I sat down with George Rickwood to break down the Last Soul Ultra, the backyard ultra that took over the internet. We cover Mark Dowdle's last-minute private jet dash across Europe to complete 94 laps, Ello's heartbreaking collapse in the final stretch, and the biggest moments, controversies, and characters from one of the most-watched ultrarunning events ever. We also dive into George's own Backyard Ultra disqualification drama, the debate around live coverage in ultrarunning, sleep deprivation and race-day mind games, and George's next big challenge: a 24-hour track ultra.

George's first appearance: https://open.spotify.com/episode/380ch5ewRbfsCP8tXo7lJ3?si=e57d9544cf9b483b

Follow George: https://www.instagram.com/georgerickwood_/?hl=en

Follow on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠⁠

Calum's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠⁠

Calum's TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard ⁠⁠⁠

YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A ⁠⁠⁠

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

00:00 Intro & Last Soul Ultra Overview

02:17 Meet the Founder & the Team Behind the Race

03:52 Backyard Ultra Format & Why It's So Popular

07:46 The Elite Field & How the Race Got Global Coverage

10:11 Mark Dowdle's Private Jet Sprint to the Start Line

13:20 How Mark Dowdle Went Viral During the Race

15:17 Backyard Ultra Coverage vs. Badwater 135 Debate

17:54 Max Jaluf's Badwater Controversy & Course Record

19:07 Mark Dowdle's Wild 94-Lap Finish

20:50 The Infamous Loop 87 Mind Games

21:04 Elo's Emotional Second-Place Collapse

23:19 Mark Dowdle vs. Harvey Lewis: Contrasting Mindsets

28:19 Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations & Caffeine Strategy

30:35 Phil Gore's Project 168 Solo Backyard Ultra

32:38 Personal Relationships & Pacing in Ultra Running

36:00 Live Call With International Commentator Bryony

46:04 George's Suffolk Backyard Ultra Disqualification Story

50:31 The Russia Backyard Ultra Disqualification Scandal

54:31 George's Next Challenge: 24-Hour Track Ultra

58:46 Room 101: Ultra Running Pet Peeves

1:06:34 Goggins vs. Dowdle: Comparing Ultra Running Mindsets

1:09:01 George's Career Change & Move Into YouTube

1:13:28 Could Cal Qualify for the Olympics?

1:17:12 Injury Prevention: Sleep, Strength & Nutrition

1:20:00 Marathon du Médoc & Closing Thoughts

1:21:00 Outro & Next Week's Elo Interview

TommyRunPT is one of most best speakers in the running space & a man who have been central to so many people's running journey's over the past few years. I've found his videos to be such a source of inspiration and as a bloke he's been a big inspiration. Great to chat again with Tommy! We discuss why trail and ultra running feel so different from the road scene, the "ego core" side of fitness culture, and why some things are better left niche. Tommy discusses chasing 100-milers, optimisation culture and the big secret to success in running... it's something that might surprise some people.

Tommy: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tommyrunpt/?hl=en⁠

His podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatsrunnable/?hl=en⁠

Follow on TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod⁠⁠

Calum's Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠

Calum's TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard ⁠⁠

YouTube channel: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A ⁠⁠

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

0:00 - Intro: Toenails, Toughness & Podcast Origins0:55 - Welcome Tommy Rumptie: His Coaching & Content Journey6:03 - Why Talking-Head Running Videos Went Viral9:16 - Falling in Love With Running: Ego, Identity & Purpose12:27 - The "Ego Core" of Fitness Culture & Aesthetic Running24:00 - Life Update & Trail Running Origin Story24:28 - Why Tommy Chose Trail & Ultra Running Over the Roads31:17 - Finding Meaning Beyond Metrics & Performance39:58 - The Optimisation Debate: Are We Over-Optimising Our Training?42:54 - Talking Openly About Alcohol & Balance45:59 - Race Highlights: Transgrancanaria to a Brutal 100-Mile Suffer Fest54:28 - Emotional Intelligence, Empathy & Giving Fitness Advice Responsibly1:05:10 - Online Hate, Gossip in the Running Community & Ironman Plans1:07:10 - Wrap-Up: Future Races & Where to Find More

DOUBLE OLYMPIC CHAMPION🤯🥇Not only one of the most decorated triathletes of all time, he’s a hero for many and was part of the iconic Team GB in 2008, 2012 & 2016 👏🏼. Alistair gave us one of the most iconic, heartwarming & controversial moments on endurance sport when he dragged his brother Jonny at the world championships over the line. If you were to have told that young lad watching the 2012 Olympics that he’d be one day chatting with a man who won gold I would have laughed at you. Incredible chat, absolutely loved that 🙌🏼

Alistair's IG: https://www.instagram.com/alistair.brownlee/?hl=en

Truefuels IG: https://www.instagram.com/truefuels/?hl=enThe Brownlee

Foundation IG: https://www.instagram.com/brownleefoundation/?hl=en

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepod

Calum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/

Calum's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@calumgoddard

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4g2mhwrlRBzXhAsyXVWz4A

Contact: motionalintelligencepod@gmail.com

0:00 - Introduction

0:55 - Welcome Alistair Brownlee

1:12 - Growing Up in Yorkshire

3:10 - First Triathlon Experience

5:00 - Finding Triathlon

5:41 - World Junior Championships

6:34 - Evolution of Triathlon

10:23 - Barriers to Entry

13:02 - Simplicity in Sport

14:57 - Rivalry With Brother Jonny

19:49 - Beijing 2008 Olympics

30:35 - Training for London 2012

33:49 - London 2012 Olympics

38:09 - Winning Olympic Gold

41:49 - Rio 2016 Back to Back Gold

46:30 - The Iconic Mexico Moment

51:14 - What Happened to Jonny

53:17 - Retirement & Business Ventures

54:48 - TrueFuels & Nutrition

56:03 - Norseman Triathlon

1:02:15 - Future Events

1:04:12 - Alex Yee & Future of Triathlon

1:06:14 - Room 101

1:07:10 - Outro & Brownlee Foundation