Zach Duke is an ordinary man with an extraordinary goal.
3 years ago he set himself the challenge to compete in the 2026 Football World Cup.
Never having touched a football in his life.
One might say that it is impossible, and one would probably be right. But in this journey to the impossible, Zach became alive again, he became himself again.
Pursuing the impossible sometimes sends you on the right path and the initial goal becomes the excuse for rebuilding your foundations.
So yeah, Zach will probably not compete in the 2026 World Cup, but he proved himself that the fire to live was still here, that he could learn a new sport and be good at it, and that the person you become and the people you meet along the way is what counts in the end.
Will you judge him on the completion of his goal or on the man he has become because of it?
-More about Zach here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldcupdad/
-More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
-Sponsors: none... yet.
Today’s episode is a bit different—no guest, just the two of us.
We’ve recorded 10 episodes so far with athletes from all kinds of sports, and we figured it was a good time to take a step back, talk about what we’ve learned, and share a bit more about ourselves.
If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind Emulation, how it started, or what’s been going on behind the scenes—this one’s for you. We also answered a few questions you guys sent us on Instagram.
It’s a super casual chat, but we did take time to prep a few thoughts—so there are definitely some takeaways in there that we think can bring value or give you something to reflect on.
We really enjoyed that one. Hope you do too!
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Matt C Smith is a 34-year-old South African cross-country skier who recently qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Just two years ago, he was a complete beginner. What started as a way to stay fit through the brutal Norwegian winters quickly turned into something much bigger—a dream to represent South Africa on the world’s biggest stage.
Since then, Matt has almost self-funded every step of the journey. Balancing life as a part-time venture capitalist and public speaker, he’s carved out a path that lets him train full-time and chase a goal most would call impossible.
In this episode, we dive into what it means to play the hand you’re dealt, why being unexpected can be your biggest strength, and how to walk the tightrope between seriousness and joy in sport.
For anyone who's an amateur in sport but dares to dream unreasonably, this one’s for you.
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More about Matt here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcsmith_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesnowbok
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattcsmith
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Grégoire Munster is a 26-year-old WRC rally driver with a Belgian-Luxembourgish background. Born into a motorsport family, Grégoire’s path to rallying seemed natural—but talent alone doesn’t cut it in this sport.
At 18, Grégoire was a bit lost, playing video games to fill the void of an undecided future. His father gave him the push he needed to turn things around.
We talk about what makes rallying so unique, the subtle but crucial dynamics between driver and co-driver, and how taking bold action—on and off the track—can shape your career.
Grégoire also opens up about managing pressure, entering the zone for peak focus, and why sometimes, to move forward, you need to stop waiting for the “perfect” moment.
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More about Grégoire here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoiremunster/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrégoireMunster
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Jimmy Whelan is a 28-year-old Australian triathlete. After 7 years as a professional cyclist, Jimmy felt the spark fade.
The risks of the sport, amplified by crashes, led him to question his place in the peloton. In October 2024, he made the difficult choice to walk away.
Now, Jimmy’s diving into professional triathlon. Last Sunday, he made his pro debut at Ironman 70.3 Geelong, just his second-ever triathlon, facing one of the toughest fields of the season.
In this episode, Jimmy opens up about his cycling journey, the reality of racing in the pro peloton, the mental challenges of starting over in a new sport, and ... much more.
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More about Jimmy here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmywhelann/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimmywhelan
Strava: https://www.strava.com/pros/3356275
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Guglielmo Bosca is a 31-year-old Italian alpine skier who has spent years competing at the highest level, racing on the World Cup circuit.
In 2024, he achieved his ultimate dream, to stand on a World Cup podium, validating years of sacrifices and doubts.In this episode, we went through his journey to the highest level, the pivotal moments of his career, dealing with major injuries, how to overcome fear, how to know if it was worth and much more.
I hope this episode and Guglielmo’s journey remind you that fear can be tamed, and that setbacks—more than successes—are what make your story unique and worth the ride.
More about Guglielmo Bosca here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gubosca/
More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
Sponsors: none... yet.
Jamie Riddle is a 24-year-old South African triathlete who competed at the Paris Olympics last summer. But even with that achievement, he’s now chasing a dream he’s nurtured since he was a kid—to become the Ironman World Champion. In just a few weeks, he’ll make his debut at home, in the Ironman Nelson Mandela Bay.
In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to race at the Olympics at 24, how faith guides Jamie’s journey, what it truly means to be South African, and how sport has shaped his life beyond just competition.
I hope this episode and Jamie’s journey remind you that no matter what sport you pursue or what level you’re at, happiness is found in the journey, not just the destination.
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More about Jamie Riddle here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie__riddle
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Jack Thompson is a 37-year-old Australian ultra-cyclist, known as the most extreme cyclist on earth. Yet before the successes, Jack’s life wasn’t exactly one you would wish for. Battling depression from a young age, his path led him to drug addiction—a battle he ultimately overcame. It was at this moment, thanks to his father, that Jack found his way to cycling.
In this episode, we talk about Jack’s journey from construction work to ultra-cycling, his battles with mental health, and how he managed to turn his dream into a career.
So even if you’ll never ride more than 500 km in a day, let this episode remind you that no matter how dark a story might seem in the beginning, there is always light at the end.
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More about Jack Thompson here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackultracyclist/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPQTOpYjCiO1hGbN5CGmpQ
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/486153
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Asbjørn Hellemose is a Danish 26-year-old professional cyclist. Growing up in Denmark, watching the Tour de France on TV, Asbjørn dreamed of becoming a pro cyclist. And he did it—signing his first contract and stepping into the world he had always imagined. But just two years later, that dream slipped away. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to make it, what it feels like to lose it, and how Asbjørn found the strength to rebuild. A story of passion, resilience, and the true meaning of chasing a dream.
Whether you’re passionate about cycling or not, Asbjørn’s story is your story. We all have dreams. We all fail sometimes. And then comes the urgency of not surrendering.
Sport, Work, Music, Love, Friendship, it’s all the same.
William Draper is a 24-year-old professional triathlete from the Isle of Man who is quickly making his mark on the sport. Starting his athletic journey as a cyclist, inspired by his brother Nathan, William eventually transitioned to triathlon and hasn’t looked back. After years of consistent training alongside the legendary Brownlee Brothers, he won his first professional triathlon this year and now ranks among the top 100 in the PTO standings. In this episode, we explore William’s path to becoming a pro triathlete, the influence of his cycling background, and what it’s been like training with some of the best in the world. We also discuss his plans for the upcoming season, how his relationships with sponsors and brands have evolved as his career has progressed, and his advice for endurance athletes chasing their own goals. Whether you’re an aspiring triathlete, a cycling enthusiast, or someone fascinated by the mental and physical demands of endurance sports, William’s story offers unique insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest level. - More about William here: Instagram Strava - More about emulation: Instagram YouTube Join our Strava Club Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com - Sponsors: none... yet. Thanks for your support, William and Robin
Jack Burke is a cyclist who has spent the last 15 years of his life trying to become pro. Jack is, arguably, one of the cyclist who had to face the most setbacks during his career. From triggering hundreds online for breaking a strava KOM, to living in solitary confinement in Europe, and to almost die from a car accident in 2023, Jack has faced a ton of adversity in his life. Where most would have give up, Jack never did.
In this episode, you can expect to know more about what hard really feels like when you chase such a bold dream, what it feels to break the World’s most famous KOM, and to simply hear life-lessons that Jack collected along the way of his journey (and he has a lot!).
So whether you’re a cyclist or not, we are sure that you will enjoy this one. It is special.
Thanks again to Jack. All the best in your cycling career.
William and Robin
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More about Jack here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jburke95/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1621446?oq=jack
Book: https://howtobecomeaprocyclist.com/
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
Jake Barraclough is a 2h17 marathon runner from England who left everything behind to move to Japan and fully commit to his passion for running. Balancing intense training, building a YouTube channel, and learning Japanese, Jake lives a unique life that immediately drew us in.
In this episode, we explore what led Jake to make such a daring move, his experience running in local ekidens alongside Olympians who competed in Paris, the reality of being a foreigner in Japan, his thoughts on Western runners, and much more.
Whether you’re an athlete, a dreamer, or someone searching for purpose, Jake’s journey offers a raw and unfiltered look at what it truly takes to commit to your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
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More about Jake here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RanToJapan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rantojapan/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/41200754?oq=jake
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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: contact.emulation@gmail.com
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Sponsors: none... yet.
