Why In The World: Recent Episodes
Ben Sheppard
Join Ben Sheppard as he asks adventurers, athletes, and those with inspiring stories, why?
- NEW EPISODES SOON *
WhyInTheWorld š
Fran Turauskis is an lover of everything adventure, from hiking the Camino solo to running ultras. Fran also champions epilepsy awareness after being diagnosed in 2015 and hosts her own podcast called āSeize your adventureā.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded remotely during lockdown and not in person as normal.
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- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Fran Turauskis - https://www.instagram.com/frantictwalks/?hl=en
Fergus Crawley is a mental health advocate who has turned his hand to ultra endurance. With an impressive adventure CV that is constantly growing Fergus continues to push the boundaries of what is possible while telling his story and showing others that itās okay not to feel okay.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded remotely during lockdown and not in person as normal.
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- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Fergus Crawley - https://www.instagram.com/ferguscrawley/?hl=en
Something a little different as our host Ben Sheppard recounts his experience pre, during and post his 24 hour track challenge with fellow podcaster and runner Jake Lowe. The clips are taken from Jakeās show āRunning with Jake - The Plodcastā. If youād like to donate to Globals make some noise and Benās challenge then the donation link is below.
- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Jake Lowe - https://www.instagram.com/runningwithjake/?hl=en
Donate - https://makesomenoise.charitycheckout.co.uk/pf/capitalsultimate24hourchallenge-a8121
Alex is a record-breaking adventurer, endurance athlete, author and mental health activist, in both 2015 and 17 he ventured to Nepal to take on Everest and ultimately both trips ended in tragedy. Heās now inspiring others through his charity āmind over mountainsā and has completed many other amazing challenges.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded before any of the current social distancing and lockdown measures came into place.
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- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Alex Staniforth - https://www.instagram.com/alexstaniforth_/?hl=en
- Mind Over Mountains - https://mindovermountains.org.uk
Cameron Jeffers is a high level cyclist and YouTuber who has 100K subscribers, heās done some amazingly imaginative challenges on his channel and works to show that cycling is accessible to the masses.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded before any of the current social distancing and lockdown measures came into place.
Follow us on Instagram.
- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Cameron Jeffers - https://www.instagram.com/cameronjeffers
- Cam's YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWNFuWRs3xp-Kj3RWV1ktMw
In 2019 Rhys Jenkins became the first Welshman to complete what is widely considered the world's toughest footrace, The Badwater 135. Heās now set his sights on building a legacy in the race as well as continuing to grow his own Ultra brand Pegasus.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded before any of the current social distancing and lockdown measures came into place.
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- Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
- WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
- Rhys Jenkins - https://www.instagram.com/rjenko11/?hl=en
- Pegasus - https://www.pegasusultrarunning.com/about/
Tom Warburton is a student at the University of Nottingham and is looking to become the youngest person ever to walk to the South Pole from the coast of Antarctica, he'll be covering a distance of about 700 miles in around 45 days and will be completely on his own, solo and self supported.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded before any of the current social distancing and lockdown measures came into place.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Tom Warburton - https://www.instagram.com/tom_warbs/?hl=en
Megan is the youngest ever female to run the famous route from John OāGroats to Lands End unsupported, a fact made even more impressive because sheād only really just started running. Meganās journey however didnāt come without its challenges both before and after the adventure.
Episode Note, this episode was recorded before any of the current social distancing and lockdown measures came into place
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Megan Al-Ghailani - https://www.instagram.com/keepgoingmegan/?hl=en
Damian Hall is an elite Ultra runner whoās achievements stack up. Heās now the holder of both the Summer and Winter Paddy Buckley record and back in 2018 bagged himself a fifth placed finish at the UTMB. Heās also a great laugh and a top bloke.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Damian Hall - https://www.instagram.com/ultra_damo/?hl=en
Website - http://www.damianhall.info/running/4593608602
Jamie Ramsay is a British adventurer who after packing in his job in the big city has gone on to complete some incredible feats of endurance across the globe, including a 17ā000 KM run from Vancouver to Buenos Aires in just 600 days.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Jamie Ramsay - https://www.instagram.com/jamieisrunning/?hl=en
Imagine getting a phone call telling you a loved one has been involved in a mountain accident. Itās not something youād ever expect to happen, but when it does it can change what the mountains mean to you. Jess is an adventurer, mountain leader and all round good person who has experience both huge highs and lows in the mountains.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Jessica Mather - https://www.instagram.com/jessicamather91
From the Manchester hairdressing scene to a successful running coach, itās been quite the journey for Gary House whoās seen the running world change through the years. Heās also a competitive and successful runner himself whoās taken on some of the toughest races in the world. Gary is also the proud host of the brilliant Run Strong Podcast which is linked below!
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Gary House - https://www.instagram.com/garyhouse_/
The Runstrong Podcast - https://runstrong.libsyn.com
For some, adventure is a weekend thing, for others itās not only their passion but their livelihood. Sarah Stirling is an Adventure Journalist, trail runner, cold water swimmer who among many other things cycled 1000kmās across Patagonia. Sarah sat down with Ben as 2019 drew to an end to chat about everything from the benefits of cold water swimming to where her love for the outdoors began.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Sarah Stirling - https://www.instagram.com/sarah_stirling/
ā¢ Sarah's Website - http://sarahstirling.com/
Sometimes a challenge may not go the way you planned it. You might have to alter it, change it or end up with a DNF. In late 2018, Katrina Megget set out to walk the length of New Zealand and ultimately on her first attempt came up short. She now sees it as unfinished business and has gone back to finish what she started!
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Katrina Megget - https://www.instagram.com/katrinamegget/
Huw Jack Brassington is an Ultra Runner, Journalist, Presenter, Adventure Seeker and all-round good guy! He recently completed arguably the hardest UK round, The Paddy Buckley in his homeland of Snowdonia for a TV show called 47 COPA.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Huw Jack Brassington - https://www.instagram.com/huwjackbrassington/?hl=en
Scott Jenkins is a Moab 240 FINISHER. He completed the race in 93 hours 58 minutes and 14 seconds, finishing 35th and in doing so became the first Welsh man ever to finish one of the most iconic ULTRAs on earth. Ben sat down with him over a bottle of whiskey to celebrate and debrief his extraordinary experience.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Scott Jenkins - https://www.instagram.com/scottjjenkins
Isaac is undoubtedly āOne To Watchā. At the age of just 25 he already holds a World Record, has swam the English Channel and has rowed The Atlantic; amoung many other things. He now goes by the nickname Mr Enthusiasm and is a lover of everything outdoors.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Isaac Kenyon - https://www.instagram.com/isaac_kenyon/
You may know Harrison from his instagram account @FellFoodie, but you might not know the story of the man before the mountains, his battle with alcoholic addiction, depression, and his incredible transformation. Harrison's story shows that however dark of a place you maybe in, there is always a way out.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Fell Foodie - https://www.instagram.com/fellfoodie/
There are endurances challenges and then there is the Continuous Deca. Ten back to back Ironman triathlons with each disciplines distance added up to create some truly mind boggling numbers. Mark was the winner of the 2019 Brutal Events Continuous Deca.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Mark Dodgson - https://www.instagram.com/doddi76/
You may know him as ADVENTUREMAN, but the man behind the cape is Jamie Mcdonald. Double World Record holder and charity champion who's run across both Canada and the USA. Jamie's story is incredible, heartfelt and truly inspiring.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Jamie McDonald - https://www.instagram.com/adventureman/
Rowing an Ocean is a very daunting prospect, but what exactly goes into an Ocean Row? A year out of her journey from California to Hawaii with the āGirls Who Dareā crew, Ben Sheppard sat down with Jessica Shuman.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Jessica Shuman - https://www.instagram.com/jessica.cl.s
It all started back in 2010 when Scott and his brother decided to run from Boston to Austin. 75 marathons in 75 days. Since then heās put together one of the most impressive Ultra Marathon CVs in the UK. He now turns his attention to one of the most famous Ultras in the world, the Moab 240 as he attempts to become the first Welshman ever to complete the race.
Follow us on Instagram. Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93 WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod Scott Jenkins - https://www.instagram.com/scottjjenkins Donate to Scotts Moab 240 attempt; https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1096817
After Fiona walked and cycled the length of Britain, she fancied another challenge, something that had never been done before, so she grabbed her stand up paddle board and away she went to SUP from Landās End to John OāGroats, but it didnāt come without itās challenges.
Follow us on Instagram. Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93 WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod Fiona Quinn - https://www.instagram.com/fionalquinn/
Described as, āA determined, fearless adventurer and an inspiring manā - Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, Jordan has served in the British army, protected boats from pirate attacks and has completed endurance challenges in some of the most dangerous places in the world, heās now putting his skills to use as a hunter on the TV show Hunted & has another huge project Rowing Dangerously coming up!
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Jordan Wylie - https://www.instagram.com/mrjordanwylie/?hl=en
Nikki has completed huge multi day adventures in the UK, projects in Malta & Ireland and now sheās heading back to her homeland of Australia for her biggest challenge to date. A very inspirational woman who enjoys pushing her limit and sharing her experiences with the next generation.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Nikki Love - https://www.instagram.com/nikkiloveruns/?hl=en
Rory Southworth is a Jack of all trades, heās a climber, trail runner, mountaineer, skier, route linker and most recently open water swimmer, an ambassador for everything outdoors whoās also done a fair few big projects in his time. Rory has also been through some tough times but has come out the other side more determined than ever to share his love for the outdoors.
Follow us on Instagram. Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93 WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod Rory Southworth - https://www.instagram.com/rorysouthworth/?hl=en Episode Sponsor. Raven Rock - https://ravenrockclothing.com
The Tough Girl podcast was the brainchild of Sarah Williams. Over the years Sarah has taken on numerous adventures including The MDS, Appalachian Trail, The Pacific Coast Highway & The Baja Divide! Her goal is to inspire an entire generation of women and to create a platform for other inspiring women to share their stories.
Follow us on Instagram. Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93 WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod Sarah Williams - https://www.instagram.com/toughgirlchallenges/?hl=en Episode Sponsor. Raven Rock - https://ravenrockclothing.com
Where are the next generation of adventures going to come from? David Mellor is an Ordnance Survey Get Outside Champion and runs award winning family blog, 'Potty Adventures'.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Liv completed a 1300km thru-hike of New Zealandās South Island & is the host of the podcast āThe Outdoors Fixā.
Follow us on Instagram. Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93 WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod Liv Bolton - https://www.instagram.com/liv_outsideuk/?hl=en
If you have ever done a long distance race you'll know that you tend to make mates along the way, in this episode you will hear a race report of Benās first ever 50 mile Ultra featuring someone he met along the way, Tom Duthie.
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Ben Sheppard - https://www.instagram.com/bensheppard93
WITW - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod
Ben catches up with Southampton footballing legend & endurance athlete Franny Benali following his Ironfran challenge, during which he attempted seven Ironman triathlons in seven days all aid of Cancer Research UK.
Donate - https://www.ironfran.co.uk/
WITW In Depth 4/4 - A honest, no holds barred account of Luke Tyburski's Ultimate Triathlon, the challenges he faced and his road to recovery.
Episode sponsor - eightry.com
WITW In Depth 3/4 - Luke takes us step by step through The Double Brutal and we get stuck into the big one The Ultimate Triathlon!
Episode sponsor - eightry.com
WITW In Depth 2/4 - Incoming, the rest of Luke's MDS experience, his life changing Nepalese adventure & his first ever triathlon, which in true Tyburski style was one of the hardest double Ironman distance triathlons in the world!
WITW In Depth 1/4 - Luke turned to Ultra Endurance after a football career plagued by injury. Feeling a loss of identity, at 28 he signed up to his first ever race, the MDS, before pursuing countless adventures including The Ultimate Triathlon.
Announcement - Our host Ben Sheppard will be running 100 miles in three days around the Racecourse in Chester! Follow the whole thing on Instagram @WhyInTheWorldPod.
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/WhyInTheWorldPod/?hl=en
Ben is also joined on this episode by the Director of the Pen Llyn ULTRA & MDS finisher Huw Williams who shares some words of wisdom.
Francis Benali is a Southampton football legend who in recent years has turned his hand to endurance challenges, his latest sees him taking on 7 Ironman Triathlons in 7 days, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Donate - https://www.ironfran.co.uk/
Susie is an elite endurance runner who has overcome adversity and competed in some of the worlds most famous ULTRA races.
Laura Hughes is a Welsh weightlifter and Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist, she has also competed in Crossfit.
Seb Morris was the 2017 British GT Champion, he currently races for Bentley and has competed all over the world at some of the most iconic circuits.
Laura Try is an endurance athlete & ocean rower, to date she has rowed around Great Britain and more recently rowed across the Atlantic.
James Forrest is a record breaking mountaineer & the fastest person to climb all 446 mountains in England & Wales.
Pete Whittaker is a British big wall climber who rope soloed El Capitan in under 24 hours.
Brendan Rendall transformed his life through running. From the drink and drugs of the Manchester party scene to running 92 marathons in 92 days across Africa. He's now planning something even bigger.
Brendan Rendall transformed his life through running. From the drink and drugs of the Manchester party scene to running 92 marathons in 92 days across Africa. He's now planning something even bigger.
Annie Clarke is yoga teacher, author and founder of lifestyle and wellbeing blog, Mind Body Bowl. Named by Womenās Health as one of the top 5 fitness stars of 2017.
Tobias is an adventure journalist, elite ultra athlete & former Army Captain. He has completed over 200 races and expeditions in countless countries.
Pip Stewart is an adventurer, journalist and poet, she's battled a flesh eating parasite, cycled halfway around the world and paddled through the Amazon jungle.
Elise Downing ran the coastline of Great Britain. Five thousand miles over three hundred and one days.
Why in the world do people do what they do? Ben Sheppard sits down with extraordinary guests who do, or have done incredible things in the name of sport, as a job or just to challenge themselves.