Share
The Jake Dearden Podcast
Theo Baker - #35
Ep. 35
•
Theo Baker joins Jake Dearden to talk about his 12-year journey on YouTube, building successful podcasts, dealing with burnout, and turning content creation into a full-time career. We discuss dropping out of university, the evolution of YouTube, and how fitness transformed his life.
We also explore Theo's journey into running, triathlon, Hyrox, marathon training, Ironman preparation, injury setbacks, and the mindset needed to balance elite-level endurance goals with a busy creator lifestyle.
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - How Theo Got Started on YouTube
05:00 Crazy McDonald's Stories & First Jobs
09:15 - Making Money Online & Dropping Out of Uni
16:00 - The Evolution of YouTube & Athlete Creators
19:20 - Building Podcasts & The Story Behind Wafflin'
25:00 - Burnout, Workload & Managing Multiple Projects
34:00 - Triathlon Journey, Ironman Training & Injuries
53:00 - Full Ironman Preparation & Mental Challenges
01:10:00 - Marathon Running, Goals & Future Challenges
01:28:00 - Balancing Fitness, Content & Long-Term Success
15% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247
https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...
BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:
https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com
Whoop — 1 month free:
https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden
More episodes
View all episodes
34. Holly Archer - #34
01:57:16||Ep. 34Holly Archer joins Jake Dearden to share her incredible journey from getting detention after a school cross-country race to becoming a European silver medallist and one of the most respected endurance athletes in the UK.We dive into her experience in America, missing out on the Olympics by the smallest of margins, life as a professional runner, altitude training, sponsorships, Hyrox, and what it really takes to perform at an elite level.00:00 Intro00:07 Chasing A Scholarship To America00:12 NCAA Life, Culture Shock & Learning To Compete00:20 Full-Time Work & Winning A European Silver Medal00:28 Altitude Training: What Actually Works?00:35 Turning Professional & The Reality Of Sponsorships00:41 Leaving Pro Running & Finding A New Direction00:49 Hyrox, Performance & Endurance Training Insights01:20 Women In Sport, Mindset & The Future Ahead15% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE: https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free: https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden33. Sam Griffiths - #33
01:25:11||Ep. 33On todays episode we sit down with Sam Griffiths. In this episode, we dive into his training, nutrition, recovery, mindset, injury prevention, and how he rapidly lost 110lbs. We also discuss his weekly mileage, marathon-specific workouts, building accountability and the lessons he's learned chasing peak performance. 00:00 – Intro05:30 – Gaming & Health Issues 12:45 – Falling in Love With Endurance Training21:10 – Travel, Adventure & Lessons From Around the World34:20 – Building a Marathon Runner’s Mindset53:35 – Morning Routine & Training Discipline56:08 – Why Podcasts Changed His Running57:20 – The Monster Marathon Workout01:02:00 – Injury Prevention & Staying Consistent01:04:00 – Nutrition, Recovery & Advice for Runners15% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE: https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free: https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden32. Gabriella Moriarty - #32
02:14:57||Ep. 32Gabby Moriarty joins the podcast to share her journey from a young athletics athlete in Northampton to becoming one of the UK's top HYROX competitors.We dive into her running background, marathon success, the coaches who shaped her career, why she stepped away from competitive running, and how she eventually found her way into HYROX. Gabby also opens up about resilience, training alone, competing at the elite level, and what it takes to keep improving when you're constantly chasing the athletes ahead of you.00:00 - Intro02:00 - Childhood Athletics, Running & Learning To Compete12:00 - Why Resilience Became Her Greatest Strength19:00 - University Running, Travelling Australia & Starting Again28:00 - The Coach Who Changed Her Life34:00 - Sub-18 5K & Sub-3 Marathon 41:30 - Discovering HYROX 54:00 - From Open Division To Elite 15 Athlete01:12:00 - Health Scares, Phoenix & Life Perspective01:45:00 - Elite Racing, Mindset, Community 5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden31. Joshua Charnley - #31
01:22:04||Ep. 31Rugby league star Josh opens up on the highs and lows of his career, from being dropped at 14 to becoming one of the sport’s top try scorers. We talk mental resilience, family, autism, training, recovery, switching to rugby union, losing the love for the game, and finding it again at Leigh Leopards.00:00 – Intro02:31 – Growing Up in Leigh & Discovering Rugby06:12 – Getting Dropped by Wigan at 1410:09 – The Comeback & Signing Again13:12 – Mental Resilience & Family Life18:24 – Super League Debut & Early Success24:26 – Winning Finals & Career Highlights33:33 – Switching to Rugby Union44:23 – Losing the Love for Rugby48:27 – Leigh Leopards5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden30. Red Bull Coach Jack Birch - #30 - The Jake Dearden Podcast
01:16:16||Ep. 30Jack Birch is a strength & conditioning coach at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center, working with some of the best athletes in the world - from Olympians and skaters to endurance athletes and world champions.In this episode we discuss elite performance, recovery, genetics vs hard work, burnout, confidence, injury rehab, and what really separates good athletes from great ones. Jack also shares behind-the-scenes insight into the Red Bull APC in Austria and LA.00:00 – Intro02:45 – Jack’s Journey From Devon to Red Bull LA05:08 – Working at West Ham as a Young Coach12:04 – Rowing, Skiing & Coaching Olympic Athletes18:47 – Landing the Job at Red Bull20:26 – What Elite Athletes Are Surprisingly Bad At30:18 – Genetics vs Hard Work in Elite Sport52:30 – Recovery, Sleep & Burnout in Athletes58:47 – The Reality of Being a Professional Athlete01:05:22 – Austria vs LA: Inside Red Bull’s Facilities5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden29. Andrew Butchart & Alfie Manthorpe - #29
01:17:21||Ep. 29Olympian Andy Butchart and elite runner Alfie Manthorpe joins the podcast to talk marathon disasters, Olympic Village stories, altitude camps, elite running culture, Hyrox potential, and building a new running community in Manchester. From sh*tting yourself mid-race to chasing Olympic dreams.00:00 – Intro 08:00 – Olympic Village stories, Rio & Tokyo experiences16:00 – Marathon disasters, injuries & race horror stories24:00 – Recovering from the marathon & training struggles32:00 – Altitude camps, Flagstaff & how elites train40:00 – Building a Manchester running community48:00 – Training mindset, pressure & staying relaxed56:00 – Running shoes, gear obsession & recovery1:04:00 – Hyrox potential & marathon plans1:12:00 – Future plans5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden28. James Kelly - #28
01:31:08||Ep. 28In this episode James Kelly joins the podcast to talk about his rise from Aussie Rules football to becoming one of the world’s top HYROX athletes. We dive into elite training, mindset, pressure, coaching, race strategy, Melbourne lows, World Championship goals, and what really happens behind the scenes in professional HYROX. 00:00 – Intro05:11 – Building an elite aerobic engine as a teenager07:14 – Aussie Rules culture & stepping away from football10:30 – Discovering HYROX through Hunter McIntyre16:04 – Debut race in Birmingham & going sub-6018:18 – The insane 15-minute World Champs call-up23:09 – Pressure, expectations & elite mindset29:19 – Melbourne struggles & bouncing back mentally35:13 – Why changing coaches changed everything46:55 – Training alone, Australian culture & elite preparation5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden27. Cassia Clarke - #27 - The Jake Dearden Podcast
01:10:33||Ep. 27In this episode, we sit down with Cassia, an ultra runner who completely transformed her life after discovering running during lockdown. From struggling with confidence and losing over 100 pounds, to running marathons and 100km ultras. We discuss the success, the deeper story with burnout, social media pressure, and the decision to walk away from it all for an entire year.00:00 – Intro04:30 – Lockdown, Rock Bottom & First Steps Into Running10:00 – Building Confidence & Running Her First 5K16:00 – Going Viral & Entering the Social Media World24:00 – First Marathon & The Leap Into Ultras32:00 – Ultra Running Stories, Community & Mindset44:00 – The Dark Side of Social Media & Mental Health Decline54:00 – Quitting Everything & Disappearing for a Year01:04:00 – Life Offline: Healing, Happiness & Perspective Shift01:14:00 – Returning to Socials & What Life Looks Like Now5% off 247 Represent - Use code: JAKE247https://uk.representclo.com/collectio...BPN supplements - 10% off, Use code: JAKE:https://www.bareperformancenutrition.comWhoop — 1 month free:https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/Jakedearden