Further. Faster. Podcast

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Neilson speaks to runner and author Rachel Ann Cullen. She took an extraordinary running experience – one that became loaded with negativity – and turned it into an inspiring book about running and positive mental health in her first book Running For My Life.

In her latest book, Running For Our Lives, the subtitle tells it all: Stories of everyday runners overcoming extraordinary adversity. It's a voice for runners of all types who have found running can help deal with mental health struggles, grief and other serious traumas. In this conversation, we cover her own story of running, unpack how running can sometimes reinforce negative issues, and in turn offer practical ways to help everyone achieve a positive experience when they run.

Hello and welcome to Further Faster brought to you by Montane. Host Daniel Neilson talks to ultra athletes, explorers, filmmakers, climbers and those involved in the outdoor world who are at the top of their game, to find out why they do what they do and how they do what they do. 

In this episode, we touch on a subject we’ve not really covered before...the topic of bikepacking! To help guide us through it is a gravel riding enthusiast Katherine Moore, who is also the senior editor at Komoot, a popular route planning tool for cyclists. Tune in for a delightful chat understanding how she got into bikepacking, and how you can get into it too. We also talk about the things you can see on the trails – about birds, about wildlife, talking about the change in the seasons… basically a reminder that cycling doesn’t have to be about chasing Strava times.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at Montane's bikepacking kit on the website for your chance to get geared up for a cycling adventure. 

In this podcast, host Daniel Neilson speaks with Dr Catherine Flitcroft, Access and Conservation Officer at the British Mountaineering Council. The BMC is an organisation that represents the needs of climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, all the while helping protect the landscape that allows us to fulfil our passions.

Montane has supported the BMC’s Climate Project, raising more than £25,000 from sales of the Montane x BMC clothing collaboration. That money has translated into planting more than 1,000 square metres of sphagnum moss. In the following conversation, Dr Catherine Flitcroft talks about her work at a policy level, about how we can help preserve our landscapes and why sphagnum moss is a miracle plant that can help combat climate change. It’s fascinating. Learn about Montane’s partnership with the BMC at montane.com/bmc. 

In this episode, host Daniel Neilson talks to Andrew Arell, who is the Race Director of The Grand Traverse. For the first time in 2022, Montane is headline sponsoring this prestigious, 40-mile, point-to-point ski race. 

Starting in Crested Butte, Colorado, racers tackle the Elk Mountain Range, climbing 6,500 feet (2088m) to finish in Aspen. This years race is taking place on April 2nd to 3rd. In recent years the race has also added 2 additional summer experiences. Held in September, racers can tackle the route on foot or on mountain bikes.  

Andrew gives us his point of view as the director and delves into the complexities of organising a race that heads deep into the backcountry, with the risks of extreme weather and avalanche terrain. Most importantly he wants everyone to be safe and have a great experience. 

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating or review and we’ll be back in a couple of weeks. 
 

In part two of our International Women’s Day special, guest host Jenny Tough catches up with Montane athlete Katy Parrott the night before she flies to Northern Sweden to take part in the Lapland Arctic Ultra.

In this far-reaching interview, the two delve into Katy’s preparation for the race and her impressive career. She also tells us about how her Mum was her source of inspiration growing up and pushed her to go outside her comfort zone. Jenny and Katy also discuss their shared love of painting as a way of decompressing and how everyone appreciates art in their own way. It’s an amazing, inspirational conversation.

If you’re enjoying these podcasts as much as we enjoy making them, please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Listen to Part 1 of this special International Women's Day podcast here: Jessie Leong IWD22 (Part 1/2)

Welcome to Further Faster, brought to you by Montane. This is first of a couple of podcasts with guest host Jenny Tough, an adventurer and author, who, having run across a mountain range on every continent is now cycling across a mountain range in every continent… in 12 months.

In this episode, Jenny speaks to fellow Montane athlete Jessie Leong, who is a mountaineer, adventure photographer and storyteller. They discuss mountaineering, learning new skills, as well as the inspiring Victorian Alpine climber Lucy Walker.

If you’re enjoying these podcasts as much as we enjoy making them, please leave a review wherever you find these podcasts.

In this episode, Daniel chats with Ellie and Matt Green of Summit Fever Media , an adventure film and content creation production company.

They tell us about their careers and how they first got into the filmmaking industry, as well as their latest film “The Longest Line.” The film followed Jenny Graham and Calum Maclean on the longest straight-line between two roads in the UK and has gone on to win various awards at prestigious film festivals. Their film is now available to watch on YouTube and you can follow Matt and Ellie on Instagram.  

Please don’t forget to leave us a rating or review wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

*Warning: Contains some explicit language. 

In this episode, host Daniel Neilson talks to alpinist, filmmaker, and climate change advocate Graham Zimmerman. Graham has taken on some of the biggest mountains in the world, such as K2 and Link Sar, and uses his stories to help make the world a better place.

He offers thought-provoking insights into his exceptional climbing career, much of it in the Greater Ranges, and his work with Protect Our Winters. POW is a climate action charity that brings together pro athletes and passionate outdoor enthusiasts to raise awareness and bring about systemic climate change solutions. 

If you’re enjoying these podcasts as much as we enjoy making them, please leave us a rating and review so we can continue to bring you stories from inspiring people from around the world.

*Warning: Contains some explicit language.

In this episode, host Daniel Neilson talks to ultra-runner Kevin Leahy and filmmaker Adrian McCarthy.

While backpacking in Canada’s Yukon Territory, Kevin discovered the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra. Feeling inspired, he went back a year later to tackle the 100 Mile race and won! On February 3rd 2022, he’s heading back to take on the 300-mile race. Then a few weeks later, he’s flying to Sweden for the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra.

Filmmaker Adrian McCarthy has been following Kevin over the last two years, documenting his journey through training around Killarney, lockdowns, and cancellations as part of their documentary “1000km of Chaos.” Kevin and Adrian give us an amazing insight into preparing, training, and developing the mindset to take on hundreds of miles in extremely cold conditions.

To follow Kevin’s progress in the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra from February 3rd visit montane.com/yukonarcticultra. You can also track Kevin from March 6th during Lapland Arctic Ultra via the Montane website. If you would like to know more about their film project visit 1000kmofchaos.com. 

To kick off the new year, we're taking a look at the Montane Spine Race, a 268 mile, 7 day, winter ultra. Starting in Edale the race follows the Pennine Way through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and into the Northumberland National Park over the Cheviots, finishing in Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish Border.

To start, we hear from Montane athlete Debbie Martin-Consani, who came first in the women's field, moments after she crossed the finish line. Host, Daniel Nielson chats with Montane ambassador and running coach Howard Dracup, who this year took part in the Spine Challenger North Race and took an impressive third overall. Howard tells us about the nitty-gritty of the race and how he tackled his training.  And finally, we caught up with Eoin Keith, the overall winner, at the finish line.