The Triathlon Brick Session

Sarah Ruggins and the Ride of a Lifetime

This week on The Brick Session, Caroline and I sit down with Dr Sarah Ruggins, the ultra-endurance cyclist behind the extraordinary One Way North world record. In June 2026, Sarah rode from Tarifa at the southern tip of Spain to Nordkapp inside the...

JOE GETS BANNED -THE GRAVEL SHIT SHOW - ICELAND DIVIDE

This week on The Brick Session, Caroline and Mark get stuck into a lot. They start with the British Gravel Championships, looking at the event, the racing and, perhaps more importantly, the direction gravel racing in Britain is heading. With...

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Challenge Roth Review - World Record holders with Matt Downie & Caroline Livesey

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...

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Breaking the North Coast 500 World Record - Caroline Livesey's Historic Ride (part 1)

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...

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Why Women Beat Men in Ultra-Endurance Racing

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...

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From Special Forces to Performance Psychology with Simon Jeffries

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...

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Why I Doped - Collin Chartier’s Story

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...

If it's not nailed down - the PTO will buy it?

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...

The Quiet Courage Behind EZ Gains - Clint Butcher

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...

Sand, Suffering & Smiles: Gary Howells on His Favourite Ultra Yet

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...

Who Really Gets Paid? Pro Triathlon Money, Draft Zones & the NC500 Record Bid

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...

Stephen Derrett Patagonman Champion 2025

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...

T100 "cake and arse party" in Dubai, to Himalayan Highs

In true Brick Session fashion, Mark doesn’t hold back as he unloads on what he famously calls the T100 “cake and arse party” in Dubai — and yes, there may be a bit of swearing, so consider yourself warned. As always, Caroline brings a more balanced...

From World Champs, UCI Gravel Victory to the Himalayas

This week’s episode is packed with racing, travel, and adventure!  Mark and Caroline dive into the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships — the first time this event lands in Europe, hosted in Marbella, Spain. They break down the course specifics, including...

Gravel Worlds, Kona insights and Spanish Bike Packing Adventures

Welcome back to The Brick Session with Mark and Caroline Livesey. In this episode, we dive into a stacked week of endurance sport. Caroline takes us inside her incredible race at the Gravel World Championships, where—at 46 years old—she lined up in...

Nice or Kona? Ironman Worlds on the Riviera & Gravel Grit in Dalby

In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into a packed weekend of racing news, starting with the Ironman World Championships in Nice. With the legendary Kona course giving way to the French Riviera this year, the event sparked...

“Fair Races, Steep Climbs & Sticky Excuses”

In this episode, Mark is joined by his wife, elite gravel racer and former elite triathlete Caroline Livesey, for a jam-packed chat. They tackle why female gravel racers deserve a fair race, unpack the recent TriDot–Ironman coaching split, and debate...

Inside the draft zone with Jame Elvery

In this episode, I sit down with James Elvery, the creator of RaceRanger, to explore how his groundbreaking real-time drafting detection system is changing the face of triathlon. We unpack the landmark decision by Challenge Roth to publish...

Is Fraser Cartmell the saviour for IM commentary?

The latest episode of The Brick Session welcomes a voice familiar to many triathlon fans and a name etched into the sport’s UK legacy: Fraser Cartmell—former elite triathlete, Ironman UK champion, and now possible the saviour for Ironman commentary. ...

Gravel Adventures, World Champs Shake-Ups & A Lucky Winner!

In today’s episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline Livesey return to the mic to break down the big updates shaking up the triathlon world. They dive into the recent changes to the 70.3 and Kona World Championship qualification systems, sharing...