What does it truly take to be a champion?

In this episode, Jez sits down with Brendan "Trekky" Johnston — one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected cyclists — for a conversation that goes far beyond race results.

While his six National Titles and victories at iconic races like the Melbourne to Warnambool and Otway Odyssey are legendary, it’s the story of how he got there that offers a masterclass in resilience.

Brendan shares his journey from a promising junior whose career was derailed by a cancer diagnosis at 17, through his years as a top-performing athlete while working full-time as an electrician, to his modern-day leap of faith into the American gravel scene.

We discuss his audacious plan to break the Perth-to-Sydney cross-country record, the realities of surviving cancer and associated PTSD, and the realities of balancing elite sport with the pressures of life, business, and family.

Key Takeaways

•Redefining Endurance: Learn about Brendan’s unconventional strategy to break the 4,000km Perth-to-Sydney record by prioritising sleep over non-stop riding...

•The Power of Purpose: Understand the deep personal motivation behind his fundraising for Tour de Cure, rooted in his own battle with cancer and the lingering mental scars (PTSD) that fuel his drive.

•The Myth of the Full-Time Pro: Discover how Brendan achieved world-class results for over a decade while balancing a demanding trade, a business, and family life, proving that the path to the top isn’t always linear.

•Calculated Leaps of Faith: Hear the story behind his decision to leave a stable career and bet on himself in the high-stakes world of the Life Time Grand Prix, and how he navigated the financial and logistical challenges to succeed.

Chapters

Chapters

•(03:28) The Next Frontier: Brendan’s Audacious Perth-to-Sydney Record Attempt

•(07:55) The Strategy: Why Sleep is the Secret Weapon for a 4,000km Race

•(14:35) The Motivation: Racing for More Than Just a Record with Tour de Cure

•(16:52) The Unseen Scars: Confronting PTSD and the Rush to “Catch Up” on Life

•(21:30) The Working-Class Champion: Balancing a Trade, a Business, and Elite Racing

•(28:50) The Leap of Faith: Quitting a Career to Go All-In on the US Gravel Scene

•(35:44) The Breakthrough: The Story of the High-Stakes Big Sugar Gravel Race

•(43:02) The Pinnacle of Australian MTB: What the Otway Odyssey Means to Brendan

•(50:10) How to Follow the FKT and Support Tour de Cure

Mentioned in this Episode

•Follow Brendan Johnston: Keep up with his training and FKT attempt on his Instagram, @trekky91.

•Support the Cause: Donate to Brendan’s Perth-to-Sydney ride in support of cancer research at Tour de Cure.

•The Otway Odyssey: Learn more about the iconic mountain bike marathon at the official website. Entries for the 2026 event are now open!