Men’s Health: Built For Life

Your Men's Health: Built For Life Hosts – Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey – sit down to unpack Ben’s road back to the marathon at 51 – after being told post–back surgery he’d never go the distance again. They dig into the reality of ‘minimum effective dose’ training, how to rebuild around injury, and what actually moves the needle when time (and your body) isn’t on your side.

 

AT also breaks down his latest experiment: taking on the brutal 81km TransGranCanaria mountain ultra on just one run per week. What worked, what didn’t, and how a simple timekeeping error left him stranded at the top of a mountain, watching the race slip away.
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Actor James Norton joins Men’s Health and Runner’s World for a special crossover episode.
Ahead of his first London Marathon, Norton breaks down what training actually looks like when you’re not a “natural runner” - and what changes when you’re managing Type 1 diabetes.
From carb strategy and glucose monitoring to injuries, data overload and mental fatigue, this is a candid look at the reality of preparing for 42.2km.
We also get into cold exposure, mindset, and why, for this race, finishing
matters more than hitting a time.
Plus, Norton explains how new diabetes tech is transforming endurance sport and why he’s running for a cause bigger than himself.

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Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey are joined by former Royal Marines Commando and expedition leader Aldo Kane to break down what ‘mental toughness’ actually means – and why most people have it completely wrong. From operating in war zones to leading teams into the world’s most hostile environments, Aldo explains why toughness isn’t about ice baths or suffering for the sake of it, but the ability to keep going when things get uncomfortable – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Along the way, we dig into the realities of extreme performance – including running a marathon from the summit of the world’s highest volcano – why gratitude might be the most powerful mental tool you’re not using, and the simple fitness standard every man should aim for: not being a burden. This is a masterclass in resilience, stripped of ego.
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Former British Army soldier and Military Cross recipient Brian Wood joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk about masculinity, vulnerability and what real toughness actually looks like – starting with the war crimes allegations that turned his life upside down.

 

After being accused of serious offences following his actions in Iraq – claims he always denied and was ultimately cleared of – Brian opens up about the toll of years under investigation, the impact on his mental health, and the reality of fighting a very different kind of battle back home.

 

Drawing on his experiences in combat – and the aftermath that followed – Brian explains why strength isn’t about shutting down, but opening up. We discuss trauma, the pressure men put on themselves to ‘hold it together’, and why learning to talk might be one of the hardest – and most important – skills a man can develop.

 

We also get into leadership under fire, the role of movement and endurance in rebuilding resilience, and why ‘movement is medicine’ has become a cornerstone of Brian’s life beyond the military.

 

If you’ve ever questioned what it really means to be strong, this one will stay with you.
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Breathing coach David ‘Jacko’ Jackson joins Andrew Tracey and Ben Shephard to explain why most of us are breathing wrong – and how fixing it could transform your running, recovery and overall performance.
From cutting down your 5K time to reducing stress and improving sleep, Jacko breaks down the simple changes that can make hard efforts feel easier.
We dive into breathing rate, CO₂ tolerance, nasal breathing, and why ‘just get fitter’ might be missing the point.
If you want to run better, recover faster and feel more in control under pressure, this one’s worth your time.

 

Breathe Smarter, Run Stronger: Breathwork to Transform Your Running is available on Amazon now
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