#89 Jack Harrison: The Ultra-Endurance Athlete Who Conquered 15 Sports & 80 Countries

In this episode, Simon Cockram sits down with Jack Harrison, an ultra-endurance athlete from York, United Kingdom, who has tested his limits across an incredible 15 different disciplines. Unlike many athletes who specialise in one sport, Jack has competed in ultramarathons, Ironmans, marathon swims, long-distance cycling, sailing across seas, and even summiting some of the world’s highest peaks. His journey combines adventure, resilience, and an unstoppable drive to see how far the human body can really go. Jack shares powerful insights into the mindset required for ultra-endurance challenges—how to deal with pain, manage recovery, and harness curiosity as fuel to keep pushing forward. We dive into the lessons he’s learned from competing in some of the toughest events on the planet, including why understanding your muscles vs tendons matters, how to manage injuries, and the importance of balancing strength, endurance, and mental resilience.

 

With over 80 countries travelled, Jack also reflects on the beauty of racing in extraordinary locations, from skiing in Lapland to running on the Great Wall of China. This conversation is packed with motivation, mindset tools, and practical advice for runners, triathletes, and anyone drawn to testing their limits.

 

Chapters

00:00 – Why Endurance? Sport lessons that carry into life

04:00 – Type-2 Fun: discomfort now, reward later

08:00 – Raising Your Ceiling: unlocking new mental “levels”

12:00 – What the Finish Gives You: fulfillment vs immediate gratification

16:00 – Curiosity & Limits: why we seek the edge

 

20:00 – Multisport Approach: snow, water, land (and why)

24:00 – Training the Common Denominators: cardio + S&C + specific skill

28:00 – Running vs Cycling: impact, injuries, smart progression

32:00 – Load–Capacity Model: how to push without breaking

36:00 – Zone Training 101: using Zone 2 and avoiding the bonk

40:00 – Fueling in the Real World: supported vs unsupported

44:00 – Mind Games: breaking ultras into tiny wins

48:00 – Solitude & Headspace: 10 hours alone with your thoughts

52:00 – Expectation Setting: choosing hardship on purpose

56:00 – Pacing the Red Mist: managing the race-start adrenaline

01:00:00 – From Kid Racer to Adult Adventurer: shifting from perfection to enjoyment

01:04:00 – Niche endurance races: skiing, ice skating & Lapland

01:08:00 – Calf injuries, running setbacks & learning to adapt

01:12:00 – Muscles vs tendons: recovery, resilience & training age

01:16:00 – Next challenge: 24-hour solo swim (1 mile every hour)

01:20:00 – Why do this? Type-2 fun, curiosity & personal growth

01:24:00 – Writing the lessons: book ideas & stories from races

01:28:00 – Where to find more: World’s Hardest Endurance Races book & next steps