Shows
Rapid AscentEp. 25: Piotr Babis: The Quiet Achiever Dominating Tasmania's FKTsIn this episode of the Rapid Ascent Podcast, Jez sits down with one of the most understated yet profoundly dominant forces in the Aussie trail running scene: Piotr Babis.
Originally from Poland and now a Park Ranger based at Fortescue Bay, Piotr has been quietly chipping away at some of the most brutal Fastest Known Times (FKTs) in Australia. From the Southwest Traverse to the Overland Track, Piotr’s approach is simple: stay humble, seek adventure, and respect the wilderness.
Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or just starting your trail journey, Piotr's story of going from...
2026-04-081h 39
Rapid AscentEp. 24: Courtney Sherwell: The Privateer Who Hustled Her Way to 7th in the World
What does it take to go from crashing twice in your first race to becoming one of Australia's most formidable off-road endurance athletes?
In this episode, Jez sits down with Courtney Sherwell — dual Australian National Champion, 3x Queen of the Otways, and self-funded privateer who placed 7th in the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix. Courtney's story is one of pure grit, resilience, and an unwavering love for riding on dirt.
We dive into the moment that almost ended her cycling career before it began: a brutal first race at Brackenbury where she broke her nose, crashed twice, an...
2026-02-191h 27
Rapid AscentEp. 23: James Kelly: The full time lawyer who WON the 2025 Elite National XCM Championship
What does it take to WIN an elite mountain biking championship WHILE working as a high-powered lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with James Kelly to deconstruct his incredible journey to claim the green and gold at the 2025 XCM Nationals. He shares the training secrets, mental tactics, and the one race that changed everything, offering a blueprint for balancing a demanding career with elite athletic performance.
In an epic journey of resilience and determination, James Kelly shattered expectations by winning the 2025 XCM National Elite Mountain Biking Championships. By day, he's a senior associate at a Melbourne law...
2026-02-061h 32
Rapid AscentEp. 22: Brent Rees: From Non-Cycling Teen to Winning Elite Nationals in Under 6 Years
Get ready for a rip-snorter of an episode! We're back from our summer break with a massive chat with one of the most underrated cyclists on the Aussie scene, Brent Rees.
This young gun has been tearing it up, from out-sprinting the big names to win the 2023 Australian National Marathon Champs to back-to-back Oceania titles. He recently went toe-to-toe with some of the world's best at Radl Grvl in Adelaide – includine Romain Bardet – proving he's a force to be reckoned with.
In this yarn, we get the full story of Brent's incredible journey from buying a bike...
2026-01-301h 58
Rapid AscentEp. 21: Adam Kelsall vs ChatGPT*: Can AI create a GOOD Otway Odyssey training plan?In this episode, Jeremy sits down with his own coach, renowned Australian cycling coach Adam Kelsall, to tackle one of the hottest topics in sport right now: can you trust AI to build your training plan?
Jeremy reveals he used a specialised AI tool, Manus, to create a full suite of training plans for every event at the Otway Odyssey. But with the finished product in hand, he lacks the confidence to actually follow it. This kicks off a fascinating conversation that is part-coaching session, part-tech exploration, and part-scientific deep dive.
Adam, coach to Commonwealth...
2025-12-101h 51
Rapid AscentEp. 20: Brendan "Trekky" Johnston: From Cancer-Surviving Electrician to Racing at the Top of the World
What does it truly take to be a champion?
In this episode, Jez sits down with Brendan "Trekky" Johnston — one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected cyclists — for a conversation that goes far beyond race results.
While his six National Titles and victories at iconic races like the Melbourne to Warnambool and Otway Odyssey are legendary, it’s the story of how he got there that offers a masterclass in resilience.
Brendan shares his journey from a promising junior whose career was derailed by a cancer diagnosis at 17, through his years as a top-perf...
2025-11-1952 minRapid AscentEp 19: How to Win The Otway Odyssey with Tali Lane Welsh
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...
2025-11-051h 05Rapid AscentEp. 18: "We're Just Riding Bikes Here": Peta Mullens & Dylan Johnson on having fun, checking egos & riding for the RIGHT reasons
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 YouTube...
2025-10-161h 37Rapid AscentEp. 17: Holly Ranson on Breaking Records, Backyard Ultras & Chasing the 24-Hour World Record
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 u...
2025-10-081h 11Rapid AscentEp. 16: "Stronger for Longer": How Kate Kellett became 24-hour Mountain Biking ELITE WORLD CHAMPION
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...
2025-10-051h 06Rapid AscentEp. 15: Stage racing with lions, rhinos & Tibetan monks!: With Sam Maffett & Marcel ShieldsThere'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 gra...
2025-09-2529 min
今天有跑步ChatMRCVol. 63 澳大利亚入门级百公里越野赛SCC-科学家Wendy的首百梦Surf Coast Century (网站 https://surfcoastcentury.rapidascent.com.au/) 是澳大利亚最有代表性的越野跑赛事之一，简称 SCC。这场比赛每年九月在维州著名的大洋路起点 Anglesea 举办，环绕整个Surf Coast海岸线和腹地。一路上，你会跑过无尽的金色沙滩、崎岖的悬崖步道、静谧的雨林小径，还有那片能让人心静下来的大海。SCC的特别之处在于，它既是顶级越野跑赛事，同时又被视为“最适合首百的比赛”： 赛道相对友好，海拔爬升在2000米左右，对初次尝试百公里的人来说比较可控； 赛事氛围轻松，选手之间互相鼓励，志愿者热情，像是一个巨大的跑步嘉年华； 组别选择多样：除了100公里个人赛，还有50公里单人赛，以及2人或4人接力，让更多人可以找到适合自己的挑战。在这场比赛里，你会看到精英选手在冲击赛道纪录，也会看到普通跑者在追逐人生的第一个百公里终点；有人因为完成而喜极而泣，也有人因为遗憾DNF而更加坚定来年再战。本期嘉宾，Wendy，就是在这个赛道上完成了她的首百。另一位嘉宾，宝平，是Wendy首百的梦想设计师，也是咱们澳洲最“野”的哥哥（Vol. 4 澳洲越野赛集锦-Baoping大概是澳洲最野的哥哥了）。
2025-09-201h 26Rapid AscentEp. 14: Running as "rebellion" & why more women should participate in sport with Sophie GeraghtySophie 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 l...
2025-09-181h 44
Peak PursuitsEpisode 2: Jess Jason's Journey to TrailWelcome back to Peak Pursuits, your go-to podcast for all things trail running in Australia with host's Sim Brick, Brodie Nankervis and Jess Jason.00:00 - 23:00: Intro to Jess - In this episode, we dive into Jess's journey from the track to the trails. With her recent transition, Jess shares her experiences, challenges, and aspirations in the world of trail running.23:00 - 47:45: Training Talk- Brodie shares the deets on his training week, including the races he “had to do” to qualify for his upcoming goal race. Meanwhile, Sim returns to racing with a hot lap around Alber...
2024-04-231h 11
Titan of. TechFrom Childhood Curiosity to Cyber Empire with Brian DeMuthIn this podcast, Brian DeMuth delves intohis multifaceted interest across cybersecurity and technology, including hiswork in an investment firm where he helps identify new and upcomingcyber-related technologies. His passion for fostering curiosity and learning isalso highlighted as he discusses how this led to the establishment of RapidAscent, a company providing job readiness training in cybersecurity and tech.Brian also talks about the interconnectedness of his numerous roles and how ithelps him manage all his responsibilities effectively. This video will...
2024-03-1849 min
The Gravel Cycling Australia PodcastSimpatico Bikes - Titanium Gravel Bikes, Born in MelbourneIn our very first video Podcast, we catch up with Brandon from Simpatico Bikes - a brand new bike company building exquisite titanium gravel bikes right here in Melbourne.WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE - https://youtu.be/ewgENUV_2EU?si=9M6236Z4lp0LQqrE Please View, Like, Subscribe to the video and leave a comment to help other gravel cyclists like you find the Podcast!Tristan and Brandon head out for a ride around the stunning Anglesea Heath in the Otway foothills before catching up for a chat on t...
2024-02-1157 min
The Gravel Cycling Australia PodcastAnnouncing the Shimano Gravel Muster - Australia's Most Epic Gravel Stage RaceToday marks the launch of the Shimano Gravel Muster, Australia's new premiere gravel stage race to be held in the stunning landscape of central Australia. In this episode, we go for a ride through the hills of the Anglesea Heath with local Sam Maffett of Rapid Ascent, who will be putting on the event, and get the exclusive scoop on the event! We also get in some good chat about Rapid Ascent's other upcoming events including the Great Otway Gravel Grind and the newly launch Rapid Ascent Journeys Great Ocean Road Gravel Tour, as well as some s...
2024-01-1743 min
Tales From The MidpackLucy Bartholomew - Finding Inspiration In The ChallengesLucy Bartholomew is an Australian professional ultra runner who has had an incredible year. She talks about her father’s experience at Western States, what running means, the ultra attitude, what is gained through facing challenges, the value of a DNF, changing the stories about runners’ bodies, and much more. Come and join us for a chat about this crazy “walking jogging hiking eating thing” that we do.
Stepping Stone Coaching
If you're ready to embark on your own running goal and you’d like a down to Earth human being at the other end o...
2023-11-241h 04The Gravel Cycling Australia PodcastThe Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG)This week we sit down for a chat with Sam Maffett from Rapid Ascent Event Management, organisers of one of Australia’s Premier mass participation Gravel Race events. Run in conjunction with the famous Otway Odyssey Marathon Mountain bike race and starting and finishing in the tiny township of Forrest in the heart of the Otway Ranges, the GOGG offers riders the option of 97km or 49km courses.Join us as we discuss the event, and explore the place of gravel racing and mass start events in the wider Australian gravel scene. For more information on th...
2023-01-3155 min
Tales From The MidpackJen Ritossa - Larapinta Stage RaceJen Ritossa is a highly experienced ultra runner, and has recently completed the Larapinta stage race in the Northern Territory. Come join us in our chat about this amazing event.
Stepping Stone Coaching
Do you dream of becoming a runner, switching to trails, or going for a new distance you’ve never run before? I would love to help you achieve your goal. Get in touch with me at Stepping Stone Coaching where I’ll help you take the next step in your running future.
https://beck2225.wixsite.com/steppingstonecoach
https://www...
2022-06-2951 min
Life in the Peloton, presented by MAAPMy Opening Weekend at Otway Odyssey - On-Race Diary. E5.S7Rapha presents Life in the Peloton!
My "Opening Weekend" of racing looked a little different this year. I swapped out the brutal cobbles of Belgium for the beautiful, yet unforgiving trails of the Otway Ranges in Victoria - swapping my classics bike for my Mountain Bike and Gravel Bike.
It was my first race of the year, and one hell of a baptism by fire into the MTB/Gravel racing scene; a 100km marathon MTB Race backed up by a 100km Gravel Race. It wasn't quite Belgium but it was for sure on another level...
2022-03-0941 min
The Business SamuraiKen Underhill: Started a Cyber TV Show & Diversity In CybersecuityKen Underhill pops by for a visit to discuss his journey to creating the first and only Cyber Security Television show for the general public: Cyber Life TV.Ken discusses at length how we need to get more diversity in technology and cybersecurity and why it is critical to get perspectives from different walks of life.Ken also discusses his view on training and the shortages of people in the cyber field.Ken is the Executive Producer & Host of the Cyber Life television show which reaches millions of viewers each month around the...
2022-02-1842 min
And Security For AllCyberSecurity Training with Ken Underhill #CYBERLIFEOn this episode of And Security For All, host Kim Hakim has Ken Underhill on the show to discuss CyberSecurity Training and Cyber Careers. Ken is an entrepreneur that has expertise in cyber training and has educated millions around the world. Ken is currently the Executive Producer, Host, & Owner of the Cyber Life television show and the VP of Curriculum Development & Instruction at RapidAscent.
2021-12-1055 min
Stimulate Run PodcastJohn Jacoby - Just take the opportunityOne of the most accomplished adventure racers in the world. John has been a multiple time canoe world cup winner, Keys to Melbourne recipient and much more. Today he is the Director of Rapid Ascent who bring us some of the best adventure races available in Australia. We speak about his career and also what goes into planning races. https://www.rapidascent.com.au/
2021-05-1449 minRapid AscentDan and Bec McConnell interview after winning the 2021 Otway OdysseyShortly 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.
...
2021-03-0443 min
Tales From The MidpackBec Morton - The Spirit Of AdventureBec has the heart of an adventurer. Come and hear about some of the amazing experiences she has had.
Links to what is mentioned in the podcast:
Operation Flinders
https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/efrmeg
Kathmandu Run Club
https://www.kathmandu.com.au/kathmandu-and-salomon-running-club
Buffalo Stampede
https://www.buffalostampede.com.au/
UTA
https://www.ultratrailaustralia.com.au/
Surf Coast Century
https://surfcoastcentury.rapidascent.com.au/
Alpine Challenge
https://www.runningwild.net.au/alpine-runs...
2020-06-2640 min
Fitter Radio Triathlon PodcastMike Phillips and Hannah WellsRAPID ASCENT VIRTUAL TRAIL RUNNING SERIES: (00:07:40) The 2020 Trail Running Series presented by MINI Countryman will be going ahead this year – with 2 virtual races in June and July, and then 2-3 physical races later in the year. See here for more information https://trailrunningseries.rapidascent.com.au/ HOT PROPERTY INTERVIEWS: MIKE PHILLIPS (00:18:52) and HANNAH WELLS (00:46:35) We bring back Mike and Hannah to talk virtual racing and training/racing in 2020/21. WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: (01:12:13) Tim and Bev discuss how to sequence strength training in and around endurance training. ONE ST...
2020-05-172h 03Rapid AscentEp.12: Update from John & Sam on events and impact of COVID-19Make 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 c...
2020-03-3022 minRapid AscentEp.11: How a talented rugby player switched to elite endurance after knee blowoutWe'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 a...
2020-03-161h 08
Rapid AscentEp.10: A cancer diagnosis at age 17... 2 weeks from MTB World ChampsBrendan 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 W...
2020-02-161h 22Rapid AscentEp.9: Olympic MTB dreams shattered... what do you do next?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...
2020-01-1451 minRapid AscentEp.8: A life of adventure with a "little bit" of running mixed inWe'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 B...
2019-12-151h 02Rapid AscentEp.7: How a nasty MotoX injury lead to a career in Mountain BikingHe'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 th...
2019-11-151h 19Rapid AscentEp.6: AIDS survivor, cancer survivor and supreme adventure racerIn 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 h...
2019-10-151h 53Rapid AscentEp.5: A nasty fall and a broken femur... the Doctor said he'd never race a MTB againPaul 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 of...
2019-09-161h 09Rapid AscentEp.4: 535 consecutive half marathons for a mate you've never met...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 ...
2019-08-151h 00Rapid AscentEp.3: Is this man one of Australia's greatest endurance athletes?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 scal...
2019-07-151h 43Rapid AscentEp.2: Juggling work as a senior barrister, mum of 4 and a life of enduranceSharn 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...
2019-06-1257 minRapid AscentEp.1: Man dies on the beach then goes for a run in the desertSean 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...
2019-05-101h 00