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Welcome to series 2 of the IA Programme. The aim of this podcast is to continue to bring you guests that are seeing great success in their chosen fields to peer behind the highlight reel of social media.  To learn about their trials and tribulations and lessons that they have learnt along the way, hopefully giving you some motivation, inspiration and an insight into how you too, can achieve your own version of greatness.  Today, we kick of series 2 with non other than an absolute beast of an athlete - Jack Fleckney. Jack is a former London Wasps rugby union player, a former Royal Marine Commando and the current 24 hour Ski Erg World Record holder. Jacks life has been built around taking on challenges. From learning/speech difficulties at school to building a gym franchise over 5 years across 4 locations, Jack is currently training for an incredible adventure next year that I’ll wait for him to announce in the podcast but also the 24 hour Chin Ups World Record attempt, whilst raising money to build a school for the disadvantaged. Jack’s story is of an adventurer seeking challenge in the most adverse circumstances.  We delve into all sorts from his time in the military, post marine life, lessons learnt in business, the art of fulfilment (and in most cases, not finding it) and what drives him to push himself to the edge of his limits.  Please, as always, get in touch, leave us reviews, share with your friends and family, it all helps in spreading the good word and broadening our reach to have as much impact to enable as many of you as possible to find your own Inner Athlete. 

In episode 10 we speak with Adam Bishop, Britain's Strongest Man and Worlds Strongest Man finalist. We discuss a whole range of things from playing the long game, constant improvement and focusing on what you can control. We look at his journey from rugby to strongman alongside a career in Strength and Conditioning.As always, great to chat to Bish who's always so open about his approach, thoughts and his career. Remember to like, share on subscribe and let us know your feedback! 

Today we have the pleasure of the King of the Cavemen - Marcus Charman. Marcus has a fascinating story from playing football and cricket to a high level to being a brand designer and consultant to now owning and running a hugely popular and successful supplement, clothing and kit company.  In today's show, we delve into this idea of the difference between need and want, some of the things he has overcome and the lessons that he’s learnt that have shaped his ruthless focus on helping others, being the best version of himself and paying it forwards.  As always, let us know your thoughts and feedback and you can follow Marcus on @teamaffinity 

Nick Schonert joined Warriors from Super Rugby side the Cheetahs in the summer of 2014. Having established himself as a first-team regular from the outset, the tighthead prop made over 100 appearances for Warriors in the Premiership. Sharkey has quickly established a reputation as one of the best scrummagers in the top flight and has regularly been on the cusp of England selection. He played for an England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham and included and in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. In today's call, we discuss a huge amount of things from his own journey from South Africa to wearing the Red Rose of England and hear his view on hard work, time, commitment and facing up to the work needed to progress and improve.  Absolutely loved having a chat with the big man and I feel a front-row rugby podcast in the making, without any further wait, here, is Nick Schonert

Taren is the number 1 rated YouTuber in the field of triathlon and also the number 1 rated podcast focussing on people's first steps into the sport.  In this episode, we cover his own athletic journey from competitive curling to triathlon alongside his transition from a “normal 9-5” in the world of finance to self-employment and becoming an authority in the world of triathlon.  Instagram: @triathlontarenYouTube: CLICK HEREPodcast: CLICK HERE

Welcome to episode 6 with Jenz Robinson aka Coach Jenz. Today Jenz shares his story from chasing a career as a professional rugby player, changing careers to become a coach, opening his own gym, deciding that’s not what he wanted and completely transforming himself again and now is part of the world-leading PFCA with a mission to improve and raise the standards of coaching as an industry.  From sitting in a toilet cubicle and praying for divine intervention to get his first client to completely reinventing himself Jenz shares some incredibly powerful life lessons that will make you question how you define yourself and how we can find fulfillment in what we do.  Make sure you leave us your feedback and let us know what you think. Here’s Coach Jenz.

In this episode, we share the story of Ethan Waller - The Worcester Warriors loosehead prop who rose to prominence in the Northampton Academy before going on to make 53 Premiership appearances and 21 European Champions Cup appearances during his time at Franklin's Gardens. Ethan, or more commonly known as Beef to his teammates, made his Northampton first-team debut against Harlequins in November 2012 and became a regular in the first-team matchday squad during the double league and cup-winning campaign of 2013/14 - a season which also saw him win the club's Young Player of the Season award. We cover his entry into pro rugby but taking an opportunity presented to him, his work ethic that took him to a professional contract and now alongside playing commitments running a successful Pizza company and podcast devoted to food. Follow his journey through @ethanwaller @needforfeed_pod or @sliceslicebabyuk

In Ep4 we speak with Chloe, currently England's Strongest Woman and 4th in the World at the Arnold's Championships. We cover topics ranging from how she got into Strongwoman, her first competition, taking a deadlift to 210kgs at under 63kgs bodyweight along with egos, steroids, external criticism and her journey in lifting the world-famous Dinnie Stones.

Episode 3 with Joshua T. Stevens of Estes Park, Colorado Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) United States Army & Professional Mountain, Ultra and Trail Runner whose awards & decorations include the Purple Heart and Two Bronze Stars; 2019 Badwater Ultra Cup Champion Joshua, a U.S. Army Ranger served in a variety of Infantry Units and Army Special Operations Forces to include the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. He served numerous combat deployments in over two decades of service. Directly exposed to numerous roadside bombs during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom which required two spinal surgeries. Informed by the lead neurosurgeon that conducted his operation in 2011 that he would not run again he then developed substance abuse disorder of opioids following six years of a heavy pain management program which allowed him to continue to deploy with his unit. Yet he later then went on to run his first 50k distance on the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest on his 44th Birthday three years after he was informed he'd not run again. This incredible human signed his first professional contract at age 45 and went on to achieve yet more staggering efforts: In 2017: Ran 121.3 miles in 24 hours on a treadmill at 5,300 feet above sea level at Boulder Running Company to raise money and awareness for Herren Project. In 2020: Ran 100 miles in 22 hours 07 minutes and 07 seconds around Lake Estes, Estes Park, Colorado at an average elevation of 7,522 feet above sea level with over 4,700 feet in cumulative vertical gain to raise funding and awareness for the Red Bull Non Profit Wings for Life. Executed this in conjunction with pro climber Quinn Brett who fell over 100 feet while she was climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Has numerous top 10 and podium finishes in some of the most exclusive ultra marathons in North America to include winning the Bear Chase 100k in 2016, first male Badwater Cape Fear (2019) and completing "the double" Badwater 135 and Leadville 100 Trail Run within 30-days of each other in 2020.To find out more about the Wings For Life foundation please visit here: https://www.wingsforlife.com

In 2001 Vicky took on a festival in debt and struggling to survive. After remortgaging her house and putting everything on the line - a few years later Bloodstock Open Air is now the largest UK Metal Festival with 20,000 attendees over 4 days, 4 stages and 125 bands. Join us to hear about the journey she went through, her thoughts on body image, females in the music industry, supportive partners and making time for yourself. To follow more of Vicky's story you can follow her on Instagram @bloodstockbabeTo follow more of John's journey you can follow him on Instagram @thebendingbarbell

We chat to Ollie Marchon. Former professional rugby player, international 7's player, fitness model, owner of the world-renowned Marchon Athletic and one of the greatest work ethics you are ever likely to see. To follow more of OM's journey you can follow him on Instagram at @olliemarchonTo follow more of the host John Clark, you can follow him on Instagram at @thebendingbarbell