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In this episode, I sit down with ultra-endurance athlete Jon Shield, one of the most accomplished extreme racers in the world. From winning across the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series to tackling brutal multi-day events like the Spine Race, Jon has built a reputation for performing in the harshest conditions imaginable.

Now, he’s just weeks out from the 268-mile Montane Spine Race, often called Britain’s most brutal, chasing redemption and a sub-70-hour record.

We dive into:

• How Jon is balancing injury, recovery, and peak performance
• Why resilience matters more than fitness in ultra-endurance
• The reality behind social media, sponsorships, and coaching
• Lessons from racing in deserts, jungles, mountains, and the Arctic
• What it actually takes to keep going when everything starts to break

This is a raw, honest conversation about pressure, setbacks, and pushing beyond perceived limits.

Follow Jon Shield:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonshieldrunsultras
• Jon Shield - YouTube
• Website: https://www.jon-shield.com
• Pain Cave Headwear: https://paincaveheadwear.com

You can also view this discussion on my YouTube channel, Coach Hannah Witt, in my series, The Performance Collective. Coach Hannah Witt - YouTube

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