Claire Smith - Ultra endurance athlete - Only person in the UK to have finished a continuous Double Deca (20x Ironman). Training for the Arch To Arc Triathlon (Sept 2022). - a podcast by Sarah Williams

Claire in her own words:

 

“I have always been a highly motivated person, but when I was younger, I was highly motivated to self destruct! 

 

Over the last ten years, I have learnt how to use my drive, ambition and general craziness for a better purpose. I completed my first marathon, Ironman and then Double Ironman... Many more ultra triathlons followed and also, Brutal Events was born.

 

I will be honest and admit I have struggled with addiction (and the depression and self-esteem issues that come with it), but almost eight years ago, I finally turned my life around and have not looked back since.  Of all my achievements, this is what I am most proud of, but it’s the one I don’t speak about. Well, until now…

 

I often get asked why I do the ultra endurance stuff, and I guess I love the fact that you can do anything if you train well and really want it. 

 

In other news, I am a mum of two children (that aren’t kids anymore), a graphic/website designer, a writer, and I also run Brutal Events - brutalevents.co.uk"

 

 

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Show Notes

• Who Claire is in her own words
• Setting up her business Brutal Events
• Writing and publishing books
• Moving back to Bournemouth from Hereford
• Getting a bit more rebellious
• Doing her own thing at school
• Starting to run at 20
• Challenges she faced as a single parent
• Completing her first half marathon
• Meeting her husband
• Having no idea what Ironman is but wanting to participate
• Not having a bike and being unable to swim
• Splitting up with her husband
• Getting a tattoo
• Keeping friends with her ex-husband
• Completing the Double Ironman
• How important is it for her to complete the Ironman
• Her Double Ironman finishing experience
• Not working with coaches
• How she balances training with two kids
• Managing the pain from her ongoing injuries
• Having Hyperlordosis
• Focusing on her routines and plans
• Things that help her manage her pain
• Feeling like giving up
• How and why did she keep going
• Training for the Arch to Arc Triathlon
• How she feels about the challenge
• Being on the right track after 13 years
• Struggling with panic attacks
• Managing her stress and anxiety
• What causes her panic attacks in the water and swimming through it
• How much does it cost her to do this challenge
• A big bag of crisps and Netflix
• Being addicted to sugar
• Having to eat more than she wants to gain weight
• Needing to step away from junk food and eat better food
• Struggling with an eating disorder and monitoring herself against it
• Writing her book, Becoming Brutal
• Getting into more detail about Brutal Events
• Doing the Snowdonia marathon
• Where does "brutal" come from
• Final words of advice