Men’s Health: Built For Life

Broadcaster, author and High Performance co-host Jake Humphrey joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk success, happiness and what he’s learned from interviewing some of the world’s top performers. Drawing on hundreds of conversations with elite athletes, CEOs and coaches, Jake explains why many high achievers aren’t actually happy – and why redefining success might be the key to building a better life. We also dive into hustle culture, the power of small daily habits, learning to say no, and why putting family first might be the ultimate high-performance strategy. If you’ve ever questioned whether chasing more is really the answer, this one’s worth your time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Hobson and Rick Pearson of Runner’s World join Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey to discuss the meteoric surge of interest in running over the last few years. Covering a lot of ground, the guys explore whether the right kit is necessary to hit your running goals, the truth about nutrition and supplementation, the importance of strength training for performance and injury prevention, and the biggest mistakes runners make. From fuelling performance to acing recovery, you’ll come away with everything you need to make 2026 the year you (finally) smash your running goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brazillian jiu-jitsu legend Roger Gracie joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk legacy, longevity and why BJJ might be the most complete training system on the planet. . We break down how the 10-time world champion built his game, why technique always beats brute strength, and the three lifts he believes every BJJ athlete should prioritise. Roger explains why you don’t need to ‘get fit’ before you start, how rolling builds resilience under pressure, and why jiu-jitsu forces you to rethink your sleep, nutrition and recovery if you want to keep progressing.. Along the way, we get into the 'Gracie Challenge', the very origin of the sport, the explosion of BJJ into the mainstream, whether strength really matters on the mat, and why Roger believes Olympic inclusion could fundamentally change – even damage – the art. . If you’ve ever thought about starting jiu-jitsu, competing for the first time, or simply want a smarter way to build strength and mental toughness, this one’s essential viewing. . The book we talked about: https://fave.co/4bca82f Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/   https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/    Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk discipline, endurance and why most blokes are overcomplicating their nutrition. . We break down how years of 14-hour kitchen shifts and knee surgery pushed him towards daily mobility work, ultramarathons and a ruthlessly consistent routine. Tom opens up about desert racing in brutal heat, fuelling without gels, and the mindset required to stay lean and strong in a high-stress profession. . Along the way, we get into why traditional meal prep might be missing the point, how to make simple protein-and-carb meals actually taste good, and why performance in the kitchen – and in life – starts with looking after your body first. . Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/ https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former England football turned Men's Health cover superstar, Rio Ferdinand, joins Andrew Tracey to talk through how his approach to training, health and performance has changed since retiring from football. . We break down what stopped working once the weekly match mileage disappeared, why longevity now matters more than ego, and how his training has shifted towards staying strong, mobile and pain-free. Rio opens up about balancing heavy lifting with functional movement, adapting nutrition for real life, and why consistency beats intensity when you’re juggling travel, work and family. Along the way, we get into fatherhood, mental sharpness, and what it really means to train for life – not just sport. . Host: https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/ Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spencer Matthews joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey fresh off one of the most extreme endurance challenges ever attempted — completing seven Iron-distance triathlons on seven continents in 21 days. . We break down what that actually involved, from the brutal logistics and relentless travel to the moments where the project nearly fell apart. Spencer opens up about the Antarctic swim that haunted him for months, the safety briefing that made him question whether they should even be doing it, and the moment fear almost stopped everything. Along the way, we get into decision-making under pressure, the difference between toughness and recklessness, and why doing hard things isn’t always about bravado — especially when you’ve got a family waiting at home. . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/   Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/    Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey cut through the noise around training in 2026. We get into hybrid training vs HYROX, why bodybuilding is having a comeback, what actually builds muscle, how hard you really need to train, and why most people are overthinking it. From strength and cardio to time-efficient training and long-term health, this is a no-nonsense look at how to train smarter, get fitter, and build muscle without letting fitness take over your life in 2026 . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/   https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/   Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paddy Pimblett joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey ahead of his interim title bout with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. We get into what’s going through his head pre-fight, lying awake thinking about finishes, cutting weight without losing your mind, why most gyms are sh*te, why he avoids 'that stupid HYROX stuff', and how many calories he can eat post-fight without blinking. Paddy also opens up about mental health, therapy, and why being tough isn’t what people think.  . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/  https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/  Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Men’s Health: Built For Life — with hosts Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey — is the podcast for men looking to take control of their fitness, health and life. Sharing practical science, actionable, real-world advice and incredible stories from inspiring guests, we can’t promise that listening to this podcast will change your life… but it will give you everything you need to go away and do that yourself.  . Join us for new episodes, every Thursday.  . Hosts:  https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/  https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/ Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/  Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to push your body to the limit and still walk away when your values are tested? In this unfiltered conversation, elite CrossFit athlete and U.S. Army officer Chandler Smith opens up about the sacrifices behind his Games career, the discipline forged in military life, and why he made the bold choice to step back from competition in 2025. 655d4191f91b6448b98ca23267e80cddf41c26fd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CrossFit Games veteran Noah Ohlsen dives into the future of CrossFit, why even the best athletes can’t keep up with the top Hyrox competitors, and how hybrid training and Ironman racing have reshaped his approach to fitness. He also shares insights on the new World Fitness Project, lessons from over a decade at the CrossFit Games, and what’s next as he prepares for fatherhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He was the Fittest Man on Earth. Now? He’s training for life. In this raw and honest sit-down, CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning opens up about what it takes to age strong, stay competitive into your late 30s and raise a family while keeping a fire lit under your training. We cover how his workouts have evolved, the movements he’ll never drop, why he still pushes himself, and what he'd do if asked to run CrossFit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If you lined up all 70 million people in the UK... I’d pick you as the most likely to have a heart attack right now.” Eddie Hall, former World’s Strongest Man, record-breaking deadlifter, boxer, MMA fighter, and father, sits down with Men's Health to reveal the full story behind the strength. We talk mental health, steroids, addiction, carnivore diets, gym therapy, 12,000-calorie days, and what it really takes to lift half a ton… and walk away from it all alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From flipping tractor tyres to coaching elite athletes, Tom Kemp's journey is a masterclass in functional strength. Founder of Farm Fitness, Tom walks us through how a childhood on a working farm forged a new training philosophy - one built for performance, not aesthetics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Shephard returns to the Men’s Health cover 13 years after his first shoot – this time at 50 – to find out if he can still match the physique he built at 38. What began as a personal “Fit at 50” challenge quickly became a deeper journey into strength, resilience and consistency. Shephard shares how his training has evolved into a hybrid of calisthenics, cardio and functional strength – with a focus on longevity, not just looks. He opens up about bouncing back from serious injury, navigating motivation dips, and learning to train smarter to stay in the game. He talks candidly about the role fitness plays in managing stress, sustaining energy, and showing up better at work and home. Above all, he champions consistency as the key ingredient to long-term success, admitting that he’s still learning, still adapting, and still having fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owen O’Kane, psychotherapist and bestselling author of Ten to Zen and Addicted to Anxiety, joins the Men’s Health podcast to deliver a powerful, myth-busting conversation about modern mental health – especially for men. He explains why high-functioning anxiety often hides in plain sight, how we can become unknowingly addicted to worry, and why therapy shouldn’t always feel comfortable. Drawing from decades of clinical experience – and his own upbringing during the Troubles in Northern Ireland – Owen shares insights on emotional repression, toxic resilience, and the cost of never slowing down. He also opens up about working with palliative care patients, what men get wrong about strength, and how to build a better relationship with anxiety – one grounded in awareness, not avoidance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Eubank Jr. speaks passionately about legacy, discipline, and his personal feud with Conor Benn. He’s driven by the need to uphold the Eubank name and refuses to let the Benn name overtake it - admitting it would “kill him” if it did. He describes his transformation into a focused, different man when preparing for war (a fight), and outlines the intense lifestyle of a clean fighter: weekly drug tests, relentless training, strict nutrition, and monastic discipline. His training involves sparring, cardio, strength work, and a heavy emphasis on sleep and recovery. Eubank opens up about his childhood as the son of Chris Eubank Sr., calling it an extraordinary but enjoyable experience. Though his father initially opposed his boxing ambitions, a conversation with Lennox Lewis helped change his father's mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Men's Health sat down with world-record holder, Hyrox champion and newly minted Men's Health cover start, Jake Dearden, for a podcast and Q&A filmed live at FIIT studios in London. Jake opened up about his first foray into Hyrox, and how he's subsequently sought out advice from some of the best coaches and athletes in the world, from multiple disciplines, to help him in his quest to become the fastest man on Earth in the fitness racing phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Men’s Health sat down with Joshua Patterson – endurance athlete, mental health advocate and record-breaking fundraiser – whose extraordinary feats include running 76 marathons in 76 days. We spoke about the devastating injury to his closest friend that inspired his first challenge, the transformative power of service, and how pushing his physical limits has become a way to find healing, purpose and deeper connection – both with himself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices