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Most runners train like they're 25 forever - until their body sends the bill. Reiss is here to explain why longevity beats ego every single time, and why the shoes on your feet might be quietly wrecking your stride.
In this episode of the Atomic Rambo Podcast, Dan sits down with Reiss, a Chester-based sports therapist and run coach, for a wide-ranging conversation about longevity, running, recovery, and what it actually takes to build a body and mindset that last - not just for one big race, but for life.
Reece's own path started far from the trails: a move from Essex to Dubai, an unexpected love affair with endurance sport, and years of hands-on work as a therapist watching bodies break down from the inside. Out of that came a coaching philosophy built on one simple idea - longevity over ego. From ultras and mountain races to the quiet, unglamorous work of injury prevention, this conversation is a masterclass in sustainable training for anyone who's ever pushed too hard, too fast, and paid for it.
Dan and Reiss dig deep into the five pillars of health - sleep, strength, stress management, social connection, and nutrition - and why skipping even one of them undermines everything else you're trying to build. They talk through the 10% rule and progressive overload, why "listening to your body" is a skill most people never learn, and how modern shoes, weak feet, and hours of sitting are quietly reshaping the way an entire generation moves.
This isn't a conversation about chasing extremes. It's about ambition without self-destruction - how to train hard, recover properly, and still show up for the people who need you, whether that's your training partners or your own kids. Reiss brings the technical knowledge of a therapist and the lived experience of an athlete who has actually walked the path from injury to insight, and the result is one of the most practical, honest episodes we've recorded.
Whether you're a weekend 5k runner, deep into ultra training, or just someone who sits at a desk all day and wonders why your feet feel weird - this episode will change how you think about movement, recovery, and what "fit for life" really means.
Key Topics Covered:
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Reiss - https://www.discoverstrive.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/discover_strive/
From a 16-year-old soldier to building a multi-industry business empire - Dave Hamlet shares the raw truth about resilience, imposter syndrome, and the mindset it takes to survive chaos and come out stronger on the other side.
Dave Hamlet joined the military at just 16 and has since become a serial entrepreneur and investor across FMCG, health, sustainability, and tech. From Northern Ireland to the Dolomites, from imposter syndrome to building D&G Group, he's lived a life most people only read about - and he holds nothing back in this conversation.
In this episode, Dan and Dave unpack:
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a former soldier, or just someone looking for a reason to keep going — this one will resonate.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction and guest background with Dave Hamlet
02:17 The role of backgrounds and environment in personal growth
04:26 Dave's entrepreneurial start and military influence
05:50 Overview of Dave's companies
08:22 Managing imposter syndrome and mental health in business
09:43 Lessons from Northern Ireland — resilience and adversity
16:29 Family, traditional values, and societal contrasts
20:22 Mountaineering adventures and lessons in humility
24:08 Endurance challenges: Kyrgyzstan, Dolomites, and altitude sickness
33:14 Purpose and discipline in overcoming habits like alcohol
36:34 Military lessons: resilience, teamwork, and life perspectives
44:45 Societal entitlement, masculinity, and personal strength
55:28 Building business relationships and marketing honesty
62:15 The impact of diversifying ventures and ecosystems
73:16 Innovations in health tech: hydration, diabetes prevention, and supplements
86:38 The power of community and strategic partnerships in growth
92:32 The influence of AI, manipulation, and the future of human interaction
105:51 The significance of mindset, purpose, and self-awareness in success
107:26 Closing thoughts on resilience, societal shifts, and future opportunities
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Dave Hamlet - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davehamlet
D&G Group Holdings: https://dandg.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davehamlet
What do you do when the life you built gets taken away in an instant?
For Dan Eden, a former soldier who lost his arm in a road traffic accident, the answer wasn't to retreat - it was to go further than he'd ever gone before. In this episode, Dan sits down with us for one of the most honest, raw, and genuinely inspiring conversations we've ever had on the podcast.
Dan joined the military in 2015 and was building the kind of career soldiers dream about - AACC, RAPTC, a future full of purpose and identity. Then a single moment changed everything. What followed wasn't a clean recovery story. It was amputation, rehabilitation, PTSD, four separate bouts of sepsis, and the brutal process of trying to stay in the army he loved while his body and mind were fighting battles of their own.
But here's the thing about Dan Eden - he doesn't just survive. He decides.
Three months after losing his arm, he was back on skis. Within a few years he was competing on the GB para-snowsports pathway. And in what has become one of the most talked-about feats in the veteran sport community, Dan plans on breaking the 24hr Nordic ski record - not to chase glory, but to show others what direction life can go in.
In this episode we get into all of it. The accident and what those first days really looked like. The identity crisis of leaving the military. The role that EMDR therapy played in helping him process trauma he'd buried for years. The moment Nordic skiing shifted from rehab to obsession. The planning, the pain, and the mental battle behind the world record. And what's next -Invictus, the 2030 Paralympics, and a long-distance vision that shows no sign of slowing down.
Dan also talks openly about the childhood experiences that shaped him, the importance of finding the right people around you, and why he believes that speaking honestly about mental health isn't weakness - it's the foundation everything else is built on.
This one will stay with you. Whether you're going through something hard right now, rebuilding after a setback, or just need reminding that the story isn't over - Dan Eden is proof that the hardest chapters don't have to be the last ones.
Resources mentioned: Guinness World Records · Catalyst Project · Combat Fuel · The Redefining impossible Foundation · EMDR Therapy · Invictus Games ·
🎙️ Keep in Touch Follow Dan on Instagram: @dutyhappybloke
Follow the Pod: @atomicrambopodcast
ARC Website: atomicrambo.com
Free ARC Assessment: arcassesment.lovable.app
Follow Dan Eden: @diffydan
In this episode, Dan sits down with Dave Coleman, a former Royal Marine whose journey from combat to ultra endurance is one of the most raw and honest conversations you'll hear on this podcast. Dave opens up about his time in Afghanistan, the IED that nearly took his life, and the brutal medical battle that followed - including a terrifying brush with flesh-eating disease. But the physical injuries were only the beginning. Dave talks candidly about the mental health crisis that followed his return home: PTSD, medication, self-harm, and the isolation of decompression that so many veterans face but rarely speak about. Then comes the turning point - the loss of a close friend, and how that grief, alongside the chaos of COVID, pushed Dave toward something unexpected: ultra running. What started as a way to process pain became a lifeline, a form of therapy, and ultimately a new purpose. This conversation doesn't shy away from the realities of ultra endurance - the pain, the mental battles, the wrong turns, the moments where everything falls apart on course. Dave shares what he's learned training for and racing ultras, practical advice for anyone considering their first one, and how sobriety and lifestyle changes have amplified his mental strength.
Main Topics Covered:
Timestamps: 02:05 - Dave’s background: From Royal Marines to civilian training business
04:57 - The impact of social media and external influences on recruitment
09:13 - Surviving an IED and medical details of injury
18:05 - Medical evacuation from Afghanistan and subsequent health battles
22:22 - The role of decompression and isolated recovery post-deployment
25:14 - Grief, loss of a friend, and emotional relapse during COVID
43:12 - The reality of ultras: pain, mental battles, and themes of perseverance
50:49 - Setting ultra goals: learning and training for tough races
65:37 - The wild mental and physical journey of extreme endurance
73:47 - Reflection on race mishaps, lost routes, and mental resilience
85:15 - How sobriety and lifestyle changes amplify mental strength
86:13 - The therapeutic power of ultra running for mental health
87:26 - How ultra running shifts coaching perspectives and mental limits
93:39 - The link between addiction, mental health, and ultra runners' shared struggles
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Dave - http://www.civvy2commando.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/civvy2commando/
In this episode, Brian Stokes shares his incredible journey through the military, fire service, police, and competitive sports, emphasising the importance of resilience, personal growth, and community. Discover how his diverse experiences have shaped his approach to training, coaching, and fostering the next generation of athletes - including kids in Hyrox.
Main Topics Covered:
Timestamped Highlights:
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_stokes_coaching/
Website: https://brianstokescoaching.com
Ted Shirley served two tours in Afghanistan as a British Army sniper. He came home. But the war didn't stay in Afghanistan.
In this episode, Dan sits down with Ted- author of Afghanistan Sniper- for one of the most honest conversations we've had on this podcast. Two men who've both lived with PTSD, both fought their way back, talking without a filter about what that actually looks like. Ted takes us from sniper training in Wales, through the heat of Helmand Province, to the moment everything unravelled back home. The anger, the blackouts, the numbness, the years of feeling like the person he used to be was gone. And then- the long, messy, non-linear road back.
This isn't a neat recovery story. It's the real one.
We get into EMDR, psychedelics, meditation, nature, community, colouring books and why healing looks different for everyone. We also talk about the silence and stigma that still kills people in the armed forces, and why the bravest thing a soldier can do is ask for help. If you're carrying something heavy, or you love someone who is- this one's for you.
In this episode:
Timestamps:
02:24 – Sniper training: stalking, shooting, and tactical skills
09:55 – The moment everything changed: losing a friend
11:47 – Operation Moshtarak: the largest British air assault since WWII
14:02 – The realities of war zones
20:08 – First signs of PTSD: anger, risky behaviour, and dissociation
28:48 – Depression, sleep issues
43:40 – Psychedelics and natural medicines in trauma
50:53 – The power of community and peer-led support
55:29 – Running, mountains, and honouring fallen comrades
60:08 – Alcohol, trauma triggers, and the dangerous cycle
65:13 – Meditation, gratitude, and slowing down
85:25 – Building resilience through therapy and self-awareness
90:50 – The dangers of silence and stigma in the armed forces
104:00 – Future projects: books, talks, and spreading awareness
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Ted - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tedshirleyauthor
Afganistan Sniper - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=afghanistan+sniper&crid=5QWC3YKW0AOT&sprefix=afghanistan+sniper%2Caps%2C147&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Dan sits down with Andy Williams - Para veteran, author, and one of the most honest voices on military trauma you'll ever hear, for a conversation that goes straight to the places most people are too afraid to go. Andy's story started long before Afghanistan. A childhood shaped by abandonment and broken trust. A drive toward the Parachute Regiment that was about more than just service. This is an episode about war - but it's really an episode about what war does to a person long after they come home. Andy talks about the flashbacks, the PTSD, the night terrors, and the years of using alcohol to keep the lid on things that refused to stay down. He talks about the moment he knew something had to change, and the long, unglamorous road through therapy and brutal self-honesty that followed. The parallels with Dan's coaching work at ARC are impossible to miss!
Main Topics Covered:
Timestamps:
05:25 - Personal history: childhood, family, and influences
10:05 - Motivation for joining the Paras and military aspirations
11:46 - Training, early experiences, and influences from family members
15:42 - First contact with enemy forces and initial combat experiences
31:04 - Breaching, weaponry, and operational tactics in Sangin
37:14 - Significant firefights, IED threats, and combat mentality
42:53 - Traumatic incidents: friend’s injury, loss of colleagues, and personal injuries
55:22 - Challenges of long-term exposure to combat stress and mental health
68:47 - Overcoming trauma: therapy, support, and post-traumatic growth
73:41 - Transition to civilian life: new careers, leadership, and advocacy
80:19 - Alcohol as a coping mechanism and journey to sobriety
89:22 - Reflection on Afghanistan's aftermath and the broader impact of war
99:22 - The significance of community, belonging, and shared experience
107:10 - Tools and therapies for mental health management: CBT, journaling, EMDR
112:50 - Transitioning careers: security industry, close protection, and military skills
118:35 - Modern warfare, intelligence gathering, and lessons learned
126:27 - The power of goal-setting, ultra-running, and personal growth
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Andy:
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthedropzone
http://beyondthedropzone.com
Podcast Music: Transition X by Mehul Chaudhary
Dan sits down with Darren Edwards - adaptive adventurer, world record holder, and one of the most quietly extraordinary human beings you'll ever hear speak - for a conversation that gets straight to the heart of what it actually means to keep going when everything has been taken from you. Darren's story started on a cliff face in North Wales in 2016. A rock shifted. He fell 100 feet. He was paralysed from the chest down instantly - and told he'd never walk again. What followed was five months of intensive care, surgery, and rehab. His relationship ended. His identity as a mountaineer was gone. And then he decided none of that was the end of the story. This is an episode about resilience - but it's really an episode about identity. About who you are when the thing that defined you is stripped away, and what it takes to rebuild yourself around something new. Darren talks about the moment he made himself a promise on that mountain, the long road through grief and heartbreak, and how he went on to kayak the length of Britain, complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and attempt to ski to the South Pole and getting the record for the furthest distance travelled in the process. The parallels with Dan's coaching work at ARC are impossible to miss - whether you're lying in a hospital bed wondering who you are now, or standing at the bottom of a life that needs to change - the inner game is identical.
In this episode we cover:
Chapters
02:23 Darren's background and adventurous spirit
10:56 The terrifying fall and moments of survival
17:32 The impact of support systems and relationships
34:02 Transitioning to adaptive sports
42:50 The Land's End to John O'Groats kayak adventure
50:33 World Marathon Challenge
60:25 Antarctic expeditions and redefining limits
92:24 Darren's family, his father's passing
103:53 Advice for young people struggling
106:01 Gratitude, reflection, and living with purpose
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Darren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrenedwards_adventurer/
Learn more about Darren of book him as a speaker for your event: https://darren-edwards.com/
Darren's foundation: https://redefiningimpossible.co.uk/
Podcast Music: Transition X by Mehul Chaudhary
Dan sits down with Alex Riley - elite climber, Mountain Leader, and founder of HowToClimb.co.uk for a conversation that cuts straight to the heart of what it actually takes to achieve something hard. Alex's journey started with a fear of heights. It ended at the top of some of the most demanding routes in British climbing. And what carried him there wasn't talent or natural ability - it was goals, habits, faith, and the willingness to show up every single day.
This is an episode about elite performance - but it's really an episode about the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and what it takes to close it. Alex talks about the psychology of fear on a grade that punishes mistakes, the power of small daily habits over big dramatic moments, and the unexpected role that faith has played in his life on and off the rock.
The parallels with Dan's coaching work at ARC are hard to miss - whether you're standing at the bottom of a route that terrifies you or the bottom of a life that needs to change - the inner game is identical.
In this episode we cover:
Whether you're a climber, someone chasing a big goal, or just trying to make sense of where you are right now — Alex's story will remind you that where you start is not where you have to finish.
Chapters
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtoclimb.co.uk/
For more on climbing with Alex visit: https://www.howtoclimb.co.uk/
Podcast Music: Transition X by Mehul Chaudhary
Dan sits down with James — the Wild Welshman — a man who turned a childhood scarred by trauma into a life defined by extraordinary courage. In this honest and gripping conversation, James opens up about growing up in the shadow of his father's decline, the rage and destructive tendencies he carried for years, and how extreme physical challenges became the unlikely doorway to healing.
From Arctic expeditions to SAS Who Dares Wins, James didn't just survive the hard stuff — he used it. And in doing so, he found something people can spend a lifetime searching for: a sense of purpose forged through pain.
But this isn't just a story about pushing limits. It's about what happens when you stop running from your past and start building something with it.
In this episode we cover:
Whether you're carrying old wounds, chasing something bigger than yourself, or just trying to make sense of the hard chapters — James's story will remind you that your background doesn't have to define your destination.
Chapters:
Keep in Touch:
Follow Dan in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/
ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.com
Take the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/
Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/the_wildwelshman/
Buy James’ book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Welshman-Broken-Boy-Unbreakable/dp/B0GQCS2J1K
Podcast Music: Transition X by Mehul Chaudhary
From the publisher's feed
The place for inspirational stories from real people and lessons we can all learn from.
Hosted by Dan Holder, a decorated former Royal Marines Commando, mountaineer, climber, endurance…
This will be a tool for Dan's clients who he works with at Atomic Rambo Coaching (ARC) to lead people to personal freedom through awareness, resilience, and commitment. Sharing these conversations publicly will allow listeners and insight into the ARC method.