Men’s Health: Built For Life

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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Comedian, broadcaster and newly minted Men’s Health cover star Paddy McGuinness joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk discipline, routines and what he learned from taking on the 75 Hard challenge in his fifties.

After years of dipping in and out of training, Paddy explains why the simple structure of the challenge finally made things click – and how focusing on the basics helped him build momentum. He shares how committing to daily movement, reading and consistency reshaped his approach to fitness, while also sharpening his mindset and bringing a new level of discipline to his day.

Along the way we get into why routines matter, how accountability can make or break a goal, and what it’s like preparing for a Men’s Health cover shoot. Paddy also reflects on learning new habits later in life, why it’s never too late to start taking your health seriously, and the surprising mental benefits that came from sticking to a simple plan.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with training – or wondered whether a structured challenge might be the push you need – this conversation is packed with relatable insights.

Want to try the plan that got Paddy McGuinness into the best shape of his life at 52? We’re sharing 14-days free access to try the Men’s Health guide to how best to do 75 Hard – sign up here: https://link.menshealth.co.uk/join/signup-mens-health-podcast-paddy
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Broadcaster, author and High Performance co-host Jake Humphrey joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk success, happiness and what he’s learned from interviewing some of the world’s top performers.
Drawing on hundreds of conversations with elite athletes, CEOs and coaches, Jake explains why many high achievers aren’t actually happy – and why redefining success might be the key to building a better life.
We also dive into hustle culture, the power of small daily habits, learning to say no, and why putting family first might be the ultimate high-performance strategy.
If you’ve ever questioned whether chasing more is really the answer, this one’s worth your time.
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Ben Hobson and Rick Pearson of Runner’s World join Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey to discuss the meteoric surge of interest in running over the last few years. Covering a lot of ground, the guys explore whether the right kit is necessary to hit your running goals, the truth about nutrition and supplementation, the importance of strength training for performance and injury prevention, and the biggest mistakes runners make. From fuelling performance to acing recovery, you’ll come away with everything you need to make 2026 the year you (finally) smash your running goals.
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