Faraz is a travel writer, author and adventurer. In 2011, aged 25, he spent two months leading camels 1,600km across Mongolia, and, in doing so, became the youngest Briton to cross the Gobi Desert on foot. This was to be the first of many magical adventures Faraz would embark on.

Faraz is also an international development barrister with over 12 years’ experience in human rights law, including a period working with the United Nations. He’s represented refugees escaping conflict and persecution in countries such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has included victims of rape, torture and human trafficking. Faraz has advised the Government of Mongolia on comprehensive legal reforms, including its laws on forced and child labour and he is a trustee of Coalition Peace; a charity developing technology to make peace building resources available to local NGO’s, communities and peace initiatives in Africa.

In this episode, we talk all things adventure. We also discuss how the world of adventure and adventure travel is marketed and whether a shift in that might assist in making the outdoors feel more inclusive, rather than exclusive, to ethnic minorities.

To connect with Faraz, he’s on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (just search Faraz Shibli). He also has his own website, https://www.farazshibli.com/

Show notes:

01:41 – 03:49 – Faraz on why he walked the Gobi Desert

03:50 – 07:15 – Faraz on what it was like to walk the Gobi Desert

07:16 – 10:30 – Faraz on what came next after walking the Gobi Desert

10:44 – 13:25 – Faraz on what a decade of adventures has taught him about himself

13:26 – 15:05 – Faraz on when he was at his happiest on an adventure

15:12 – 19:12 – Faraz on when things haven’t gone so well on an adventure

19:20 – 23:06 – Faraz on the tactics he deploys to ensure he keeps going when the going gets tough

23:18 – 24:50 – Faraz explains how and when he became a travel writer and author

25:07 – 28:28 – Faraz on what he believes still unites humanity

28:52 – 31:21 – Faraz explains how he thinks the adventure, and adventure travel industry could change to appear more inclusive, rather than exclusive, to those wanting to participate in it

31:36 – 36:05 – Faraz on what the outdoor community, and others, could do to make the world of adventure feel more inclusive

36:45 – 40:13 – Faraz explains what impact under-representation, or, in fact, no representation, of ethnic minorities in the ‘outdoor space’ has

40:47 – 41:35 – Faraz on some of the groups encouraging and supporting diversity in the outdoors

41:39 – 44:27 – Faraz answers 5 quick-fire questions

Like so many other events, the 2020 Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) will not be happening this year. Starting and finishing in the trail running capital of the world, Chamonix, the race, and its sister races are famous the world over in the trail running community.

In this episode, Hannah, who you might know on Instagram as @escapingthecity and I talk about her 2019 UTMB. From non-runner to completing the UTMB, Hannah shares her inspiring running story, and why she believes we’re all far more capable of overcoming challenges than we might first think; we just need to believe in ourselves.

We also talk about how “life is too short not to take risks,” a mantra Hannah and her boyfriend are living by as they go in search of an even more adventurous life in Canada.

This is one inspiring podcast, enjoy!

To connect with Hannah, she’s @escapingthecity

Show notes:

02:13 – 03:08 – Hannah on her favourite race distance

03:09 – 03:56 – Hannah on the race that is still on her bucket list

03:57 – 05:13 – Hannah on the best race of her life - and why

05:14 – 07:29 – Hannah explains her journey to the UTMB start line

07:30 – 13:28 – Hannah on her UTMB race and the highs and lows

13:29 – 14:41 – Hannah explains how, and why, she keeps on going when things get tough in a race

14:42 – 16:13 – Hannah on the magic of the UTMB finish line

16:14 – 18:31 – Hannah on her low points during the UTMB

18:32 – 20:52 – Hannah on what makes the UTMB so special

20:53 – 21:44 – Hannah explains what running the UTMB taught her about herself

21:45 – 25:54 – Hannah on moving to Canada

25:55 – 27:34 – Hannah shares her advice on training and running an ultra-marathon

27:35 – 28:23 – Hannah on the importance of knowing your why

From a successful business adviser to expedition leader who has stood on top of 6 of the 7 highest mountains on the planet and led expeditions all over the world. When Jo Bradshaw took a leap of faith and decided to change careers her life changed forever.

In this episode of the Eat Your Greens podcast, Jo shares her story, and what a story it is! In 2015, Jo was at camp 1 on Mount Everest when an earthquake hit Nepal and triggered a devastating avalanche on the mountain. Jo explains what happened on that tragic day, what it taught her about herself, life, and why whatever happens; living a more adventurous life is always the right path to choose.

To connect with Jo, search Jo Bradshaw on Instagram, or head to jobradshaw.co.uk

Show notes: 

02:02 – 03:16 – Jo explains why she decided to change careers

03:17 – 06:36 – I ask Jo to explain how she went from Business Adviser to Expedition Leader

06:37 – 08:12 – Jo explains what a typical day looked like as an Expedition Leader pre-Covid-19

08:13 – 09:54 – I ask Jo about her 7-Summits of the World challenge and what is it that she finds so alluring about the challenge and the mountains themselves.

09:55 – 27:40 – Jo and I discuss the 2015 Everest season when she was attempting a summit of the mountain and a devastating earthquake hit the region triggering a catastrophic avalanche.

27:41 – 30:53 – Jo answers the question: Finish the sentence, the best summit I have stood on is?

30:54 – 34:40 – Jo explains which is her favourite mountain in the UK, and why.

34:41 – 36:12 – I ask Jo: what was it her friends saw in her in the 00s that she didn't see in herself, that made them so certain she was ready to live a more adventurous life?

36:13 – 37:43 – What is still on Jo’s bucket list? She explains.

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens Podcast, I talk to Danny O'Reilly about his love of running and how he’s planning to return from an injury fitter and stronger.

Danny is currently recovering from a tibia stress fracture, and kindly agreed to come on the podcast and share how he got injured, his road to recovery, how his training will change as a result of his injury and what you and I should be doing (if we aren’t already, I know I’m not!) to avoid getting injured.

50% a jam on the highs of running and 50% on what happens when things don’t go so well, and the learnings that provides. This is a must listen for any runner.

To follow Danny on Instagram, search the_running_dan

Show notes:

02:16 – 05:52 - Danny on why he runs.

05:53 – 07:24 - Danny on his favourite race distance.

07:25 – 10:48 - Danny on the best race of his life.

10:49 – 12:41 - Danny on the race that’s still on his bucket list.

12:42 – 19:59 - Danny explains how he got injured.

20:00 – 21:27 - Danny on what’s been the most difficult thing about his recovery.

21:28 – 28:02 - Danny explains what he could have done to prevent his injury.

28:03 – 31:26 - Danny on how he’s going to adapt his training in the future.

31:27 – 35:03 - Danny on what getting injured has taught him about himself.

35:04 – 38:25 - Danny shares his advice on how to avoid getting injured.

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens Podcast, we meet Kate Mackenzie, the founder of Harrier, the new outdoor brand for trail runners. 

Kate founded Harrier in November 2019. Why?

"I became dismayed at the over-commercialisation of trail running. What should be a simple thing to bring a lot of joy was being over-run with extortionately priced 'must have' gear, airbrushed images of elite athletes and hyped-up advertising campaigns," writes Kate on https://harrierrunfree.co.uk/

"The concept for Harrier was born from my own desire to have great quality kit that would last a long time. It's about bringing simplicity and fun back to trail running. We provide everything you need and nothing you don't," she adds.

In this episode, Kate shares the Harrier story. What's more, she shares her learnings, what's worked, and what hasn't in the last 8-months, and the type of brand she hopes Harrier will become.

From design to testing and then the signing off on production, Kate has done it all. To have achieved this in such a short space of time is impressive. To have achieved this in just 8-months, and during a pandemic, is extraordinary. As our resident running obsessive, DC, said when he shared this podcast with the Eat Your Greens team, “this podcast has it all”:

A super inspiring guest,

Business & brand chat,

Trail running chat,

Advice for anyone interested in getting into trail running.

We agree.

To find out more about Harrier, Google Harrier Run Free or look for @harrier_trail_running on Instagram.

Show notes:

02:29 – 03:04    Kate explains when she got into trail running

03:05 – 03:39    Kate explains how trail running differs from traditional running

03:40 – 04:36    I ask Kate what advice would she give to someone thinking about getting into trail running

04:37 – 05:43    Kate explains what kit you actually need to go trail running

05:44 – 06:18    Kate explains what Harrier is.

06:19 – 07:42    I ask Kate: Do you remember when you first had the idea for Harrier?

07:43 – 08:25    Kate explains that it was in November 2019 she first began working on Harrier.

08:26 – 10:22    Kate explains the design, sourcing, testing and production process she’s been through.

10:23 – 12:02    I ask Kate how she keeps the cost of Harrier products down, but, the quality of them, up?

12:28 – 14:47    Kate explains what impact COVID-19 has had on her business.

14:48 – 17:09   Kate explains what pieces of advice have been particularly useful with regards to launching Harrier.

17:10 – 17:37    I ask Kate what she now knows that she wished she’d known at the start of launching Harrier.

17:38 – 18:29    Kate explains what she would do differently if she was to do it all again.

18:30 – 20:03    Kate explains why now is the right time to quit her day job and go ‘all in’ on Harrier.

20:04 – 22:16    Kate and I talk about the reality of setting up your own business.

22:17 – 24:00   Kate tells me what she hopes Harrier will become.

24:01 – 25:14   I ask Kate what she’s learned about herself that she didn’t already know, having launched Harrier.

25:15 – 28:11    I ask Kate: What advice would you give someone thinking about launching their own business?

28:11 – 29:27    I ask Kate: How can people find out more about Harrier? 

Gemma Wilson, or Gem, is the founder of VALA a brand new sports energy gel for cyclists, runners, walkers, and anybody else who’s active, and wants, or needs, fuel when exercising.

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens podcast, Gem shares both her own, and, the VALA story. We talk everything from the inspiration for the business and the development of the gel itself, to Gem’s key learnings, working with experts to accelerate the growth of her  business, why everybody should have a mentor and what it’s really like to launch a new sports brand during a global pandemic.

Gem also explains why she is so passionate about the links between physical, mental and gut health, how she’s re-trained as a personal trainer and the tactics she’s deploying to get the perfect “work/life balance.”

This episode is jam-packed with practical help for anybody interested in setting up their own business or simply wanting to learn more about building a brand from scratch, whilst, at the same time, trying to live a healthier, happier life.

To find out more about Gem and VALA, head to @valaenergy on Instagram or valaenergy.com.

Show notes:

01:53 – 03:00 – Gem explains what VALA is.

03:01 – 06:15 – Gem tell us what inspired her to create the VALA energy gel.

06:16 – 09:41 – Gem talks us through the ingredients in the VALA gel, how she developed the recipe and who helped her create the final iteration available to buy today.

09:42 – 11:32 – We ask Gem: what makes the VALA energy gel unique?

11:33 – 14:57 – Gem explains how she created a logo that incorporates the brand’s values.

14:58 – 16:01 – Gem tells us what the key stages in the development of VALA were

16:02 – 18:22 – Gem shares those pieces of advice which proved particularly useful to her.

18:23 – 19:38 – Gem tell us when she knew it was time to leave the day job and go all in on VALA.

19:39 – 21:39 – Gem explains what she would do differently if she knew then what she knows now.

21:40 – 27:30 – Gem talks us through how she’s using social media to build the VALA brand and its community.

27:31 – 31:56 - We ask Gem 5 quick-fire questions (spoiler – it ends up being more than 5 questions!).

31:57 – 36:53 – Gem explains what tactics she deploys to manage the “work/life” balance.

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens Podcast, we talk to Jono Sumner, one of the Founders of LifeJacket, the new skin protection brand for men.

“Call it bro-tection. Call it buddy-minded. Call it what you want. We just want you to live a longer, healthier and happier life”. That’s the LifeJacket mission.

What’s LifeJacket? It’s a new skin protection company designed specifically for men and founded by Jono Sumner, his brother Rob and best mate Billy.

The statistic is shocking. Men are almost twice as likely to die of skin cancer than women. What’s more, there appears to be no biological reason for this. Jono says, “It’s simply to do with the difference in habit and attitudes of men compared to women.”

In short, we men aren’t very good at taking care of our skin, particularly when it comes to protecting it against the sun. The guys at LifeJacket have a simple but ambitious goal. They want to address this and stop men dying from skin cancer.

In this episode, Jono shares the LifeJacket journey, from the initial idea to the development of the products and then the launch of the brand, earlier this year. This is a podcast for anyone who knows they need to take care of their skin better. Yes, boys, we’re talking to you. It’s also for anyone interested in launching their own business.

By the way, for the purposes of absolute transparency, we haven’t been paid to do this podcast. We just like the brand a lot, what it stands for, and the guys behind it.

Show notes:

02:13 – 02:40 – Jono explains what LifeJacket is.

02:41 – 06:34 – Jono explains how the idea and subsequent launch of LifeJacket came about.

06:35 – 10:43 – Jono tells me why men are nearly twice as likely to die from skin cancer than women.

10:44 – 19:36 – Jono charts the course of bringing LifeJacket to life.

19:37 – 21:43 – Jono summarises the LifeJacket brand and its values.

21:44 – 33:49 – Jono and I talk about LifeJacket’s marketing strategy and its use of social media.

33:50 – 38:04 – Jono and I discuss Lifejacket’s “mission” and his, and the guys, approach to business.

38:05 – 40:02 – I ask Jono: What do you wish you knew 3-years ago that you now know?

40:03 – 44:00 – Jono shares his key learnings having successfully launched LifeJacket.

44:01 – 46:16 – I ask Jono: ultimately, what type of business, community and culture is he, and the guys, trying to build through LifeJacket?

46:17 – 48:18 – Jono explains how you can connect with him and LifeJacket, and, explains what products they sell.

Damian Hall is a journalist, record-breaking ultra-marathon runner and UKA coach. He’s represented Great Britain and achieved competitive results in some of the world’s toughest ultra-marathon races, including the world famous UTMB. He is also a self-proclaimed, “climate emergency hypocrite.” What’s a climate emergency hypocrite? We’ll get to the bottom of that in the podcast.

“I thank my mid-life crisis for getting me addicted to ultra-running,” says Damian. Originally a football journalist turned travel writer, and then, outdoor journalist, Damian began running in 2011 when he completed his first half-marathon. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Is this podcast about running? Yes. In part. But it’s also about life, learning and the reality of chasing your goals.

In this episode, Damian explains how he’s transitioned from being a full-time journalist to an accomplished and highly respected ultra-marathon runner and coach. If you’re interested in transitioning from one career to another, Damian’s advice and key learnings will no doubt be useful intel for you. Damian also talks about how he’s adapted his life to live more sustainably; no easy task when part of your work involves travelling the world to participate in ultra-marathons.

A rich and varied conversation, I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording it.

You’ll find Damian on Instagram here: (https://www.instagram.com/ultra_damo/), on Twitter here: (https://twitter.com/Ultra_Damo).

His website is: http://www.damianhall.info/

If you want to watch ‘Underdog,’ the film Damian and I discuss at the start of the podcast, you’ll find a link to purchase it via the Summit Fever Media website (https://www.summitfevermedia.com)

Show notes:

01:49 – 02:32 – Damian talks about ‘Underdog,’ the film that documents his 5th place finish at the UTMB.

02:33 – 05:06 – I ask Damian: what came first, journalism, running or coaching?

05:07 – 09:56 – Damian explains how he went from journalist to professional ultrarunner and UKA running coach.

09:57 – 16:51 – Damian and I talk about his 5th place finish at the UTMB.

16:52 – 21:41 – I ask Damian how he turned his passion into a career.

21:42 – 24:56 – Damian shares his advice on how to turn your passion into a career.

24:57 – 30:46 – Damian and I discuss how he has almost entirely stopped writing as a journalist and now focuses on coaching full time. Damian explains what makes a good coach.

30:47 – 42:16 – Damian explains what is a “climate change hypocrite”.

42:17 – 48:53 – I ask Damian which running events he thinks are doing a good job with regards to becoming more environmentally friendly.

48:54 – 50:10 – I ask Damian how people can get in contact with him.

On the 27th December 2013, Maria Leijerstam became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent. In doing so, she set the World Record for the fastest human powered coast to pole traverse, completing the journey in 10 days, 14 hours, and 56 minutes. This is the only Polar World First to be held by a woman. Maria titled the adventure the ‘White Ice Cycle’.

Outside the world of adventure, Maria began her career in Rocket Science, and then moved into Project Management roles with multi-national organisations, including BAE Systems, Ford of Europe and Siemens. Today, she still regularly competes in some of the world’s most gruelling endurance events and runs the outdoor adventure company the ‘Burn Series’, in Wales, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

In this episode of the Eat Your Greens podcast, Maria shares her experience and expertise in business and how she’s applied those business learnings to expedition planning, execution, and, vice-versa.

With an abundance of thought provoking comments, shared learnings and stories which can be applied to every-day life, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

To connect with Maria, use the contact details below.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marialeijerstam/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marialeijerstam

E-mail: [email protected]

Burn Series: https://www.burnseries.co.uk/

Show notes:

02:05 – 03:45 Maria tells me when she first discovered that she had a love for adventure.

03:46 – 08:03 I ask Maria how she prepared for the White Ice Cycle?

08:04 – 11:03 Maria tells me her most vivid memory of cycling to the South Pole.

11:04 – 15:43 I ask Maria how she deals with the pain she endures during events.

15:44 – 17:37 Mara shares what she learnt about herself as a result of completing the White Ice Cycle.

17:38 – 21:39 Are women who take part in endurance sport getting the respect they deserve? Maria and I discuss.

21:40 – 24:55 Maria explains, based on her experience, where she thinks businesses can often make the most immediate improvements to their operations.

24:56 – 27:34 Maria explains what Lean Six Sigma is.

27:35 – 29:09 I ask Maria about the one piece of advice she always shares at an after dinner speaking engagement.

29:10 – 33:01 Maria tells me about her outdoor adventure company, Burn Series.

33:02 – 38:29 I ask Maria 5, quick-fire, questions.

38:30 – 39:23 Maria and I talk about her book, ‘Cycling to the South Pole’, and where you can buy it.

39:24 – 40:00 Maria shares her contact details.

“Prevention is better than cure.” It’s likely to be a phrase that you’ll have heard many times before. But, what about “prevention is cure?”

According to the World Health Organisation, 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable. It is the same for type-2 diabetes.

If 4 in 5 cases of premature heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes are preventable, why aren't more cases being prevented? As Dr Kamali will explain, perhaps part of the solution is to adopt a “prevention is cure” approach to treating patients who are either showing signs of, or are already suffering from, preventable, premature, illnesses.

In this episode, Dr Hamed Kamali explains why what you eat can play a vital part in preventing premature heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes. He discusses the changes we can all make to our diets and the positive impact such changes could have on us as individuals, and, the NHS more generally.

Dr Kamali is @thepumpscientist on Instagram.

Show notes:

01:09 - 03:10 - Dr Kamali explains what we can do to stay fit and healthy.

03:11 - 04:48 - I ask Dr Kamali how his approach to treating his patients might differ to other doctors.

04:49 - 05:35 - Dr Kamali explains what the biggest causes of death in the UK are.

05:36 - 07:53 - I ask Dr Kamali: what percentage of people who suffer from heart disease, stroke and diabetes might suffer from it because of poor diet and little or no exercise?

07:54 - 11:33 - Dr Kamali explains how he approaches a conversation with a patient who he believes may benefit from changing their diet and increasing the amount of exercise they do.

11:34 - 13:26 - I ask Dr Kamali how his patients respond to his approach of “prevention is cure.”

13:27 - 15:43 - Dr Kamali explains what's happening inside someone's body who eats meat and dairy, that isn't happening if you're on a plant-based diet. 

15:44 - 18:36 - I ask Dr Kamali if there is anyone he wouldn't recommend to follow a plant-based diet.

18:37 - 22:12 - Dr Kamali explains why the NHS appears not to adopt a “prevention is cure” approach to treating patients.

22:13 - 25:25 - I learn that doctors are incentivised to prescribe medication.

25:26 - 27:27 - Dr Kamali explains that it is never too late to change your diet.

27:28 - 29:45 - I ask Dr Kamali: what impact would an improvement in our diets have on the NHS? 

29:46 - 30:58 - Dr Kamali summarises our conversation and shares how you can connect with him.