Photo: Tough Mudder

She’s one of the nicest people on the OCR circuit – and she just happens to have won the OCR World Championship three years in a row. Yup, Lindsay Webster is on the blog today, talking through a typical day in her life as a pro obstacle racing athlete.

Plus, don’t miss my five quick-fire questions at the end of Lindsay’s write-up, where she chats about her recent foray into vertical kilometre racing (with a win) and her plans to try her luck in skyrunning. Personally, I’d love to see this happen as Lindsay would be force to be reckoned with on the skyrunning circuit!

Photo: Alexi Pappas

After reading American marathon record holder, Deena Kastor’s memoir, Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory, which reveals how changing her mindset revolutionised her running performance, I knew I had to invite Deena on to Lessons in Badassery to find out more.

In this Q&A, the 45-year-old Olympic bronze medallist and multiple American record holder chats about positivity, gratitude and how adjusting her mindset unlocked the secret to her running success.

Ultra-running enthusiast Caoimhe Bamber was on maternity leave from a successful career in law when inspiration stuck and she dreamt up the idea to launch a cool spinning studio in the UK. The result was Digme Fitness.

Fast-forward a few years and Digme Fitness has four branches in Richmond, Oxford, Moorgate and Blackfriars. Here, mum of two Caoimhe, who is an endurance sport nut (she’s an Ironman finisher and has completed the epic Comrades Ultramarathon!) runs through a typical day in her life.

Photo: Stefan Andrews, Ocean Imaging

Kiki Bosch is a Dutch ice freediver who uses the Wim Hof method of cold water tolerance to dive in extreme temperatures. Kiki specialises in ice dives without a wetsuit and (incredibly) has freedived in sub-zero temperatures – including in the Arctic – wearing only a swimsuit.

Here, Kiki explains how the cold water brought her peace after a traumatic event, and how it feels to freedive in extremely low temperatures without a wetsuit. She also shares a fascinating insight into managing her body and its cold water response.

Do not try this at home!

Earlier this year, former duathlon AG world champion Claire Steels ditched running (and the UK) in favour of riding for cycling team Fusion Velo Performance, as she moved her personal training business to the Spanish cycling haven of Pollença in Mallorca.

Here, the 31-year-old chats through a typical day in her new life in Mallorca, from training clients to bagging some seriously impressive Strava QOMs.

Known for her running challenges (which include being the first woman to run the 1500-mile length of South Africa’s Freedom Trail), British endurance adventurer Emma Timmis switched to an Elliptigo for her big adventure last year. The goal – which she achieved in 74 days – was to ride her Elliptigo, self-supported and pulling a trailer, 7,951.9km across Australia. Oh, and she smashed a world record in the process.

Here, Emma chats about her Elliptigo experience and the highs and lows of her Aussie adventure. And if you’re wondering what an Elliptigo is, it’s kind of like a cross-trainer on wheels!

Photo: SWpix.com

From interviewing riders to recceing the course and swotting up on stage notes, cycling journalist and commentator Rebecca Charlton’s schedule is jam-packed this week as she covers one of the biggest and exciting women’s cycling events on the pro cycling circuit: the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, which runs from 13 – 17 June.

Despite her non-stop schedule, Rebecca somehow found time to squeeze in writing a guest post for me during Wednesday’s opening stage from Framlington to Southwold. Here, the avid cyclist and OVO Energy ambassador shares a behind-the-scenes look at her hectic day commentating, reporting, and interviewing the pro peloton’s leading female cyclists.

Photo: Wooter Roosenboom

German-born Monika Sattler (aka RAD Monika) is on a mission to inspire more people, especially women, to take up cycling. Her plan: to be the first woman in history to ride the entire course of this summer’s professional road cycling race, the Vuelta a España – one of cycling’s toughest Grand Tours – just hours ahead of the pro cyclists. The brutal 3300km route is designed to test even the most seasoned of professional riders and includes 21 days on the bike, notoriously difficult climbs and the searing heat of a Spanish summer. Phew!

I caught up with Monika over the phone from her home in Mallorca, Spain, to chat about her cycling background, her brief stint as a pro cyclist, and how she’s preparing for her record-breaking Vuelta Ride challenge.

Photo: Charlotte Barnes

With a raft of impressive endurance cycling titles to her name (including World 24-Hr Time Trial champion), you might assume Jasmijn Muller has decades of bike racing under her belt. In fact, she only got into cycling aged 31. Seven years later, in 2017, the 38-year-old ‘Dutchie’ took on the immense challenge of breaking the speed record for cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (850 miles), and was on schedule for success until illness forced her to withdraw. This year she’s back to settle the score.

In the first instalment of this two-part Q&A, Jasmijn chats through her cycling background, LEJOG attempt and learnings from last year. Plus, don’t miss her clothing recommendations for comfort on the bike – if anyone knows what works over long distance cycling, it’s Jasmijn!

Dutch-born endurance athlete Bonnie Van Wilgenburg has dabbled in pretty much every endurance sport you can imagine, from extreme distance triathlons and mega swimrun events to ultra-trail and skyrunning races. A regular on the podium, the 30-year-old’s wins include the XMan XXX Triathlon and Breca Wanaka swimrun, plus a podium on the crazy Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs run – 160km and 10,000m of ascent!

I put twenty questions to Bonnie about swimrun, triathlon and ultra-running – and shortly after answering she broke her shoulder! Wishing you speedy recovery, Bonnie.