Dr Jeremy Drake is a cancer researcher at Deakin University, a former elite triathlete and a current world championship age-group medallist. More than twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to coach Jeremy during his early years in elite draft-legal triathlon. Since then, his journey has spanned international triathlon competition, a PhD in cancer biology and a career dedicated to understanding how exercise and stress influence cancer progression.

In this conversation, we explore the lessons Jeremy learnt from elite sport, including a challenging introduction to draft-legal racing in Hobart and the persistence required to bounce back just six weeks later. We discuss the realities of balancing a PhD with high-performance sport, the role of resilience in both science and athletics and the personal experiences that shaped Jeremy's commitment to cancer research.

Jeremy shares the story of his mother's breast cancer diagnosis, how it transformed his perspective as both a scientist and a son and the importance of persistence when facing setbacks in life, sport and research.

We also dive into some fascinating emerging science exploring the relationship between exercise, stress and cancer. Jeremy explains what myokines are, how exercising muscles communicate with the rest of the body and why researchers are increasingly interested in the role physical activity may play in improving cancer outcomes.

We also discuss:

• The unique demands of elite draft-legal triathlon
• Persistence, failure and learning from setbacks
• Balancing sport, research and life
• Stress and cancer progression
• Exercise as medicine
• Art, creativity and fundraising for cancer research
• The future of exercise oncology

ProMetTre Cancer Research https://pmtcr.org/

Jeremy Drake, Deakin University https://experts.deakin.edu.au/43898-jeremy-drake

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/

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This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

What does it mean to age successfully as an athlete?

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Peter Reaburn, one of Australia's leading experts on masters athletes and someone who has spent a lifetime bridging the gap between sport science and real-world athletic performance.

Peter's journey spans competitive swimming, surf lifesaving, triathlon, academia and masters sport. From winning one of Queensland's earliest triathlons and achieving his goal of racing the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, to leading research into healthy ageing and athletic performance, Peter brings a unique combination of scientific expertise and lived experience.

Together, we explore:

• What defines a masters athlete
• The concept of successful ageing
• Why increasing numbers of older adults are turning to open water swimming
• The role of social connection in lifelong participation
• How training should evolve as we age
• The importance of maintaining intensity and introducing new training stimuli
• Strength training, muscle mass and healthy ageing
• Recovery, sleep and nutrition for masters athletes
• Open water swimming skills, safety and preparation
• Common mistakes older athletes make
• Practical advice for swimmers who want to remain active and competitive for life

Throughout the conversation, Peter shares not only the science underpinning healthy ageing and athletic performance, but also lessons learned from more than five decades in swimming, surf lifesaving and endurance sport.

Whether you're an open water swimmer, triathlete, coach or simply interested in maintaining health and performance as you age, this episode provides valuable insights into what it means to stay active, engaged and thriving throughout life.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Research on successful ageing in masters athletes (David Geard and colleagues)
• Research on recovery in masters athletes (Thomas Doering, Nattai Borges and colleagues)
• Peter Reaburn's work on masters athlete training, recovery and longevity
• Miami Masters Swimming Club
• Masters Swimming Australia

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If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Why do people come to the water, and what keeps them returning?

In this episode, I’m joined by William Ellis: open-water swimmer, marathon swim coach, actor, voice artist, and host of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast. Through his own swimming journey and hundreds of conversations with swimmers from around the world, Will has developed a unique perspective on resilience, community, personal growth, and the role the water can play in helping us navigate life's challenges.

Our conversation explores:

• Developing mastery when progress feels slow
• What acting and swimming can teach us about resilience
• Confidence, uncertainty and taking on ambitious challenges
• How swimming helped Will navigate grief and adversity
• The importance of community and connection in open-water swimming
• What Will has learned from interviewing swimmers from all walks of life
• Why people come to the water, and what they find there

We also discuss Will's successful English Channel crossing, his circumnavigation swims of Jersey, his preparation for a 70 km lengthwise swim of Lake Geneva, and the charitable work supporting his son Odie's specialist school.

🌊 An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast https://owswimpod.com

🎙️ William Ellis https://www.williamhenryellis.com

🏊‍♂️ Open Water Swimming profile https://www.openwaterswimming.com/actor-and-open-water-swimmer-will-ellis-raises-funds-for-charity-through-podcast-and-solo-swims/

❤️ Lake Geneva fundraiser supporting Odie's specialist SEND school https://www.justgiving.com/page/william-ellis-lake-geneva?newPage=true

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.