Simon Ward, The High Performance Human Podcast
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Simon Ward, The High Performance Human Podcast
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,...
Recent Episodes
147 episodes
Is Your Cholesterol Test Telling You the Truth? — With Katherine Caris-Harris
What standard GP testing misses, and why it matters more for athletes.
Several months ago I wrote a LinkedIn post about my own decision to start...
Why Comfort Beats FTP in Long Distance Cycling — With Phil Burt
Phil Burt has fitted Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Geraint Thomas. He designs saddles for Physique, runs his own clinic in Manchester,...
What Your Garmin Can't Tell You — With Christine Clubbs
Christine Clubbs started running at 40, accidentally fell into triathlon, and has since gone on to represent Great Britain as an age-grouper. She is a...
Why Training More Is Making You Slower (And What To Do About It)
If you're putting in 12, 14, sometimes 20 hours a week and your times are going backwards, this episode is for you.
This is a solo episode, and...
What If Nobody's Actually Clean? — With James Witts
We called them cheats. The reality is far more complicated.
There have been plenty of books written about drugs in sport. Confessions, memoirs,...
From Triathlon to the Trail: Coaching Gravel, Mountain Bike and the Long Game — 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 hold...
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...
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 fo...
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 Robbi...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Why Mobility Matters More Than You Think with Tom Morrison
Mobility is one of the most overlooked parts of training.
Most athletes ignore it until something hurts. Then it suddenly becomes important.
Your A Race Gets Cancelled. Now What?
You’ve trained for months. Everything is building nicely. Then suddenly, your A race is cancelled.
For many athletes, that moment feels like the...
Durability vs Volume: Why More Training Isn’t Always Better
Why training more isn’t always the answer
Most endurance athletes assume that getting better simply means doing more training. More miles. More...
Nervous About Your First Open Water Swim of the Season? Do This in the Pool
The pool drills that prepare you for the chaos of open water swimming
Learn how triathletes can practise open water swim skills in the pool and...
Durability Over Ego: Our 2026 Plan
In this real-world episode, Beth and I share our 2026 event calendar, from a 50k ultra and a 40k paddle-board race to a 2.4 mile Caribbean swim and a...
Heat Training: The Early-Season Edge
Most athletes only think about heat training two weeks before flying to Kona.
That’s reactive.
Used early in the season, heat training can...
After 30 Years of Coaching, Here’s What Still Matters.
After three decades in endurance sport, what surprises me most isn’t what’s changed.
It’s what hasn’t.
Training trends come and go. Method...
I Wrote These Training and Racing Principles 15 Years Ago. They Still Work
Beth takes over hosting duties from Santa Barbara and pulls out a list of training and racing principles I wrote about 15 years ago. The catch is I’m...
The Day My Heart Stopped Mid-Race with Nick Parkes (English Masters Open Water Champion 2022)
This episode is not about marginal gains.
It’s about the thing we all quietly assume, until we cannot: being fit does not make you bulletproof.<...
The Over-50 Recovery Thief Nobody Wants to Admit (Part 2)
Welcome back. Part one was the foundations. This is the practical, straight-talking follow on where we get honest about what actually moves the needle...
Over 50? Start Here: Strength, Sleep, Protein (Part 1)
This week is part one of a two-parter where Beth and I strip things right back to the foundations that keep you training well, feeling good, and stayi...
Protein Made Practical: Targets, Timing, and Simple Meals (Part 2)
Welcome back, this is part two of our protein mini-series with Dr Jules Strauss. Part two is the no-nonsense version. Less theory, more ‘do this’. Jul...
Part 1 - Protein for Endurance and Ageing: What the RDA Gets Wrong
Protein is having a moment, but the internet has turned it into a shouting match. In part one, I’m joined by performance nutritionist Dr Jules Strauss...
Battle Ready: Our 2025 Wins, Wobbles and What’s Next
Beth and Simon wrap up 2025 with an honest look at what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re taking into 2026. Beth reflects on Ironman Austria, the...
‘Fit for Purpose’ The Grumpy Old Coaches Christmas Podcast (2025)
A proper Grumpy Old Coaches Christmas Special with Simon Ward joined by Steve Lumley and Marc Laithwaite, plus Bethany Ward back in the hot seat(and,...
Episode 2: How to Fix Your Gut: Practical Steps for Better Health and Performance
In part two of my conversation with Harvey Fortis – nutritionist, researcher, and performance specialist working with INEOS Cycling – we move from the...
Your Gut, Your Performance: The Science Behind the Microbiome
In the first of a 2 part series, I’m joined by Harvey Fortis, a performance nutritionist and researcher completing his PhD at Liverpool John Moores Un...
The Hidden Cost of ‘Normal’ Drinking After 40 with Clifford Stephan
“You know what you can get away with in your teens and 20s is a little different than your 30s and 40s. Your body is like a classic car now - you can'...
Broken Endurance: The Smartest Way to Run Faster for Longer with Bobby McGee
In this episode, running coach Bobby McGee is back to help us understand the revolutionary concept of "broken endurance" - a strategic run-walk approa...
Episode 3: Should Athletes Fast? The Performance vs. Weight Loss Dilemma
In the final episode of the fasting series, Simon and Dr. Jules Strauss tackle the complex question of whether endurance athletes should fast, and if...
Episode 2: Types of Fasting Explained - What Works and What's Just Hype
In part two of the fasting series, Simon and Dr. Jules Strauss dive deep into the different types of fasting protocols available today. From time-rest...
Episode 1: Understanding Fasting and Nutrition - The Science Behind What Happens When We Fast
In this first episode of our three-part fasting series, Simon Ward welcomes Dr. Jules Strauss to explore the evolutionary science behind fasting and w...
Creatine, Brain Health, and Ageing Strong — with Dr Tommy Wood
In this week’s BeBattleReady podcast, Simon Ward welcomes back Dr Tommy Wood to explore one of the most researched yet misunderstood supplements - cre...
The 70% Rule: Why Most 'Aging' Is Actually Reversible - September Podcast Summary
The aging athlete's journey doesn't have to mean inevitable decline. In this reflective episode, Simon and Bethany Ward revisit September's most impac...
Brain Health & Dementia Prevention with Dr. Tommy Wood
Your brain is your most valuable asset - yet most athletes spend more time maintaining their bikes than protecting their cognitive health. In this epi...
Strong Bones, Strong Future — How to Stay Unbreakable
Strong bones are the armour that carry us through life’s battles — whether it’s racing triathlon, carrying the shopping, or keeping up with grandchild...
From Trauma to Triumph: Tom Page and Julia Saunders on Resilience, Recovery and Riding 19,000km
In this episode of the Be Battle Ready podcast, Simon is joined by Tom Page and his partner Julia Saunders. Their story begins at Ironman Hamburg, whe...