming a qualified architect.What stood out from our conversation was Lucy's dedication to structure and prioritisation. Sacrifice in a sport that offers little guarantees. The reality is that in athletics, you’re not doing it for money, Lucy and many athletes alike do it for pure passion and the drive to improve.Lucy opens up about:- Training six days a week around a full-time job- The resilience required when progress stalls for multiple years- Overcoming a crippling high jump mental block that nearly ended her career- Rebuilding her love for the sport- What it means to be one performance away from the Commonwealth GamesThis episode explores a fundamental question:What keeps you going when the outcome is uncertain?Because being an Amateur Athlete is far from about being perfect. That can be the target...But it’s more about showing up, again and again, day after day, with that goal of progress, not perfection, always front of mind.

What if your brain, and not your body, is the real limiter of performance?To open up Season 3 of the Amateur Athlete Diaries, we’re joined by Humphrey Bodington; founder, ultra-endurance athlete, and someone who turned ongoing concussions symptoms into a deep exploration of brain performance, human potential, and now a business.After experiencing the long-term effects of head injuries through rugby, Humphrey went beyond traditional recovery - working with neuroscientists, experimenting with nootropics, and ultimately building a company focused on cognitive optimisation.This episode breaks down:- Why brain health is the foundation of athletic performance- The real link between concussions, cognition, and injury risk- How endurance challenges build resilience, identity, and confidence- The transition from athlete to founder, and why both require the same mindset- Practical ways to think about optimising your brain for training, work, and lifeWe also dive into ultra-endurance challenges, including self-built Ironman distances, Edinburgh to London rides, and 14 marathons in 7 days - not always focusing on the result, but for what the process unlocked.The key takeaway?It’s not the finish line that changes you - it’s who you become in the process.If you’re someone balancing training with work, business, or life - this episode may just shift how you think about performance, recovery, and long-term potential.

This is The Amateur Athlete Diaries. Listen in to learn, connect, and hear stories from those performing in their sport whilst balancing work and life.In this episode, I sit down with Damaine Benjamin. A European Masters Champion in the 400m hurdles, sports massage therapist, coach, father of two, and full-time working athlete.He trains five to six days a week.He funds his own competitions.He even coaches himself.And at 38 years old, he became European Champion.But this conversation shows the far from plain sailing path to a gold medal. We discuss:- Growing up competing in Jamaica’s ultra-competitive athletics system- Sleeping on campus and training at night when access was restricted- Quitting athletics entirely and playing Sunday league football- Returning overweight and out of shape in 2015- Injuries, setbacks, being told he was “getting old”- Learning to reduce volume and train smarter, not harder- Winning European gold while thinking about how it would grow his business- Why Masters athletics is more competitive than ever- And what it truly means to be an Amateur AthleteDamaine opens up about discipline, identity, community, self-coaching, social media, and why he believes speed is everything, even in life outside the track.He also shares insights from his experience as a coach:- Why most 400m runners train endurance when they should train speed- How periodisation changed his career in his late 30s- The realities of self-funding international competitionListen in and hear about what it took to reach European Gold at 38.

What happens when everything in your life starts to fall apart but you still have a date circled in the calendar?The latest episode of The Amateur Athlete Diaries is from my conversation with Keaton Loader back in November. We discuss how discipline is forged in difficult moments, the power of having a goal, and why boxing goes beyond sport to influence other areas of life.We talk about:Training through sadness, depression, and uncertaintyWhy discipline only reveals itself when life gets hardThe balance between pushing yourself and listening to your bodyBoxing as both a lonely & deeply communal sportLearning to celebrate wins and not just chase the next goalHow purpose, routine, and environment can pull you forwardThis is a conversation about sport, yes but an underlying message throughout centres on identity, resilience, and finding structure when things life gets out of control. Boxer or not, Keaton's story has elements many of us will be able to relate to. Listen in now and let us know your thoughts!MyFitPod supported this episode.MyFitPod is your own private gym. No waiting. No crowds. No gym-timidation. Just you — training on your terms.Check it out here: https://myfitpod.co.uk

What happens when the thing you love most is taken away from you?In this episode, I sit down with Scottish decathlete, Tom Chandler, who is fresh off winning the South of England Combined Events. We talk about injuries, identity, pressure, and what it means to persist when sport stops becomes less one dimensional.After three knee operations, Tom opens up about how injury forced him to confront who he was beyond being an athlete; and why that process ultimately made him stronger, more grounded, and more patient in chasing big goals.We talk about:- Losing your identity when sport is taken away- Why injuries can be the most powerful (and brutal) teachers of lessons- Competing across two days in the decathlon and managing emotions under pressure- Being process-driven as an amateur athlete with real-world responsibilities- Why “you are not your sport” doesn’t mean it doesn’t matterThis is conversation dives into perspectives, resilience, and what it takes to stay in the game, even when that path isn’t linear.

Something a little different here...We quizzed Kyle on some questions you may be wondering after hearing about his 3,000+ mile run around the perimeter of Britain.Question 1: How Much Did You Spend?Question 2: How Much Did A Search For Meaning & Purpose Influence Your Decision To Take On This Challenge?Question 3: What Has Your Recovery Been Like Since Finishing?Question 4: What Was The Reaction From Friends & Family To Doing This Challenge?Let us know what you think and if you'd like to see more of this sort of content!

Running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours sounds simple on paper but sleep deprivation, fueling mistakes, and mental fatigue make it considerably harder in practise.In this episode of The Amateur Athlete Diaries, I’m joined by Katie Williams to unpack her experience taking on the 4x4x48 challenge, a brutal endurance test that became less about running fitness and more about mindset, recovery, and self-belief.Katie shares:- Why she decided to take on the 4x4x48 just weeks after a 50km ultra- What the challenge felt like between midnight treadmill runs and minimal sleep- The mistakes she made with fueling and recovery, and what she’d do differently- How sleep deprivation affected her body and nervous system- Why endurance challenges are as much about identity as they are performanceWe also zoom out to explore how the challenge fits into her wider training life; balancing ultrarunning with powerlifting, learning when to pull back, and discovering how far you can go when the goal becomes simply showing up again.This episode is a unfiltered look at endurance culture, pushing limits, and what Amateur Athletes can learn from doing something deliberately uncomfortable, without necessarily chasing perfection.MyFitPod supported this episode.MyFitPod is your own private gym. No waiting. No crowds. No gym-timidation. Just you — training on your terms.Check it out here: https://myfitpod.co.uk/pages/my-fit-pod-basingstoke

Running thousands of miles sounds extreme, and it is, but for Kyle it was necessary and fuelled by nothing other than a delusional level of self belief.In this conversation, I speak with why The Milky Runner, just a normal guy working as a chef came to take on, and complete, such an impressive feat. Kyle talks honestly about what it took to keep going when the novelty wears off, injuries hit and motivation was low. Being homeless for a period of time, Kyle has faced his fair share of battles in life and took on this challenge on a personal mission but also in support of Family Action who help parents, children and families of all types. Mr Matthews speaks with great humility and assurance of what he has achieved, but also with confidence and optimism of what is now to come.Something tells me this is just the begining for him. So whilst this may sound like a 'nutty' challenge, I assure you there is plenty to Kyle's story that many of us can relate; specifically the times he has dedicated to meal deal choices.Enjoy my conversation with The Milky Runner, The Unofficial Youngest Person To Solo Run The Perimeter of Britain.This episode was very kindly support by Fit Box in Brighton. Fit Box is a functional training platform that consists of outstanding classes run by there master trainers.They bring a unique fitness environment to the local community, combining state-of-the-art connected gym equipment with an unrivalled class offering, and a team of motivating personal trainers. They even an official Hyrox gym!Check them out here: https://thefitboxgroup.co.uk/

Running thousands of miles sounds extreme, and it is, but for Kyle it was necessary and fuelled by nothing other than a delusional level of self belief.In this conversation, I speak with why The Milky Runner, just a normal guy working as a chef came to take on, and complete, such an impressive feat. Kyle talks honestly about what it took to keep going when the novelty wears off, injuries hit and motivation was low. Being homeless for a period of time, Kyle has faced his fair share of battles in life and took on this challenge on a personal mission but also in support of Family Action who help parents, children and families of all types. Mr Matthews speaks with great humility and assurance of what he has achieved, but also with confidence and optimism of what is now to come.Something tells me this is just the begining for him. So whilst this may sound like a 'nutty' challenge, I assure you there is plenty to Kyle's story that many of us can relate; specifically the times he has dedicated to meal deal choices.Enjoy my conversation with The Milky Runner, The Unofficial Youngest Person To Solo Run The Perimeter of Britain.This episode was very kindly support by Fit Box in Brighton. Fit Box is a functional training platform that consists of outstanding classes run by there master trainers.They bring a unique fitness environment to the local community, combining state-of-the-art connected gym equipment with an unrivalled class offering, and a team of motivating personal trainers. They even an official Hyrox gym!

What happens when you achieve something huge…and it doesn’t feel how you expected?In this episode, Rose Landreth reflects on completing her first Ironman and why crossing the finish line didn’t bring the emotional high so many athletes talk about.Beyond this we discuss the reality of endurance sport, diving into the the mental discipline required, the sacrifice to work and relationships, the cost of commitment, and how identity can become so closely tied to training.If you're thinking about taking on a big goal, navigating your relationship with training and racing or even just interested in what triathlon really entails, this is for you!MyFitPod supported this episode. MyFitPod is your own private gym. No waiting. No crowds. No gym-timidation. Just you — training on your terms. Check it out here: https://myfitpod.co.uk/pages/my-fit-pod-basingstoke

In this episode of The Amateur Athlete Diaries, I sit down with my friend Jack Rampton, who opens up about what it really takes to bridge the gap between living as an Amateur Athlete and now, turning professional.From painting-and-decorating shifts at 6AM to international Sevens tournaments across the world, Jack shares the sacrifices, doubts and breakthroughs that shaped his journey into professional rugby. We cover everything; recovery, staying ready, the politics of sport, mental resilience, and the mindset needed to level up when nobody is watching. A must-listen for any athlete chasing their next step.MyFitPod supported this episode. MyFitPod is your own private gym. No waiting. No crowds. No gym-timidation. Just you — training on your terms. Check it out here: https://myfitpod.co.uk/pages/my-fit-pod-basingstoke

Episode three of this series brings a powerful, honest episode, where I get to sit down with triathlete, runner, coach and family man Jayson, whose journey through Ironman racing has not only reshaped his life, but quite literally saved it.Our conversation dives into:- How triathlon transformed from a bucket-list goal into a lifeline- The pressure, joy, addiction and emotional rollercoaster of endurance sport- Training like a pro while balancing work, family and life- Using running, strength work and structure to stay mentally resilient- A raw, brave conversation about depression, hitting rock bottom and finding a way out- How sport became a family affair, and why his kids motivate him more than anything- Qualifying for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships & chasing that sub-3 marathonThis was a deeper conversation than others but one that offered raw insight into the powerful impact sport can have on an individual.I'd like to thank Jasyon again for his openness, his story is a reminder that behind every Amateur Athlete is a human being juggling life, responsibilities and their own battles. If you’ve ever struggled with motivation, mental health, or balancing training with life…this one is for you.If you are struggling please talk to someone. If you feel you cannot do this with a friend or family, there are charities like the Samaritans who will support. Their phone number is: 116 123.

In this episode of The Amateur Athlete Diaries, I sit down with Alex, a father of three, full-time professional, and ultramarathon runner who took running from a “lamp post to lamp post” jog into a 100-mile endurance feats.Alex shares how running became his coping mechanism for life’s hardest moments, from grieving his father’s passing to balancing the pressures of work, family, and self-discipline. We dive into the mental battles of ultrarunning, how to train around the responsibilities of life, and why doing hard things can teach you more than crossing any finish line.Whether you’re a weekend runner, a busy parent, or someone looking to get into running, Alex’s story may just remind you that progress doesn’t start with speed, it simply starts with showing up.Enjoy :)

Welcome to The Amateur Athlete Diaries podcast, where we share stories from the gap.The gap between recreational trainers and the professional athletes of this world. The gap where Amateur Athletes sit, balancing their training with work, family, and everything life has to throw at us.Season two is here.You now get to enjoy seeing the faces of all the Amateur Athletes we will be welcoming to the podcast.Episode one sees me sit down with Maximus, discussing an array of topics such as his journey with Boxing and what led to him stepping away from the sport, mental 'system' for building the life he wants, and the mission behind his content creation.Enjoy and tell us your biggest takeaway from the episode down in the comments.Maximus Rushforth: https://www.instagram.com/dmd.maximus/UiS Community Gym: https://www.uiscommunitygym.co.uk

Today’s episode looks at how Amateur Athletes prepare for Race or Game Days. We look specifically at how we prepare, what we do right or wrong, the mental preparation, flow states and reflection.Media Recommendations:Deep Work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692Shoe Dog: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-NIKE/dp/1471146707

This week, we dive into injuries and how they can affect you as Amateur Athletes. An injury can derail athletes at any level. The mental and physical battle can be tough to say the least, so in this episode we share what we have learnt through our experiences, what coping mechanisms we used (good and bad), along with what we do now to prevent new injuries and avoid re-injury.Media Recommendations:Fuel For Thought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fuel-Thought-practical-fuelling-adventures/dp/1839812370Essentialism: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0753555166/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_image

Entry #3 of The Amateur Athlete Diaries dives into Rose's story with sport and what brought her to reach the mighty challenge of a first full IronMan. We explore her childhood and the search for a direction in training, battling a herniated disc injury, taking on Marathons and now triathlons. Links to both media recommendations we speak about at the end are below.She Races:https://www.sheraces.comhttps://www.instagram.com/she.races/Huberman Lab:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110 https://open.spotify.com/show/79CkJF3UJTHFV8Dse3Oy0P

Entry #2 of The Amateur Athlete Diaries dives into Harrison's story with sport and what brought him to where he is today. We go all the way from his start in youth, the adjustment to Men's football, and the highs and lows of battling two knee injuries. Links to both the books we speak about at the end are below.More Fuel You -  Renee McGregor: https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Fuel-You-Understanding-adventures/dp/1839810823Stillness Is The Key - Ryan Holiday: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585

Diary Entry #1Welcome to the Amateur Athlete Diaries. In our first episode, we dive into why we are here, what it is like to train for performance, an insight into injuries, and balancing recovery.