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Rapid AscentAuthor: rapidascent
Welcome to the Rapid Ascent Podcast. Experts in adventure since 2004. Run, ride, swim, paddle. Bringing you the best interviews with some remarkable participants from Rapid Ascent endurance events. Language: en Genres: Running, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep. 23: James Kelly: The full time lawyer who WON the 2025 Elite National XCM Championship
Episode 23
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
What does it take to WIN an elite mountain biking championship WHILE working as a high-powered lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with James Kelly to deconstruct his incredible journey to claim the green and gold at the 2025 XCM Nationals. He shares the training secrets, mental tactics, and the one race that changed everything, offering a blueprint for balancing a demanding career with elite athletic performance. In an epic journey of resilience and determination, James Kelly shattered expectations by winning the 2025 XCM National Elite Mountain Biking Championships. By day, he's a senior associate at a Melbourne law firm; by morning and night, he's an elite bike racer. This episode delves into the extraordinary dual life of James Kelly, exploring how he balances a high-stakes legal career with the grueling demands of professional mountain biking. From his unexpected victory in Melrose to his roots in downhill racing, James shares the unfiltered story of his rapid ascent to the top of the sport. What You'll Learn •The exact training philosophy that led to his national championship win, including the power of strength and torque intervals. •James's race-day nutrition strategy for fuelling a 4-hour marathon, targeting 100-120 grams of carbs per hour. •How to develop the mental fortitude to push through your pain cave and overcome self-doubt. •A deep dive into the power data and the key workouts that elevated his performance ceiling. •Why the Otway Odyssey is the ultimate test of endurance and technical skill, and James's strategy for the upcoming race. Key Topics & Timestamps •(00:41) - Who is James Kelly? From Lawyer to Elite Bike Racer •(02:28) - The Unlikely Victory: Blow-by-Blow of the 2025 XCM National Championships •(20:05) - The Double Life: How to Balance a Demanding Career with Elite Training •(41:00) - The Backstory: From Junior Downhill Racer to Endurance Powerhouse •(50:39) - Conquering the Odyssey: A Deep Dive into the Iconic Race •(1:13:57) - 2026 Otway Odyssey Course Preview & Race Strategy •(1:21:05) - Rapid Fire: Nutrition, Gear, and Training Mistakes to Avoid •(1:27:06) - The One Piece of Advice for Aspiring 100k Odyssey Riders Mentioned in this Episode Guest: James Kelly •Events: •XCM National Championships •Otway Odyssey •Sea Otter Australia •UCI Mountain Bike World Championships People: •Mark O'Brien (Coach) •Tom Ovens •Brent Rees Products/Brands: •Specialized S-Works Epic 8 with RockShox Flight Attendant Follow Rapid Ascent •Website: rapidascent.com.au •Instagram: instagram.com/rapidascent •Facebook: facebook.com/rapidascent
