The Triathlon Brick Session

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark is joined by co-host Caroline Livesey for a no-nonsense chat about where triathlon is heading, and who’s quietly buying the keys to the building. 

We start with the PTO, who currently appear to be purchasing everything in triathlon that isn’t physically bolted to the floor. Is it smart consolidation, necessary progress, or just the sporting equivalent of Monopoly played with very deep pockets? We break down what it means for athletes, fans, and the long-term shape of the sport, without the press-release horse shit.

Next up: Ironman banning all competitor filming during races. Cue outrage, think-pieces, and shaky GoPro footage mourned across social media.  Except, we actually think it’s a good decision. We talk fairness, safety, and why racing might be better when athletes are focused on racing, not content creation.
 
Finally, we tackle the elephant in every Instagram feed: why athletes and coaches feel the need to post everything. Training volume. Power files. Easy runs. Hard runs. The run before the run. The “accidentally hard” run. We ask what it’s really for, who it’s helping, and whether a bit of mystery, and restraint might actually be a good thing.  Because sometimes less is more. Less noise. Less validation chasing. And, ironically, often better performance.
 
Blunt opinions, dry humour, and a reality check for modern triathlon culture, exactly as you’d expect from Mark.  Caroline is the sensible one...   Enjoy

I recently spoke with Clint Butcher, the founder of EZ Gains, a company that has quickly grown into one of the most respected names in triathlon aerodynamics components in just a few short years.
 
What makes Clint’s story compelling isn’t just the products,  it’s how the business began.
EZ Gains started in the front room of Clint’s home. No factory. No investors. Just an idea, a willingness to experiment, and long evenings spent hand-making rear wheel disc covers alongside his daughter.

What began as a simple, practical solution for athletes chasing marginal gains gradually evolved into something far more significant.
 
Through persistence, curiosity, and a refusal to follow the easy or conventional path, EZ Gains grew into a company now supplying aerodynamic components and bottle carriers to some of the best triathletes in the world. That growth didn’t come without risk. Like most genuine entrepreneurial journeys, it involved uncertainty, setbacks, and moments where walking away would have been the safer option.
 
Instead, Clint chose to commit. He backed his belief in the product, trusted the process, and kept building, even when conditions were far from ideal. That willingness to act under uncertainty, to continue despite adversity, is the hallmark of true entrepreneurship. 
EZ Gains is a reminder that innovation in sport doesn’t always come from big budgets or established brands. Sometimes it comes from a living room, a shared belief, and the courage to take a gamble on an idea worth pursuing.
 
This is what building something meaningful looks like, not overnight success, but earned progress shaped by conviction, resilience, and a relentless commitment to doing things properly.

In today’s episode, Mark is joined by an incredible guest, Gary Howells, fresh off the back of completing the Oman 165, a brutal multi-day ultramarathon set deep in the stunning but unforgiving Wahiba Sands desert of Oman. Covering roughly 165 miles over six days, the event takes runners across rolling dunes, rocky plains, and remote desert landscapes, with long, hot stages by day and basic camp life by night in a fully supported race environment.

Gary, a former soldier and qualified physiotherapist who now works as a full-time running coach, thrives on pushing his limits in extreme events across the globe, and he explains why this challenge stands out as his most enjoyable adventure to date. Together, Mark and Gary dive into what it’s really like to run through the Wahiba desert, the mental and physical demands of staged ultras, and key considerations if you’re tempted by something similar, including smart foot administration, blister prevention, and crucially, what not to carry when the race support allows you to travel lighter. 

Along the way, Mark announces the lucky winner of £200 worth of Precision Fuel & Hydration, shares why having a good coach or personal trainer to teach you how to lift correctly can be a game-changer for performance, and highlights the importance of supporting your local events to keep the endurance community thriving. Enjoy.

https://www.peakperformancewales.com/

https://www.justgiving.com/page/gary-howells-10in10?newPage=true

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into the money side of professional triathlon: who’s actually getting paid, where the prize money is coming from, and why only a small group of top athletes can make a real living from the sport.

They unpack the structural issues behind the current system, what it means for up‑and‑coming pros, and how the landscape might need to change. We also get into Ironman’s proposed 20m draft zone. Will it make racing fairer and more honest, or simply create new headaches on course?

Mark and Caroline explore why they’re in favour of the change, while acknowledging the very real logistical challenges it could bring for race organisers and athletes alike.

Mark then turns the focus to training discipline, accountability, and routine. He shares practical thoughts on how to build consistency into your day-to-day life, and why small, repeatable habits often matter more than any “perfect” training plan when it comes to long‑term performance.

Finally, Caroline and Mark talk about her ambitious bid to break the world record on Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 this summer. They discuss the planning, physical demands, and mental resilience required for such a challenge, and what this attempt means to Caroline both as an athlete and as a person.

Tune in for a mix of honest chat, practical training insight, and a look behind the scenes at a major endurance record attempt in the making.

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Derrett shares his journey as a triathlete, discussing his experiences in various races, including the extreme Patagon Man and the iconic Ironman World Championship in Kona. He reflects on the importance of personal growth, respect for fellow athletes, and the challenges of balancing a full-time job with rigorous training. Stephen also opens up about his struggles with chronic fatigue and the lessons learned from his health challenges. The discussion highlights the significance of preparation, consistency, and the joy of racing, which extends beyond just winning. In this engaging conversation, Stephen shares his experiences and insights from the Patagon Man triathlon, discussing race strategies, the dynamics of competing against renowned athletes like Alistair Brownlee, and the unique challenges of the course. He reflects on the beauty of the scenery, the camaraderie among competitors, and the importance of enjoying the journey in racing. Stephen also contemplates his future in the sport, emphasizing the significance of his recent victory while acknowledging the challenges that come with it.