In this ep Sim is joined by Brodie (the day before he is due to become a dad!) and Toby Sparkes to talk through Toby's route into the sport, his journey so far, and how is preparing for OCC this year. Hear about Toby's adventures all over the world and how he combines them with training to get the most out of himself. 

Then Brodie's update sparks a conversation around mindsets in the return from injury and how our relationship with the sport changes before sim details her peak training week before Europe that ended with a hitout at You Yangs half mara. 

Results as usual with a massive weekend o races around Aus!

We hope you enjoy!

Join us on Patreon HERE [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

Results:

 * The Guzzler Ultra Trail Running Festival [https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6568&dt=2&top=5&EId=2] (QLD)
 * Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series: Aranda Meander [https://my.raceresult.com/384912/#0_859842](ACT)
 * Boyne Valley 50 (QLD) [https://my.raceresult.com/364003/]
 * Wildhorse at Night [https://barefootsport.bbtiming.com/event/1004/results] (QLD)
 * You Yangs Trail Running Festival [https://my.raceresult.com/410420/#0_70A041] (VIC)
 * Maher's Hill Trail Run RTRS 4 [https://www.alpinetiming.com.au/results/r639/] (VIC)
 * Goldfields Pipeline Marathon [https://my.raceresult.com/394291/] (WA)
 * North West Trail Running Series 1 [https://www.nwtrs.com/results] (TAS)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

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 Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505]

Follow Toby: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tobysparkes/]| Strava  [https://www.strava.com/athletes/37950129]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Adventure, Mindset, and Preparing for OCC feat. Toby Sparkes | Episode 119

This week, James sits down with your Peak Pursuits co-host Jess Jason for a deeper conversation.

We know the 'high-level' Jess from the main show, but this episode goes deeper into her own story. From growing up in the track world, to moving into road marathons, to finding trail running and suddenly being selected for Australian teams, Jess talks through the moments that have shaped how she sees herself as both a runner and a person.

They get into the good stuff, but also the harder parts: body image, food, stress fractures, coaching environments, sponsorship pressure, race anxiety, and the constant work of trying to keep running fun when it starts to feel heavy.

It’s an open, thoughtful conversation between two people who spend a lot of time talking about the sport, but this time with Jess on the other side of the interview.

At its heart, this one is about confidence, pressure, enjoyment, and why running tends to work best when you don’t let it become your whole identity.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.com/en-au] for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519] | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

Follow Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834?oq=Jess%20]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Jess Jason | Finding Strength In Pressure

In this episode of Peak Pursuits Brodie and Jess are joined by race director Lincoln Quilliam to discuss the recent announcement of the first combined Australian Mountain and Trail Championships to be held at Kunanyi Mountain Run 2027. 

Being a world championships year, this announcement is huge as any athletes vying for a spot on the Australian team for Cape Town will now converge for one big weekend in Hobart, hopefully seeing some of the most competitive fields on Aussie soil across all distances. Lincoln talks through some behind the scenes of making this happen, goes through the new championship courses, and the team talk through what this means for the sport in Australia. 

Also covered is the awesome prize money announced for Transcend Ultra (real gold anyone?), the Hardrock 100 results, some Aussie results at Chongli Trail Race in China, and then bringing it home for the domestic results. 

Results:

 * Raffertys Coastal Run [https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16253&RId=6293&__cf_chl_rt_tk=8cCEJLopU8S82z_m4GzaOfv.gu0sN9RzBMRu8ugpeXg-1783887450-1.0.1.1-vLGoOBJ4p1Um3rfMkU022Kp048x0v2rkwXsKyRn6B_g] (NSW)
 * Howling Dog After Dark Trail Run [https://my.raceresult.com/396949/] (SA)
 * Ultra Adelaide [https://my.raceresult.com/408316/] (SA)

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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 Lincoln: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/silverfox.runs/]

Follow KMR: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kunanyimountainrun/?hl=en] | Website [https://www.kunanyimountain.run/]

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505]

Follow Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava  [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

The First Combined Australian Mountain and Trail Champs Announced for 2027 feat. RD Lincoln Quilliam | Episode 118

In this episode Vlad and Sim sit down with Britt Harriden to get to know her journey into running. Achieving an incredible 3rd at this years short trail champs while conducting research for her PhD and working full time, Britt has plenty of stories to share about her unconventional training pathway into trail running that explain why her endurance is so good now!

Also get an update from Vlad on why he didn't end up running GC marathon, and Sim details an adapted endurance week as she prepares for Trofeo Kima!

Join us on Patreon HERE [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

Results:

 * The Trail Running Series Race 2: Anglesea [https://tomatotiming.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16&RId=30094&EId=1&dt=2] (VIC)
 * Mt Misery Trail Run (SA) [https://eventstrategies.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=90&RId=661&__cf_chl_f_tk=V8gIA.KZdQXOJw1nRkpulh3ZM1qzOVgb_WVbL9.GY2c-1783237892-1.0.1.1-_.jvz2D9VaOuqTPHXsFk08jr.fny_T74LbwNXipc5AM]
 * Sydney Trail Half Marathon - Winter (NSW) Saturday Result [https://180cadence.au/pages/sydney-trail-half-marathon-winter-2026-results], Sunday Results [https://180cadence.au/pages/sydney-trail-half-marathon-winter-2026-results]
 * North Head Night Run [https://my.raceresult.com/403903/results] (NSW)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

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 Vlad: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vladixel/?hl=en] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Follow Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Follow Britt: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/britt.harriden/?__d=1%2F]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Training Through a PhD, Stair Masters, and Knowing When to Pull Out Of a Race feat. Britt Harriden | Episode 117

Billy Curtis returns to the pod for a deeper conversation with James on the path that has taken him from rugby league and hiking in Tassie to becoming one of Australia’s most exciting trail runners.

We talk through Billy’s early sporting background, how he found trail running almost by accident, and why he chose to learn the sport through shorter, competitive races before stepping further into the longer mountain events.

Billy also opens up about his World Championships experience, the bee/wasp incident that derailed his race, and the lessons that shaped his approach to training, travel, recovery and decision-making after that. From there, we dive into his time living and racing across Europe, how he made it work on a tight budget, and the training blocks that led to his standout second place at Madeira.

This is a conversation about patience, durability, low-ego racing, cheap travel, high-volume training, and finding a way to chase big goals without overcomplicating the process.

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.com/en-au] for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519] | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

Follow Billy Curtis: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/billlycurtiss/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/65282012]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Billy Curtis | The Long Game, Racing Europe on a Budget, and a Madeira Breakthrough

In this episode of Peak Pursuits Jess and Brodie sit down with Mikey Dimuantes to talk through his recent move to Turkey, his races so far in Europe, and his big goals for CCC.

Jess and Brodie then talk through the wild events that went down at Western States including Holly Ransons incredible 15th place, before recapping the Aussie results of the week. 

Results:

 * World Masters Mountain Champs  [https://results2.onlinesystem.cz/ResultsDetail/Index/?id=3469]
 * Laverado 120k [https://live.utmb.world/lavaredo/2026]:
 * Marathon du Mont Blanc 23km [https://mbm.v3.livetrail.net/en/2026/races/23km]
 * Byron Rainforest Run [https://my.raceresult.com/379299/] (NSW)
 * Newcastle Cross Country: King of the Mountain [https://www.newcastlecrosscountry.org.au/king-of-the-mountain.html] (NSW)
 * Lofty's Revenge Ultra Marathon [https://my.raceresult.com/407678/] (SA)
 * Wondai Country Running Festival [https://racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=7&RId=20403&EId=7&dt=2&top=3] (QLD)
 * King of the Mountain [https://events.barefootsport.co.nz/event/1825/results] (WA)
 * Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series: Ainslie Amble [https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/node/9297/previous-results/2026#node-138207] (ACT)

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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 Mikey: Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/mikey_dimuantes/?hl=en]

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505]

Follow Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava  [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R



Big Goals, Moving Countries, and Western States Recap Feat. Mikey Dimuantes | Episode 116

In this episode of Peak Pursuits Sim, Brodie and James sit down to deep dive their current training, discussing the phase, mindsets, and sessions that they are doing right now. 

Then hear some WSER predictions and Broken Arrow results before we recap some awesome racing around Aus over the weekend!

Results:

 * Broken Arrow Skyrace [https://my.raceresult.com/401802/live]
 * Surf Coast Trail Marathon [https://tomatotiming.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16&RId=30080&EId=1&dt=2&top=10] (VIC)
 * Mt Baranduda Trail Run: [https://www.alpinetiming.com.au/results/r639/] RTRS Round 3 (VIC)
 * Kowen Winter Trails [https://my.raceresult.com/406090/#0_AC95F7] (NSW)
 * Kiama Coastal Classic [https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/kiama-coastal-classic-2026] (NSW)
 * Freycinet Circuits Trail Run [https://www.webscorer.com/racealldetails?raceid=437194&topn=3] (TAS)
 * Kunanyi Trail Series: Knockers Solstice [https://barefootsport.bbtiming.com/event/1643/leaderboard?round=5405&gender=M] (TAS)
 * Curtis Island Trail Run [https://www.webscorer.com/racealldetails?raceid=437104&topn=3] (QLD)
 * Snakes N Ladders [https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=437222] (WA)

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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 [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519] | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

Follow Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Endurance vs Speed Training and WSER Predictions | Episode 115

In this episode Jess and Sime sit down with Holly Ranson to walk through her journey towards Western States which is now just two weeks away. They talk through her approach to training and racing, her incredible 3rd place finish at UTA50k in the lead up, and how Holly feels being in America preparing among some of trail running's greatest athletes. 

News items include a brief preview of Broken Arrow SkyRace this weekend as well as the AUTRA Uniform Sponsorship tender announced HERE. 

Then stay tuned for the results from the week and some updates from Jess and Sim!

Results:

 * Wild Boar Trail Run [https://trailsplus.com.au/WB2026/] (VIC)
 * Tower Trail Run [https://eventstrategies.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=90&RId=658&EId=15&dt=2] (SA)
 * Yandina Five ‘O’ [https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6555&EId=1&dt=2&top=3] (QLD)
 * Four Corners Trail Run [https://my.raceresult.com/405864/#0_73F3B8] (NT)

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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 Holly: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hollyrranson/?hl=en] | https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vladStrava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/504016]

Follow Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Follow Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava  [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

The Trail to Western States with Holly Ranson | Episode 114

In this episode, James sits down with Nigel Preston from Singletrack Events for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build, grow, and deliver some of Australia’s biggest trail running events.

Nigel shares his journey from growing up in Bendigo’s cross-country scene, to working in events and sponsorship, before helping launch Singletrack Events out of the chaos of COVID. From the early days of taking over Buffalo Stampede and Roller Coaster, through to the growth of GPT100, Hounslow, Running Wild, Wonderland and the World Trail Majors, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the business, logistics, risk, and passion behind modern trail events.

James and Nigel also dive into some of the bigger questions facing the sport: whether the Australian trail calendar is becoming saturated, how we bring more young runners into trail running, why shorter distances matter, what role prize money should play, and how events can better support both elite athletes and the back of the pack.

They also cover the importance of volunteers, the Singletrack Trail Team, live streaming, national championships, international athletes, and why creating a great event experience is about far more than just putting flags in the ground.

A big conversation on race directing, community, growth, and the future of trail running in Australia.

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.com/en-au] for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519] | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

Follow Nigel: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nige_presto/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/1080178]

Follow Singletrack: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/singletrack_events/] | Website [https://www.singletrack.com.au/]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Nigel Preston | The Singletrack Events Story, Behind the Event Curtain, and the Future of Australian Trail Running

This week on Peak Pursuits, Vlad and Jess are joined by WA trail runner Ben for a big episode covering training updates, national champs news, European racing, and what is happening in the West.

We chat through AUTRA’s announcement of the EOI for the 2027 National Championships, with trail, long course, mountain running and 100-mile racing all potentially coming together for the first time in one all-distance event. We also unpack the European Off-Road Running Championships in Slovenia, including wins from Frédéric Tranchand, Judith Wyder, Hanna Gröber and Jan Torrella.

Ben gives us a look into the WA trail scene: the rising stars, must-do events, best training spots and what the broader trail running community might be missing from the West.

We also cover recent results from Biwako Valley Skyrun, Run Forrest, Red Hill Ramble, Unbreakable, Cape2Cape and more, plus a look ahead to upcoming races around the country.

In our Patreon-only show, Ben answers a listener question from Jeremy Rankin on how to approach steep fire trail climbs on race day, when hiking becomes more efficient, and how mid-packers can learn to make those decisions in training and racing.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au 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 your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 113: Spearfishing, Pilates & WA Trail Running with Ben

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.

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Introducing the Peak Pursuits Podcast—your ultimate companion for trail running stories, insights, and inspiration across Australia!

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