Episodes

“I call my age group the 70 to death—and we show up early, because we still can. If you want to feel young, hang out with people chasing PRs, not prescriptions.” Bob Babbitt has raced more than 300 triathlons, co-founded Competitor magazine, helped popularize the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series, and has spent decades spotlighting athletes of all abilities through storytelling. At 73, he’s still training, still racing, and still waking up at 5:30 a.m. for his morning cold plunge. But this epi...

At midnight, Sarah Thomas stepped off the coast of England into darkness—swimming into history as the first person to complete a four-way crossing of the English Channel, nonstop. That alone would be astonishing. But what makes her story unforgettable is what came before: a breast cancer diagnosis, grueling treatment, and the slow, painful journey of rebuilding trust in a body that no longer felt like hers. In this powerful episode, Sarah opens up about more than just world-record swims. She re...

What if your best climbing wasn’t behind you—even at 65? This episode is a masterclass in longevity, discipline, and duality. Our guest is a rare figure who has spent decades pushing hard at the edge of two very different worlds: as a tenured philosophy professor and a lifelong climber still sending 5.14s. Bill Ramsey started climbing before sport climbing existed. He trained on treadwalls before they were popular. And today, he still maps out meticulous 8-hour training days—designed not to g...

In this episode of Ageless Athlete, we dive into the metabolic engine room with Dr. Brianna Stubbs—world-class endurance athlete and leading researcher at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Brianna bridges the worlds of elite performance and cutting-edge science, specializing in how ketones, fasting, and metabolic flexibility can shape our ability to recover, sustain energy, and age well. This isn’t about dieting fads or silver bullets—it’s about understanding how your body fuels itsel...

Bob Becker didn’t grow up an athlete. He ran his first marathon in his 50s. Now, at 80, he’s outlasting runners half his age—competing in 100+ mile ultramarathons across deserts, through mountain passes, and deep into the unknown. But this isn’t just a story about extreme endurance. It’s a meditation on purpose, perseverance, and the ripple effects we create when we keep showing up. In one unforgettable story, Bob recalls finishing a brutal desert race just past the official cutoff—only t...

What does it take to paddle into 50-foot waves — and to paddle back out again after life knocks you down? In this wide-ranging conversation, professional big wave surfer Bianca Valenti joins the Ageless Athlete podcast to talk about what it really means to face fear, rebuild after burnout, and commit to something bigger than yourself. Bianca is best known for: 🌊 Being one of the world’s top female big wave surfers 🏄‍♀️ Competing in the legendary Eddie Aikau Invitational in 2023 ⚖️ Leading th...

In this special highlight reel, we revisit the most unforgettable moments from the past few months of Ageless Athlete. These are stories that stuck with me—narratives that challenged how I think about fear, recovery, aging, and what the human body (and spirit) can do when fully committed. You’ll hear: A nurse in her 50s swimming 30 miles through 43-degree water toward the Farallon Islands—without a wetsuit. A son running beside his father through the fog of Alzheimer’s. An ultra-runner findi...

Dean Karnazes has been called one of the fittest humans on the planet — and he’s not slowing down. In his 60s, he’s still running ultramarathons on the weekends, living part-time in Greece, and exploring the historical roots of endurance itself. In this episode, Dean takes us through: What running looks like for him today Why Greece has become his spiritual and physical home The true story of the marathon, told like only he can How he stays mentally sharp and physically strong as he ages W...

Physiotherapist and coach Andy McVittie returns to the podcast for a deeper dive into the aging body — what breaks down, why it happens, and how to keep moving through it all. In this episode, we move from big-picture thinking to the specific joints and patterns that affect everyday athletes most: shoulders, elbows, fingers, and knees. Andy shares how to work around pain, when to push and when to pull back, and how aging athletes can train with purpose — not fear. We also explore unexpected te...

Dangerous Free Soloing Before It Was Cool, The Power of Obsession, and Letting Go at Your Peak In this episode of Ageless Athlete, host Kush Khandelwal sits down with one of climbing’s most iconic and introspective figures—Jerry Moffatt. Long before climbing hit the Olympics or Netflix, before Honnold and El Cap, Jerry was free soloing bold routes in Britain, training with a laser-sharp mindset, and pioneering the life of a professional climber. By the age of 20, he’d conquered the hardest ro...

What does it take to stay at the top of your sport for over four decades—and still be competitive at 70? In this episode, we sit down with Ned Overend, the first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Champion and six-time national champion, who’s still toeing the line with athletes half his age. But this isn’t just a story about biking—it’s about reinvention, smart training, and building a body and mindset that lasts. Ned takes us back to the early, chaotic days of mountain biking, shares what it was l...

Physiotherapist, coach, and lifelong climber Andy McVittie challenge the myths about aging and physical decline. Andy brings decades of hands-on experience, working with outdoor athletes and everyday movers who want to stay active, resilient, and injury-free well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond. We discuss why it’s never too late to get strong, how to prevent the aches and pains that cause many athletes to shrink their worlds, and why mindset matters just as much as mobility and muscle. This ...

Tara Tulley’s story is an ode to the power of resilience, determination, and self-belief. At 45 years old, she stood at the start line of a grueling 140-mile ultra-marathon—not as a runner, but as a spectator. Weighing over 250 pounds, battling the effects of POTS, and having stepped away from running for years, she made a bold promise: One year from now, I will be here, and I will run this race. What followed was a transformation like no other. In just 12 months, Tara lost 130 pounds, rewired h...

“Fear doesn’t have to destroy you—it can become rocket fuel if you learn to harness it. That mindset carried me through big waves and even bigger challenges on land.” In this episode, we dive deep with Shawn Dollar, a big-wave surfer known for paddling into massive 60-foot waves—twice—earning him two Guinness World Records. As awe-inspiring as those rides were, Shawn opens up about an even more daunting challenge: a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that threatened to derail his life entirely. He sha...

“Get people outside. Let them walk, let them move. And if they can’t, do it in a wheelchair. Fresh air and movement—at any level—still have the power to bring joy, connection, and even a little bit of who they once were.”​ In this episode of The Ageless Athlete Podcast, I sit down with ultra-endurance athlete, coach, and bestselling author Travis Macy to explore one of the most powerful and personal lessons from his life: how movement, the outdoors, and adventure are helping his father, Mark ...

At 50, Chris Bertish has built his life on pushing the boundaries of human endurance. From conquering Mavericks with no sleep and borrowed gear to paddling 4,600 miles across the Atlantic solo, his story is proof that commitment, mindset, and resilience can rewrite what we think is possible. In this storytelling episode, Chris takes us inside his biggest challenges—the brutal storms, the mental battles, and the moments of absolute clarity that only come from pushing beyond fear. 🔥 In this ...

"We can be younger by tomorrow—iit's about how we choose to move, think, and approach life with intention. Every day is an opportunity to grow stronger, more resilient, and more connected to what truly matters." 🙌🏾 Lisa Smith-Batchen is a living legend in the world of endurance sports. Lisa’s achievements are awe-inspiring—she’s the only woman to complete the grueling 584-mile Badwater Quad, running from the depths of Death Valley to the summit of Mt. Whitney and back, twice. But what makes L...

🎙️ Ageless Athlete Podcast is back with Part 2 of our Best of 2024 series! In this special episode, we revisit some of the most powerful, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversations from the past year. If Part 1 was about pushing limits and redefining aging through adventure, Part 2 dives deeper into the mindset shifts, personal transformations, and philosophies that keep athletes and adventurers thriving. From harnessing awe and overcoming fear to resilience, longevity, and second chances, ...

Steve McClure is one of Britain’s most accomplished rock climbers, and at 54, still continuing to climb at an elite level, defying the notion that performance inevitably drops with age. We dive into his unconventional training philosophy, how he balances pushing his physical limits with enjoying family life (and even the occasional late-night party), and why he believes that loving the process of climbing is the best key to long-term success. About Steve McClure British Climbing Icon: Kno...

Excited for this special look back at the most inspiring moments of 2024! Host Kush Khandelwal revisits powerful conversations with athletes and adventurers who’ve challenged limits, overcome adversity, and redefined resilience. This episode highlights some of the most moving stories and actionable lessons from climbers, surfers, runners, cyclists, and coaches. Whether you’re an athlete or simply curious about pushing boundaries and thriving in life, this episode offers something for everyone. ...

What if aging didn’t have to mean decline? What if the years ahead could be just as vibrant as your youth—if not more so? In this week’s episode of Ageless Athlete, Jamie Justice, Executive Vice President of Health at XPRIZE, reveals how she’s leading a $101 million global competition to make that vision a reality. This episode is packed with mind-expanding insights, but here’s a preview of the most compelling takeaways: A Personal Journey That Inspires Jamie’s story is one of resilience ...

“During chemo, I could have stayed on the couch binge-watching Netflix. Instead, I chose to walk 500 meters, then build from there. Every step reminded me that I could still fight and get stronger.”​ In this episode of The Ageless Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Ray Zahab—a professional adventurer and ultra-endurance athlete who has crossed some of the world’s harshest environments, from the Sahara Desert to the Arctic tundra. But Ray’s most inspiring journey isn’t just about extreme landscape...

In this episode, I reflect on 10 surprising and powerful lessons I’ve learned from some of the world’s top adventure athletes. From reframing fear to finding joy, embracing awe to chasing big dreams, these lessons have reshaped my own journey—and they can inspire yours too. Whether you’re an athlete or simply looking to live more fully, this episode offers actionable insights to start your year with purpose and resilience. Key Highlights Awe as a motivator and mindset shifter (Caroline Pa...

As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to revisit this transformative conversation with Caroline Paul—firefighter, adventurer, and NYT best-selling author. In this episode, Caroline shares practical strategies to reframe fear, build confidence, and find awe in everyday life. Whether you're chasing bold resolutions or just seeking a more courageous mindset, Caroline’s wisdom will inspire you to take action. Make sure to get a copy of 'Tough Broad', one of my favorite books in recent m...