“93% Harry Potter and 7% Bear Grylls”. That’s how Paul Watkins’ website describes him.
There are lots of other labels that could be applied too; Pharmacist, mountaineer, full-time dad, ultramarathon runner, motivational speaker and property developer.
However, the one label that doesn’t sit comfortably with Paul is “athlete”, which is difficult to appreciate when you consider his list of achievements.
Paul has climbed major peaks on all 7 continents and competed in some of toughest ultramarathon runners in Australia and the world.
Most recently, Paul competed in the 6633 Arctic Ultra; a 614km/380mi self-supported race in the Arctic Circle in temperatures ranging from -20˚ to -40˚ celsius (-4˚ to -4˚F) with an 80% drop-out rate.
And not only did he finish the race, he won!
There’s an interesting theme reoccurring through much of Paul’s story; he’s often “failed” on the first go.
He ‘failed’ on his first attempt to summit Denali (the highest mountain in North America).
I first met Paul in Argentina when we were on the same expedition to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America - and also his second attempt to do so.
And his victorious race at the 6633 Arctic Ultra in 2019 was his second attempt after he DNF’d 250km into this first attempt in 2017.
And we discuss how on earth a self-confessed nerd won one of the toughest, longest, windiest and coldest ultramarathons in the world.
Paul is a great storyteller and someone who has thought deeply about what it takes to bring the best out of yourself, and others.
Get the full show notes for the episode here.
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Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Paul on Instagram: @_paulwatkins
Tils’ (as she is generally known) grew up in country New South Wales chasing 3 older brothers around the paddock. So it’s hardly surprising her first foray into sport was on the rugby league field.
Sadly, she had to give up the sport in her early teens because once girls reached a certain age, they were no longer allowed to play against boys - and, of course - there was no girl’s league at the time.
Fast forward a few years and Tils discovered triathlons. And just 4 years later, she made the jump to the professional ranks - which, in hindsight, she now admits was too early.
These days, Tils is an “amateur professional” cyclist who rides at a National level here in Australia with the #1 ranked women’s cycling team in Australia - Specialised Women’s Racing - including at the Tour Down Under in January, 2019.
In this conversation, she shares:
- growing up with male athletes as her role models (because there weren’t any women with a profile in the sport),
- why she says she became a professional triathlete too quickly,
- how she 'hated' swimming yet deliberately set out to change her mindset,
- her struggle with body image, burnout and the Imposter Complex in her triathlon career,
- how she navigates her own "internal bullshit" these days,
- her experience of 'Everesting' on the road to Everest Base Camp in Tibet as well as riding parts of the Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and
- whether she's always been the type to 'say yes and figure it out later' (or whether that confidence has developed over time).
Get the full show notes for the episode here.
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Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Tils on Instagram: instagram.com/matildaraynolds
Shelly Horton’s High School career guidance counsellor told her she was too opinionated and warned her to tone it down. Instead, she ignored him and turned it into a career!
Shelly is a journalist, TV presenter and producer and her opinions can be heard multiple times each week on Channel 9 in Australia.
Shelly is also not afraid of open and honest conversations about difficult topics. So I knew she’d be the perfect guest for Sparta Chicks Radio.
In this conversation, Shelly and I discuss:
- the early days of her career (which started in radio) including the very personal reason she didn’t explore a career in TV,
- the “soul-destroying” conversation with her boss about her weight that destroyed Shelly’s confidence and derailed her TV career for almost 2 years,
- the goal-setting course (and the exercise she learnt at that course) that fundamentally changed her life,
- the biggest myths around confidence,
- her experience with the Imposter Complex,
- how she deals with online trolling and public criticism, and
- her experience with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and how she manages it
Get the full show notes for the episode here.
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Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Shelly on Instagram: instagram.com/shellyhorton1
In 2007, Bonnie Tu was the CFO of Giant Bicycles and decided to join the former Chairman who was riding the Tour of Taiwan, a 900km ride that circumnavigates Taiwan.
At the time Bonnie was in her late 50s and had not ridden a bicycle since High School (and never a bike with gears!).
But when Bonnie walked into a Giant Bicycles retail outlet, she was shocked to realise she couldn’t find a bike or any apparel to suit her needs.
The ride proved to be a "very painful experience".
And 12 months later, Liv Cycling - the first comprehensive cycling brand dedicated to female cyclists - was born.
Fast forward to 2019 and Bonnie is now the Chairperson of Giant Bicycles and is still incredibly driven to ensure women are empowered to participate in the sport of cycling, via everything from cutting edge components on Liv bikes through to exploring cycling clothes for Muslim women.
Bonnie is a joyous, passionate woman and I am excited to welcome her to Sparta Chicks Radio this week to discuss:
- her childhood growing up in Taiwan,
- her earliest memory of learning to ride a bike,
- how she became involved in the cycling industry in the 70s, yet only got back on the bike for herself in her late 50s (and learning to shift gears in the process),
- the origins of Liv Cycling and it’s commitment to build bicycles “for and by” women, and
- her first triathlon at the age of 68.
Get the full show notes for the episode here.
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Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Liv Cycling Australia on Instagram: instagram.com/livcycling_aus/