Simon Ward, The High Performance Human Podcast
The High Performance Human Podcast is for triathletes and endurance athletes who want to live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. Hosted by coach Simon Ward, each episode explores how to optimise your training, nutrition, sleep, mindset, and recovery—especially if you’re an athlete in your 40s, 50s or beyond. Whether you’re chasing PBs, finishing your first Ironman, or simply staying fit for life’s adventures, this podcast will help you stay Battle Ready all year round. Guests include world-class coaches, athletes, scientists, and everyday high performers who share practical tips and inspiring stories. Subscribe now and join a growing community of High Performance Humans.
Episodes
In this episode, Simon chats with long-time triathlete and inspiring age-grouper Liz Dunlop. With a triathlon career spanning over three decades, Liz shares how she maintains her motivation, copes with injuries, and balances lifestyle with performance. Now approaching her 70s, Liz continues to train, race, and inspire, proving that age is no barrier to athletic ambition.
We discuss:
In this episode, I chat with Emma Stoney and Katie Gill — athletes, coaches, and the driving force behind Pretty Gritty, a Yorkshire-based community for female triathletes. We explore how they created a supportive space for women in sport, the unique challenges facing female athletes, and how they balance family, coaching, and business.
We discuss:
- How an ankle injury spa...
We’re flipping the script! In this special episode of the High Performance Human Podcast, Simon hands over the reins to co-host (and wife) Beth, who takes her first turn in the host's chair — and puts Simon firmly in the hot seat.
With zero preparation and no idea what’s coming, Simon fields Beth’s awkward, cheeky, and insightful questions. They dive into:
- What it’s reall...
This week I'm joined by swim coach and author Paul Eaglestone, whose new book Freespeed offers a simple but powerful approach to improving front crawl technique — especially for triathletes.
Paul shares insights from a lifetime in swimming, including his early coaching work with Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, and why he believes most triathletes can find "free speed" in the water through better tec...
In this candid and deeply personal episode, Beth takes the lead to discuss a topic close to her heart—body image and the challenge of making sustainable changes to weight and body composition. Stepping away from racing and performance metrics, Simon and Beth reflect on the psychological, emotional, and practical aspects of health-focused weight management, particularly for those with a history of disordered eating.
One week after crossing the finish line at Ironman Austria, Beth returns to the podcast to share what the experience really felt like—after the adrenaline wore off. From analysing her performance to navigating recovery, she opens up about the emotional rollercoaster, the lessons she’s taking forward, and how her mindset continues to evolve.
Whether you’re planning your own big event or just curious about...
In this emotional and inspiring episode, Simon sits down with Beth to unpack her unforgettable day at Ironman Austria. From tranquil lake swims and smooth alpine roads to an intense race against the clock and searing heat, Beth shares the highs, lows, and mental battles of race day. This is more than a race recap—it's a story of resilience, mindset, and sheer determination.
What You’ll Hear:
In this episode, Simon chats with Martin Whitaker — a performance coach and PhD researcher specialising in blood flow restriction (BFR) training — about powerful tools for boosting performance, enhancing recovery, and staying fit for life.
Topics Discussed:
- What is blood flow restriction training and how does it work?
- Strength and hypertrophy gains with lo...
This week, I’m joined by triple Olympian, world champion cyclist, PhD engineer—and now author—Emma Pooley. From humble beginnings as a cross-country runner to Olympic silver in the time trial, Emma shares her fascinating athletic journey, why she hated cycling at first, and how she learned to love descending.
They explore:
- Why joy—not just performance—should drive traini...
Beth is back! Just two weeks out from Ironman Austria, Simon and Beth chat through the highs and hurdles of her training journey. From emotional breakthroughs in the pool with swim coach Ray Gibbs to navigating the challenges of a new bike setup, nutrition plans, and a warm-up race at Outlaw Half—this episode is packed with insights for any triathlete prepping for race day.
Key Topics:
You’ve trained for months, followed the plan, and now race day is approaching. But even the best preparation can fall apart without smart execution on the day.
In this solo episode, I break down the five essential components of a successful race day plan — helping you avoid common pitfalls and stay calm, confident, and in control. Whether you’re doing a triathlon, long sportive, or any endurance event, t...
This week, I’m catching up with an old friend and long-time triathlon devotee, Tim Ashelford. With over 35 years in the sport, Tim has quietly built a life around consistent training, minimal injuries, and a mindset that favours long-term health over short-term glory.
Together we explore:
- The early days of UK triathlon clubs (and some very questionable kit choices!)
What does it really mean to be battle ready? In this episode of the High Performance Human Podcast, host Simon Ward breaks down a smarter, more sustainable approach to health and fitness — one that’s built for the demands of everyday life, not just race day.
Forget chasing peak performance 24/7. Instead, Simon explores how to create a balanced, resilient body and mind through consistent training, smart r...
In this heartfelt and deeply insightful conversation, Simon Ward speaks with long-time podcast listener and endurance athlete Dave Hill, who shares his recent journey through an unexpected prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Despite being in excellent health, with a strong training routine, healthy nutrition, and a proactive attitude towards wellbeing, Dave’s story begins with a routine b...
Why You Should Listen
Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. In this solo episode, Simon dives into five practical, science-backed priorities that can help you feel younger, move better, and stay strong well into your later years. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to keep doing the things you love for longer, this episode is packed with real-life-tested strategies to support healthy ageing.
In this solo episode, Simon Ward breaks down six simple but powerful daily health metrics that can help you make smarter training and lifestyle decisions—without being overwhelmed by tech or data. And the best part is they are either free or very cheap to measure.
Whether you're an athlete over 50, a weekend warrior, or simply looking to better understand your body, these metrics offer valuable insights ...
When I trained for my first Ironman back in 1995 — nearly 30 years ago — there weren’t many resources available. That presented a real challenge. It was all trial and error.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve got the opposite problem: too much information. With so much out there, it can be hard to know what really matters.
The key? Getting the right information — and focusing on the things th...
What do you get when you combine a full-distance Ironman with not one but two full Hyrox events? A self-created endurance monster called TRIROX—and that’s exactly what Gaz McNamara is taking on to raise funds for the military charity REORG. (BREAKING NEWS - The event date is now set as 20 Sept, 2025)
Gaz, a former military PTI and triathlete with two decades of experience in physical training and rehabil...
Army officer. Ironman triathlete. Paratrooper. Kona qualifier. Rosie Wild is no stranger to pushing boundaries—both physically and mentally. In this episode, she shares her remarkable journey from academic Latin scholar to Sandhurst Sword of Honour recipient, and from knee injury to elite endurance athlete.
Why You Should Listen:
Rosie’s story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and qui...
Indie Lee is making waves in the middle- and long-distance triathlon scene. If you missed our 2023 conversation about her journey, be sure to check it out.
Today, we’re diving into her 2024 season, filled with incredible results, surprising breakthroughs, and tough disappointments. Indie shares a refreshingly honest insight into the challenges of professional triathlon—from the highs of success to the st...
Popular Podcasts
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.