Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best interviews with some remarkable participants from Rapid Ascent endurance events.
Rapid Ascent
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best interviews with some remarkable participants from Rapid Ascent endurance events.
Language
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Publishing Since
5/10/2019
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Recent Episodes
April 8, 2026
Ep. 25: Piotr Babis: The Quiet Achiever Dominating Tasmania's FKTs
In this episode of the Rapid Ascent Podcast, Jez sits down with one of the most understated yet profoundly dominant forces in the Aussie trail running scene: Piotr Babis. Originally from Poland and now a Park Ranger based at Fortescue Bay, Piotr has been quietly chipping away at some of the most brutal Fastest Known Times (FKTs) in Australia. From the Southwest Traverse to the Overland Track, Piotr’s approach is simple: stay humble, seek adventure, and respect the wilderness. Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or just starting your trail journey, Piotr's story of going from a "failed" university fitness test at 22 to winning 100-milers is the ultimate inspiration, proving that true strength often comes with a quiet determination and an unwavering spirit to dominate the trails. The Southwest Traverse and the "Impossible 7" The core of our conversation dives into Piotr’s recent feat on the Southwest Traverse. This route links the Western Arthurs, Eastern Arthurs, Port Davey Track, and the South Coast Track — 240km of Tasmania’s most rugged terrain. Piotr completed this massive link-up in just 3 days and 18 hours, a time that seems almost impossible given the mud, bouldering, and the technical climb up Federation Peak alone (not to mention the rest of the route!). We discuss the mental grit required to row across Bathurst Harbour in the dark and the logistical challenge of coordinating a crew that had to run 30km just to meet him. Piotr also reflects on his "Impossible 7" project, where he ran NINE of Tasmania’s most iconic trails in seven consecutive days. This ambitious mission included Frenchman’s Cap, the Overland Track, and the Three Capes Track. We explore how these projects transition from a "romantic notion" in the middle of a race to a fully executed plan, and why Piotr often lets these ideas "sit" for years until the time is right. From Poland to the Tasmanian Wilderness Beyond the records, we get to know the man behind the FKTs. Piotr shares his journey from a teenager training Judo in a small Polish town to moving to London and eventually finding his home in the Tasmanian mountains. His transition into endurance sports was far from linear, involving stints in England and Canada before he landed in Australia. Now, as a Park Ranger at Fortescue Bay, he balances a 40-hour work week with 100km+ training blocks, often disappearing into the Tasman National Park for evening runs. What’s Next for Piotr Babis? Looking ahead, Piotr isn't slowing down. He is already eyeing international challenges like the 10 Great Walks in New Zealand and the Australian Alps Walking Track on the mainland. He's also lining up for our NEW event: Run Tasmania Stage Race in November. You can join Piotr here if you hurry (only 5 spots left): 👉 https://runtasmania.rapidascent.com.au Resources & Links • Follow Piotr Babis on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/iron_explorer/ • Piotr's FKT Profile: 👉 https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/piotr-babis • Run Tasmania Stage Race: 👉 https://runtasmania.rapidascent.com.au Join the Rapid Ascent Community If you enjoyed this chat, make sure to subscribe and leave us a review! We’re all about the personal challenge, the beautiful locations, and the supportive community. Whether this is your first go or you're an old hand, we're stoked to have you here. • Website: rapidascent.com.au• Instagram: @rapidascent• Facebook: Rapid Ascent Ultra Running #TrailRunning #FKT #Tasmania #UltraRunning #RapidAscent #SouthwestTraverse #PiotrBabis #OverlandTrack #LarapintaTrail
February 19, 2026
Ep. 24: Courtney Sherwell: The Privateer Who Hustled Her Way to 7th in the World
What does it take to go from crashing twice in your first race to becoming one of Australia's most formidable off-road endurance athletes? In this episode, Jez sits down with Courtney Sherwell — dual Australian National Champion, 3x Queen of the Otways, and self-funded privateer who placed 7th in the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix. Courtney's story is one of pure grit, resilience, and an unwavering love for riding on dirt. We dive into the moment that almost ended her cycling career before it began: a brutal first race at Brackenbury where she broke her nose, crashed twice, and somehow found the courage to keep going. Courtney opens up about the road racing years that didn't feel right, the breakthrough moment in 2022 when she won Dirty Warrny by 40 minutes (having never ridden 246km before), and the 2024 season where she "found all the pieces to the puzzle" – winning both the XCM and Gravel National Championships in the same year.But it's not all podiums and green-and-gold jerseys. Courtney shares the raw reality of life as a privateer in the US — bootstrapping her way across America with her partner John and competing against fully-supported professional riders. She talks about the joy of riding bikes and being in nature, how she stays mentally strong against celebrity competition and how structured training became the key to unlocking her potential. And of course, we talk Otway Odyssey. As the 3x Queen of the Otways and 2022 Great Otway Gravel Grind champion, Courtney has a deep connection to these events. She shares what makes the Otways special and her plans for the 2026 race — shoulder injury and all. What You'll Learn: •Why Courtney kept going after breaking her nose in her first race (and what this teaches us about starting something new) •The "band-aid story" of how her partner John booked Belgian Waffle Ride tickets and forced her onto the world stage •What changed in 2024 that allowed her to win two national championships in one year •The reality of self-funding a Life Time Grand Prix campaign and competing against the world's best •Why riding on dirt is fundamentally different (and more rewarding) than road racing •What makes the Otway Odyssey one of the toughest and most rewarding races in Australia •Practical advice for women getting into mountain biking and gravel racing •Her FTP, nutrition strategy, and top three training sessions This episode is for you if: •You've ever felt intimidated starting something new (especially women in cycling) •You're curious about what it really takes to compete at the elite level without a team •You want to understand the mental game behind ultra-endurance racing •You're considering racing the Otway Odyssey or GOGG and want insider knowledge •You love transformation stories that prove anything is possible with grit and determination Key Topics & Timestamps 3:46 - The Broken Nose Story: First race at Brackenbury5:01 - The Crash: Going over the handlebars6:28 - The 12-Week Training Plan: A turning point9:32 - Second Race: Choosing the Otway Odyssey 50km23:37 - The Road Racing Years: Roxsolt Liv SRAM and Knights of Suburbia43:42 - Life Time Grand Prix: The dream and the reality44:47 - Belgian Waffle Ride: Announcing herself on the world stage48:47 - 2024 National Championships: The historic double56:46 - Marathon National Championship: Racing sick in Wagga Wagga1:14:45 - Finding the Puzzle Pieces: What changed in 20241:16:31 - The Otway Odyssey: What it means to be Queen of the Otways1:25:42 - Advice for First-Timers: Racing the Otway Odyssey Mentioned in This Episode Guest: •Courtney Sherwell on Instagram: @courtney.sherwell •Courtney's Pet Portrait Art: @petportraits_bycourtney Events: •Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon - Register now for 2026! •Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) •Life Time Grand Prix •Belgian Waffle Ride •Brackenbury Challenge - Creswick, VIC •Dirty Warrny - 246km gravel race •Cattlema
February 6, 2026
Ep. 23: James Kelly: The full time lawyer who WON the 2025 Elite National XCM Championship
What does it take to WIN an elite mountain biking championship WHILE working as a high-powered lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with James Kelly to deconstruct his incredible journey to claim the green and gold at the 2025 XCM Nationals. He shares the training secrets, mental tactics, and the one race that changed everything, offering a blueprint for balancing a demanding career with elite athletic performance.
25 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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This podcast updates daily.
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