Health Oddity Podcast

The show that strips away the jargon and hype surrounding all things health and fitness to help you live a long, strong and energetic life.

#240 Defying Expectations with Pete Linnett 04/03/2025

#240 Defying Expectations with Pete Linnett “I’m sorry Mr & Mrs Linnett. Your son has spina bifida. He’ll never be able to walk, or father children or live a normal life.” This is what Pete Linnett’s parents were told by the doctor shortly after his birth. On this episode we talk about taking the ‘dis’ out of disability & living life to its fullest, defying expectations & breaking records along the way. Pete is a 4 x World Bench Champion, 4 x Worlds Strongest Disabled Man, has travelled the world competing & is a hard working family man. This is his inspiring & fascinating story (so far). /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35995525

#239 Stronger Women Academy with Jemma Wesson 03/27/2025

#239 Stronger Women Academy with Jemma Wesson We are joined by returning guest Jemma Wesson from Stronger Women Academy (formerly The Unit) in Teeside. We last talked to Jemma back on episode 92, nearly 3 years ago about Bodybuilding, CrossFit & Functional Strength. On this episode we discuss empowering women over 40 through strength training, community & education. We talk about the different dynamics of training women vs men & how many outdated views & fears around strength training still exist within the general population. We learn what Jemma is doing to address this & make strength training something that women of all ages, sizes & backgrounds can engage in & benefit from. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35891900

#238 Standards, Bumpers & Using Friction to Your Advantage. 03/20/2025

#238 Standards, Bumpers & Using Friction to Your Advantage. Pete & James have a reflective episode discussing Oli Mell’s recent Kettlebell Sport Workshop at Unique Results (& being featured in Men’s Health magazine) & the concepts of setting STANDARDS rather than goals, having BUMPERS rather than rigid requirements & how you can consciously use FRICTION to make behaviours you want to promote easier & those you want to avoid more awkward. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35794885

#237 The Dark Horse - Paddy Haynes 03/13/2025

#237 The Dark Horse - Paddy Haynes We are joined by first time guest, The Dark Horse; Paddy Haynes part of the new wave of Strongman athletes breaking through onto the world stage from the UK. Paddy is an Athlete & Performance Coach & the owner of Haynes Strength. He grew up (& still lives) on a farm in Oxfordshire & discusses how the work ethic & required manual work forged strength & resilience from a young age. We talk about athleticism, grip strength, a love of odd objects, his recent star turn at Britains Strongest Man, his upcoming debut at Europes Strongest Man & his aspirations to reach Worlds Strongest Man on the most prestigious stage of all. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35678185

#236 Skiing, Walking & Lifting 03/06/2025

#236 Skiing, Walking & Lifting Pete & James catch up for the first time in 2025 after a 9 week run of guests. They cover James’ revelation that getting heavier & stronger doesn’t necessarily transfer to an optimal snowboarding experience. Pete’s recent group talk on why ‘Walking Solves’, upcoming UK workshops with Pavel Macek & Chloe Brennan & what they’ve both learned so far from guests in 2025. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35564840

#235 Pavel Macek (Part 2) 02/27/2025

#235 Pavel Macek (Part 2) We are joined from Prague by first time guest Pavel Macek for this special double episode. Pavel is a Strongfirst Master Certified Instructor, a lifelong Martial Artist, Coach, Author, Strength Historian & cat lover. We cover much ground (hence the double episode). Strength, resilience, psychology, meditation, stoicism, philosophy, morning routines & productivity. We also discuss Pavel’s upcoming ‘Enter the Dumbbell’ workshop in the UK. A fascinating conversation with a calm, clear & inquisitive man on a journey to improve himself & others. This is Part 2 of 2. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35470035

#234 Pavel Macek (Part 1) 02/20/2025

#234 Pavel Macek (Part 1) We are joined from Prague by first time guest Pavel Macek for this special double episode. Pavel is a Strongfirst Master Certified Instructor, a lifelong Martial Artist, Coach, Author, Strength Historian & cat lover. We cover much ground (hence the double episode). Strength, resilience, psychology, meditation, stoicism, philosophy, morning routines & productivity. We also discuss Pavel’s upcoming ‘Enter the Dumbbell’ workshop in the UK. A fascinating conversation with a calm, clear & inquisitive man on a journey to improve himself & others. This is Part 1 of 2. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35367425

#233 Holistic Strength with Chloe Brennan 02/13/2025

#233 Holistic Strength with Chloe Brennan We are joined this week by first time guest & possibly the STRONGEST person pound for pound we’ve ever had on the show, Chloe Brennan. Chloe is the Founder & Coach @holisticstrengthcoaching she is World & European Strongwoman Champion in the Under 73kg class, she is a Strongman commentator & one of only a handful of women worldwide to lift the famous Dinnie Stones in Scotland. We discuss Chloe’s athletic life growing up, her transition to strength sports, her love of personal development & the ‘mindset of strength’ & spreading the benefit of being strong (mentally & physically) to EVERYONE. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35276000

#232 Order, Chaos & Balance with Sean Cole 02/06/2025

#232 Order, Chaos & Balance with Sean Cole We are joined by Sean Cole; former Physical Trainer in the Royal Navy, owner of SC Vital Fitness & Co-Director of Balance Wellness Club (both in Portsmouth, UK) & mentor to Gym Owners & Personal Trainers. We discuss Sean’s time in the Navy & his transition back into civilian life. His journey as a business owner & his own health & fitness path. We also talk about alcohol, the physical & emotional impact of it & how through a combination of sobriety, contrast therapy & breath-work Sean is truly living an authentic life in his 50s. An honest & thought provoking conversation. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35181555

#231 Training for Performance in your 40s with Laura Shanks 01/30/2025

#231 Training for Performance in your 40s with Laura Shanks We are joined by Laura Shanks, career woman, mother of 2 & a rapidly improving & rising HYROX athlete. Laura talks about her early experiences of exercise & training & the overriding focus on weight loss, weight control & staying slim. In her mid 40s Laura is now a HYROX athlete who podiums at events & is chasing her first race win. We discus discipline, scheduling training, a performance mindset, eating to fuel an athletes lifestyle & the balance of sacrifice & reward when chasing performance goals - as a regular person vs a full time athlete. An interesting, insightful & inspiring conversation that we can all take something from. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/35084680

#230 Wim Hof Training in Poland with Nick Rainbird 01/23/2025

#230 Wim Hof Training in Poland with Nick Rainbird We are joined by Nick Rainbird, who we last spoke to on Episode 195 entitled - The Healing Power of Nature. Nick has recently taken his love of the great outdoors, nature & wellness to the next level & completed his Wim Hof Instructor training in Poland & joins us to discuss the 3 Pillars of the Wim Hof system, embracing the cold & things that take us out of our modern state of constant comfort. An inspiring & relevant conversation with a man who preaches what he practises & is bucking the trend of modern society & the path many are unconsciously drifting down /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34984905

#229 Perpetual Strength with Paul Mcllroy (Part 2) 01/16/2025

#229 Perpetual Strength with Paul Mcllroy (Part 2) We take a deep dive with returning guest Paul Mcllroy into his new book - Perpetual Strength: How to keep getting stronger year in, year out - using the art & science of comfort zone expansion. We discuss the theory & philosophy behind Paul’s approach as well as the application, programmes & exercises selected. This is Part 2 of 2. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34884315

#228 Perpetual Strength with Paul Mcllroy (Part 1) 01/09/2025

#228 Perpetual Strength with Paul Mcllroy (Part 1) We take a deep dive with returning guest Paul Mcllroy into his new book - Perpetual Strength: How to keep getting stronger year in, year out - using the art & science of comfort zone expansion. We discuss the theory & philosophy behind Paul’s approach as well as the application, programmes & exercises selected. This is Part 1 of 2. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34792140

#227 Strong Spine, Active Life with Dr Ryan Wohlfert 01/02/2025

#227 Strong Spine, Active Life with Dr Ryan Wohlfert We are joined from Michigan USA by Ryan Wohlfert - Health & Wellness Dr & Dr of Chiropratic. This is a great discussion to kick off 2025 as it is about a topic that the majority of adults will need to address at some stage in their life - back pain & spinal health. Dr Ryan offers an empowering approach to personal responsibility & lifestyle modification & far from talking about ‘back cracking’ & ‘manipulations’ shares his teachings on posture, strength training, nutrition, hydration & daily spinal hygiene (think daily oral health - but for your back). This was a fun & informative conversation & Dr Ryan will definitely be returning to the show in the future. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34700865

#226 Christmas Special 2024 (Part 2) 12/27/2024

#226 Christmas Special 2024 (Part 2) Pete & James don their Christmas attire once again (& zoom backdrops) for the second of a two part festive special to close out 2024 - this time they’re turning the Christmas Cheer up to 11! They preview upcoming guests, discuss James’ recent trip to Iceland along with such varied topics as strength training, monkey bars, Marcus Aurelius (inspired by Gladiator 2), Perpetual Strength, Walking & how to solve a Rubik’s Cube with one hand WHILST doing pistol squats - a podcast first anywhere in the World! /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34534790

#225 Christmas Special 2024 (Part 1) 12/19/2024

#225 Christmas Special 2024 (Part 1) Pete & James don their Christmas attire (& zoom backdrops) for the first of a two part festive special to close out 2024. They discuss their own training as they head into Christmas. Pete’s new Walk Bath / Walking Solves App the recent release of Paul Mcllroy’s new book ‘Perpetual Strength’ & James’ upcoming trip to Iceland to watch the Magnus Classic Strongman Competition. T hey also talk about what they’ve learned from recent guests & their individual focus for 2025. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34534640

#224 Becoming Sitting Bull UK with David Walsh 12/12/2024

#224 Becoming Sitting Bull UK with David Walsh We talk to the highly inspirational & incredibly strong David Walsh AKA Sitting Bull UK. The Worlds Strongest Adaptive Athlete 2022/2023, & Britains Strongest Disabled Man 2021, 2023 & 2024. David started competing in Strongman in 2012 & was diagnosed with MS (Multiple sclerosis) in 2014. We discuss pulling trucks, deadlifting 600+kg & the mental journey he has been on since his diagnosis - this is a candid, honest & powerful account of coming to terms with disability & rebuilding a very different life. David also shares how his relationship with his coach ‘Big Loz’ has helped him both physically & mentally in this incredibly tough sport & life as well. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34417285

#223 Protein, Sleep, Alcohol & other considerations for Menopause with Helen Hall 12/05/2024

#223 Protein, Sleep, Alcohol & other considerations for Menopause with Helen Hall We are joined by returning guest Helen Hall, who was last with us on Episode 66 (a full 3 years ago). Helen (now 53) updates us on her latest thinking, training, eating & lifestyle modifications around dealing with the menopause. She offers simple, relatable & easily applicable advice based on her own experience & through coaching many women in their 40s & 50s. Helen also talks about her own journey with HRT & highlights the responsibility of the individual to do all they can via lifestyle to complement any medical prescription leading to a truly holistic approach to healthy ageing (which is just as applicable to men as it is for women). /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34306685

#222 Use It or Lose It with Peter & James 11/28/2024

#222 Use It or Lose It with Peter & James For the first time in 6 weeks Peter & James catch up with each other following another run of great guests. They discuss Paul Mcllroy’s new book; Perpetual Strength, the upcoming STONES 2 documentary from Maximum Iron, the development of Walk Bath & the qualities we all tend to lose as we age (if we don’t make a concerted effort to retain them) - monkey bars/hanging, sprinting, jumping & hill walking. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34195995

#221 - Cruising Your Way to Fitness with Daniel Vintila 11/21/2024

#221 - Cruising Your Way to Fitness with Daniel Vintila We are joined by our first ever Romanian guest, Daniel Vintila. Daniel spent 10 years working as a croupier in Casinos onboard luxury cruise ships & in his time has pursued strength & fitness in many forms; Spartan racing, calisthenics, bodybuilding, kettlebells & most recently competing in both Powerlifting & Strongman. Daniel is a Strongfirst Elite Instructor & trains exclusively at home in his well equipped garage gym. We discuss finding your way in fitness, training around long shifts & onboard big ships & the importance of competition to focus the mind & training programme. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/34097786

#220 Highland Wolf Strength with John Gibb 11/14/2024

#220 Highland Wolf Strength with John Gibb We are joined LIVE from Aberdeen, Scotland by the Highland Wolf - John Gibb. John is a Scottish Stonelifter & Strongman & the day before recording this episode he was crowned Britain’s Strongest Stonelifter 2024! J ohn was the 157th lifter (& walker) of the historic Dinnie Stones & was also featured in the recent documentary ‘STONES’ from Maximum Iron. We discuss training, eating, grip strength, sandbags, atlas stones & even get a tour round his awesome ‘shed of strength’. This is a great conversation with a man who is forging world class strength using rugged & historic methods & has the bruises & trophies to prove it! /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33935697

#219 Weight Loss Surgery 5th Anniversary with Steve Bush 11/07/2024

#219 Weight Loss Surgery 5th Anniversary with Steve Bush We are joined by returning guest Steve Bush, who was last with us on Episode 127 (Why Weight Loss Surgery Fails for the Majority of People). That was nearly 2 years ago so we thought it was about time to check in with Steve again. The release of this episode coincides with the 5th Anniversary of Steve’s gastric sleeve surgery & Steve updates us on his latest thinking, recent physical achievements & plans for the future. This is an honest, open & inspiring conversation with a man who was given a second chance at life & how he is choosing to live it. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33839397

#218 A lifetime of sport with Sue Collins 10/31/2024

#218 A lifetime of sport with Sue Collins We are joined by Sue Collins (formerly Mapstone) as she reflects on a lifetime of sport & how an ever evolving love of sport, activity & movement have developed through the decades as commitments, circumstances & challenges arose. Sue represented England at the 1974 & 1978 Commonwealth Games (as a 17 & 21 year old respectively) in the Pentathlon. She won the Silver medal in Edmonton, Canada in 1978. Subsequently, Sue had a family, a long career in teaching & continued sport & training throughout. Now, at 67, we discuss Sue’s training post a fairly recent knee replacement. This is a down to earth, engaging & relatable conversation with a funny, self deprecating lady whose attitude towards life we could all learn from. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33710352

#217 Strength & Menopause with Claire Booth 10/24/2024

#217 Strength & Menopause with Claire Booth We are joined by returning guest Claire Booth; Strongfirst Senior & Elite Instructor & head of Strongfirst GB. We last spoke to Claire WAY back on episode 33 (about 3.5 years ago) so it was great to catch up. In this episode we discuss mixing & balancing the three training modalities of Barbell, Kettlebell & Bodyweight, the impact of menopause & the importance of getting the right HRT balance & why ALL women should be engaging in regular structured strength training - especially in their 40s, 50s & beyond. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33603522

#216 Host catch up with Pete & James 10/17/2024

#216 Host catch up with Pete & James For the first time in 7 episodes Pete & James get an opportunity to discuss recent events & the guests we’ve met over the last few weeks. Britains Disabled Strongman/Strongwoman, the recent documentary ‘Stones’ from Maximum iron, the development of Walk Bath & the planning of the 2025 Unique Results Ski trip are all up for discussion & well as what we’ve learned & implemented over recent weeks. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33504267

#215 HYROX & Becoming a Hybrid Rockstar with Clare Rafferty 10/10/2024

#215 HYROX & Becoming a Hybrid Rockstar with Clare Rafferty We are joined by London based Scot, Clare Rafferty, a HYROX coach & athlete, Member of the Official Global HYROX Master Team, Race Director, Strength & Conditioning Coach & Running Coach with over 10 years experience. We learn about Clare’s journey from the Bodybuilding stage to Running start line to Hybrid Fitness Athlete & the lessons she’s learnt along the way. This is a great conversation about embracing change, seizing opportunities & finding your calling. There’s also some great advice for those training for HYROX & Hybrid Fitness Events & how to avoid making some common mistakes & maximising your performance on race day. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33409807

#214 The Fabric of Strength with Stevie Shanks 10/03/2024

#214 The Fabric of Strength with Stevie Shanks We are joined from Belfast, Northern Ireland by Stevie Shanks; Drummer with Flash Harry & Clann an Drumma, Multiple World Record Weight Lifter (about 40 on last counting), Stone lifter & organiser of the annual Donald Dinnie Day Gathering in Scotland. We discuss the history of the Dinnie Stones & Stevie’s father - Jack Shanks - an old time Strongman & the first to lift the Dinnie Stones since Donald Dinnie himself, the evolution of stone lifting & how Stevie has shifted the focus of his own training now that he is in his 60s. We also learn a cool way to trick the step-counter on your Fitbit! This is a fascinating & inspiring conversation with a man whose passion for physical culture & the history of strength is palpable. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33319472

#213 Kettlebell Athletics with Del Wilson 09/26/2024

#213 Kettlebell Athletics with Del Wilson We are joined today by Del Wilson. A Personal Trainer, Kettlebell Athlete & Coach - someone who has been at the forefront of kettlebell sport in England for many years. Del talks about his background in Formula 1 engineering, competitive Bodybuilding, Endurance Running & his transition into Kettlebell Sport where he found his true calling. Del competes in Kettlebell Pentathlon, Marathon & Long Cycle (all explained in this episode) & holds Master of Sports World Class ranking across 7 events. He also continues to travel & compete internationally in his late 50s & has no plans to slow down. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33223067

#212 Improve Running Performance, Build Strength & Manage Injuries with Aidan O’ Flaherty. 09/19/2024

#212 Improve Running Performance, Build Strength & Manage Injuries with Aidan O’ Flaherty. We are joined from Putney in London by Aidan O’ Flaherty AKA @theirishphysio ahead of his ‘Running Injuries & Performance Master Class’ in Essex on Saturday 5th October. Aidan is a former pro football player, competitive rower & runner who now works with high level endurance athletes (up to Olympic level) & recreational runners of all shapes, sizes & abilities. In this fascinating conversation we discuss all things running, Training mileage, building running specific strength, foot striking, common injuries, biomechanics & more. An essential episode if you run yourself or are an Physio, Osteo, Therapist or Coach who works with runners. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33128022

#211 Addiction, Chronic Pain & Redemption with Allen Willis 09/12/2024

#211 Addiction, Chronic Pain & Redemption with Allen Willis We are joined all the way from New South Wales, Australia by Allen Willis for a hard hitting, honest & challenging conversation with a man who has faced many demons & trials in his life & is certainly on an upwards trajectory of strength, resilience, empowerment & redemption. We hear how Tim Anderson’s Original Strength & the work of Dan John formed a pathway for Allen to rebuild his life (physically & emotionally) & how he has managed to go from being in constant pain & barely able to walk to competing in Strongman & now coaching & helping others. Parts of this conversation are uncomfortable, but Allen holds nothing back & what we are left with is a sense of hope, promise & hopefully a brighter future ahead. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/33026977

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