If you’ve signed up for an Ironman this year, this is the point where things start to get real.

You’re no longer thinking about training… you’re already in it. And for many athletes, this is the phase where small cracks begin to appear. Missed sessions, niggles, fatigue, and a growing sense of uncertainty about whether you’re actually on track.

In this episode, Simon and Beth walk through the key questions every Ironman athlete should be asking 3 to 6 months out from race day. Not to create panic, but to provide a clear and honest sense-check of where you are right now.

Because at this stage, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things consistently, staying healthy, and making sure you arrive at the start line ready to execute.

5 Key Talking Points

3 Takeaways

Key Quote

“The goal now isn’t to get fitter… it’s to arrive at the start line healthy.”

FREE Download👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

A simple checklist to see if you’re actually on track 3–6 months out.

Ironman Sanity Checklist

Resources I promised you

Race day nutrition Strategy - Get 20 minutes with a Precision Fuel & Hydration expert

Train your gut

The art of gut training

How to train your gut

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

In this episode, Beth and I reflect on our recent Nevis to St Kitts swim, a brilliant open water adventure that reminded us what it really means to be Battle Ready.

We talk about the event itself, the experience of swimming across open water in a stunning setting, and what we learned from it.

Then we shift gears into a more personal topic. I share why, after years of resisting it, I’ve decided to start taking statins. It’s not medical advice, but an honest conversation about health, ageing, and the difference between being fit and being truly healthy for the long term.

Key Points

3 Takeaways

Killer Quote

“Just because you’re fit, it doesn’t mean you’re invincible.”

Resources

Find out more about the Nevis - St Kitts Cross Channel Swim

Nick Parkes podcast - The Day My heart Stopped Mid-Race

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

Mobility is one of the most overlooked parts of training.

Most athletes ignore it until something hurts. Then it suddenly becomes important.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tom Morrison, creator of the Simplistic Mobility Method. I first came across Tom through athletes I work with, and his name kept coming up again and again.

What stood out to me is that Tom hasn’t just studied mobility. He lived the consequences of ignoring it.

From overtraining and constant injuries to a serious back issue that stopped him in his tracks, Tom had to rebuild his body from the ground up.

What he shares in this conversation is simple, practical, and very relevant if you want to keep training as you get older.

This isn’t about adding more to your week.

5 Key Talking Points

3 Takeaways

Key Quote

“You don’t get injured in places where you move well. You get injured in places where you don’t move at all.”

Final Thought

If you want to keep training for the long term, mobility isn’t optional.

It’s the thing that keeps you consistent.

And consistency is what delivers results.

Resources

To find out more about Tom please visit these channels:

Website: https://tommorrison.uk

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TomMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MovementandMotion

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tom.morrison.training?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tom_morrison?_t=8eMnk3YfqBf&_r=1

These are some of Tom’s most popular blog posts:

The best advice for chronic back pain

The Non-Negotiables for better movement

How to fix chronically tight hamstrings

Tom has a really fun YouTube page and these are some of his most popular videos:

Piriformis Pain

Struggle to sit crossed legged

10 Minute Follow Along

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

You’ve trained for months. Everything is building nicely. Then suddenly, your A race is cancelled.

For many athletes, that moment feels like the rug has been pulled from under them. Motivation drops, structure disappears, and the question becomes… what now?

In this episode, Simon and Beth explore the emotional and practical impact of losing a key event. They discuss why races matter, why so many athletes rely on them, and how to respond in a way that keeps your progress moving forward.

More importantly, they challenge the idea that your fitness should depend on a single race, and offer a more durable way to think about training for the long term.

5 Key Talking Points

3 Takeaways

Key Quote

“You didn’t lose your race… you just gained a level.”

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

Why training more isn’t always the answer

Most endurance athletes assume that getting better simply means doing more training. More miles. More hours. More big sessions. But after decades of coaching and competing, Simon argues that the athletes who achieve the best long-term results are rarely the ones doing the most volume. They are the ones who train consistently without breaking down. In this episode Simon and Beth explore the idea of durability versus volume, why chasing big sessions can backfire, and how athletes can build the resilience needed to train consistently for years rather than weeks.

5 Talking Points

1. The volume trap

2. What durability really means

3. The foundations of durable training

4. Why hero sessions backfire

5. Consistency beats intensity

3 Takeaways

• Consistency beats volume when it comes to long-term endurance performance.

Quote from the Episode

“Fitness might come from a few big weeks of training. Real performance comes from years of consistent work.”

Stay strong. Stay curious. Stay Battle Ready.

Want help building durable training?

Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

The pool drills that prepare you for the chaos of open water swimming

Learn how triathletes can practise open water swim skills in the pool and feel more confident on race day.

Can you really prepare for an open water swim if all you have access to is a pool?

In this episode, Simon and Beth explain how triathletes can build open water skills into normal pool sessions before the race season begins. They cover sighting, breathing to both sides, faster cadence, group starts, drafting and learning to stay calm when the swim gets crowded and chaotic.

If you have an early season triathlon coming up and the swim already feels a bit intimidating, this episode will help you arrive on the start line far more prepared and confident.

5 Talking Points

3 Takeaways

Quote

“Just because you cannot get into open water in March, it does not mean you cannot still practise your open water skills.”

Stay strong. Stay curious. Stay Battle Ready.

Join the SWAT Inner Circle

If you want help applying these ideas in your own training, that is exactly what we do inside SWAT Inner Circle.

Plans, guidance, monthly coaching calls and direct access to me.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

In this real-world episode, Beth and I share our 2026 event calendar, from a 50k ultra and a 40k paddle-board race to a 2.4 mile Caribbean swim and a 700km gravel bike ride following one of the Camino trails in Spain. More importantly, we explain how we’re applying lessons from recent podcasts directly into our own training and lifestyle

Different disciplines. Same foundations.

5 Talking Points

3 Takeaways

Quote

“The real story isn’t the events. The foundations are the things that help you win.”

Stay strong. Stay curious. Stay Battle Ready.

Join the SWAT Inner Circle

If you want year-round structure built around these enduring principles — strength, fuelling, recovery and smart intensity — join the SWAT Inner Circle.

Plans, guidance, monthly coaching calls and direct access to me.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

Most athletes only think about heat training two weeks before flying to Kona.

That’s reactive.

Used early in the season, heat training can increase plasma volume, improve heart rate control and build durability before racing even starts.

This episode was recorded last year and I’m re-releasing it now because this is exactly when smart athletes should be using it.

I’m joined by Lindsey Hunt from Precision Fuel & Hydration to break down how it works and how to apply it safely.

In This Episode

• Why heart rate spikes in hot conditions

KEY QUOTE

“Often our ability to lose heat limits performance more than our actual fitness.”

To follow Lindsey or Precision Fuel and hydration please check out the following social media channels

Twitter (personal) -  LindseyHunt_24

Instagram (PF&H) - Precision Fuel & Hydration  

Instagram (personal) - Lindseyh.u.n.t.

Lab page - https://www.precisionhydration.com/lab/ 

Precision Fuel & Hydration Stuff

A recent interesting blog about wearable sweat sensors

A recent blog about how fuelling requirements change at altitude

Free online sweat test: https://sweattest.precisionhydration.com/pages/why-personalise-your-hydration-strategy

Quick carb calculator: https://www.precisionhydration.com/products/precision-fuel-sample-pack/#thecarbcalculator

Athlete Case Studies: https://www.precisionhydration.com/athletes/case-studies/triathlon/

Cool Videos

Pro Tour cycle team Lotto Destiny use heat training to optimise performance

Heat acclimation and hydration at Marathon des Sables

If you want help applying strategies like this properly, that’s exactly what we build inside the SWAT Inner Circle.

Train smart. Start early. Get ahead of the season.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

After three decades in endurance sport, what surprises me most isn’t what’s changed.

It’s what hasn’t.

Training trends come and go. Methods get rebranded. New tools promise breakthroughs.

But the fundamentals that drive performance, health and longevity have barely moved.

In this episode, I explain why most athletes don’t need more information — they need more consistent application of what already works.

In This Episode

Key Takeaways

Quote From This Episode

“You probably don’t need more information. You need more consistency.”

Join the SWAT Inner Circle

If you want year-round structure built around these enduring principles — strength, fuelling, recovery and smart intensity — join the SWAT Inner Circle.

Plans, guidance, monthly coaching calls and direct access to me.

£30 per month.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!

Beth takes over hosting duties from Santa Barbara and pulls out a list of training and racing principles I wrote about 15 years ago. The catch is I’m not allowed to look at them. So we go through the big ones and I react in real time, seeing which ideas have genuinely stood the test of time, what I’d tweak with today’s experience, and what still matters most for age group athletes who want to perform well, stay healthy, and enjoy the process.

We talk about choosing races that suit you (not your ego), understanding the course early, and setting realistic expectations so you don’t torch yourself chasing a fantasy. We dig into the boring stuff that works: consistency over hero sessions, sensible progression, and training specifically for the event you’ve entered. And we cover race day reality: the perfect race almost never happens, so you’d better have a Plan B and a calm head.

4–5 key bullet points

3 key takeaways

Quote of the episode

“Consistency is the key to success. Make the priority to stay healthy and uninjured.”

Join the SWAT Inner Circle

And if you want structure, accountability, and a tactical plan for staying strong, mobile, and resilient all year round, the SWAT Inner Circle is where you’ll find the support to stay Battle Ready for life’s adventures. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION

Connect with me HERE:

https://linktr.ee/simonward

You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter

Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle

💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to [email protected] and you might just hear it on a future episode!