Normalised Activity

WeMove - to quote: "With eyes wide and a playground this big, how could 'Why?' be anything but 'How?' we move”. The opening statement from Chris and James' first publication. Chris and James' have known each other since we’ve university, a big in-between seeing each other led to a reunion running in the lakes and 'WeMove' was born and an exploration started that would see stops across the globe. With a background in photography, film making and fashion design mixed with a physical willingness to dive into whatever activity. As they have travelled they have opened doors and connected to some of the most innovative and leading thinkers in the physical and health space. This has led to multiple conversations recorded on their Wemove podcast. We visit some of these experiences, look at the learnings from the multiple interactions and how they wend themselves into daily life. Looking at the current offerings that float themselves across social media. Whilst tipping the hat as being one of the Whilst tipping the hat as being one of the main catalyst for this podcast coming into being. The art of connection.

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Spencer Whiteley has been doing CrossFit now around 11 years after he stumbled across a CrossFit box whilst looking for a new gym soon after leaving the Army following 15 years of service.

He left the Army due to a near fatal injury whilst serving in Iraq in 2007. He needed 3 years in rehabilitation, and then once he could (just about) walk he was medically discharged from the Army. Having a long history of sport and physical exercise since school, it was only natural for him to speak out physical exercise. After starting CrossFit where he couldn't do an air squat or jump onto a box he has gone from strength to strength and is about to return to CrossFit games for his second appearance. He has a full time job whilst also running a CrossFit box with his wife. Showing what can be done with a clear goal and focus.

This is a fantastic story, just don't expect him to help you hitch hike.

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We sat down and spoke with Michael Blevins, one half of Non Prophet, and Kegan Dillon a regular contributor to the output of Non Prophet. The conversation will go where it goes and it traveled! Fitting for two people who have looked into, written about and created discussion about endurance and the ability to endure. We did not have to endure this conversation though as the time flew. 

Topics covered include; the separate yet overlapping entities that are fitness and health, what they might be and how 'industry' changes/shapes them. ChatGPT and its effect on programming, what is the 'Space Program’, and the shifting shades and sounds of Non Prophet and other personal thoughts and gems that will require 'listening to'.

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We had the pleasure of Alec Harwood joining us again for a chat about T-Cup for whom he is a director. T-Cup is an IT interface, that businesses and their employees can use to monitor, assess and implement change for individual and group wellbeing. Taking the knowledge and experience from his high level competitive CrossFit days in order to figure out how to help people be happier, healthier and more successful, applying an integrated holistic approach. Naturally, the conversation went were it went with the odd rabbit hole here and there, but the thread was one of the application of health and fitness away from the health and fitness world, which Alec is striving to achieve. There's the odd 'easter egg' in there.

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If you know you know. But if you don't you should listen to this

Running in its rawest state is free and available to all, barring disability, and even then people find away. So if we extrapolate that opportunity that presents itself as we step outside the front door where does it take you? How about a polar icecap?

Well that's where Seth Wise is heading, off to see Santa in the North Pole and take on the North Pole Marathon, where he will run 26.219 miles on the frozen water of the Atlantic ocean.

Why? Why not?!

Have a listen to Seth as he tells us how it came on to his radar, the challenge of preparing for the run and then being told it's not happening more than once. The admin involved, the joy and experience of the challenge. 90⁰ North here we come.

This episode was originally scheduled to drop in a couple of weeks, but as we’re slap bang in the middle of the CrossFit open, it seemed apt to release it straight away. I can’t think of many people better to talk about CrossFit as a sport than Steven Fawcett.

Ste is an athlete, coach, programmer and has competed 3 times at CrossFit games. Founder of JST compete, co-owner of Fitr, and most recently the PRO programme manager for Mat Fraser’s HWPO training company. We dive straight into the difference between influencer and athlete and how being perceived as an elite athlete isn't always the case, and the impact that can have on funding and sponsorship. The difference between CrossFit and functional fitness around the high skill components and CrossFit as a sport vs CrossFit as a fitness/wellness methodology. Also is this the start of going to the games for a 4th appearance? with Ste looking to take a run at the games once again, this time as a masters athlete.

Burpees are not just for lockdown. With the gyms being closed Lee took to the humble/humbling burpee and showed that only boring people find Burpees boring. Using the original burpee as a template he has grown and developed it to provide whole body workouts that are both creative and testing. After returning to the gym he found his pushing strength was the same if not greater.

Have a listen as we discuss burpees, beard length, relatability and going from  800 followers to 104k followers in a fortnight.

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Join us as we speak to Dan John. Dan is an elite level strength and conditioning and weightlifting coach. He has lived through and directly seen many of the fitness fashions and fads. He is a best selling author with over 15 published titles and countless articles for multiple fitness magazines. He's also a good human.

He's also competed, having previously been an elite level sportsman as an all American discus thrower. He also holds the American record in the weight Pentathlon and competed at the highest levels of Olympic lifting and Highland games.

Strap in for part one of what promises to be just over an hour of delivering pearls of wisdom.

We had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with former professional rugby player Dan Richmond. We talk about his journey into and through professional rugby, the transition to coaching, mindset and the importance of understanding yourself.

Having come through the age groups at Bath rugby before turning professional with Northampton Saints with whom he spent 9 years. During those 9 years he saw the changes in professional rugby first hand whilst going toe to toe with then incumbent England hooker Steve Thompson. 

After leaving Northampton he joined Bedford Blues and took the opportunity to start his coaching career with a local school. Since then he has had spells with Worcester, Wasps, Sale, Bayonne and Argentina as a skill coach for their hookers. He is currently helping with the Italian age group pathway, Chile, and Uruguay with their international preparation along with the Saracens women's team.

Our second roundtable episode focusses on “Movement”, and what this means in the context of our lives, no matter what it is we choose to do for exercise and/or fun. Georgina, Lucy, and Rachel discuss their own approaches, perspectives, and insights on what is such a wide-ranging and subjective topic. There’s so much we can all take away from hearing this.

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Axel Brown is a Trinidadian/British bobsleigh driver, who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2022 Winter Olympics, in the 2-man bobsleigh. But to define him by that would be a disservice to the man. Have a listen as we discuss how having a goal and executing the plan to achieve it pays off. Not being defined by one thing and being open minded and brave enough to change what you're doing to achieve more.

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Daniel Strauss is well know for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu but he is far more than just a grappler. With deep interest in anthropology, the history and mythology of stone lifting. We cover these topics, and how grappling is interwoven into the history of the world, how perspective normalises training techniques, and how denim is the fabric that athletes are missing out on.

A true renaissance man.

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For the first episode in this new series of conversations, we are joined by three world class coaches, Kev Toonen, Marcus Smith, and Paul Warrior to explore what is meant by two words; Endurance, and Mindset. From the first contributions a few moments in, it was clear that this was going to be a deep dive, full of revelations and wisdom. Strap in.

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Dive into this podcast as we talk about swimming both pool and open water, the importance of being aware of your surroundings and being a safe swimmer. The power of a big aerobic training base and enjoying what you do. Overcoming set backs and designing training around your lifestyle to get the most out of both training and life. How small adjustments in your bike set up can reduce numbness in the party area. Ella has been swimming for as long as she can remember and has coached almost as long. Swimming alongside Olympians, setting up recumbent bikes for injured veterans. Join us for this eclectic and fun conversation.

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We welcome back AT, almost a year since he appeared as our first ever guest, back in episode 2. This conversation covers so much ground, it’s hard to summarise in a few sentences. But, if you have any interest in health, fitness and how to attempt to navigate the volume of information that’s out there, then dive in, you’ll love this one.

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David Fleming; I'm not sure I can find the words to do him and his work just service. Despite being part of the conversation Sean and I will no doubt listen to this one back more than once. 

David started in the Health and Wellness Industry nearly 20 years ago as a Personal Trainer and during this time he became curious around corrective modalities for injuries. This had led to a deep dive into studying Functional Biomechanics and Functional Neurology and more recently Biophysics. Not one for accepting that something just happens he wants to understand why.

He is also the creator and co-founder of AMN Academy. Teaching the Applied Movement Neurology system internationally he presents concepts of functional neurology, quantum physics, systems biology, and much more to Dr’s, therapists, trainers, and movement specialists alike.

This was a fascinating conversation, you'll probably want to take notes (I did). Then listen again. Enjoy.

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It was a number of years ago that Finn and 3 others rowed unsupported across the Atlantic, but the effect it had on him lives on today. We delve deep into the Physical, emotional, psychological effects that last for years, and how he found himself on the boat in the first place. Battling horrific weather, the breakdown of relationships in the middle of the ocean, and spending 2 months at sea all based on saying yes to a random email one day.

It's never just about the physical.

4 Countries. 4 Mountains. 650 Nautical Miles rowed, 95 Miles climbed.

A world first, undertaken for Mind charity, Katherine provides a warts and all journey through this amazing feat and superhuman effort that took place last summer, alongside her rowing partner Martin. 

From never rowing before to 3 months later battling the boat through the Irish sea. Speaking with such passion, enthusiasm and emotion Katherine tells us everything about what it took to achieve the impossible, including all the small parts that no-one normally acknowledges, but are vital never the less.

Listen in as we go behind paddles.

Dr Cameron Nicol. A man of many hats. Comfortable wearing each one he has learned  to transition to and from each with ease, without being singularly defined by any hat in particular. He has a set of core values that starts with family and hardwork. He has gone from the basketball court to medical school and onto the olympics and world championships as a rower. Into CrossFit, becoming an entrepreneur and owner creating and developing RowingWOD, working with CrossFit box members and elite games athletes, helping their rowing efficiency and performance within CrossFit and beyond. 

We discuss: What it takes in terms of effort, tolerance and pain and a look into the mindset to get to the top. Specificity of training for a specific sport at elite level. How we need to influence, health care and the education system to help people be come fitter and healthier, and similarly how CrossFit and exercise can in turn reduce the burden healthcare systems. 

And as always a little bit more on top of that. Join us for a conversation with a thoroughly decent chap.

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Kegan Dillon returns for another epic chat. We find out what happened with the 300 cal assault bike challenge. Facing fear and apprehension, can we return to the dark place of physical effort knowing the cost? The challenging questions it forces us to ask such as "when do you subconsciously quit/check out in a workout", and "why do 'you' do this?". Reflections from recent efforts including the CrossFit open workouts, what is to come in future challenges and the power of going hard on your own and how that then translates to a group environment. There's so much here, dive in.

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The organisation Strongmen, is male bereavement support charity and the burpees are about raising awareness around this issue. The physical challenge, is indeed a metaphor for picking your self up and keep going. The challenge is more of an all-round mental, emotional and spiritual journey than simply physically getting to the summit.

After suffering the loss of a close friend, it brought home the need to highlight the issues surrounding mental health after sudden grief.

Charles is a hybrid athlete that is not unfamiliar with physical challenges which has previously included a marathon strong man challenge, which saw him partake in a strongman competition sandwiched between two half marathons in a day.

Throughout the open, frank, fascinating and  brutally honest conversation we talk about, supporting each other, community, mental health and the challenge of asking for help. Whilst trying to navigate through life problems.

So, time for part 2 with David. Diving back in to how changing your breathing will improve all aspects of your training and quite simply your life in general. A more practical exploration, as opposed to the theories discussed in part 1, and we also dip our toe into the school of calisthenics and David’s epic human flag abilities!

6 months in. A lifetime of experience, the shifting sands of perspective following life's experiences. We talk On The Program.

Paul is well known in not just in the UK but across the world for his fitness programming. From Olympian to mum and dad just trying to be better at life and everything in between.

After both a physical break (ankle) and a break from programming, he's returned with bang with On The Program. Programming from the competitive athlete to the functional and capable human. Exploring physical, mental and emotional development. The meta universe and creating a virtual box with members elevating and supporting each other.

Good vibes only🤘🏼

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Quick note: If you like what we do, please share it online, tell someone else, and leave us a review. Also, if you are considering supporting a podcast, do think of this one. We have a very simple link below, and on our instagram page where you can shout us “coffee” to keep the podcast going. It does cost a modest amount to create and produce, so the price of a good coffee or cup of tea helps to cover these costs and keep us going. 

Could you run a marathon whilst only breathing through your nose? Although, the more relevant question is why should you? David takes us on a whirlwind lesson in nasal breathing and how it can benefit athletic performance and quality of life in general. This is part 1 of the conversation with David, so expect part two in the next few weeks.