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.

#259 A Strong Woman with Andrea Thompson 08/14/2025

#259 A Strong Woman with Andrea Thompson We are joined from Woodbridge, Suffolk by Andrea Thompson; 2018 Worlds Strongest Woman, 2023 Worlds Strongest Masters & 4 x Britains Strongest Woman (2016-2019). Andrea is also one of the stars of the documentary ‘A Strong Woman - The truth behind the world’s strongest women’ alongside former Health Oddity guests Lucy Underdown & Chloe Brennan. We discuss Andrea’s life, training, being one of the pioneers of UK Strongwoman & finding one’s true identity through personal struggle both mentally & physically. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37823240

#258 The Magic Of Walking 08/08/2025

#258 The Magic Of Walking In this breather episode Pete & James reflect on the last 6 weeks of guests & debrief after the Unique Results Walking Weekend in Bath, Somerset joined forces with Walk Bath & Walking Solves. We discuss walking & the simple but profound difference it can make in people’s lives (& how it ‘fixed’ James’ plantar fasciitis!) UK’s Strongest Man finals are also discussed & the wisdom & lessons we have taken & applied from our recent run of guests. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37530700

#257 How To Finally Enjoy Running with Samuel Stow 08/01/2025

#257 How To Finally Enjoy Running with Samuel Stow We are joined all the way from The Sunny Coast, Australia by Sam Stow a movement specialist focused on technique, efficiency & injury-free running. We discuss Sam’s approach to helping everyday people find joy & ease in running including ‘The Functional Step’ & ‘POP! Running’. We talk about the importance of training (& using) the GO muscles rather than the SHOW muscles, drills to help you find your glutes & the benefits & potential drawbacks of barefoot running. We also hear about Sam’s experience of running 100 miles while wearing a 10kg weighted vest - NOTE: Don’t try this at home! /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37530630

#256 Feet Matter More Than You Think with Jack Kirby 07/25/2025

#256 Feet Matter More Than You Think with Jack Kirby We are joined for the first (but not the last) time by Jack Kirby from Essex Podiatry Clinics to talk all things feet, ankles & lower limbs. We discuss the complex natural engineering of the foot, what a healthy foot looks like, how to strengthen your feet, how to care for your feet, how to prevent common foot injuries & problems & why an expensive pair of running shoes or arch supports may NOT be the answer. This was a fun, lively & interesting conversation about something most of us give very little thought to - our points of contact to the ground beneath us. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37517900

#255 Stonelifting, The Gathering & Connection Through Strength with Stevie Shanks 07/17/2025

#255 Stonelifting, The Gathering & Connection Through Strength with Stevie Shanks We welcome back the endlessly energetic Stevie Shanks to the podcast as he finalises the preparation for the 9th running of ‘The Gathering’ Donald Dinnie Day in Potarch, Scotland on Sunday 3rd August. We discuss what is in store & look forward to both Pete & James being there this year as well as some ‘behind the scenes’ news & insider secrets. We also discuss the recent meeting of ‘friend of the show’ Sven Rieger with Stevie & his Father Jack. A powerful example of a love of strength forging connection & friendships around the world. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37441405

#254 Dealing with Common Training Injuries with Dave Adkins 07/10/2025

#254 Dealing with Common Training Injuries with Dave Adkins We welcome back Dave Adkins from Principle Physiotherapy to the podcast for a fun & informative episode where we discuss 4 common training related injuries; Lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, knee pain & tennis/golfers elbow. Dave talks about causes, symptoms, management & rehab of each condition in an episode that probably has something applicable for everyone (unfortunately). /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37365305

#253 True Grit with Jonny Skinner 07/03/2025

#253 True Grit with Jonny Skinner We are joined by Jonny Skinner AKA @rockstardaduk - 11 x Kettlebell Sport World Champion, 1 x Team Relay World Champion & 1 x European Champion as well as father & musician. We discuss grassroots Kettlebell Sport. The wide variety of disciplines & avenues open to athletes now. The importance of focus, discipline & going ‘all in’ if you want to truly excel at an event or pursuit & Jonny’s upcoming Guinness World Record attempt at 24hrs lifting with a 24kg Kettlebell. Also, how it was actually his mum who got him involved in Kettlebell lifting! You will be inspired - & also possibly think he’s slightly mad! 🙂 /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37276820

#252 Athletic Movement with Ben Glasscock 06/26/2025

#252 Athletic Movement with Ben Glasscock We are joined from Hampshire, England by Ben Glasscock AKA - The Notorious BLG (to some of his friends at least). Ben is an online & in-person Strength Coach at ‘Athlete Movement’ & a rising star in the world of Strongman. He recently came 5th at Britains Strongest Man & over the next few weeks will be competing at Giants Live shows in the iconic & historic Royal Albert Hall in London & at Englands Strongest Man in York. We discuss Ben’s background in Rugby & Powerlifting & how he made the transition over to Strongman. We also discuss the power of consistency, adherence, community & enjoyment in training & how self belief & psychology plays such a huge part in performing at the highest level. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37166030

#251 Rings, Stones & Sandbags 06/19/2025

#251 Rings, Stones & Sandbags In this breather episode Peter & James discuss what they’ve taken away from recent episodes & what they’ve been working on themselves & with their clients. The Rogue Stoneland documentary, the upcoming Stones 2 film, lifting Sandbags with Terry Hollands & Pete’s new biometric tracking ring (as recommended by Dr Nancy Allen in Episode 249) are all covered, as well as the upcoming Health Oddity/Unique Results/Walking Solves walking weekend in Bath & Pete & James’ trip up to Scotland for The Gathering. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/37080660

#250 Performance to Longevity with Dan John 06/12/2025

#250 Performance to Longevity with Dan John We are joined for the 11th time on our 250th Episode by long time ‘friend of the show’ Dan John from Utah, USA. Dan is one of the most experienced & widely respected Strength Coaches & Strength Authors in the world & in this very personal episode he shares his own journey from Discus Thrower, Olympic Weightlifter & Highland Games athlete to grandfather approaching 70. He talks about his change of focus, his body re-composition lessons, mobility practises & practical tips to ageing around sleep & nutrition - all delivered with his trademark warmth & wit. A must listen for anyone wanting to live a long, strong & energetic life! /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36976225

#249 Midlife Renaissance with Dr Nancy Allen 06/05/2025

#249 Midlife Renaissance with Dr Nancy Allen We are joined Dr Nancy Allen, the medical director of Renaissance Reset for Menopause. Nancy has been a practising NHS GP for the last 25 years & is a proud member of the Royal College of General Practitioners & the British Menopause Society. Nancy’s career has been dedicated to supporting women through every stage of their health journey, particularly during the transformative phase of menopause. In this episode we discuss many health & lifestyle challenges people are having in our modern society & take a deep dive into dementia along with the most recent research. This is our first conversation with Dr Nancy Allen & it definitely won’t be our last If you want to ask Dr Nancy any questions please fill out the form and she will answer them on her next visit /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36871935

#248 An Ambassador of Strength with Sally Moss 05/29/2025

#248 An Ambassador of Strength with Sally Moss We are joined from London, England by Sally Moss, owner & founder of Strength Ambassadors. A gym which focusses on teaching, coaching & building strength through Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting & Strongman training. We discuss the importance of Strength for all, especially women, the changing landscape of strength training over the last 20 years & the wisdom & benefit in getting stronger as an end goal without it being tied to aesthetics, weight loss, fitness or dieting. A fascinating conversation with a pioneer & ambassador of female strength training in the UK. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36774665

#247 London to The Lakes with Vicki Farrington 05/22/2025

#247 London to The Lakes with Vicki Farrington We are joined from Kendal in The Lake District, England by Vicki Farrington a former member of the MET Police turned Sports Therapist, Strength Coach & Ultra Endurance Cyclist. We talk about open water swimming, fell running, mountain biking & Vicki’s recent conquering of the Mega Mallorca 312 challenge! We also discuss the stark change of lifestyle moving from London in a highly pressurised & stressful career to a life in the countryside, spending much time outdoors & a totally different pace of life. This is a wide reaching conversation that I guarantee will make you want to spend more time in nature (& possibly visit The Lakes). /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36680645

#246 Finding your connection to exercise 05/15/2025

#246 Finding your connection to exercise Pete & James recap 7 weeks of fantastic guests & pick up some of the themes & conversations that have sparked thoughts & discussions within our businesses. Staying grounded & anchored through times of stress & turmoil & what it REALLY means to find a deep connection to movement, exercise & our physical being are among the topics discussed. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36583380

#245 Strength & Transformation with Terry Hollands 05/08/2025

#245 Strength & Transformation with Terry Hollands We are joined by a legendary figure of UK (& World) Strongman from Kent in England - Mr Terry Hollands AKA Big Tel. Terry is one of Britain’s best known & most successful strongmen. He competed at the Worlds Strongest Man 15 times, reached the final on 9 consecutive occasions & podiumed twice. We discuss the current Strongman scene, the upcoming 2025 Worlds Strongest Man in USA. Terry’s sporting background, training history & current focus. A fascinating conversation with a man who has pushed his body to the brink in the name of performance & is now focused on being strong, fit & healthy for the decades ahead. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36491130

#244 Ballet, Barbells & Balance with Elise Ball 05/01/2025

#244 Ballet, Barbells & Balance with Elise Ball We are joined by Elise Laura Ball from Bristol in Somerset, England for an open & raw conversation about Ballet, professional dancing, body image, eating disorders, alcohol & recovery. Elise is a Strongfirst Elite trainer, Kettlebell & Strength Coach & a Ballet teacher who now focuses on teaching Ballet to adults & passing on her love of dancing without the pressure & pain from her past. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36396945

#243 Built to Last with David Amerland 04/24/2025

#243 Built to Last with David Amerland We are joined for the first time live from Greece. David Amerland’s new book ‘Built to Last - How to get stronger, healthier & happier at every stage of life.’ Is NOT your standard health & fitness manual & David is certainly NOT your standard health & fitness expert. At 60 years of age his understanding of ‘why we do what we do’ is vast & is informed by a diverse professional & educational background. Authenticity & finding a deeper connection to what ‘fitness’ means to us individually is foundational to maintaining healthy practises for life. This is a thought provoking & deep conversation which may help you see fitness through a different lens. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36299350

#242 Resilience At Any Age with Mike Tiktinsky 04/17/2025

#242 Resilience At Any Age with Mike Tiktinsky We are joined from California USA by 78 year old State Record Holding Powerlifter (& Pickleball enthusiast) Mike Tiktinsky. Mike took up strength training after he fought Prostate Cancer at 58. In his words he “wanted to get strong for whatever life was going to throw at him.” Since then, he has undergone (& recovered from) two total knee replacements AND a heart attack. This is an uplifting & inspiring conversation with a man who at nearly 80 is still competing, testing himself, being consistent & paying it forward by helping others who want to follow in his journey of strength. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36210805

#241 The Worlds Strongest Firefighter with Andrew Burton 04/10/2025

#241 The Worlds Strongest Firefighter with Andrew Burton We are joined all the way from Texas USA by Andrew Burton. Winner of the Arnold Pro/Am Strongman 2025, 3rd Place at the Magnus Classic 2024 in Iceland & Winner of the Worlds Strongest Firefighter 2023! We learn about Andrew’s Powerlifting background, his varied jobs on leaving education (including working in a butter factory) training to become a paramedic & firefighter & how he manages to juggle training as an elite strength athlete with one of the most physically & emotionally demanding jobs on the planet. /episode/index/show/healthoddity/id/36088400

#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

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