The Triathlon Brick Session

I recently spoke with Clint Butcher, the founder of EZ Gains, a company that has quickly grown into one of the most respected names in triathlon aerodynamics components in just a few short years.
 
What makes Clint’s story compelling isn’t just the products,  it’s how the business began.
EZ Gains started in the front room of Clint’s home. No factory. No investors. Just an idea, a willingness to experiment, and long evenings spent hand-making rear wheel disc covers alongside his daughter.

What began as a simple, practical solution for athletes chasing marginal gains gradually evolved into something far more significant.
 
Through persistence, curiosity, and a refusal to follow the easy or conventional path, EZ Gains grew into a company now supplying aerodynamic components and bottle carriers to some of the best triathletes in the world. That growth didn’t come without risk. Like most genuine entrepreneurial journeys, it involved uncertainty, setbacks, and moments where walking away would have been the safer option.
 
Instead, Clint chose to commit. He backed his belief in the product, trusted the process, and kept building, even when conditions were far from ideal. That willingness to act under uncertainty, to continue despite adversity, is the hallmark of true entrepreneurship. 
EZ Gains is a reminder that innovation in sport doesn’t always come from big budgets or established brands. Sometimes it comes from a living room, a shared belief, and the courage to take a gamble on an idea worth pursuing.
 
This is what building something meaningful looks like, not overnight success, but earned progress shaped by conviction, resilience, and a relentless commitment to doing things properly.

In today’s episode, Mark is joined by an incredible guest, Gary Howells, fresh off the back of completing the Oman 165, a brutal multi-day ultramarathon set deep in the stunning but unforgiving Wahiba Sands desert of Oman. Covering roughly 165 miles over six days, the event takes runners across rolling dunes, rocky plains, and remote desert landscapes, with long, hot stages by day and basic camp life by night in a fully supported race environment.

Gary, a former soldier and qualified physiotherapist who now works as a full-time running coach, thrives on pushing his limits in extreme events across the globe, and he explains why this challenge stands out as his most enjoyable adventure to date. Together, Mark and Gary dive into what it’s really like to run through the Wahiba desert, the mental and physical demands of staged ultras, and key considerations if you’re tempted by something similar, including smart foot administration, blister prevention, and crucially, what not to carry when the race support allows you to travel lighter. 

Along the way, Mark announces the lucky winner of £200 worth of Precision Fuel & Hydration, shares why having a good coach or personal trainer to teach you how to lift correctly can be a game-changer for performance, and highlights the importance of supporting your local events to keep the endurance community thriving. Enjoy.

https://www.peakperformancewales.com/

https://www.justgiving.com/page/gary-howells-10in10?newPage=true

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into the money side of professional triathlon: who’s actually getting paid, where the prize money is coming from, and why only a small group of top athletes can make a real living from the sport.

They unpack the structural issues behind the current system, what it means for up‑and‑coming pros, and how the landscape might need to change. We also get into Ironman’s proposed 20m draft zone. Will it make racing fairer and more honest, or simply create new headaches on course?

Mark and Caroline explore why they’re in favour of the change, while acknowledging the very real logistical challenges it could bring for race organisers and athletes alike.

Mark then turns the focus to training discipline, accountability, and routine. He shares practical thoughts on how to build consistency into your day-to-day life, and why small, repeatable habits often matter more than any “perfect” training plan when it comes to long‑term performance.

Finally, Caroline and Mark talk about her ambitious bid to break the world record on Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 this summer. They discuss the planning, physical demands, and mental resilience required for such a challenge, and what this attempt means to Caroline both as an athlete and as a person.

Tune in for a mix of honest chat, practical training insight, and a look behind the scenes at a major endurance record attempt in the making.

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Derrett shares his journey as a triathlete, discussing his experiences in various races, including the extreme Patagon Man and the iconic Ironman World Championship in Kona. He reflects on the importance of personal growth, respect for fellow athletes, and the challenges of balancing a full-time job with rigorous training. Stephen also opens up about his struggles with chronic fatigue and the lessons learned from his health challenges. The discussion highlights the significance of preparation, consistency, and the joy of racing, which extends beyond just winning. In this engaging conversation, Stephen shares his experiences and insights from the Patagon Man triathlon, discussing race strategies, the dynamics of competing against renowned athletes like Alistair Brownlee, and the unique challenges of the course. He reflects on the beauty of the scenery, the camaraderie among competitors, and the importance of enjoying the journey in racing. Stephen also contemplates his future in the sport, emphasizing the significance of his recent victory while acknowledging the challenges that come with it.

In true Brick Session fashion, Mark doesn’t hold back as he unloads on what he famously calls the T100 “cake and arse party” in Dubai — and yes, there may be a bit of swearing, so consider yourself warned. As always, Caroline brings a more balanced perspective as the two of them break down the many factors that led to athletes miscounting bike laps and failing to complete run course.

In a thought-provoking segment, Caroline asks whether a formerly banned (doping) triathlete should still be allowed a voice in the sport?  Mark’s answer might surprise you.

This episode also dives into Mark and Caroline’s recent Himalayan adventure, where they completed the full Manaslu Circuit in just 5.5 days.  A route that normally takes two weeks or more. They share detailed insight into altitude, acclimatisation, what to do if severe sickness hits, and practical tips for anyone dreaming of a high-altitude expedition.


Finally, they express heartfelt thanks to everyone who has generously donated to the Peak Education Nepal charity.

A packed episode full of honesty, adventure, insight, opinion — and plenty of Brick Session character.  Enjoy!

This week’s episode is packed with racing, travel, and adventure! 
Mark and Caroline dive into the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships — the first time this event lands in Europe, hosted in Marbella, Spain. They break down the course specifics, including the challenging hilly bike route that could shape the results. Will this terrain favour the stronger climbers?
 
They also look at the female pros coming straight from Kona — will fatigue and travel impact their form over the shorter distance? And with several short-course specialists lining up, could we see a few surprise performances from athletes who are fresh, fearless, and ready to shake up the field?
 
Caroline shares her experience winning the first-ever UCI Gravel Race in Thailand, before the pair reflect on visiting the Kanchanaburi War Memorial and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai — a moving historical stop on their travels. They also talk about Thailand’s incredible cycling conditions: smooth roads, minimal traffic, and endless training potential.
The adventure continues as Mark and Caroline begin their first week in Nepal, training and preparing to tackle the Manaslu Circuit — a stunning, lesser-known trekking route reaching over 5,200 m altitude. Their goal? To run/hike the entire circuit in under a week (because of course they would!).
 
Finally, they highlight the Peak Education Nepal charity, meeting the children and families whose lives are changing through listener donations. It’s an inspiring segment that shows the real-world impact of community and compassion.
Tune in for racing analysis, adventure stories, and a healthy dose of perspective from two athletes living life on the move.

Enjoy!

Welcome back to The Brick Session with Mark and Caroline Livesey.

In this episode, we dive into a stacked week of endurance sport. Caroline takes us inside her incredible race at the Gravel World Championships, where—at 46 years old—she lined up in the elite field and finished just seven minutes behind the world champion.

Mark shares stories from his latest bikepacking adventure across Spain, complete with the usual mix of mishaps, mountains, and magic moments.

The team then breaks down the Kona World Championships, giving their honest take on the racing, the course, and what really stood out this year.

We also catch up with elite triathlete James Teagle, fresh off his third-place finish at Challenge Mallorca, who gives us a quick race brief and some inside perspective.

And finally, we wrap things up with a chat about the latest Strava–Garmin spat that’s been making waves in the endurance world.

So grab a coffee—or your bike shoes—and settle in for another episode of The Brick Session.

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into a packed weekend of racing news, starting with the Ironman World Championships in Nice. With the legendary Kona course giving way to the French Riviera this year, the event sparked considerable debate. Mark and Caroline unpack the brutal bike course that left its mark on the field, reflected in a notably high DNF rate. They question whether Nice was given a fair chance to prove itself as a long-term alternative to Kona, or if the tradition of Hawaii will always overshadow any new host.

The conversation naturally turns to the race dynamics, where the Norwegians once again proved their dominance, sweeping the podium with a remarkable top-three finish. Mark and Caroline explore what makes their approach so consistently successful, and what this says about the future of long-distance triathlon.

Closer to home, Caroline shares her personal experience at the British Gravel Championships held in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire. In a race that attracted some of the UK’s best off-road talent, she put in a gritty performance to take 8th place overall — a standout achievement at 46 years old. Together, they reflect on the growth of gravel racing in the UK, the technical demands of the Dalby course, and what draws so many athletes to the discipline.

It’s an episode that balances the global stage of triathlon with the personal stories of racing at home — packed with insight, opinion, and the usual dose of Brick Session honesty.

In this episode, Mark is joined by his wife, elite gravel racer and former elite triathlete Caroline Livesey, for a jam-packed chat. They tackle why female gravel racers deserve a fair race, unpack the recent TriDot–Ironman coaching split, and debate the pros and cons of using route-finder apps like Komoot. The pair also share their experience racing the legendary Alpe d’Huez Triathlon in France — epic climbs, breathtaking views, and all. Listener Gaz Hughes reports back after winning a Treacle Velo training week prize, and to round things off, the much-missed “triathlon excuse” segment makes a triumphant (and hilarious) return.

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https://peakeducationnepal.com/

In this episode, I sit down with James Elvery, the creator of RaceRanger, to explore how his groundbreaking real-time drafting detection system is changing the face of triathlon.

We unpack the landmark decision by Challenge Roth to publish professional drafting data, why they did it, what it revealed, and how it could reshape how fans, officials, and athletes view fairness within the long course triathlon format.

From the early skepticism to the current wave of transparency and tech-driven officiating, James takes us behind the scenes of RaceRanger’s evolution and what’s next for its role in elite racing.

Enjoy!