

Men’s Health: Built For Life
Men's Health UK
Men’s Health: Built For Life — with hosts Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey — is the podcast for the men looking to take control of their fitness, health and life. Sharing practical science, actionable, real-world advice and incredible stories from inspiring guests – we can't promise you that listening to this podcast will change your life… but it will give you everything you need to go away and do that yourself.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 13min
PB Your 5K By Fixing Your Breathing
David 'Jacko' Jackson, former pro rugby player turned breathing coach and author, explains why most people breathe too fast and how simple tweaks change running, recovery and stress. Short takes cover nasal versus mouth breathing, tongue posture, diaphragm-driven breathing, using breathwork between efforts, and bedtime hacks for better sleep.

10 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 50min
At 52, Paddy McGuinness Changed His Body – This Is How
Paddy McGuinness, comedian and broadcaster who transformed his fitness at 52, talks routines, discipline and habit change. He explains why the 75 Hard structure finally clicked for him. Short, practical discussions cover adapting rules, learning new exercises later in life, and how accountability and simple daily routines built momentum.

13 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 3min
Jake Humphrey: ‘80% of High Performers Aren’t Happy’
Jake Humphrey, broadcaster and author who interviews elite performers, reflects on why many high achievers are unhappy. He talks about redefining success, resisting hustle culture, and prioritizing family and tiny daily habits. Short, candid stories and practical rules about saying no, protecting time, and enjoying the process make this a thought-provoking conversation.

Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 10min
Is the Kit You Run in Really Important?
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 26, 2026 • 55min
Roger Gracie on How to Strength Train for BJJ
Brazillian jiu-jitsu legend Roger Gracie joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk legacy, longevity and why BJJ might be the most complete training system on the planet.
.
We break down how the 10-time world champion built his game, why technique always beats brute strength, and the three lifts he believes every BJJ athlete should prioritise. Roger explains why you don’t need to ‘get fit’ before you start, how rolling builds resilience under pressure, and why jiu-jitsu forces you to rethink your sleep, nutrition and recovery if you want to keep progressing..
Along the way, we get into the 'Gracie Challenge', the very origin of the sport, the explosion of BJJ into the mainstream, whether strength really matters on the mat, and why Roger believes Olympic inclusion could fundamentally change – even damage – the art.
.
If you’ve ever thought about starting jiu-jitsu, competing for the first time, or simply want a smarter way to build strength and mental toughness, this one’s essential viewing.
.
The book we talked about: https://fave.co/4bca82f
Hosts:
https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/
https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/
Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 20min
Tom Aikens Ripped Michelin Starred Chef: Forget Meal Prep, Do This InsteadDefault
Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk discipline, endurance and why most blokes are overcomplicating their nutrition.
.
We break down how years of 14-hour kitchen shifts and knee surgery pushed him towards daily mobility work, ultramarathons and a ruthlessly consistent routine. Tom opens up about desert racing in brutal heat, fuelling without gels, and the mindset required to stay lean and strong in a high-stress profession.
.
Along the way, we get into why traditional meal prep might be missing the point, how to make simple protein-and-carb meals actually taste good, and why performance in the kitchen – and in life – starts with looking after your body first.
.
Hosts:
https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/ https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 12, 2026 • 26min
The Gym Is Non-Negotiable for My Mental Health - Here's How I Train
Former England football turned Men's Health cover superstar, Rio Ferdinand, joins Andrew Tracey to talk through how his approach to training, health and performance has changed since retiring from football.
.
We break down what stopped working once the weekly match mileage disappeared, why longevity now matters more than ego, and how his training has shifted towards staying strong, mobile and pain-free. Rio opens up about balancing heavy lifting with functional movement, adapting nutrition for real life, and why consistency beats intensity when you’re juggling travel, work and family. Along the way, we get into fatherhood, mental sharpness, and what it really means to train for life – not just sport.
.
Host: https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 2min
Spencer Matthews: World Record Triathlon on 7 Continents
Spencer Matthews joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey fresh off one of the most extreme endurance challenges ever attempted — completing seven Iron-distance triathlons on seven continents in 21 days.
.
We break down what that actually involved, from the brutal logistics and relentless travel to the moments where the project nearly fell apart. Spencer opens up about the Antarctic swim that haunted him for months, the safety briefing that made him question whether they should even be doing it, and the moment fear almost stopped everything. Along the way, we get into decision-making under pressure, the difference between toughness and recklessness, and why doing hard things isn’t always about bravado — especially when you’ve got a family waiting at home.
.
Hosts:
https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/
Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 8min
Hybrid. Hyrox. Bodybuilding. How Should You Be Training in 2026?
Ben Shephard and Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey cut through the noise around training in 2026. We get into hybrid training vs HYROX, why bodybuilding is having a comeback, what actually builds muscle, how hard you really need to train, and why most people are overthinking it. From strength and cardio to time-efficient training and long-term health, this is a no-nonsense look at how to train smarter, get fitter, and build muscle without letting fitness take over your life in 2026
.
Hosts:
https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/
https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/
Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 2026 • 42min
Paddy Pimblett: Every Morning I was Waking up Crying – People Thought I Was Tough
Paddy Pimblett joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey ahead of his interim title bout with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. We get into what’s going through his head pre-fight, lying awake thinking about finishes, cutting weight without losing your mind, why most gyms are sh*te, why he avoids 'that stupid HYROX stuff', and how many calories he can eat post-fight without blinking. Paddy also opens up about mental health, therapy, and why being tough isn’t what people think.
.
Hosts:
https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/
https://www.instagram.com/benshephardofficial/
Director of photography : https://www.instagram.com/edmundcurtiscine/
Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


