In this week's episode, Rory and Mike sit down with Rob Symth, CEO of UN1T, the global fitness franchise. After traveling to 29 countries across 3 continents and learning everything he could about training methods and sports philosophies from different cultures, founder Rob Smyth opened the first UN1T in April 2017 in London. By November 2018, the first franchise had opened in Munich, Germany, and then further afield into the Middle East with franchisees opening in Kuwait and Qatar and most recently in Dubai. UN1T now has 15 Franchises in 9 countries and Rob has ambitions to continue to scale globally. Rory and Mike take it right back to where it all began and talk to Rob about his early career, the challenges, the successes, and the chaos that is scaling a business globally. Enjoy!

In this episode, Mike, Rudds, and Rory talk to former FFS Intern and now Irish Womes Strength & Conditioning Coach, Cian Gormley. The guys talk about the approach to training, recovery, and planning taken by elite athletes and how it can be applied at a macro level for recreational athletes.

Cian shares some insights into the preparation of the Ireland team for the Women's 6 Nations championship and the challenges the squad face, and how they will adapt, having suffered defeats in their opening two games.

Cian is an avid middle to long-distance runner and the conversation touches on the importance of strength training while running. A large part of the conversation focuses on developing a consistent and enjoyable training routine as well as the emotional and mental challenges that consistent training pose.

In this episode, Mike, Rudds, and Rory talk to Keith Egan. Keith boasts a +5 Handicap, has represented Ireland in the home nations, and has reached number 80 in the world amateur golf rankings. It is safe to say he is without any doubt the best golfer to ever set foot in FFS.

Keith has worked as a personal trainer and used his professional learnings to inform his physical preparation for golf. We talk about physical, mental, and nutritional prep and how one can maximize performance with some basic structure.

We also dip into the conversation around turning pro, what drives Keith and what his aspirations are. This episode is a must-listen for all golf fans.

Stay tuned to the very end for a story from Keith on his experience playing St. Andrews with Rory and the madness that ensued as they played the infamous 17th, the “Road Hole”. Enjoy.

In this episode Mike, Rudds and Rory talk to Anna Pfeifer who has just joined the FFS teams in a Yoga and Mobility coaching capacity. Anna and Rudds talk through the benefits of adding mobility training into your regular training week and why we should all be doing it!

Anna comes from a corporate background and shares her experience on moving into the fitness industry mid pandemic.

We also dive into the personal setbacks that Anna faced because of a horrific freak leg break.

Finally, a bombshell from Rudds on hat he has been putting his body through all in aid of the Irish cancer society, a cause very close to our hearts. Here is the link to donate… which you will 100% do after hearing what he has been up to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ciaran-ruddock4

Happy Christmas everyone

Most people struggle to run one marathon, most never even consider running seven in seven days!

Most people also struggle with their mental health at some point in their lives, most never even consider talking about it or seeking help.

Most people aren't like FFS' very own Steo Keane.

This episode is packed with entertainment, fun, insights into what life has been like during the pandemic, and most importantly some very powerful messages from Steo on the mental health challenges people face and how we can all work together to help each other out.

You will really enjoy this episode!

Episode 2 of the FFS Podcast mini series - The people of FFS and we are joined by Vicki McGrath.

This episode is coming to everyone a little later than we would have liked due to the current COVID-19 situation. The ski trip is a dead give away that this was filmed at the start of February.

It's actually awesome to listen back and hear about Vicki's story and journey since she joined FFS. At the time Vicki was the reigning FFS Trainer of The Month and going through the biggest battle of her life, a battle with Breast Cancer. Vicki had just finished 8 sessions of chemo a few days before the podcast was recorded.

The story is full of inspiration and is a really normal down to earth chat with a lady who has inspired so many at FFS over the past 2 years. A real show of strength is that when this podcast was recorded she was still awaiting the results to see if her treatment had been successful, with all that uncertainty and worry she still joined the guys on the podcast and shared her story.

We are so pleased to report that Vicki has had a clear pathological response to treatment which is basically the best anyone could ask for.

This episode is full of what the real world is going through right now. No matter what you are going through this will inspire you.

The run at the end didn't go ahead of course but it will for sure in the future when it is safe to do so but you can still donate now - https://www.gofundme.com/f/dash-amp-dip-in-aid-of-irish-cancer-society

Enjoy.