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

Lucy Georgia joins me this week to chat running, content creation, and launching her own sunglasses brand, Sonny. We go back to how we first met, why she kept her social media private for years, her Ironman 70.3 and marathon majors, the real story behind building Sonny from scratch, and a Room 101 where she tells me exactly what she can't stand...

Lucy: https://www.instagram.com/lucyge0rgia/?hl=en

Calum: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/?hl=en⁠

Watch on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb⁠

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

Chapters below.

00:00 - Kicking things off

0:45 - Welcoming Lucy Georgia

1:30 - How they met on the Tour de France

3:37 - The truth about her surname

5:18 - Keeping life private before going public

8:02 - Her first ever social media post

11:20 - Classics degree and life after uni

12:40 - Becoming a runfluencer

15:00 - Women, sport, and confidence

16:56 - Imposter syndrome in running

19:51 - Her first race: Hackney Half

22:25 - Investing in Runna

24:32 - Turning content into a business

28:42 - Losing the joy and burning out

29:06 - Keeping her relationship offline

31:44 - Dealing with online hate

33:19 - Taking on an Ironman 70.3

37:14 - Why she'll never do a full Ironman

42:16 - The idea behind Sonny sunglasses

45:48 - Designing and manufacturing the glasses

49:46 - Branding and choosing the name

53:27 - Unboxing Sonny sunglasses

56:10 - What's next for the brand

1:00:58 - Creator led brands and the future

1:04:49 - Why YouTube is her anchor

1:07:57 - Her favourite YouTube channels

1:14:39 - Room 101: things Lucy hates

1:24:11 - Wrapping up and where to buy Sonny

Running coach Gabriel Smith joins for round three, breaking down how he a marathon DNF into a 3-minute PB (2:26:46 at London), what actually changed in his training, and why he thinks a carefree summer; why beers, holidays and late nights don't have to kill your progress. We also get into marathon psychology, Josh Kerr's 1500m world record, and living with Hugo Fry.

Gabriel: https://www.instagram.com/gabriel__smithh/?hl=en

Calum: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/?hl=en

Watch on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:00:32 - Welcome Back Gabriel Smith0:01:11 - Life as a Running Coach0:04:36 - Balancing Fun and Training in Summer0:13:29 - London Marathon Recap: 2:26 PB0:21:18 - What Changed This Marathon Block0:27:32 - Planning the Next Marathon0:33:10 - Building Towards Winter Training0:44:28 - Advice for First-Time Marathoners0:48:21 - Josh Kerr's World Record & Race Psychology0:55:13 - Triathlon Prep0:59:20 - Commonwealth Games1:02:52 - Random Tangents & Viral Clips1:09:25 - Living with Hugo Fry1:14:40 - Outro & Predictions

This week Hugo Fry joins for the July Fry Up and finally reveals all about SECRET sub 10 ironman he did on just 6 weeks of training, finishing in 9 hours 30 minutes without really telling anyone beforehand - throwing hot soup on himself mid-race, choppy lake swims, and all. We get into why he kept it low-key instead of milking it for content, how Jess' Ironman experience highlighted how intimidating triathlon can be for women, dealing with hate watchers, navigating the "World Cup summer" content slump, and wrap up with a proper Room 101 segment covering everything from AI brand emails to portaloos before a race.

Subscribe for a new episode every Thursday, and let us know your own Room 101 picks in the comments!

Calum: https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/Hugo: https://www.instagram.com/hugo.fry/

Watch on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eeb

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

Chapters:

00:00 - the £5 acca that bought a TV

06:06 - Hugo Fry joins, TV habits and The Pit

09:58 - Horror films, Sinners and scary movie debate

15:44 - Why Hugo secretly signed up for an Ironman

20:08 - Race day in Thun: the swim chaos and soup incident

25:45 - The bike leg and nutrition mishaps

36:07 - Off the bike and into the marathon

41:32 - Crossing the line and processing the emotion

46:15 - Online hate, Peds and why negativity motivates

53:04 - Looking ahead to T100

58:36 - Content, burnout and the World Cup effect

1:03:29 - Room 101: pet peeves special

1:20:07 - Outro

Emily Fairs is back on the pod! This week we catch up on her Saucony 10K race, break down whether an ultramarathon or a 10K is actually harder, and talk about drinking and training through the summer with no guilt.

We also dig into the impossible standard female creators are held to. Emily reads out a comment accusing her of losing weight and we unpack why she "can't win" no matter what she posts.

And if that wasn't enough, we touch on the Meta glasses consent controversy, London Marathon's new two-day format, and why delusion and optimism might be the secret to achieving anything.

Follow Emily here: https://www.instagram.com/emilyjanefairs/?hl=en

If you're watching on YouTube, make sure you're subscribed.

If you're listening on Spotify, follow the podcast and rate it five stars.

Catch a new episode every Thursday.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - Catching up + reminder to subscribe

1:57 - Recapping the Saucony 10K race

5:42 - Panic attacks, health anxiety & race recovery

8:20 - Breaking down 10K race day nerves

10:22 - Ultramarathon vs 10K: what's actually harder

14:08 - Why she loves ultra training more

16:36 - Drinking during a training block

17:49 - Balance, identity & not living an "athlete lifestyle"

20:20 - London Marathon PB & running with "shackles off"

21:35 - Winning her 100K race (and why she wasn't happy about it)

29:54 - London Marathon's new two-day format debate

33:49 - Biggest demographic: women aged 20-29 taking up marathon running

36:12 - The Instagram comment about her weight

43:07 - "You generally can't win": the impossible standard for female creators

48:19 - Meta glasses, consent & filming culture

55:05 - Cycling, triathlons & upcoming races

56:56 - World Cup fever & English football pride

1:00:48 - Do we win the World Cup?

1:01:58 - The Power of the Subconscious Mind & self-belief

1:05:36 - Wrap up & goodbyes

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WGIXQz6Pa0V9WIa4gIxOV?si=e19d4acb7b964eebFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionalintelligencepod Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalintelligencepodCalum'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

In this episode, I sit down with Anna Archer - fitness creator, founder of On The Run Club, and one of the earliest names in the online running boom - to talk about her incredible journey from an 18-year-old posting from her bedroom in lockdown to being signed by Gymshark in just 6 weeks.We get into the moment she found out Runna (the running app she personally invested in at 20 years old) sold to Strava, how she navigated an eating disorder while building an audience of hundreds of thousands, losing her dad at 17, getting diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult, and why she made the leap to move her whole life to Australia.Anna Archer: https://www.instagram.com/annaarcher/?hl=enSign up to her event: https://annaarcher.komi.io/

Calum: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/calumgoddard/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Watch on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0nNkuS_WWmK0tRPwbfoXLQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

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