The Triathlon Brick Session

In this episode, Caroline and I kick things off by looking back at Challenge Roth, discussing the standout performances, the biggest talking points, and the incredible racing on one of triathlon's biggest stages.

We then sit down with Matt to take a deep dive into what it really takes to set a world record, using our recent North Coast 500 record attempts as the backdrop. It's a conversation that goes far beyond fitness. We explore the planning, pacing, mental resilience and teamwork required to perform at the highest level.Matt shares how he approached his fastest-known-time ride through careful pacing, trusting his instincts, and eliminating unnecessary distractions. Caroline reflects on the mental battle of constantly processing information, making decisions under pressure, and learning how crucial clear communication with a support crew can be.

Together, we discuss the importance of preparation, staying adaptable when things don't go to plan, managing support teams effectively, and the lessons that every endurance athlete can take into their own racing. Whether you're chasing a personal best or simply looking to become a smarter endurance athlete, this episode is packed with practical insights from two successful record attempts.

The North Coast 500 is one of the most iconic cycling routes in the world. A challenging 500-mile loop around the rugged Scottish Highlands, it demands resilience, planning, determination, and an ability to keep moving when everything in your body is telling you to stop.In this episode, we sit down with newly ratified North Coast 500 Women's World Record holder, Caroline Livesey, to hear the story behind her remarkable ride.

From the early planning stages and months of preparation through to the highs, lows and defining moments out on the road, Caroline shares what it really takes to ride the NC500 at world-record pace.Joining the conversation is Mark Livesey, who was part of the support crew throughout the attempt. 

Mark offers a unique perspective from behind the scenes, discussing the realities of managing a moving operation around the clock, making critical decisions under pressure, and helping keep the rider focused on the task at hand.Together, they explore the importance of teamwork in ultra-endurance cycling. World records are rarely individual achievements, and Caroline's ride was no exception.

The episode highlights the contribution of a dedicated support team whose collective efforts helped turn an ambitious goal into a historic achievement.We also discuss the key partnerships that played a crucial role in the success of the record attempt. Precision Fuel & Hydration were instrumental in developing and refining Caroline's nutrition and hydration strategy, ensuring that energy intake matched the demands of riding at record pace for over 32 hours. Meanwhile, EZ Gains worked extensively to optimise Caroline's aerodynamic position and equipment setup, helping extract every possible advantage over such a long and demanding route.

The conversation covers strengths and weaknesses, lessons learned, moments that went exactly to plan, and those that required adaptation on the fly. It's an honest look at what happens when meticulous preparation meets the unpredictable reality of ultra-endurance cycling.Whether you're an endurance athlete, a cyclist dreaming of tackling the NC500, or simply fascinated by what people are capable of achieving when they commit fully to a goal, this episode provides a fascinating insight into the pursuit of a world record on one of Britain's most spectacular roads.

Dontate to charity - https://peakeducationnepal.com/

In this episode, I chat with Caroline about the importance of carrying spares in triathlon,  especially in long-course racing, and why knowing how to actually use them is just as important as having them.

We also discuss Rachel Entrekin’s incredible Cocodona 250 performance, and explore why women often seem able to compete with, and even outperform, men in ultra-endurance events of this distance.

The conversation then moves onto “hero weeks” and the growing trend of athletes trying to replicate the 35–40 hour training weeks shared by elite professionals. We discuss why this can send the wrong message, and why it’s important to understand that elite athletes have spent years gradually building the ability to absorb that kind of workload.

Finally, Caroline gives a quick update on her North Coast 500 attempt and the training leading into it.

Just Giving donation page: 

North Coast 500 World Record Attempt - Changing Lives Through Education in Nepal - JustGiving 

Live Track: 

LIVE: North Coast 500 World Record Attempt 2026 | GPS Tracking powered by Follow My Challenge

Website and video: 

North Coast 500 Record Attempt - Peak Education Nepal

What really happens when the pressure hits, and you’ve got nowhere to hide? In this episode, I sit down with former Special Forces operator Simon Jeffries for a raw, unfiltered conversation on mindset, resilience, and what it actually takes to perform when it matters most.

From the realities of selection to the unseen struggles that follow high performance, this isn’t theory, it’s lived experience. We break down why the physical side is only half the battle, and how your mindset, habits, and self-talk will either carry you through, or quietly unravel you. We get into the uncomfortable truths, why people choke under pressure, why success doesn’t guarantee fulfilment, and why so many driven individuals end up stuck in cycles of stress, distraction, and burnout.

Simon shares the frameworks he now uses to rebuild performance from the ground up, not just for elite operators, but for anyone who wants to take control of how they show up in life. No fluff, no shortcuts, just what actually works.

In this episode, we cover:

Why most people fail under pressure, and how to fix it

What Special Forces selection really exposes about you

The hidden cost of high performance, stress, identity, and burnout

How your daily habits are quietly sabotaging your focus and resilience

The truth about mental toughness, it’s trained, not inherited

Simple, practical tools to take back control of your mindset

Why discipline beats motivation, every time

You don’t rise when it matters, you fall back to how you’ve trained.

The latest episode of The Brick Session Podcast is now live. In today’s show, Mark sits down with former professional triathlete Collin Chartier for a conversation that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable. 

After receiving a three-year ban for a doping violation, Collin opens up—honestly and without deflection- about the decision that changed everything. Why did he do it? What pressures led him there? And what does it actually feel like when the world turns on you?

This isn’t a story of excuses. It’s a story of accountability. Collin speaks candidly about the backlash, the public shaming, and the personal reckoning that followed.
He reflects on the lessons learned the hard way, and how the experience ultimately reshaped him—for the better.

More importantly, he offers a clear warning to others coming up in the sport, alongside a message that cuts through the noise of performance and results. It’s raw. It’s honest. And it’s a conversation that needed to happen.

Enjoy