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The Brick Session podcast

@the_brick_session

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30 years coaching - Endurance insight, practical advice & honest views.🎙️ Podcast | 🎬 Photographer/ Documentary maker documenting people pushing limits

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Manaslu Circuit, Nepal
“The Bold Path” is out now on my You Tube channel.
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You have to watch this film, if nothing else to witness the jaw dropping scenery we were immersed in for a week. As a photographer and film maker, it was a privilege to be there amongst the Himalayan mountains in this lesser known part of Nepal. As an endurance adventurer, it was a lifetime highlight to take on this audacious challenge with @caroline.livesey. It was by no means easy, especially for Caroline who suffered a lot. But I have tried to capture the adventure as well as providing practical lessons for anyone seeking to challenge themselves in Nepal. I hope it inspires you as the New Year approaches.
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#Nepal #trailrunning #Manaslu #Himalayas #altitude by @the_brick_session

Andean Grit, Transcordilleras 2025.
A short documentary about this incredible 8 day race through the Andes mountains of Colombia.
Out now on my You Tube channel. Link in Bio.
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This year we wanted our film to capture not just the grit of the race, but the essence of the people too. Transcordilleras is a special race for so many reasons, but what stood out for us again this year was the camaraderie amongst competitors and the incredible warmth of the locals.
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Enjoy! And if you are even a tiny bit tempted, get entered. It will be the adventure of a lifetime.
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#gravel #gravelrace #gravelbike #colombia #travel #adventure #documentary #adventuretravel #bike #cycle #cyclist #filmmakers #filmmaking by @the_brick_session

Patagonman II
Embracing Uncertainty
A film by @the_brick_session media.
Out now on YT link in his bio.
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In this short documentary we follow @caroline.livesey as she returns to Patagonia to compete in the mythical @patagonmanxtri extreme triathlon. She shares some more insights into her preparation, the demands of this infamous course, and the emotions she goes through on this incredible journey.
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#triathlon #extremetriathlon #patagonman #documentary #film #youtube #patagonia #chile #swimbikerun #aysen by @the_brick_session

What makes someone commit to walking home for 28 years?

For Karl Bushby, the idea developed while serving with 3 PARA, following the breakdown of his marriage. He has described frustration with Army life and a growing fascination with maps. A letter from his father mentioning a possible route between Britain and America helped turn that fascination into a plan.

In 1998, he left southern Chile. On 2 November 2026, he reached Hull.

As a former soldier, I’m interested in the mindset behind that decision. Focus, stubbornness, a need for purpose? What keeps you committed when borders, money and circumstances stop you for years?

You might assume the greatest challenge was surviving the Bering Strait or crossing the Caspian Sea. But Karl has identified lost relationships and loneliness as the hardest personal cost. Being willing to travel alone doesn’t mean the isolation comes easily.

Then there’s the finish.

Approaching Hull, he spoke openly about uncertainty and the difficulty of returning to a society he no longer knew. Alongside the achievement, was there a sense of foreboding as the miles counted down?

I know from experience that chasing a goal for years can leave a gap when it’s done. There’s the euphoria, then the quieter question: what now?

How does he come down from this? Does he find peace in finishing, or start looking for another challenge to fill that space?

After 28 years of knowing where he was heading, I’d love to hear what finding a new direction feels like.

#KarlBushby #GoliathExpedition #EnduranceMindset #BeyondTheFinishLine by @the_brick_session

Me thinking I’m still 25 years old still trying to double up after a hard brick session or leg day, then go out and hit it again. 😂 Nope!

The older you get, the more time you need to recover, especially when you e gone hard the day before.

Be mindful that easy days are part of the development process. Hard sessions provide the stimulus; recovery gives you the opportunity to adapt.

You don’t need to prove you can suffer every day. Keep the easy days easy so there’s something in the legs when it matters.

Sniper!

#TrainSmart #RecoveryMatters #TriathlonTraining #LegDay by @the_brick_session

WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING?

The LA Marathon has announced prescription pain medicine JOURNAVX as its “Official Acute Pain Partner”. For me, this is unacceptable.

In 2019, IRONMAN partnered with Aleve at Kona, promoting a “No Pain, No Gain Mile Challenge”. It attracted criticism from athletes, coaches and the German Triathlon Union.

As a coach, I want to understand why an athlete hurts. Suppressing pain doesn’t resolve its cause or mean it’s safe to continue. My concern is that these partnerships normalise taking medication to keep training and racing.

British Cycling’s partnership with Shell raised a similar question: how readily does sport overlook a conflict with its values when sponsorship money is available?

Sponsorship buys credibility. An official race partner can look like an endorsement to athletes already conditioned to push through.

Appropriate medical treatment has its place. But athlete welfare should determine commercial decisions.

Where do we draw the line?

#AthleteWelfare #Triathlon #EnduranceSport #SportsEthics by @the_brick_session

Are you overthinking your swimming?

In his article for Xhale Coaches’ Hub, Julian Nagi explores how the constant search for better technique can become a barrier to progress. He calls it Inhibitory Analytical Syndrome: collecting more advice, watching more videos and analysing every movement, while losing touch with how swimming actually feels.

A few points stand out. Find a reputable coach, understand what you need to work on and simplify your approach. Put technical work within a balanced programme that also develops speed, strength and endurance. Another drill won’t replace consistent, purposeful training.

Accept that some sessions will feel better than others. Stress, fatigue and poor sleep can affect your swimming; a difficult day doesn’t automatically mean your stroke needs rebuilding.

Give yourself time to feel the water, enjoy swimming and develop three things Julian emphasises throughout: rhythm, momentum and flow.

Read Julian’s full article on Xhale Coaches’ Hub. Link in bio.

#SwimCoaching #TriathlonTraining #OpenWaterSwimming #TrainXhale by @the_brick_session

This Orbea Ordu has served me well over the last 18 months. OMX carbon frame, Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed with 52/36 chainrings and Oquo carbon wheels. Such a solid, slippery bike—and a pleasure to ride. Looking forward to the next one.

#OrbeaOrdu #Orbea #TimeTrialBike #Triathlon by @the_brick_session

Should there be more room for empathy at Norseman?

I was made aware of an athlete who travelled from Canada with her husband for the race. According to the account shared with me, they were already in Norway when he was hospitalised with pneumonia just days before the event. She then became ill the day before the race and had to withdraw.

After considerable preparation, expense and travel, they were dealing with a serious medical situation overseas.

She asked for the opportunity to race the following year, offering to pay for a new entry in full. She wasn’t asking for a free place.

Her request was refused. She subsequently entered the ballot and was unsuccessful.

She had already booked accommodation for the following year, knowing how difficult and expensive it could be to secure. Perhaps that was premature, but she intended to return, even as a volunteer if she couldn’t race.

She offered to volunteer and was told her services weren’t required.

This was someone who had already supported the XTRI community by attending a camp and accumulating points, and who still wanted to contribute after considerable disappointment.

I recognise that places are limited and organisers need rules. But, in my view, the handling described lacked the personal consideration these exceptional circumstances deserved.

Should organisers reserve a few places for cases like this, assessed individually, with athletes paying the full entry fee again?

Was she treated inappropriately, or was this a reasonable application of the rules? Should more empathy and common sense have been applied?

#Norseman #XTRI #AthleteWelfare #ExtremeTriathlon by @the_brick_session

A RACE IS A RACE.

My coaching perspective comes from a broad mix of environments: as a soldier, an athlete, and a coach working in both military and sporting settings. I’ve experienced and coached people through pressure in all of them.

I’ve never been a fan of categorising races as A, B or C. I see every race as an opportunity to develop the athlete psychologically.

Of course some events are longer-term priorities. I prescribe other races within training blocks to support those goals. But they remain races, and I expect the athlete to approach them as a racer.

Nothing develops racecraft quite like racing. More importantly, nothing prepares an athlete for the psychological demands and emotions of competition quite like competition itself.

I’ve known many professional athletes who struggle with pre-race nerves. Athletes need opportunities to practise handling those emotions in the environment that creates them. You do that by racing.

My argument is simple: downgrade the race and you risk downgrading the emotional investment—and, with it, the opportunity for psychological development.

You also give the athlete a ready-made excuse.

“It was only a B race.”
“It was only a C race.”

I think that’s the wrong way to look at it.

I incorporate races into the training plan and use them deliberately to develop the athlete. I don’t downgrade them.

A race is always a race. Exploit the opportunity.

#Racecraft #SportPsychology #EnduranceCoaching #Triathlon by @the_brick_session

PRO TRIATHLETES: OUTSIDE THE MONEY. WHO PAYS?

We see the winners and the big cheques. But what about those regularly finishing eighth, fifteenth or thirtieth? For those outside the paying places, how does another season get funded?

Travel, accommodation, bike transport, coaching, physio—and the everyday bills waiting at home. Free kit helps, but it doesn’t pay the mortgage.

For this discussion, I call athletes earning nothing from race results “elite”. That’s my distinction, not an official category. They have the ability to race in the professional field, but that doesn’t mean they’re making a living from racing.

So what sustains it? Cash sponsorship? Another job? Savings? A partner’s income? Coaching?

That last one matters. Elite status can attract coaching clients, giving racing a commercial value beyond prize money. Although being fast doesn’t automatically make someone a good coach.

The bigger question is: when do you reassess?

A developing athlete closing the gap deserves time. Injury can derail a season. Finishing fifteenth in a strong field can represent progress. But after several seasons without earnings or meaningful improvement, what makes the next one different?

Age, potential, finances and family commitments all matter. So do ambition and enjoyment. If you meet the criteria, can afford it and love competing against the best, does it have to pay?

I’m not suggesting everyone outside the money should leave. Competitive fields need depth. But there’s a difference between building a career and choosing to fund an ambition. Both deserve an honest assessment.

At what point would you return to age-group racing—and why should that be considered failure?

Where would you draw the line: progression, income, results—or entirely personal choice?

Photos illustrate the discussion; no assumptions are being made about the pictured athletes’ finances.

#Triathlon #ProTriathlon #AgeGroupTriathlon #TriathlonCommunity by @the_brick_session

WORLD TRIATHLON × HYROX. WILL IT WORK?

The partnership is official. Olympic inclusion is an ambition, not a confirmed place.

HYROX gains a governing structure and potential Olympic pathway. World Triathlon gains access to a popular activity and new audience. I understand the attraction.

But I don’t think it survives contact with the judging required.

We called it circuit training in the Army. As a PTI, much of my job was checking form. When completing repetitions against the clock became the target, I repeatedly saw technique deteriorate. People chased the finish.

So what counts as an acceptable rep? Squat depth? Full extension? Completing the movement? Writing a standard is one thing. Applying it consistently to exhausted athletes racing through repetitions is another.

Olympic weightlifting has three referees assessing ONE athlete performing ONE attempt.

Now judge repeated movements across several lanes, under fatigue, at speed.

Who watches every rep? What happens when one judge accepts a movement another rejects? How do you resolve a dispute while the race continues?

Diving, gymnastics and skating still produce judging controversies despite established systems. Their scoring differs, but human interpretation remains central.

And a rep meeting the minimum competition standard isn’t necessarily technique I’d accept as a coach.

Its popularity isn’t in question. My doubt is whether every athlete can be held to the same standard, every time.

If changing the judge can change the result, the stopwatch isn’t telling the whole story.

#HYROX #WorldTriathlon #OlympicSport #MovementStandards by @the_brick_session