Today’s episode is a little different - because today’s guest is... me. Well, not exactly me, but my digital doppelgänger: AI Charlie. 

That’s right, I’ve created an AI version of myself, trained on everything I’ve ever said on this podcast and beyond, and today, I’m putting him in the hot seat. Why? Because I wanted to test something: Can an AI trained on my conversations, thoughts, and beliefs deliver insight, inspiration, and maybe even a little wisdom about the world of endurance sports, just like Claire & I aim to do with our guests each week? 

Think of this as an experiment in self-reflection, curiosity, and the ever-evolving relationship between humans, performance, and technology. We dive into some of the core themes of The Business of Endurance - mental resilience, balance, performance, and purpose - but through the lens of someone - or something - that knows me perhaps a little too well. 

So buckle up for a conversation with... my AI-Clone. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll uncover something new about what it means to endure.

Highlights:

• The Trifecta Morning Routine: Why Movement, Mindfulness, and Growth Fuel Peak Performance
• Conversations with Your Digital Doppelgänger: Can AI Reflect, Inspire, and Challenge Us?
• Ruthless Prioritisation and Delegation: What High-Performers Teach Us About Time
• Fuel to Thrive: The New Nutrition Rules from Elite Endurance Athletes
• Why Range Before Niche Builds Resilience, Adaptability, and Long-Term Excellence
• Culture Is the Glue: Why Humor, Purpose, and Belonging Turn Teams Into Powerhouses
• Injury Prevention for Longevity: Consistency, Strength, Recovery, and Listening to Your Body
• Metrics That Matter: From HRV to Gratitude – Measuring Progress in Sport and Life
• Marginal Gains Done Right: Why Small Changes, When Aligned, Deliver Massive Results
• A Final Habit to Transform Your Day: Move, Reflect, Learn – Every Morning

Links:

Connect with AI Charlie on the Trusted Team Website: https://thetrusted.team/

Connect with the real Charlie Reading through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorspeakercoach/

Connect with the real Charlie reading Richard through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliereading/

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review. 

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What does it take to be the fastest in the world - not once, but time and time again? And what can business leaders learn from world-record-breaking athletes? 

Today, we sit down with Richard Oakes, a four-time world champion, national record-holder, and co-founder of Team Ohten Aveas, the world’s fastest masters cycling team. 

But Richard isn’t just dominating the track - he’s also reshaping how high-performance thinking applies in the business world, coaching elite firms to work smarter, perform under pressure, and embrace marginal gains for success. 

In this episode, we uncover the secrets of elite endurance - from pushing past plateaus to balancing ambition with longevity. Richard shares how data, resilience, and the mindset of a champion can transform not just your performance, but your career and health. 

If you want world-class strategies to go faster, think sharper, and achieve more, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. 

Highlights:

• Why the Process, Not the Prize, Fuels Champions
• The Pain, Power, and Purpose Behind an Hour Record
• The Equation of Excellence: Relentlessness, Integration, and Human Energy
• Balancing Elite Performance and a Full-Time Career: No Excuses, Just Clarity
• Mind Over Muscle: How Meditation, Energy Awareness, and Embodied Healing Drive Recovery
• From Marginal Gains to Paradigm Shifts: Finding the Edge in an AI World

Links:
Connect with Richard through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakes_worldchampion/

Connect with Richard through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-oakes-87646020/

Visit the Ohten Website: https://ohtengroup.com/

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review. 

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What does it take to endure? To win? And to keep coming back? In this episode, we sit down with one of the most iconic figures in endurance sport - Ironman champion Kathleen McCartney. 

You may know her as the winner of the legendary 1982 Ironman, the race that gave us 'The Crawl.' But her story didn’t stop at the finish line. Kathleen shares the mindset that took her from an inexperienced college student to an Ironman world champion in just a year. 

She opens up about coming back to racing after kids, rebuilding herself through endurance sport after divorce, and the wisdom she’s gained from coaching. She reveals the greatest lessons she learned from legendary mentors, including Bill Bachrach, and the surprising friendship that brought her back to Kona decades later. 

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or someone looking to overcome life’s challenges, Kathleen’s story will inspire you to redefine what’s possible. 

Highlights:

• Winning 1982 Ironman: A Shared Moment of Sporting History
• Returning Stronger: Ironman Comebacks Through Motherhood and Divorce
• Friendship Forged in Competition: Completing Kona with Julie Moss
• Coaching with Purpose: TriDot and Smarter Training Principles
• Cancer, Community, and Comebacks: The Mike Levine Story
• Mental Strength for Life: Endurance Lessons Beyond the Finish Line

Links:
Connect with Kathleen through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathmccartney/?hl=en

Connect with Kathleen through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-mccartney-94652268/

Connect with Kathleen through TriDot: https://www.tridot.com/coach/kathleen-mccartney

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What does it take to break free from the corporate grind, build multiple businesses with zero industry experience, and push your body to the absolute limit in some of the toughest endurance races on the planet? 

Today’s guest, Simon Dent, has done it all. From working as a solicitor in the City to promoting celebrity-packed nightclubs, to building some of the most successful marketing and publishing agencies in sport - Simon’s journey is anything but conventional. He’s also completed the Marathon des Sables, one of the toughest races on Earth, and is now on a mission to reduce plastic waste in the sports industry. 

In this episode, Simon shares the mindset shifts needed to leave a secure job, how endurance sport shapes elite entrepreneurs, and why most footballers go bankrupt - and how to avoid the same financial traps. If you want lessons in resilience, reinvention, and making your passion your business, this is one you can’t afford to miss.

Highlights:

• From City Lawyer to Mental Health Crisis
• Building Business: The Power of Surrounding Yourself With Experts
• How Ultra Running Became Therapy
• Business and Endurance: Lessons From Each World
• Marathon des Sables: Blood, Sweat and Friendship
• Save Our Souls: Creating Sustainable Sports Equipment
• Financial Education: Why Footballers Go Bankrupt
• The Brisbane to Sydney Run Challenge

Links:
Connect with Simon through Instagram: https://instagram.com/ultraentrepreneur

Connect with Simon through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-dent-9509b728/

The 2025 Dallaglio RugbyWorks & British and Irish Lions Ultra Endurance Challenge: https://justgiving.com/page/ultra-endurance-challenge

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What if one voice could change the way you see endurance sport - and even yourself? Today, we’re joined by an iconic voice of Ironman, Paul Kaye - the man who’s called thousands of athletes across the finish line and witnessed some of the most powerful moments in the sport. 

But Paul isn’t just an announcer. He’s an Ironman finisher himself, a master of storytelling, and someone who truly understands why endurance sport transforms lives. 

In this episode, Paul shares the most unforgettable finish line moments, the power of music to fuel performance, and why Ironman is more than just a race - it’s a life-changing experience. 

We also dive into his own endurance journey, what makes Ironman South Africa so special, and the deep “why” that drives us all. 

Whether you’re an athlete or just looking for inspiration, this episode will make you rethink what’s possible. Let’s get into it.

Highlights:

• The Journey From Radio to Ironman Finish Line Icon
• Turning Grief and Divorce into Personal Fuel
• Crafting Magic Moments at the Finish Line
• The Art of Emotional Announcing, Not Ego
• Using Music to Heighten Race-Day Drama
• Balancing Emotion During Tragedy and Crisis
• Reflections on Kona vs. Nice: A World Champs Split
• Why Silence and Stillness Matter More Than Hype

Links:
Connect with Paul Kaye through his Website, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What does it take to reinvent an entire sport? Well, today we sit down with Chris Williams, the commercial leader behind Supertri, the revolutionary triathlon league, shaking up endurance sport From securing game-changing partnerships to creating a team franchise model that financially supports athletes. 

Supertri is on a mission to make triathlon faster, more exciting and more sustainable for pros and fans alike. But Chris's journey goes far beyond boardrooms. He's an endurance athlete himself, and in this episode he shares the jaw-dropping story of his attempted Atlantic row and the dramatic rescue that followed. 

We talk about resilience, risk and bouncing back from failure, as well as what endurance sport can teach us about success in life and business. So if you want to know how the sport is evolving, how to push your limits and how to turn passion into opportunity, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. 

Highlights:

• Chris’ Unconventional Journey into Sports Business
• From Rowing the Atlantic to Finding Purpose
• The Role of Psychology in Leadership and Sales
• Lessons in Resilience from a Life-Threatening Capsize
• Anchoring Emotions with "Where Do I Need to Be?"
• Supertri’s Mission to Modernize Triathlon
• Creating High-Impact, Short-Course Triathlon Events
• The Power of Storytelling in Growing the Sport
• Supertri’s Mixed-Gender Team Franchise Model

Links:
Connect with Chris Williams through LinkedIn.

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

Imagine standing on the start line of your very first Ironman and the 3rd in history in Oahu in 1980—no high-tech gear, no fancy nutrition plans, just raw endurance and a relentless drive to push human limits. Now, fast forward 44 years, and that same athlete has just completed his 50th Ironman in Kona in 2024. Kurt Madden—also known as Coach K or Mad Dog—is an endurance sports pioneer, a champion ultraman, and a world-class triathlon coach. In this episode, we dive deep into his journey: what led him to that historic start line in 1980, the lessons learned from five decades in endurance sports, and the business and life principles he’s extracted along the way. We’ll explore what it takes to endure—both as an athlete and as a coach—why he is devoted to helping others achieve their peak performance, and how AI is about to change the future of coaching. Whether you’re an aspiring triathlete, a business leader, or someone looking for the mindset to go further, this episode will inspire you to redefine your own limits.

Highlights:
 - Kurt's Journey to His First Ironman
 - The Challenges of the First Ironman
 - The Evolution of Ironman and Kona
 - Racing in Kona: A Special Experience
 - The Meaning of Ohana on a Race Day
 - Lessons from The Ultraman: A 100-Mile Run
 - The Hard Rock Race Experience
 - Leadville and the Taharamar Indians
 - Coaching Influences and Personal Growth
 - TriDot and AI in Training vs a Coach
 - Reflections on Kona and World Championships

Links:
Connect with Kurt Madden through Instagram.

Explore The Limitless Life Workshop
We are living in a time of abundance, where entrepreneurs have more opportunities than ever before. With the rise of AI, colossal advancements in technology and the scope to reach millions of people in seconds, it has never been a more exciting or easily accessible time for your business to thrive. But are you riding that wave of exhilaration, or are you crashing and burning in a downhill spiral?

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

Today’s guest is a master of endurance—not just in sport, but in business and life. Ed Chang was a successful lawyer, an Ironman triathlete, and the co-founder of Varlo Sports, a rising force in endurance apparel. But what makes his story remarkable isn’t just the accolades—it’s the mindset, the strategy, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. How do you balance a legal career, a start-up, and training for one of the toughest endurance events on the planet? What can triathlon teach us about building businesses, and what can business teach us about racing smarter? Ed breaks it all down. Not only that, but Varlo as a business really know their 'Why' and they are on a mission to change the sport for good. Stick around to hear how Ed applies endurance thinking to every area of life and how you can do the same.

Highlights:
 - Ed's Journey into Endurance Sports
 - Building a Community-Centric Brand
 - Advocacy and Community Engagement
 - Balancing Law and Endurance Sports
 - Embracing Challenges and Growth
 - The Role of AI in Endurance Sports
 - The Irreplaceable Human Touch
 - Utilizing AI in Business Communications
 - Balancing Endurance Sports and Busy Careers
 - Memorable Triathlon Moments and Highlights
 - Books That Inspire: From Triathlon to Business
 - The Power of Community and Mental Endurance
 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Goals

Links:
Connect with Ed Chang through Instagram.

Explore The Limitless Life Workshop
We are living in a time of abundance, where entrepreneurs have more opportunities than ever before. With the rise of AI, colossal advancements in technology and the scope to reach millions of people in seconds, it has never been a more exciting or easily accessible time for your business to thrive. But are you riding that wave of exhilaration, or are you crashing and burning in a downhill spiral?

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

What does it take to not only survive but thrive against impossible odds? Imagine being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer—not once, but four times. Now, imagine taking on the world’s toughest endurance races in the middle of that battle. That’s exactly what today’s guest, Richard Wright, has done. Richard is more than an endurance athlete; he’s a radical optimist, bestselling author of The Power of Purpose, and a man who refuses to be defined by his diagnosis. In this conversation, he reveals the mindset shifts that separate survivors from victims, the power of endurance in life and business, and the deeply personal story behind his “I Am” tattoo. This episode will change how you see adversity. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or someone fighting your own battles, Richard’s wisdom will leave you with practical strategies to redefine resilience, rediscover purpose, and push your own limits. Let’s dive in.

Highlights:
 - Competing in Ironmans While Battling Cancer
 - The Power of Purpose: Endurance Sport and Cancer Treatment
 - The Gifts of Cancer: Mental Resilience and Endurance
 - The Importance of Physical Activity During Cancer
 - Overcoming Personal Challenges and Discovering Ironman
 - A Life-Changing Diagnosis: Survivor vs Victim Mentality
 - Facing a Terminal Diagnosis vs The Power of Mindset
 - Balancing Parenthood and Treatment: Overcoming Obstacles
 - The Ironman Challenge and A New Perspective on Survival
 - The Return of Cancer vs The Power of 'I Am'
 - Questioning Beliefs and Identity: Conditioning and Expectations
 - The Gift of Authenticity: Embracing Vulnerability Power
 - Books That Shaped the Journey and The Importance of Purpose
 - Lessons from Bonsai Trees: Endurance and Reinvention

Links:
Connect with Richard Wright through his website.

Explore The Limitless Life Workshop
We are living in a time of abundance, where entrepreneurs have more opportunities than ever before. With the rise of AI, colossal advancements in technology and the scope to reach millions of people in seconds, it has never been a more exciting or easily accessible time for your business to thrive. But are you riding that wave of exhilaration, or are you crashing and burning in a downhill spiral?

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

Welcome to this episode of The Business of Endurance, where we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Colin Cook—a man who has transformed his life from the grips of addiction to becoming an elite triathlete, a Sub 9 Ironman finisher, and coach to some of the sport's best. Colin’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence, and in today’s conversation, he opens up about these battles. From overcoming personal demons to building a thriving business and competing at Kona many times, Colin shares the lessons he’s learned about grit, mindset, and balancing life’s demands. You’ll hear powerful insights into leveraging tech & AI in endurance sports, maximizing recovery, and how to shift from destructive habits to life-changing passions. Whether you're chasing your first marathon or balancing family, career, and athletic goals, this episode will inspire and equip you to push boundaries, endure challenges, and live your most fulfilling life.

Highlights:
 - Introduction and Early Sporting Life
 - Transition from Ice Hockey to Endurance Sports
 - Struggles with Addiction
 - Turning Point: Embracing Endurance Sports
 - Balancing Family, Coaching, and Training
 - Ironman Journey and Achievements
 - Winter Training Opportunities
 - Using Wearables for Sleep and HRV
 - Recovery Techniques and Gadgets
 - AI in Endurance Sports
 - Balancing Life and Triathlon
 - Future Goals and Reflections

Links:
Connect with Colin Cook on Instagram.

Explore The Limitless Life Workshop
We are living in a time of abundance, where entrepreneurs have more opportunities than ever before. With the rise of AI, colossal advancements in technology and the scope to reach millions of people in seconds, it has never been a more exciting or easily accessible time for your business to thrive. But are you riding that wave of exhilaration, or are you crashing and burning in a downhill spiral?

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review.

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline