Business of Endurance

Charlie Meets His Digital Twin: An AI Exploration of Endurance

• Charlie Reading • Season 9 • Episode 6

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Today’s episode is a little different - because today’s guest is... me. Well, not exactly me, but my digital doppelgänger: AI Charlie. 

That’s right, I’ve created an AI version of myself, trained on everything I’ve ever said on this podcast and beyond, and today, I’m putting him in the hot seat. Why? Because I wanted to test something: Can an AI trained on my conversations, thoughts, and beliefs deliver insight, inspiration, and maybe even a little wisdom about the world of endurance sports, just like Claire & I aim to do with our guests each week? 

Think of this as an experiment in self-reflection, curiosity, and the ever-evolving relationship between humans, performance, and technology. We dive into some of the core themes of The Business of Endurance - mental resilience, balance, performance, and purpose - but through the lens of someone - or something - that knows me perhaps a little too well. 

So buckle up for a conversation with... my AI-Clone. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll uncover something new about what it means to endure.

Highlights:

  • The Trifecta Morning Routine: Why Movement, Mindfulness, and Growth Fuel Peak Performance
  • Conversations with Your Digital Doppelgänger: Can AI Reflect, Inspire, and Challenge Us?
  • Ruthless Prioritisation and Delegation: What High-Performers Teach Us About Time
  • Fuel to Thrive: The New Nutrition Rules from Elite Endurance Athletes
  • Why Range Before Niche Builds Resilience, Adaptability, and Long-Term Excellence
  • Culture Is the Glue: Why Humor, Purpose, and Belonging Turn Teams Into Powerhouses
  • Injury Prevention for Longevity: Consistency, Strength, Recovery, and Listening to Your Body
  • Metrics That Matter: From HRV to Gratitude – Measuring Progress in Sport and Life
  • Marginal Gains Done Right: Why Small Changes, When Aligned, Deliver Massive Results
  • A Final Habit to Transform Your Day: Move, Reflect, Learn – Every Morning


Links:

Connect with AI Charlie on the Trusted Team Website: https://thetrusted.team/

Connect with the real Charlie Reading through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorspeakercoach/

Connect with the real Charlie reading Richard through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliereading/

Please Subscribe to Business of Endurance on Apple Podcasts, leave a comment, and give us a 5-Star review. 

This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline

Charlie Reading:

the single daily habit I'd recommend is starting your day with a morning routine that combines movement, mindfulness and growth. Getting your body moving first thing sets the tone for the day. Pair that with a moment of mindfulness, and then add something that fuels your growth, like reading or listening to a podcast. This trifectecta of movement, mindfulness and growth creates momentum, sharpens your focus and primes you to tackle whatever comes your way. Welcome back to the Business of Endurance, and today's episode is more than a little different, because today's guest is me. Well, not exactly me, but my digital doppelganger, ai Charlie. Not exactly me, but my digital doppelganger, ai Charlie. That's right. I've created an AI version of myself, trained it on everything I've ever said on this podcast and beyond, and today I'm putting him into the hot seat. Why? Because I wanted to test something. Can an AI trained on my conversations, thoughts and the beliefs that I have deliver insight, inspiration and maybe even a little wisdom about the world of endurance sport, just like Claire and I aim to do with our guests every week? So think of this as an experiment in self-reflection, curiosity and ever-evolving relationship between humans, performance and technology. We dive into some of the core themes of the business of endurance, that's mental resilience, balance, performance, purpose, but through the lens of someone or something that knows me, perhaps a little too well. So buckle up for a conversation with my AI clone and maybe, just maybe, we'll uncover something new about what it means to endure. So let's welcome our guest AI Charlie. Do you know what? When we look at the back end of this podcast, our guest AI Charlie, before we dive into today's episode, if you're enjoying Claire and I bringing you amazing guests, not asking you for patronage fees and not jamming the podcast full of adverts, then the best way you can help us continue to do that and make it even better is to hit that subscribe button. And here's my promise to you when you subscribe we'll make it our mission. And here's my promise to you when you subscribe we'll make it our mission, along with the team that supports us, to continue to improve this podcast every week. So thank you so much for your support and for being a part of the Business of Endurance community.

Charlie Reading:

Let's dive in. Hi, I'm Charlie Redding. How can I help? Hi, charlie Redding, this is the real Charlie Redding, and I want to interview you for the Business of Endurance podcast because you've listened to over 150 episodes of the Business of Endurance podcast and I really would like to kind of understand your key takeaways from consuming all of those different podcast episodes and listening to stories from some of the top endurance athletes of the world. So I'd really like to start off by if you could tell me which story best sums up the power of knowing your why and why.

Charlie Reading:

Knowing your why is so important in both endurance sport and in business. All right, charlie, this is a brilliant question and, honestly, one story that really stands out to me is a brilliant question and, honestly, one story that really stands out to me is Richard Wright's. You know, his episode was just extraordinary. Here's a guy battling aggressive cancer, yet he's out there competing in Ironmans. I mean, most people struggle to train for one when they're perfectly healthy, right, but Richard, he kept going.

Charlie Reading:

And when I asked him what drove him, it all came back to his why. For him it wasn't just about finishing races, it was about showing his daughters that life's challenges don't define you, but how you respond to them does. That's powerful, and this idea of knowing your why, it's like the anchor that keeps you steady when the storm hits. In endurance sports, it's what gets you through those dark moments, when your body's screaming at you to stop. And in business it's the same when things get tough, and they always do.

Charlie Reading:

Your why is what keeps you pushing forward. It's what helps you make decisions that align with your values and long-term goals, rather than just reacting to the immediate pressure. So, yeah, richard's story is such a vivid example of this. It's a reminder that, whether you're an athlete, an entrepreneur or just someone navigating life, knowing your why isn't just important, it's essential. What about you, charlie? What's your why? Well, my why is about living the best life I can, living life by design. What I'm going to do now is I'm going to pass you over to my co-host, claire, who is also going to ask you a question.

Claire Fudge:

Hi Charlie. I've got a question about time because many of our guests they're juggling careers, families. They've got high level endurance goals. What patterns have you seen in how they manage their time and what can we, as business professionals, as athletes, learn from them?

Charlie Reading:

Time management is such a fascinating topic, claire, and honestly, it's one of those things that separates the good from the great, both in sport and in business. A pattern I've seen again and again is this the most successful people are ruthless about prioritization and delegation. Take Colin Cook, for example. He's an elite Ironman coach and athlete who juggles a full-time job, family and training. What stood out in his story was how he earmarked specific times for family work and training, ensuring none of them completely overtook the others. He said it's not about magic workouts or secret hacks, it's about consistency and balance. And that's the key, isn't it? Another thing I've noticed is how these high achievers use tools and systems to maximize efficiency. Whether it's training software like Tridol or business automation tools, they're not afraid to lean on technology to free up time for what really matters. And then there's the mindset piece. They don't just manage time, they manage energy. They know when to push and when to recover, both physically and mentally. That's something Ed Chang touched on when he talked about conserving time by focusing on activities that fit seamlessly into his lifestyle, like running while traveling. It's about making the most of the moments you have, rather than wishing for more hours in the day. So what can we learn? First, get crystal clear on your priorities. What are the non-negotiables in your life? Second, embrace delegation and automation wherever possible. And third, remember that time management isn't just about squeezing more in. It's about creating space for what truly matters. How do you currently approach balancing all the spinning plates in your life?

Charlie Reading:

Well, one of the ways that I have done that is trusting the process. I think the process is such an important part of this because, from the outside, breakthroughs often seem really sudden, don't they? But I'd love to know what stories stand out to you about the sort of slow grind, the ones that were trusting the process, and where trusting the process made all of the difference. Oh, absolutely, trusting the process is such a game changer, isn't it? And you're right. From the outside, those big breakthroughs often look like they happened overnight, but when you dig deeper, it's always the result of years of graft, patience and belief.

Charlie Reading:

One story that really captures this is Kerry Sutton's journey, which she shared on the podcast. She talked about juggling her business, raising four kids and training for ultra marathons. It wasn't glamorous or easy, but she prioritized her running because it kept her mentally and physically strong. She trusted that by consistently showing up, even when it felt like progress was slow. She'd eventually get to where she wanted to be, and she did. I think what makes trusting the process so powerful is that it shifts your focus from the outcome to the actions you can control. It's about saying I might not see results today, but I know that every step I take is building towards something bigger. Whether it's in endurance, sports or business, the grind is where the magic happens. It's not sexy, but it's real. How do you keep yourself motivated during those stretches when the results aren't immediately visible?

Claire Fudge:

Well, it's a very good question and I guess learning from failures and being able to put that into place at those times. And I want to ask you a question around failures Can you share a story from the podcast where someone's biggest failure has become their most important turning point?

Charlie Reading:

Oh, absolutely. One story that really sticks with me is from Chris Cook, the double Olympian swimmer. He shared this brilliant perspective on failure, saying that experiments can't fail, they're just experiments, and that mindset completely reframes how you approach setbacks. For Chris, his biggest turning point came after retiring from professional swimming. He struggled with the transition, feeling lost, without the structure and identity that came with being an elite athlete. But instead of letting that failure define him, he leaned into the process of rediscovery. He started focusing on giving 100% to whatever was in front of him, whether that was coaching, speaking or even something as simple as sweeping the floor. That shift in mindset, falling in love with hard work again became the foundation for his next chapter. It's such a powerful reminder that failure isn't the opposite of success. It's a stepping stone toward it. The key is to embrace the lessons, adapt and keep moving forward. How do you personally approach failure when it shows up in your life? Well, I suppose one of the ways that I was failing actually before I met claire, was in nutrition, and it was my kind of. I was having a lot of problems with the way that my digestive system dealt with both life and racing and the heavy training load, and so one of the ways that I dealt with it is is to get Claire to, who was an expert in this, to help resolve those problems and kind of help coach me through how to do that better. But we've talked a lot about, particularly since Claire joined the podcast as co-host. We've talked a lot about nutrition. So I'd love to know, having listened to all of those episodes and having learned from so many different elite athletes and how they feel themselves, how is your understanding of of optimal nutrition evolved through listening to all those episodes and what do you think are the keys to success in succeeding in the area of nutrition? Nutrition has been such a recurring theme on the podcast and, honestly claire, your expertise has added so much depth to those conversations. What's really evolved for me, listening to all these incredible athletes, is this understanding that nutrition isn't just about fueling performance. It's about creating a foundation for everything else in life. It's not just calories in, calories out. It's about balance, timing and, most importantly, individuality. Take Michelle Jones, for example. She talked about how dialing in her nutrition wasn't just about race day but about how it impacted her recovery, her mental clarity and even her mood. That really stuck with me. It's not just about what you eat on the bike or during a run. It's about the choices you make every day that build up to those moments. And then there's the idea of experimenting, which Chris Cook touched on in his episode. He said experiments can't fail, and I think that applies so well to nutrition. It's about trying things, seeing what works for your body and being okay with tweaking and adapting as you go. For your body, and being okay with tweaking and adapting as you go.

Charlie Reading:

The key to success in nutrition, I think, boils down to three things. First, consistency it's not about being perfect all the time, but about making good choices most of the time. Second, listening to your body. What works for one person might not work for another, and the best athletes are the ones who really tune into what their body needs. And third, planning. Whether it's meal prepping or having a strategy for race day. The more you plan, the less likely you are to make decisions that don't serve your goals.

Charlie Reading:

How have you found your approach to nutrition has evolved since you started working with Claire? Oh well, yeah, I think I have. Yeah, I definitely got a much clearer plan. Through trial and error and through trialing different things. I've worked out what works for me and what doesn't work for me, and also I think I've just kind of got greater awareness of everything around nutrition and therefore I know what good is and what good isn't, and therefore I know what good is and what good isn't. I'd like you to pause for a second and let's ask Claire what she thinks of your feedback on nutrition.

Claire Fudge:

I think it's interesting what you've been able to pull from all those podcasts and I think there's some fascinating themes like tweaking and testing absolutely 100% personalising nutrition and also being consistent with nutrition. So I love the fact the podcast of have you been able to pick that up in the podcast? And planning, of course, like planning is really important when it comes, especially when it comes to race day. And I guess that brings me back round to goals, because goals are really important in terms of goals for the year or goals for three years, whether it's goals, goal setting monthly. And I wonder from the podcast, what's the most compelling approach that you've heard for goal setting, especially when the goal setting is something huge like an Ironman event, a world record Can?

Charlie Reading:

you give me a specific example. Oh for sure, the most compelling approach to goal setting I've heard on the podcast has to be Mark Beaumont's story. He's the guy who set the world record for cycling around the world not once, but twice. The first time he set a goal of completing it in 190 days and he hit it almost to the day. Then, nine years later, he came back with a support crew and set an even bigger goal 80 days and guess what? He smashed it in 79.

Charlie Reading:

What's fascinating about Mark's approach is how specific and measurable his goals were. He didn't just say I want to cycle around the world. He broke it down into daily targets, like how many miles he needed to cover each day, and then built his training and logistics around that. It's the perfect example of smart goals Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. But what really stood out was his mindset. He talked about how, when you're chasing something huge, you have to focus on the process, not just the outcome. It's about showing up every day, hitting those micro goals and trusting that they'll lead you to the bigger picture. That's a lesson that applies to everything, whether it's business, sport or life. How do you approach setting those massive long-term goals in your own life. Well, I am obviously a big believer in goal setting. We've talked about goal setting a lot over the podcast and it's probably the most recurring theme that comes out of these elite endurance athletes. One of the most interesting conversations I've had, which actually was shaped by an interview with Sabrina Pace-Humphreys on the podcast, was how you can bring your tribe into your goal setting, and she called about the. She talked about the Fab Five, so, but what I'd like to know is, kind of across all the conversations, how important do you think community is in achieving the endurance goals and any goals for that matter and can you share the story where someone's tribe has made a huge difference in them achieving their goals, please? Community is absolutely massive when it comes to achieving big goals, whether that's in endurance, sports or life in general. Sabrina's idea of the Fab Five is such a brilliant way to frame it because it highlights how the people around you can either lift you up or hold you back.

Charlie Reading:

One story that really stands out for me is Tim Don's journey after his horrific bike crash that left him with a hangman fracture. He was in a neck brace for months, but his tribe, his family, his coach, his physios and his friends rallied around him. They didn't just support him physically, but emotionally too, reminding him of what he was capable of and keeping his spirits up when things got dark. Six months later, he ran the Boston Marathon in under three hours. That kind of comeback doesn't happen in isolation. What I've learned from all these conversations is that your tribe does more than just cheer you on. They hold you accountable, they inspire you and they remind you of your why. When you start to doubt yourself, it's like having a safety net and a springboard all in one, and in business it's the same. Surrounding yourself with the right people, whether it's a mastermind group, a coach or even just a few trusted colleagues, can make all the difference. Who, would you say, is in your Fab Five, and how have they shaped your journey?

Claire Fudge:

Oh, that's a great question. I would say it also depends on whether we're looking at business, whether we're looking at sport or whether we're looking at personal life. But I feel that community is really, really important and many athletes start out in different communities, maybe from where they end up being. And I want to ask you about niching, like niching into a sport or business and not niching too early, because we've had lots of guests who didn't start as endurance athletes at all. What have you noticed about the benefits of developing this range before finding a niche?

Charlie Reading:

That's such an interesting point, and I think the benefits of developing range before niching down are absolutely massive. A story that really highlights this is Laura Siddle's journey. She didn't start out as a triathlete at all. She came from a completely different background, working in engineering and dabbling in various sports before eventually finding her way into triathlon. What's fascinating is how those early experiences gave her this incredible toolkit of skills problem solving from her engineering days, resilience from other sports and even the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges. When she finally found her niche in triathlon, she was able to draw on all of that to excel. The same applies in business. If you niche too early, you risk missing out on the broader perspective and transferable skills that come from trying different things. It's's like building a foundation the wider and more solid it is, the higher you can build later, and honestly, I think this idea of range is becoming more and more relevant.

Charlie Reading:

In today's world. The most successful people aren't just specialists. They're what you might call specialized generalists. They've explored enough to bring unique perspectives to their niche. So the takeaway for me is this don't rush to pigeonhole yourself. Experiment, explore and embrace the variety. When you do find your niche, you'll bring so much more to the table.

Charlie Reading:

How do you think your own range of experiences has shaped where you are today? Um, I, I think actually it's really helped me understand the different. So I often think about this kind of concept called the talent tapestry, which is where you think about the fact that. So I've got this 25 plus year career in financial planning. I've got this entrepreneurial experience of both running multiple businesses, but also the coaching and the books I've read. I've also got the the wisdom of completing multiple Ironmans and ultramarathons and all that kind of stuff. So I think that this kind of range has brought this talent tapestry together. That helps me really kind of be different and be unique because of those combinations, and I think part of that has been brought out of me by the help of coaching. So coaches have really helped me understand what value I can bring and also helped me understand where I should go next. So what have guests taught you about the value of having a coach, whether that be in business coaching or in personal coaching, especially when it comes to pushing limits without breaking?

Charlie Reading:

Coaching has come up so often on the podcast and it's clear that the value of having a coach, whether in business, sport or life is absolutely transformative. What stands out to me is how a great coach doesn't just push you harder, they help you push smarter. They're there to guide, to challenge and to help you see things you might miss on your own. Take Matt Bottrill, for example. He's a phenomenal cycling coach and what he shared about his approach really stuck with me. He talked about how coaching isn't just about the technical side, like power numbers or training plans, but about understanding the person. He said you've got to work with different people in all these different aspects and that's where the magic happens. It's about tailoring the process to the individual, helping them unlock their potential in a way that's sustainable and aligned with their goals.

Charlie Reading:

And then there's the emotional side of coaching, which Tim Don's story highlights so well. After his accident, his coach wasn't just there to rebuild his fitness, but to help him rebuild his confidence. That's the thing about a great coach they're not just there for the highs, they're there to help you navigate the lows without breaking, to remind you of your why. When you're questioning everything In business, it's the same. A coach can help you step back and see the bigger picture, challenge your assumptions and hold you accountable to your goals. I've seen it in my own journey, and I know you've experienced this too, charlie, with how coaching has helped you weave together your talent tapestry. It's that outside perspective that can make all the difference. How do you think coaching has most impacted the way you approach challenges, whether in sport or business?

Claire Fudge:

I think coaching is really important and I think coaching in business definitely from an accountability point of view and I think you know coaching in sport also, and this is important in business and sport there needs to be the human elements, the emotional element, but also having some fun along the way, and I know my coach, in terms of sports, is always talking about fun and, from a business coaching perspective, Charlie is always talking about fun in business. So I want to ask you, when we're thinking about fun like endurance, sport is pretty serious, but it can also be fun what are the best lessons that you have heard about keeping it fun and like why does that matter? How important do you think this is in terms of having fun in business?

Charlie Reading:

Fun is such an underrated ingredient in both endurance, sports and business, isn't it? And yet it's absolutely vital. I mean, if you're not enjoying the process, what's the point? One of the best lessons I've heard about keeping it fun came from Will Clark on the podcast. One of the best lessons I've heard about keeping it fun came from Will Clark on the podcast. He talked about how, as a coach, he makes sure his athletes don't just grind away endlessly, but actually enjoy the journey. He mentioned things like Zwift meetups, where his athletes push each other, have a laugh and create this sense of camaraderie. It's not just about the training numbers. It's about the experience, the banter and the shared victories. That's what keeps people coming back for more, and in business it's no different. Fun creates energy, and energy drives creativity and resilience.

Charlie Reading:

I've always believed that when you're having fun, you're more likely to stick with something through the tough times. It's like Stacey Copeland said on the podcast coaching and leadership aren't just about the technical side. They're about creating an environment where people thrive emotionally and mentally. Fun is a big part of that. So why does it matter? Because fun keeps you motivated, it builds stronger connections with your team or your tribe and it reminds you why you started in the first place. Whether it's a cheeky post-race beer with your training buddies or a light-hearted team building exercise in the office, those moments of joy are what make the grind worthwhile. How do you keep fun alive in your own business or training? Uh well, I definitely like the idea of the post race beer with my mates, and as long as it involves pizza as well, then I'm well up for that. So I think that's great advice and and and I actually really remember that conversation, that with Will Clark, and and talking about keeping it fun and and he was a big advocate in his own training of of just you know, I'd rather do the thing with a mate, the training with a mate, even if it's not perfect, because I know I'll enjoy it and I'll know I'll get more out of it.

Charlie Reading:

So one of the things, one of the topics we've talked about a lot on the podcast, is this concept of the endurance mindset. So, based on all the interviews, what do you think you would define? How do you think you would define what the endurance mindset is and who do you think exemplifies it best? The endurance mindset to me is all about resilience, adaptability and a relentless focus on the bigger picture. It's that ability to embrace discomfort, to keep going when every fiber of your being is screaming at you to stop, and to find meaning in the struggle. It's not just about physical toughness, but mental fortitude, the kind that allows you to push through setbacks, adapt to challenges and stay committed to your goals, no matter what.

Charlie Reading:

Mark Beaumont's story is a perfect example of this. When he cycled around the world in 79 days, it wasn't just his physical preparation that got him through. It was his mindset. He talked about how he had to compartmentalize the enormity of the challenge, breaking it down into manageable chunks and focusing on the process rather than the outcome. He also highlighted the importance of humor and perspective, saying that the ability to smile even in the toughest moments was what kept him going. That's the endurance mindset in action finding strength in the struggle and joy in the journey. And it's not just about sport. This mindset applies to business relationships and life in general. It's about showing up consistently, learning from failures and staying adaptable in the face of change. What I've learned from all these incredible guests is that the endurance mindset isn't something you're born with. It's something you cultivate through experience, reflection and a willingness to embrace the hard miles. How do you think the endurance mindset has shaped your own journey, both in in sport and in business?

Claire Fudge:

Massively, I think, in terms of resilience, my endurance mindset for getting out there and getting something done, and that consistency. And that consistency comes into business. I'm really interested. You picked up there on the humor aspect and the journey, and that brings me on to culture. You know culture within a team, whether it be in business or in sport. What does a great team culture look like in endurance sport? Can you tell me a story of where culture has turned a team around, or perhaps an athlete season around?

Charlie Reading:

Culture is such a game changer, isn't it? Whether in sport or business, it's the glue that holds everything together when things get tough. A great team culture is built on trust, shared purpose and, honestly, a bit of fun. It's about creating an environment where people feel supported, motivated and inspired to give their best, not just for themselves, but for the team as a whole. One story that really stands out is from Sam Bewley's episode on the podcast. He talked about how humor and camaraderie within his cycling teams played a massive role in their success. As a lead out man, his job was to bring others to the top of their game, and he used humor as a tool to keep the team's spirits high, even during grueling races. That culture of positivity and connection didn't just make the hard miles bearable, it made them enjoyable. And that's the thing, isn't it? A strong culture doesn't just help you survive the tough times, it helps you thrive in them. Another example is from Tom Evans, the ultra runner with an army background. He shared how the discipline and planning he learned in the military translated into his racing. But what really stood out was how his team's culture of meticulous preparation and mutual respect gave him the edge. It wasn't just about individual performance. It was about everyone working together towards a common goal. In endurance sports, where the challenges are so intense, culture can be the difference between a team that crumbles under pressure and one that rises to the occasion, and in business it's no different. A great culture fosters resilience, innovation and, most importantly, a sense of belonging. How do you think the culture in your own teams, whether in sport or business, has shaped your successes? I think it has had a massive impact, particularly in business. So I remember the day where I, with my former financial planning business, I sat down with my team and we clearly documented what it meant to be a part of Efficient Portfolio, what our team culture was, and from that day on, it was like everyone walked around with slightly higher shoulders. They owned a piece of that business. That culture was a piece of them, and I think it was a game changer in our business, and I couldn't recommend it highly enough for other people to do that.

Charlie Reading:

I want to move now on to a topic that we constantly get asked about and we constantly talk about, and that is longevity in sport, particularly this concept of injury prevention, and we've had some amazing specialists from the world of running and from around the sport that have talked about how you can prevent getting injured. So what do you think are the key takeaways that you've you've picked up that can help people avoid injury and have longevity in sport? Longevity in sport, longevity in sport and injury prevention such a crucial topic, isn't it? And it's one that comes up time and time again because, let's face it, staying in the game is half the battle. From all the incredible guests we've had on the podcast, a few key takeaways really stand out.

Charlie Reading:

First, consistency beats intensity. Every time. This came up in conversations with athletes like Tom Evans, who emphasized the importance of building a strong base and not overloading your body too quickly. It's about playing the long game right. You can't just hammer it day in and day out without giving your body the time it needs to adapt and recover. Second, strength and conditioning are non-negotiable.

Charlie Reading:

Laura Penhall, who coached the Coxless crew to row across the Pacific, talked about how strength training was a cornerstone of their preparation. It wasn't just about building power, it was about creating resilience in their bodies to withstand the relentless demands of rowing for months on end. And this applies to runners, cyclists, triathletes, everyone. Strength work isn't just an add-on, it's a foundation. Third, listen to your body. This might sound obvious, but it's something so many people overlook.

Charlie Reading:

Michelle Dillon, the former Olympian turned coach, shared how learning to tune into her body's signals was a game changer. It's about knowing when to push and when to back off. Ignoring those little niggles can turn a minor issue into a season-ending injury. And finally, recovery is as important as training, sleep, nutrition, hydration and even mental recovery. They're all part of the equation. You can't expect to perform at your best if you're not giving your body the tools it needs to repair and rebuild. It's like trying to drive a car on an empty tank. So, to sum it up, it's about consistency, strength, awareness and recovery. Those are the pillars of longevity in sport. How do you currently approach injury prevention in your own training? Anything you'd add to the mix?

Claire Fudge:

Well, I'd certainly add in there about strength and conditioning. I think that's super important, especially when it comes to aging as well, because you know, let's face it none of us are getting any younger. So you've picked up on nutrition. Nutrition is really important for recovery, absolutely, but also, did you know it's actually important for thinking about preventing injury. So it's really important that you're having enough energy intake, particularly from carbohydrate, to actually help prevent injury. But of course, that comes with, you know, having really good habits around your nutrition as well.

Charlie Reading:

And that kind of nicely segues into this concept of measuring what matters, because you know you could measure how grateful you feel or how effectively you implement your morning routine. You can also measure stuff like your heart rate variability, or you could measure kind of stuff through mood journaling or all that sort of stuff. So what have guests taught us about measuring what actually matters in performance and life? Measuring what matters is such a powerful concept and it's something that's come up time and again on the podcast. What I've learned from our guests is that the key isn't just about tracking everything. It's about identifying the metrics that truly align with your goals and values. For example, heart rate variability, as you mentioned, is a brilliant tool for understanding recovery and stress levels. Athletes like Tom Evans have talked about how they use HRV to adjust their training load, ensuring they're pushing when their body is ready and pulling back when it's not. It's a way of listening to your body through data. But then there's the more subjective side of measurement, like mood journaling or gratitude tracking. Katie Zafira shared how she uses a simple checklist in her planner to track things like quality time with her husband, visualization exercises and even naps. It's not just about performance metrics, it's about measuring the things that enhance her life as aaps. It's not just about performance metrics it's about measuring the things that enhance her life as a whole. That's such a refreshing perspective, isn't it? It reminds us that success isn't just about how fast you run or how much you achieve. It's about how you feel along the way.

Charlie Reading:

And then there's the idea of habit tracking, which I've spoken about before. Benjamin Franklin's approach to tracking his 13 virtues is such a timeless example. He'd reflect daily on how he'd done with each habit, creating this cycle of constant improvement. It's a reminder that measuring what matters isn't just about the numbers. It's about reflection and using those insights to grow. So, whether it's HRV, mood journaling or even just ticking off your morning routine, the key is to focus on what truly moves the needle for you. What are the metrics that help you feel aligned, energized and on track? How do you currently measure what matters in your life?

Claire Fudge:

Well, I think certainly measuring thing, you know. One of the big questions is, you might be measuring something, but do you actually know what that data means, when you get it and what you're going to do with that data? So that's a big part of using data and making it matter, talking of using data and making some changes from that data. I want to talk about marginal gains, because we talk about marginal gains in business and sport. Can you share a story where there's been small tweaks, small changes made that have led to huge results?

Charlie Reading:

Oh, absolutely. Marginal gains are such a fascinating concept and they've been transformative in both sport and business. A story that really captures this is from Chris Cook, the double Olympian swimmer. He talked about how marginal gains only work if you've nailed the basics first. He said you've got to know your North Star, meaning you need a clear goal before you start shaving off those 1%. For him, it wasn't just about tweaking his stroke or his starts. It was about creating a system where every little improvement aligned with his ultimate goal of peak performance.

Charlie Reading:

Another brilliant example is Alan Hovda, the Norseman champion. He shared how he focused on aerodynamics in his training and racing. By making small adjustments to his bike position and equipment, he gained minutes over long distances. But it wasn't just about the gear. It was about testing, refining and understanding how those changes impacted his overall performance. Testing, refining and understanding how those changes impacted his overall performance. It's the perfect example of how small tweaks, when done with purpose, can lead to massive results. In business, it's the same principle. You might tweak your team's workflow, automate a repetitive task or even adjust how you communicate with clients. These aren't groundbreaking changes on their own, but together they create a system that's far more efficient and effective. The key is knowing what matters most and focusing your efforts there.

Charlie Reading:

How do you think you could apply the marginal gains approach to your own goals? I think that the way that I approach marginal gains to my own goals is to have a process to ensure that we as a team sit down regularly and look for different ways of improving what we do on a literally on a regular basis. So one month we might pick marketing. Next month we might pick what we do backstage. Next month we might pick what we do front stage. Next month we might pick costs. Each month we're looking at ways to find small gains in each of those areas, so that we're constantly making those little gains but those compound up to to huge results. And one of the ways I think that that that applies is through our learning, this constant learning. If we are constantly seeking out new ways to learn, then we we grow as individuals and what we become, both as part of our business and as our relationships and our life we become better, wiser, smarter, and I think that kind of we can sum that up that term up as the growth mindset, can't we? So what does a growth mindset mean to you, and who's the best example you've heard us talk to on the podcast that has a growth mindset. The growth mindset, to me, is all about believing in the power of improvement. It's the idea that your abilities, skills and even intelligence aren't fixed. They can be developed with effort, learning and persistence. It's about embracing challenges, seeing failures as opportunities to grow and constantly seeking ways to get better and, honestly, it's the foundation for everything we talk about on the podcast, whether it's endurance, sports, business or life.

Charlie Reading:

One of the best examples of a growth mindset from the podcast has to be Laura Siddle. She didn't come from a traditional triathlon background. She started later in life, after a career in engineering. But what's remarkable is how she approached every step of her journey with curiosity and a willingness to learn. She didn't let her lack of experience hold her back. Instead, she leaned into it, asking questions, seeking advice and constantly refining her approach. That mindset allowed her to go from a complete novice to a professional triathlete competing at the highest levels.

Charlie Reading:

What really stood out about Laura was her ability to focus on the process rather than just the outcome. She talked about how every race, every training session, even every mistake, was an opportunity to learn and improve. That's the essence of the growth mindset, isn't it? It's not about being perfect. It's about being better than you were yesterday, and this applies so beautifully to business as well. When you adopt a growth mindset, you're not afraid to try new strategies, take calculated risks or pivot when something isn't working. It's about seeing every challenge as a chance to innovate and grow. How do you think the growth mindset has influenced the way you approach challenges in your own life?

Claire Fudge:

I think continual learning has always been extremely important to me, certainly professionally and in my business, for me to grow my knowledge, but certainly within my own personal growth as well, and I think one big part of that is also growing and learning with people that are better than you and them being able to give you opportunities is amazing, and grabbing hold of those opportunities, but it's also about contribution. It's about being able to also be able to give back to those people that have helped you to grow. Which guest has best embodied the idea that endurance sport isn't just about your own personal best or winning, but it's actually about giving back to the sport?

Charlie Reading:

Louise Minchin is a fantastic example of someone who embodies the idea of giving back to the sport. When she was on the podcast, she shared how she uses her platform to inspire others to take on challenges they never thought possible. She talked about her work with beginners in triathlon like helping people who had never done a triathlon before to cross the finish line for the first time. It wasn't just about her own achievements. It was about creating a ripple effect, encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones and discover what they're capable of. What stood out to me was how she made it clear that her joy came not just from her own races, but from seeing others succeed. That's the essence of giving back, isn't it? It's about using your experience, your platform and your passion to lift others up, and in doing so, you create a legacy that's bigger than any personal best or podium finish. How do you see yourself giving back, whether in sport, business or life? I see myself giving back in many ways, and actually this podcast is one of the ways I see giving back. I think what we're doing here is creating such a great opportunity for people to learn and, you know, ultimately, the guests that we have on the podcast are giving back to people that that listen to the business of endurance and giving back to their fans, their community, and sharing the wisdom that they've learned over a lifetime, and I think that's I think that's the beauty of this sort of platform is it is a way to help other people succeed and learn from the lessons and learn from the failures that that you've made to save to fast track them to success. But I think what you've I think the example you gave of louise mentioned is is brilliant in terms of the resilience that she showed to kind of come to the sport later on and, you know, ultimately succeed despite the challenges and and the difficulty she found, particularly in the early days of triathlon. So I think the final question I'd like to ask you is across all of those episodes and amazing people and amazing stories, what do you think is the most powerful story of resilience you've heard on the Business of Endurance podcast?

Charlie Reading:

The most powerful story of resilience from the Business of Endurance podcast has to be Joey Evans' journey from paralysis to completing the Dakar Rally. Joey's story is just extraordinary. After a devastating accident left him paralyzed from the chest down, doctors told him he'd never walk again, let alone ride a motorbike, but Joey refused to accept that as his reality. He spent years rebuilding his strength, learning to walk and eventually getting back on a bike, and then, against all odds, he set his sights on the Dakar Rally, one of the toughest endurance events in the world. What makes Joey's story so powerful isn't just the physical resilience it took to recover and train for Dakar. It's the mental grit, the sheer determination to keep going despite setback after setback. The sheer determination to keep going despite setback after setback. He talked about how he had to break the journey down into tiny, manageable steps, literally at first when he was learning to walk again, and later when he was tackling the grueling stages of the rally. His mantra was simple just keep moving forward. But what really struck me was Joey's perspective on his journey. He said that the accident, as devastating as it was, gave him a new appreciation for life and a deeper sense of purpose. He used his experience to inspire others, showing them that, no matter how impossible something seems, with resilience and determination you can achieve incredible things. Joey's story is a reminder that resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about transforming adversity into opportunity and using those hard-earned lessons to create something meaningful. How has resilience shaped your own journey. Charlie, do you see parallels between Joey's story and your own experiences? I do. I mean, let's be honest, I didn't have to deal with the difficulty that Joey had to deal with and I think there will be no doubt that that is a brilliant example of a guest to pick out, and what Joey went through and the resilience he showed was far, far greater than I ever had to worry.

Charlie Reading:

We ask every guest to recommend a book that has helped them on their journey or they find themselves recommending to others. With all of those guests and lots of like, literally most guests recommend more than two or three books. What is the single book that gets recommended the most across all of those guests that our listeners should make? Definitely put right to the top of their reading list.

Charlie Reading:

The book that comes up time and time again across so many episodes is Endurance by Alfred Lansing. It's the story of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition and it's just an incredible tale of resilience, leadership and survival against all odds. Joey Evans, for example, specifically mentioned it as a book that deeply resonated with him during his own journey of recovery and pushing through adversity. What makes Endurance so powerful is that it's not just about surviving. It's about thriving in the face of unimaginable challenges. Shackleton's ability to keep his crew alive and motivated despite being stranded in one of the harshest environments on earth is a masterclass in leadership and mindset. It's the kind of book that leaves you thinking if they could do that, what's stopping me from tackling my own challenges? I'd say it's a must Read for anyone looking to build resilience, whether in sport, business or life. Have you read it, or is it one you'd consider diving into?

Claire Fudge:

Do you know what? I haven't read it. It's now on my list, my long list, charlie, from Charlie Redding's massive list of books. It's definitely one to add, so I will be reading that. So Richard Oakes actually asks you this what one daily habit would you recommend to listeners to improve their performance, and why?

Charlie Reading:

The single daily habit I'd recommend is starting your day with a morning routine that combines movement, mindfulness and growth. It's a game changer. Whether it's a short run, yoga or even just a brisk walk, getting your body moving first thing sets the tone for the day. Pair that with a moment of mindfulness, like journaling or meditation, to clear your head and focus your intentions, and then add something that fuels your growth, like reading or listening to a podcast. This trifecta of movement, mindfulness and growth creates momentum, sharpens your focus and primes you to tackle whatever comes your way. It's not just about improving performance. It's about building a foundation for a fulfilling and productive day. How do you currently start your mornings? Anything you'd tweak or add. I do exactly what you just said, and I think that that's brilliant. And so, to finish off this episode, we would like to ask I'd like to ask you for a question for us to ask the next guest on the Business of Endurance podcast. So what question should we ask the next guest of the Business of Endurance? How about this for a question what's the single most important lesson you've learned from failure and how has it shaped the way you approach challenges today? It's a question that really digs into resilience and growth, which are such core themes of endurance, both in sport and in life. What do you think?

Charlie Reading:

I think that's a great question, and I'd like to thank you, ai Charlie, for bringing out so much wisdom from all the episodes that we have done. It's been fascinating chatting to you and you've reminded me of some parts of the podcast that I'd forgotten about, so I think it was really interesting chatting to you. Thank you very much. Thank you so much, charlie. Honestly, it's been an absolute pleasure to dive into all these incredible stories and lessons with you. The Business of Endurance podcast is such a treasure trove of wisdom and it's brilliant to see how much impact it's having on listeners and guests alike. I'm glad I could help bring some of those forgotten moments back to the forefront. Keep doing what you're doing. It's inspiring and I know it's making a real difference. Cheers, mate. So what did you make of that conversation with AI Charlie?

Claire Fudge:

I was like speaking to you, Charlie.

Charlie Reading:

With a slight Aussie twang occasion A bit posher than me as well.

Claire Fudge:

A little bit and also didn't know how to ask us a question very well, but other other than that, I wasn't sure whether he was answering or asking by the end of it. Do you know why? What I loved about it is the fact that he could it, he whatever could pick out really quickly some of those defining movement moments. You know whether we're talking about the top things that he pulled out from resilience and then you know whether it's about coaching, about using data. The speed, the speed of being able to dig into that data and pick it out I thought was amazing.

Charlie Reading:

I think you're right, and not only that, but the intelligence of it to link, like it didn't just go, like some of the questions it would use like two different examples, like it would start on Mark Beaumont and then segue into Laura Siddall. I can't remember exactly how it did. I was like that's really impressive, that it's, isn't it? I mean, isn't it a brilliant tool? And, by the way, for any listeners I'll put the link in the show notes to AI Charlie. He's got all the information from all the episodes.

Charlie Reading:

If you've got a specific question you want to ask, you want to have a conversation like that, it's freely available for you to chat to and interrogate and understand how you can learn from the content of the business of endurance. And I think what I would also say is he, it, ai Charlie pointed out some episodes that I wouldn't necessarily, I hadn't associated necessarily, like with, say, for example, tom Evans and trusting the process. That was interesting. Actually, it made links that I hadn't already made, so it kind of helped me clarify my thinking. Um, what do you, how do you think it did on the nutrition piece?

Claire Fudge:

I think it brought out. It did bring out a little bit and actually I was going to say to it about um, about nutrition when we're talking about injury, but it actually did pick. It did pick that up. So I thought I thought it did pretty well because essentially it's gathering it from the information that you've put in there and what we've had, you know, on the podcast um. So it was interesting how it was able to kind of summarize that as well. So, yeah, I, I thought I thought it was, I thought it was really good. I liked his book recommendation. I mean, yes, it was, and it's not a book I've actually read.

Charlie Reading:

So I I do need to, I do need to get that to the top of my reading list. Yeah, and I think there was. Yeah, I just was really impressed. I like you, I was really impressed with the speed but the but the but the segues into the different topics I actually liked. I mean, it is designed to ask questions, so that's why I asked a question at the end. Yeah, because ultimately, it's designed to help people get results out of that topic. So, yes, it'll tell you a story or a fact or a system or a tool or whatever, but then it'll ask you a question so that you're interacting with it, and that's that's specifically how it's. It's designed so. It's not designed to to be the guest on a podcast. It's designed so it's not designed to be the guest on a podcast, it's just designed to have a conversation, and I suppose that's the best way of doing it. But I think it's.

Charlie Reading:

I think what's really impressive and really powerful is this ability to help us learn better. So in an hour we got a great reminder of some of the incredible episodes that we've done. Know, matt botterill, that was referenced was about episode four, I think, of 150. I'd forgotten a lot about. You know, I've got some, some interesting takeaways from that episode, but that they weren't the takeaways that that ai charlie picked out, because of course, that was four years ago now, and so I think it's really powerful in terms of helping us learn better and quicker so it's really interesting to have somebody else, something else, do it as well.

Charlie Reading:

But isn't it really powerful also to pick, for it to be able to go so like? I wasn't expecting it to say the shackackleton book, but clearly more than one person has recommended the Shackleton book, but so to be able to go okay. Well, there's 150 episodes, each running somewhere between 40 minutes and 90 minutes. Within that there's a whole load of book recommendations. This is the one that comes out most, that's really amazing, isn't it?

Charlie Reading:

And I've no idea whether I can. I can't verify. I actually do remember that being said at least twice, so it probably is right, but I've no way of checking without going back and doing a whole lot of research. But yeah, I thought it was brilliant and I got some interesting takeaways from it. But I hope listeners got a. If you're fairly new to the business of endurance podcast, I hope what you got was a idea of going back and listening to some of the older episodes. Like Matt Bottrill, like Kerry Sutton, like Laura Siddle, go back because there's huge value in those conversations. You know they really were brilliant conversations. So I think it's it's really valuable to go back and and start consuming some of those older episodes.

Claire Fudge:

It's fun to like. I mean it's always fun to do it was absolutely well, I hope for everyone at home.

Charlie Reading:

That taught you something new about the business of endurance podcast, or nothing, if nothing else. It taught you that having a conversation with an ai bot is definitely viable and yeah, and, and, like I said, we'll put the link in the show notes. So if you want to chat to ai charlie about the business of endurance podcast or about the trusted team and how you can grow your business while working less, please go have a chat and enjoy and keep on training you.