Normalised Activity

Marks fitness journey started in his 30's after realising he needed to improve his health and wellbeing. Then the challenge of making a YouTube channel came from his son and the rest you could say is history! Currently he is focused on attempting to break the HYROX world record for his age group in January 24'. We discuss the dedication and focus needed for this, the coaching from current HYROX world champion Hunter McIntyre as well what goes into making content for his YouTube channel.

Simon Martin is an experienced strength and conditioning coach, who started exercising around the age of 8 inspired by a TV program (you'll need to listen to find out which one) he started doing pull ups and hasn't stopped. Using basic movements and high rep ranges as staples in his training. He had a career in the Marines and then the police force, before being medically retired. Physical fitness has always been important to Simon both for his job and his health and wanting to inspire his son. Not everything has been easy and we discuss his experience with PTSD and how he manages it day to day. In what is a very open and frank conversation.

WeMove - to quote: "With eyes wide and a playground this big, how could 'Why?' be anything but 'How?' we move”. The opening statement from Chris and James' first publication. Chris and James' have known each other since we’ve university, a big in-between seeing each other led to a reunion running in the lakes and 'WeMove' was born and an exploration started that would see stops across the globe. With a background in photography, film making and fashion design mixed with a physical willingness to dive into whatever activity. As they have travelled they have opened doors and connected to some of the most innovative and leading thinkers in the physical and health space. This has led to multiple conversations recorded on their Wemove podcast. We visit some of these experiences, look at the learnings from the multiple interactions and how they wend themselves into daily life. Looking at the current offerings that float themselves across social media. Whilst tipping the hat as being one of the Whilst tipping the hat as being one of the main catalyst for this podcast coming into being. The art of connection. * WeMove website - https://www.wemove.world/ WeMove IG - https://www.instagram.com/wemove.world

Over the last couple of years Ben has developed a platform for young and old rugby players to help develop their skills and fitness. A former professional rugby player for Welsh regional side Ospreys. His career cut short due to a series of concussions, he turned to his hand to becoming a personal trainer and later the head trainer at the Manor Gym in London. We chat about rugby, coaching skills, life and playing the long game. An all-round decent human, this was a good conversation beyond just rugby.

Yogi, Boxer, Surfer, Dietician, Ski diver, Box owner, Qualified for the CrossFit games, Owner of a sports wear brand. The list does not do justice to Laura as a person. From not enjoying P.E. at school to bossing it in the squat rack. Have a listen as we talk to Laura about all of the above and more, and understanding that just because you haven't done something yet, doesn't mean you can't. Life is the adventure you make it and there is ALWAYS room for more exploration.

Spencer Whiteley has been doing CrossFit now around 11 years after he stumbled across a CrossFit box whilst looking for a new gym soon after leaving the Army following 15 years of service. He left the Army due to a near fatal injury whilst serving in Iraq in 2007. He needed 3 years in rehabilitation, and then once he could (just about) walk he was medically discharged from the Army. Having a long history of sport and physical exercise since school, it was only natural for him to speak out physical exercise. After starting CrossFit where he couldn't do an air squat or jump onto a box he has gone from strength to strength and is about to return to CrossFit games for his second appearance. He has a full time job whilst also running a CrossFit box with his wife. Showing what can be done with a clear goal and focus. This is a fantastic story, just don't expect him to help you hitch hike. * Follow Spencer on IG: https://www.instagram.com/spencer_whiteley/ Spencer's fundraising T-shirt: https://unbranded-apparel.co.uk/products/whiteley-games-tee Our IG: https://www.instagram.com/normalisedactivity/

We sat down and spoke with Michael Blevins, one half of Non Prophet, and Kegan Dillon a regular contributor to the output of Non Prophet. The conversation will go where it goes and it traveled! Fitting for two people who have looked into, written about and created discussion about endurance and the ability to endure. We did not have to endure this conversation though as the time flew. Topics covered include; the separate yet overlapping entities that are fitness and health, what they might be and how 'industry' changes/shapes them. ChatGPT and its effect on programming, what is the 'Space Program’, and the shifting shades and sounds of Non Prophet and other personal thoughts and gems that will require 'listening to'. * Kegan - https://www.instagram.com/kegandillon/ Michael - https://www.instagram.com/gritandteeth/ The Space Program - https://www.nonprophet.media/members-signup

We are joined by Lindsay and Oakley from @180projectuk . To discuss the amazing work that is being carried out by the 180 Team. The 180 project is a community recovery programme. Its vision is to help create lasting recovery for those caught in the vicious cycles of addiction, crime and prison. Using Crossfit as both a tool and a catalyst to bring people together, to give them a view of a new lifestyle and instilling purpose and self value. Combining Crossfit as a fitness program, providing education, therapy, life coaching and peer support. Individuals visibly develop greater self esteem and self worth and greater respect for their body, mind and self. The team at 180 are passionate about the impact it can provide to people and the lasting effect it has beyond the CrossFit gym.

We had the pleasure of Alec Harwood joining us again for a chat about T-Cup for whom he is a director. T-Cup is an IT interface, that businesses and their employees can use to monitor, assess and implement change for individual and group wellbeing. Taking the knowledge and experience from his high level competitive CrossFit days in order to figure out how to help people be happier, healthier and more successful, applying an integrated holistic approach. Naturally, the conversation went were it went with the odd rabbit hole here and there, but the thread was one of the application of health and fitness away from the health and fitness world, which Alec is striving to achieve. There's the odd 'easter egg' in there. * https://www.instagram.com/harwoodalec https://tcup.co.uk/

Join us as we sit down and chat to some of the UK’s CrossFit OGs, reflecting on the last 10 or so years in the sport. Amongst the topics covered: What's changed in the way competition is set out. The changes in the route towards top tier competition for CrossFitters coming through the ranks and how that might differ compared to 10 years ago. The role/impact of social media on UK CrossFit and how that translates to the international stage and the CrossFit games. And, is there life left in the old dogs yet😉?

If you know you know. But if you don't you should listen to this https://www.instagram.com/lisa_boshard/ https://gymjones.com

Running in its rawest state is free and available to all, barring disability, and even then people find away. So if we extrapolate that opportunity that presents itself as we step outside the front door where does it take you? How about a polar icecap? Well that's where Seth Wise is heading, off to see Santa in the North Pole and take on the North Pole Marathon, where he will run 26.219 miles on the frozen water of the Atlantic ocean. Why? Why not?! Have a listen to Seth as he tells us how it came on to his radar, the challenge of preparing for the run and then being told it's not happening more than once. The admin involved, the joy and experience of the challenge. 90⁰ North here we come. https://www.90degrees-north.com

So how do you train to be hit by a car? Tumble down a flight of stairs or weld a sword and die dramatically but not too dramatically? Join us as we talk to Ewan Callaway - stuntman and all round good dude. As we discuss the in and outs of becoming and being a stuntman, the physical training involved and the specialist training on top of that. It's fair to say making action scenes look and believable is a lot of hard work and not for the faint hearted or weak-minded.

This episode was originally scheduled to drop in a couple of weeks, but as we’re slap bang in the middle of the CrossFit open, it seemed apt to release it straight away. I can’t think of many people better to talk about CrossFit as a sport than Steven Fawcett. Ste is an athlete, coach, programmer and has competed 3 times at CrossFit games. Founder of JST compete, co-owner of Fitr, and most recently the PRO programme manager for Mat Fraser’s HWPO training company. We dive straight into the difference between influencer and athlete and how being perceived as an elite athlete isn't always the case, and the impact that can have on funding and sponsorship. The difference between CrossFit and functional fitness around the high skill components and CrossFit as a sport vs CrossFit as a fitness/wellness methodology. Also is this the start of going to the games for a 4th appearance? with Ste looking to take a run at the games once again, this time as a masters athlete. Ste on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/steveyf22 HWPO Training - https://www.hwpotraining.com HWPO Training on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hwpotraining/ JST Compete - http://www.jstcompete.com/ JST Compete on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jst_compete/

Burpees are not just for lockdown. With the gyms being closed Lee took to the humble/humbling burpee and showed that only boring people find Burpees boring. Using the original burpee as a template he has grown and developed it to provide whole body workouts that are both creative and testing. After returning to the gym he found his pushing strength was the same if not greater. Have a listen as we discuss burpees, beard length, relatability and going from 800 followers to 104k followers in a fortnight. * Lee's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/strongandconditioned Lee's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/strongandconditioned

Zach Even-Esh is an author, founder of The Underground Strength Gym & Creator of The Underground Strength Coach Certification. Zach has trained consistently for over 30 years and has trained thousands of athletes all ages. He is held in the highest regard within his profession, and whilst this conversation was shorter than we’d have liked we’ll be back chatting with Zach soon for part 2!

Purpose, Winning, Cultural differences and Focusing energies. Hinley is a UK CrossFitter who started with tennis, moved into teens CrossFit and won the 16-18 French throwdown in 2018 and has moved into the elite mens field. Coming 12th in the UK in last year's open. A member of one of the UK’s top CrossFit programming teams in Paul Warrior’s On The Program he also understands the benefits of CrossFit beyond the competition floor. However to pigeon hole Hinley as just another CrossFitter would be a disservice to him. With a keen understanding around business and business development he is keen to build a future outside of the CrossFit bubble. Also is it okay to swear?

We are joined for our 50th episode by Keith Russell. From drinking and smoking to running 6.7km every hour on the hour for 89 hours. Keith's story is both remarkable and the realisation that anyone and everyone's life can change and should not be limited, it just takes a spark. For Keith it was his Daughter Alanna. Alanna, severely disabled was often distant with Keith until they decided to fundraise to adapt their home for Alanna. They would do this by running the Dublin marathon, Alanna in her chair and Keith powering her forwards. They found their thing and the spark set light to a fire. Sadly Alanna died in December 2017 but her sport and legacy lives on. Keith has gone from not running at all to a sub 3 hour marathon, Ultra marathons, marathon des sables, Race of Champions Backyard Masters event in Germany and the IAU European 24-Hour Championships. We discuss all of the above and more, in this very candid conversation.

Join us as we speak to Dan John. Dan is an elite level strength and conditioning and weightlifting coach. He has lived through and directly seen many of the fitness fashions and fads. He is a best selling author with over 15 published titles and countless articles for multiple fitness magazines. He's also a good human. He's also competed, having previously been an elite level sportsman as an all American discus thrower. He also holds the American record in the weight Pentathlon and competed at the highest levels of Olympic lifting and Highland games. Strap in for part one of what promises to be just over an hour of delivering pearls of wisdom. Dan's links - https://linktr.ee/danjohnuniversity * As ever, if you value what we do, consider buying us a coffee to help keep all this going - https://ko-fi.com/normalisedactivity.

Andy is a professional Cavediver, Freediver, Explorer, Stuntman, TeamGB Skydiver, Outdoorsman, TV presenter, & Ex-Para/Commando. That’s quite a lot isn’t it? There’s a lot to cover in this conversation but we gave it a good go! Dive in (forgive me please, couldn’t resist), and soak up some amazing stories, experiences, and advice to help your own adventures, whatever they may be for you.