Peak Pursuits

Welcome to Peak Pursuits, where we chase dirt-packed trails, soaring ridgelines and the thrill of a finish line like no other. Hosted by trail obsessives and elite runners Simone Brick, Brodie Nankervis, Vlad Ixel and Jess Jason — plus deep-dives with James Sieber — we bring you candid chats with Australia’s top trail runners.Expect behind-the-scenes stories, honest conversations about training, injuries, mindset and balancing life off-trail; plus the latest on Aussie races, events and endurance culture. Whether you’re lacing up your first pair of trail shoes or chasing a 100 km and beyond, we’ve got something for you.Tune in to discover unfiltered tales, practical training tips and the kind of inspiration that only comes from pushing your limits. Subscribe now — and bring your trail shoes.

Peak Pursuits is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 209 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Peak Pursuits, a sports show with 209 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #123

  Western States, Coast to Kosci, Pacers, and Backing Up Races feat. Holly Ranson | Episode 123

  Aug 21, 20261h 35m

  In this episode brought to you by ASICS, James is joined by Sim to talk to Holly Ranson about all things Western States; from her eye troubles during, recovery afterwards, and answering a listener question about pacers. We also get top hear about Holly's plans for Coast to Kosci this year and her approach to it, which includes a huge backup from winning Baradorf 125km over the weekend to tackling Transcend 65km this coming weekend! Sim then gives a brief update as she approaches Trofeo Kima this weekend (apologies for the Italian mountain internet/less than ideal audio though!) before James and Holly dive into news items of the week ranging from race cancellatiuons due to event clashes in Queensland to the release of the UTMB week elite lists - an exciting couple of weeks ahead for sure! Finally plenty of results to be excited about - we hope you enjoy this one! *Note - there is a brief section at the very start of poor audio from Holly, it gets better quickly so bear with us, and apologies for the late drop this week! Results: Run Larapinta Stage Race (NT) The Barodorf (SA) Surf Coast Wonderfalls Trail Run (VIC) Devilbend Trail Run (VIC) Glenbrook Trail Marathon (NSW) Yarrabilba Trail Fest (QLD) Episode brought to you by ASICS, check out more at www.asics.com/au/en-au/ ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Join us on Patreon HERE Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Sim: Instagram | Strava Follow Holly: Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

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  Peak Pursuits

  Trancend Trail Race Preview 2026

  Aug 18, 20261h 2m

  For the first time, we’re heading west for our full preview of the 2026 Transcend Ultra. James and Brodie break down the deceptively tough 65km course, from its short, punchy climbs and rough footing to the relentless sawtooth section that could decide the race late. In the women’s field, Holly Ranson, Anna McKenna, Kellie Angel and local favourite Christie Lori shape up for a fascinating battle. On the men’s side, Charlie Hamilton returns to race on Australian soil, Billy Curtis arrives in career-best form, and local legends could show just how strong the Western Australian trail scene really is. We also look at the leading contenders in the 40km race, discuss Transcend’s investment in live coverage and prize money, and explore why this event could become an increasingly important part of the Australian racing calendar. Let us know your picks for the men’s and women’s podiums. https://transcendtrails.com/the-courses ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava | Website Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

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  Peak Pursuits

  Sierre-Zinal, Elite Mid-Race Support, The Impact of UTMB feat. Iain Best | Episode 122

  Aug 11, 20262h 4mS122

  In this episode Brodie and James sit down with Iain best to talk about his european race season including his most recent run at Sierre Zinal. The trio do a deep dive before getting an update on James own Euro adventures and Brodies very big new life adventure! James and Iain then stay on to discuss some talkin points of the week, including mid-race support systems for elites after Nienke Brinkeman was disadvantaged at Sierre Zinal, as well as the ongoing conversations about the impacts of a race as big as UTMB. We hope you enjoy! Results: Kwat Kwat Trail Run (VIC) Peaks & Trails Run (VIC) The Berry Long Run (VIC) Rainbow Beach Trail Running Festival (QLD) Scenic Rim Ultra (QLD) Federation Ultra Trail Marathon (SA) North West Trail Running Series 2 (TAS) ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Join us on Patreon HERE Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

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  Episode #121

  Euro Summer, Progressing Trail Running in Aus, and Stirling Ridge FKT feat. Christie Lori | Episode 121

  Aug 5, 20261h 20m

  In this episode Jess and Vlad are joined by Christie Lori to chat about the recent Mixed Team Stirling Range Ridge FKT Christie was part of. Hear about Christie's journey into running, her impressive results so far, and the wild adventure the FKT was.  The team also discuss the AUTRA survey   (Found here) on shaping the future of the sport and what they would love to see progress, before plenty of results from a big weekend! ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Join us on Patreon HERE Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Christie:   Instagram Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

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  Peak Pursuits

  Sports Chiro Luke Nelson | Returning From Injury, Smarter Rehab & Building Resilient Runners

  Jul 31, 20261h 18m

  Luke Nelson is back for one of our deepest conversations yet. After the response to his first appearance on the podcast, we wanted to go beyond injury diagnosis and dive into the practical decisions that actually keep runners healthy and get them back to doing what they love. We unpack why injuries are rarely as simple as they first appear, how stress, sleep and life outside of running influence recovery, and why return-to-run programs shouldn't finish the moment you can jog for 30 minutes. Luke also shares how he approaches rebuilding trail runners, including when to reintroduce hills, technical terrain, speed work, strength training and plyometrics. Along the way we discuss the rise of AI coaching, why gait changes are often overprescribed, and the growing prevalence of low energy availability (LEA) and REDs in endurance athletes. To finish, Luke opens up about his own injury and the lessons he's taking from experiencing rehab from the athlete's perspective. In this episode we cover: • Why most running injuries are more complex than they first appear. • The role stress, sleep and life load play in pain and recovery. • How to build an effective return-to-run program. • Reintroducing hills, technical trails and speed after injury. • When running gait matters, and when it probably doesn't. • How strength training and plyometrics improve performance and resilience. • The opportunities and limitations of AI-generated training plans. • Recognising low energy availability (LEA) and RED-S. • What Luke has learned from his own rehabilitation journey. If you haven't already, we'd recommend listening to Luke's first appearance on the Pod before this episode, as the two conversations complement each other well. Listen to the first Podcast on Spotify Listen to the first Podcast on Apple ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Luke Nelson: Instagram | Website Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

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