Get ready for an episode that dives into the thrilling world of obstacle course racing with Dr. Becky Neal!
Becky is an elite British obstacle course racer, a dedicated sports science lecturer, and the Head of OCR at British Obstacle Sports. She’s a Guinness World Record holder for completing the world’s highest OCR event on Mount Everest, and she’s competed in over 150 races across 10 countries since she first discovered the sport during her PhD in environmental physiology.
With a background in running and gymnastics, OCR was a natural fit for Becky, but it’s been her grit and resilience that have propelled her to captain the British national team and become a leader in this sport.
In this episode, she shares her journey—from her early experiences and initial challenges to racing in extreme environments like the deserts of Saudi Arabia and the high altitudes of Nepal. She also offers invaluable tips on tackling difficult obstacles and staying motivated, no matter your skill level.
We’ll explore Becky’s groundbreaking research into wearable technology to monitor athlete health in extreme conditions, and discuss the future of OCR as it takes a spot in the 2028 Olympics as part of the modern pentathlon.
This is an episode that celebrates the power of perseverance, and you won’t want to miss it. Tune in for some serious inspiration!
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Show notes
Who is Becky
Becky's active childhood involved gymnastics, athletics, cross-country, and camping
Continuing her passion for sports through university
Doing cheerleading before discovering obstacle course racing
The history of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)
The Tough Guy races in the UK
How races like Tough Mudder, and Spartan Race brought mainstream popularity to OCR
Becky's first OCR experience
Finding OCR to be both challenging and enjoyable
Becky's competitive nature and desire to prove herself physically
Enjoying the camaraderie of OCR teams
Training centres and British Obstacle Sports
Fostering a supportive community for women in OCR
Struggling with strength for heavy carries
How her background in gymnastics gave her a head start on techniques
The growth of OCR, especially among women
The excitement of seeing more teenage girls getting involved in OCR
Her journey of self-improvement within OCR
Being motivated by the sport’s evolving challenges and the supportive community
Physical and psychological types of obstacles
High obstacles like the cargo net
Slides and confined spaces that can cause psychological challenges
Personal anecdotes of fear and mental hurdles among friends
Overcoming fears and mental blocks
Participating with someone to ease the process
Training at centres to practise certain obstacles
Exposure to obstacles through videos and guides for familiarity
Balancing physical condition with mental readiness
Running 4-5 times a week to build endurance for the races
Bouldering for grip strength, not necessarily for climbing technique
Use of specialised obstacle centres and coaches, where available
Becky's home training setup, including a bike ergo, monkey bars, campus board, and kettlebells
Mount Everest Guinness World Record
Becky’s long-standing interest in mountains and altitude
Event titled “World’s Highest OCR,” set in Nepal (November 2022)
Partnership with wearable device company OxyWear to monitor oxygen levels
Study on cognitive function, oxygen saturation, and altitude sickness
Three stages of the event, including the trek to Everest Base Camp
Challenges like acclimatisation, extreme cold, and high altitude during the race
Altitude, oxygen scarcity, and impact on the body
Importance of respecting one's limits and listening to the body
Observations of other trekkers struggling and determination to continue despite health risks
Reflections on motivations and risks in high-stakes, challenging environments
Personal experience of altitude sickness and emotional response
Understanding individual responses to high-altitude training and sickness
Current research - using short hypoxia exposures to predict altitude sickness risk
Approaches in nutrition, training, and adaptation for individual physiology
Use of wearable technology to monitor vital signs
Desert Ultra OCR in Saudi Arabia
Personal approach to training and racing
Innovation in wearable tech testing
Future plans and research direction
Final words of advice
Social Media
Website: British Obstacle Course Racing
Instagram: @therunnerbeanuk
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