What does it take to not just win the Otway Odyssey, but to dominate it from the front, leaving a field of world-class athletes in your dust? In this episode, we do a deep dive with Tali Lane Welsh on his incredible solo victory at the Otway Odyssey In 2024. Tali got away early and, in the words of Australian MTB legend Dan McConnell, "No one seemed to give him much respect". He then proceeded to build a five-minute gap on a field of champions, World Cup riders and Olympians. How did he do it? Was he worried about blowing up? And what was going through his mind as he faced the final, brutal climbs with cramps setting in? This episode is a masterclass for any endurance athlete on race strategy, mental fortitude, and the physical preparation required to achieve a peak performance. Tali shares the insane power numbers behind his ride (4.3 w/kg for over four hours!), his nutrition strategy, and the psychological battle of being the lone rider out in front. In this episode, we discuss:    •The Race-Winning Strategy: How Tali planned his attack and built an insurmountable lead. •Mind-Blowing Power Data: The exact wattage and watts-per-kilo Tali held for over 4 hours and on the key climbs. •The Mental Game of a Solo Breakaway: How to handle the pressure when you're the rabbit everyone is chasing. •Nutrition & Pacing: How Tali fueled his ride and managed his effort to avoid blowing up. •Overcoming Suffering: The story of cramping on the final climb and having to get off the bike and run! •Training Insights: How Tali balances road and mountain bike training to achieve peak fitness. This isn't just a race recap; it's a blueprint for how to prepare for, execute, and win your biggest races. If you've ever wondered what it takes to have a truly legendary day on the bike, you can't miss this episode.   Resources: Learn about the 20th Otway Odyssey weekend here: 👉 https://bit.ly/Otway-Odyssey-Weekend-2026 Follow Tali Lane Welsh on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/talilanewelsh     

What if you had to choose between a pro cycling career and your love for the sport? Australian mountain bike legend Peta Mullens made that exact choice in her early 20s — walking away from a world tour road career to rediscover her passion on the trails. Fast forward to today, she's a 15 time National Champion (across multiple disciplines), the winningest Otway Odyssey champion – with 7 Odyssey titles and 3 in the GOGG – and one of the most respected voices in gravel and MTB racing. In this episode, Peta joins host Jeremy Baker alongside pro cyclist (top 10 in Unbound!) and well-known YouTuber, Dylan Johnson (aka Backwards Hat Dylan) to talk about comebacks, crashes, community, and why the best part of bike racing might just be the after-party. From Dylan's truck accident just weeks before Unbound to Peta's record-breaking Odyssey wins, this conversation is packed with insights for riders at every level. Because at the end of the day? We're just riding bikes here.   ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Recording from Bentonville during the Big Sugar double header   01:45 - Peta's hand injury from chasing Dylan downhill in Brevard   03:40 - Dylan races Little Sugar: Course breakdown and that 7-minute wrong turn   05:14 - Dylan's truck accident in May: Breaking his tibial plateau 2 weeks before Unbound   08:46 - The comeback at Leadville: Pacing strategy and exceeding expectations   10:32 - Peta's collarbone break and health challenges this season   15:00 - The mental game: Racing when you're not at 100%   20:00 - Dylan's unconventional path: Running 100-milers as a teen before discovering cycling   25:00 - YouTube, social media, and breaking into the Lifetime Grand Prix   30:00 - "Backwards Hat Dylan": Keeping ego in check in a sport full of big personalities   33:00 - Peta's athletic roots: From mountain running to track cycling to MTB   37:00 - The inflection point: Quitting the Australian Institute of Sport at 20   40:00 - "I potentially gave away a career because I was scared of failure"   43:00 - Community and trauma bonding: What makes off-road racing special   46:00 - 7 Otway Odyssey wins: Never finishing off the podium, beating Chris Jongewaard's record   50:00 - Women in cycling: "Bring a female friend and start a movement"   55:00 - The growth of women's gravel racing and creating inclusive spaces   1:00:00 - Peta's thoughts on women empowering women to find the joy in bikes   1:05:00 - Training philosophy: Consistency over perfection   1:10:00 - The social side of elite racing: Pizza, ice cream, and staying up late with competitors   1:17:00 - Party culture: Gravel raves, Tulsa Tough, and what the Odyssey could steal from US events   1:22:00 - Devil's Cardigan in Tasmania: The ultimate post-race party   1:25:00 - Bendigo's cycling scene and the evolution of training culture   1:28:00 - Looking ahead: Odyssey 2026 and Dylan's potential Aussie debut   💬 Highlight Quotes   Dylan Johnson:   "We're just riding bikes here. It's not that serious. It's not that important. Calm down a little bit. Keep the ego in check."   Peta Mullens:   "To win the Odyssey, you have to be the most well-rounded mountain biker you could possibly be. You have to climb, descend, be technical, and have the durability to get through an event that arduous."   Dylan Johnson:   "If you can manage to get through the race without a mechanical, you probably had a good day. Little Sugar's rocks will shred you if you're not careful."   Peta Mullens:   "I potentially gave away a career because maybe I was a little bit scared of failure. But it didn't take long before I realised the things I thought I was sacrificing weren't actually that much fun anyway."   Peta Mullens:   "Women are each other's biggest cheerleaders. Bring a female friend to ride with you and start a movement."   Dylan Johnson:   "Backwards Hat Dylan is my way of keeping ego in check. Cycling's full of big egos, and sometimes we just need a reminder to

Episode Summary In this episode, Jez sit down with Australian ultra-running sensation Holly Ranson, just 11 days before she attempts to break the 24-hour ultra running world record in France. Holly shares her incredible journey from professional triathlete and NRS cyclist to a dominant force in the world of ultra-endurance running (she's only a few laps of Courtney Dewaulter on the Backyard Ultra and 24-hour world stage!)  We dive deep into the dramatic story of her record-breaking run at the Surf Coast Century in 2024, and her Australian-record breaking 61 "Yards" (over 400km!) at the Dead Cow Gully backyard ultra this year. Holly opens up about her past struggles with injuries, the crucial role of nutrition, her training processes and the mental strategies she uses to push through unimaginable pain. This is a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, the power of a stubborn mindset, and what it takes to compete at the absolute pinnacle of human endurance. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking for a dose of inspiration, you won't want to miss this. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Holly's unconventional path from triathlon and cycling to ultra-running. The inside story of her dramatic, record-breaking finish at the Surf Coast Century. What it's really like to run for over 400km in a backyard ultra. How Holly is preparing to break the 24-hour world record. The mental techniques and visualisation practices she uses to conquer pain and self-doubt. The critical link between nutrition, injury prevention, and performance in endurance sports. About Holly Ranson Holly Ranson is an Australian ultra-marathon runner, sports dietitian and academic. She holds multiple Australian records, including the 24-hour, 12-hour, 100-mile, and 200km distances (as well as the Backyard Ultra record). She is ranked among the top female endurance athletes in the world, with a 4th place globally in backyard ultras and 3rd in 24-hour racing. Follow Holly •Instagram •Facebook Mentioned in this episode: Margaret River Ultra Marathon Run Larapinta Surf Coast Century Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra Documentary Headspace App

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Kellett to hear the incredible story of her nine-year journey to become the 2023 Elite Women's 24-Hour Solo World Champion. From a late start in the sport to a nail-biting finish in the final hours of the world championships, Kate's story is one of incredible resilience, dedication, and the power of a supportive team. Join us as we delve into the physical and mental fortitude required to compete at the elite level of endurance mountain biking. Kate shares the highs and lows of her career, the importance of her support crew, and the training and nutrition strategies that fuelled her to the top of the podium. In this episode, you'll hear about: •The dramatic final hours of the 2023 World Championships, where Kate's commanding lead was whittled down to just seven minutes. •How a weekend away with mates introduced Kate to mountain biking in her late 20s. •The nine-year obsession that saw her compete in multiple world championships before finally claiming the top spot. •The crucial role of her support guy, Glen, and a cheeky Facebook post that led to her meeting her husband and coach, Brett Kellett. •Kate's "stronger for longer" training philosophy and the importance of skill development in endurance racing. •A deep dive into her nutrition strategy, including her go-to race foods like toasted vegemite and cheese sandwiches and a surprising concoction involving dehydrated potato. •Kate's experiences at other iconic Australian races like the Otway Odyssey and Peaks Challenge.   Events Mentioned: OTWAY ODYSSEY / GOGG: 👉 https://bit.ly/3KA0gG3 WEBMO 24 Hour MTB World Championships: 👉 https://www.wembo.com.au/ Peaks Challenge: 👉 http://bit.ly/42rNdwq People Mentioned •Kate Kellett (@katekellett) •Jeremy Baker (Host) •Glen (Pit Manager) •Brett Kellett (@brett.kellett) •Jess Douglas •Liz Smith •Gaia Ravaioli •Caitlin Boyle

There's something uniquely transformative about multi-day, stage races... Especially when they take you to far flung corners of the world and cut you off from social media, creature comforts and your "normal" routine. That's why Sam Maffett & Marcel Shields not only deliver stage races as part of their work with Rapid Ascent, but also PARTICIPATE in them in their spare time. In this episode, Jez sits down with these two adventurers to hear about:  1) Sam's upcoming running stage race in the Himalayas (the 8-day Manaslu Trail Race) 2) Marcel's upcoming gravel riding stage race through South Africa (the 7-day Gravel Burn) 3) Rapid Ascent's upcoming Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Race that's coming up in November in Great Southern WA. We also wax lyrical about the "secret sauce" that makes stage racing so much more immersive, communal and transformative than one day races. Whether your curious about doing your first stage race... Or searching for your next adventure... We hope this conversation gets you as revved up as it got us! 

Sophie Geraghty is not your ‘typical’ runner — but then again, who is? Growing up with two alcoholic parents, living through chaos and instability, and battling an eating disorder for over two decades, Sophie has faced challenges that would stop most people in their tracks. But instead of letting those experiences define her, she used them as fuel — choosing to rewrite her story through running. From pre-dawn training with a headlamp, to running distances up to 240 kilometres, to juggling parenthood, a photography business, and coaching, Sophie knows what it means to dig deep — not just for a finish line, but for healing, growth, and purpose. She’s a coach, a storyteller, and a fierce advocate for women in sport — determined to show that you don’t need the ‘right’ background, the ‘perfect’ body, or fancy gear to belong. All you need is a reason. In this episode we talk about: The importance of female participation in sport, why it matters and what's holding us back as a society The delicate line between endurance sport and eating disorders; – The challenges (particularly for mothers) of juggling work, family and training; and much more (with practical tips to make time for yourself). Why trail running is for EVERYONE. Sophie explains why you belong in this sport, exactly as you are. And much more. Please welcome Sophie Geraghty!More info: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the.sophie.geraghty

Shortly after their wins at the 2021 Otway Odyssey we conducted a live interview with Dan and Bec McConnell at the Forrest Brewery on Saturday afternoon - and here is a recording of that fascinating discussion. Hosted by Adam Kelsall, their conversation starts with how they started on bikes, and expands to include like details on their racing highs and lows overseas, how they celebrate World Cup podiums as well as how their Odyssey victories unfolded and so much more. This is a very honest and insightful interview into the lives of Australia’s best mountain bikers. You’ll also learn if they both rode the ‘Sandy Climb’ at the 90km point… did they or didn’t they?! We thank Dan, Bec and host Adam for their time and attention. (The audio quality for this is 8/10 but it is WELL WORTH tolerating in order to hear what they have to say. This was originally filmed on a Gopro and the video version is here: https://youtu.be/6SeC_lnYY-g).

Make sure you tune into the final episode of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host Ben Hucker and special guests Sam Maffett and John Jacoby. Sam is the General Manager of Rapid Ascent and John was the founder of the company in 2004.  They have some important updates for participants doing Rapid Ascent events in 2020. They also share some of their thoughts on the current situation with COVID-19. Be sure to tune in right to the end of the episode for their practical tips on staying fit and healthy and training for events in light of the current circumstances too.  It's also farewell from your host Ben Hucker who started the Rapid Ascent podcast in April 2019 but will be finishing up with Rapid Ascent on Tuesday 31 March due to the Corona pandemic. 12 episodes later and nearly 10,000 downloads it's been a blast, to say the least. Ben says a "big thanks to everyone who has supported the show and tuned in to listen. It's been so much fun hosting the podcast and chatting with elite athletes from all over Australia and hearing peoples feedback at events and online. If the stars align then maybe there'll be some more episodes in the future but it's a big farewell and thank you for now. Stay safe out there!" Here's episode 12 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host Ben Hucker and guests, John Jacoby & Sam Maffett.

We're very excited to announce pro multisport triathlete, Ben Allen, as our guest for Episode 11 of the Rapid Ascent podcast. We've had some ultra runners, adventure racers and mountain bikers to date but Ben is our first pro (off-road) triathlete. Ben has more than a decade of racing experience specialising in the non-drafting format of Triathlon, from 70.3 Ironman, Long Distance, and the XTERRA World Off-Road Triathlon Tour. He popped up on our radar last year when he blitzed the rest of the field at the final Augusta Adventure Fest in November... by a stretch! He's also won the X-Adventure Long course title and competed at the Otway Odyssey a couple of weeks ago. Hear all about the nasty injury that put a halt to Ben's promising career as a professional rugby league player and his switch to a life of elite endurance.  Tune in and let us know what you think. Here's episode 11 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with guest, Benny Allen, and your host, Ben Hucker.

Brendan Johnston has cemented himself as the most consistently high performing mountain biker in marathon XC events all over Australia in recent years. He has collected 4X National XCM Championships, 19 straight Marathon wins and was a National XCM Series Winner in 2016/17.But he took the long road to get there. At just 17 years of age he had a paratesticular lump that needed to be removed. What followed was a series of operations and months of treatment.The physical and emotional toll was almost insurmountable. All this happened two weeks out from the UCI MTB World Championships in Canberra. Incredibly, Brendan made it to the the start line. The real challenge was yet to come though. Brendan contracted a nasty infection during treatment. He went into full survival mode...Tune in to hear Brendan's incredible story of courage against adversity and how he went onto become the pro athlete & humble human being he is today. Here's Episode 10 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host, Ben Hucker, and guest, Brendan Johnston.

From windy Wellington to sunny Wollongong, Samara Sheppard had her sights firmly set on Tokyo 2020. Her Olympic dreams have been shattered though. Changes to the Olympic selection policy made it almost impossible for Samara to qualify. Find out how she still manages to keep a big smile on her face though and hear about her new plans for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships. All the action will be taking place in her adopted hometown of Wollongong, New South Wales. Sheppard was born in Clyde in the South Island of New Zealand. She suffered a series of injuries as a runner which led her to move into cycling as an alternative sport and relocated to Australia in 2016. Tune in to gain a deep insight into the challenges of racing abroad as a self-funded privateer and the mindset of female athlete in a male dominated sport. Samara also talks about her time representing New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast where she finished ninth out of twelve competitors in the women's cross-country competition. Here's Episode 9 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host, Ben Hucker, and guest, Samara Sheppard.

We're super pumped to announce Kellie Emmerson as our guest for Episode #8 of the Rapid Ascent podcast. Kellie's a 3x Australian long-distance trail running champ, a PhD Student, Ultra Trail World Tour Runner, a Neurological Occupational Therapist and in-demand Running Coach. Oh and she's won the Surf Coast Century x3 times! But the best thing of all? She remains a humble, down to earth girl who counts her running achievements as incidental to a life of adventure. Tune in to hear Kellie's inspiring story in Episode 8 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host Ben Hucker.

He's got a ready smile, an infectious laugh and one of the most engaging personalities of anyone in the pro mountain bike ranks. He's also been described as the "Riders Rider" by the mountain bike fraternity. Meet GIANT sponsored rider Josh Carlson.After years of racing motocross and Supercross events in Australia at a pro level, Josh suffered a nasty injury that threatened to derail his moto career. He took up mountain biking to have some fun and rest up. But he never looked back. Josh was so fast that when he started racing the officials had to move him into the pro ranks in the cross-country division. Riders were complaining he was too quick!And when he started racing the enduro format, Josh quickly established himself as one of the top riders in the world. He’s won events in North America and placed 10th overall in the Enduro World Series (EWS). He's not afraid of going fast or telling it how it is either. Tune in to hear Josh's inspiring story in Episode 7 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with your host Ben Hucker.

In the 1990s, Deanna Blegg was a super-fit 24-year-old. But she soon became a super-sick 24-year-old. She lost 20 kilograms in six weeks. She had constant fevers, sweats, nausea, and swollen glands. She could barely stand without passing out. A round of antibiotics had no effect. So she went back to the doctor who gave her the bad news... she was HIV-positive. Just two years later, HIV developed into AIDS—a process Deanna had been told would take 10 years. Her doctors gave her six months to live.  Tuner in to hear what happened next and her remarkable entry into the world of adventure racing with Rapid Ascent.

Paul van der Ploeg has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in mountain biking over the past several years. Not only on the Australian mountain bike circuit, but also in Europe and around the world.The monster from Mount Beauty embraced the modern Eliminator XC format early in his career and picked up a World Cup Eliminator win in England 2011.In 2013 he WON the World XC Eliminator title in South Africa.Paul has since competed in the Enduro World Series (EWS) and a swag of other major MTB events on and off the road.And he was planning a massive 2019 season until a nasty accident in February at Rotura in New Zealand left him with a broken femur. The Doctor said he'd never race a MTB again. Find out what Paul's response was to that in Episode 5 of the Rapid Ascent podcast...

He's a father of four and runs a local gym in Geelong with his wife. But he's also a Guinness World Record holder and just completed 535 consecutive half marathons in June 2019.  In Episode 4 of the Rapid Ascent podcast we interview running machine and 2019 Surf Coast Century participant, Matt Daniels.  He's incredibly humble despite his achievements. And he's raised almost $100,000 for charity doing some crazy running adventures. Now find out why he just completed 535 consecutive half marathons for a mate he's never met. We talk at length about the Surf Coast Century too.  Here’s Episode 4 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with Matt Daniels.  And your host, Ben Hucker.P.S. We're looking for lots of volunteers for this year's Surf Coast Century. If you'd like to help us out on the day then let us know by REGISTERING your details.

In Episode 3 of the Rapid Ascent podcast we interview the founder of Rapid Ascent—the man himself, John Jacoby. At just 19 John became a World Marathon Kayak Champion. He went on to win 3 more World Kayak titles along with 3 Multisport World Championships. He was the given the keys to the city of Melbourne at the tender age of 22 in recognition of these achievements. His crowning glory was perhaps winning the prestigious ‘Adventurer of the Year’ Award in 2015. But he talks of his adventures with his mates as his most satisfying achievements. And he even managed to scale Makalu in the Himalayas at 28,000 feet recently with a couple of old mates from Colorado. He’s as tough as they come....seriously tough. And he’s also my boss! He surfs, he paddles, he goes mountain biking, he’s goes mountaineering. I could go on and on with a full list of John’s achievements. But I think it’s better to jump right into the episode and hear it from the man himself. Here’s Episode 3 of the Rapid Ascent podcast with the founder of Rapid Ascent, John Jacoby. And your host, Ben Hucker.

Sharn Coombes was a Crown Prosecutor in Victoria for three years. She is now a member of the Victorian Bar and manages a busy schedule bringing justice to some of Victoria's worst criminals. She's also a devoted wife, Mum of four kids, an endurance athlete and Runner-Up Australian Survivor 2018. Find out what her secret is...

Sean Purcell is lucky to be alive. In 2014 he went for your typical Sunday morning jog with his dog. His wife and 4 kids expected him home not long after. Well, he never came back. Find out what happened next and the transformation that ensued...