Ultra Extremes

Ultra Extremes takes listeners on an extraordinary journey to the most challenging ultra-marathons across the globe, exploring both extreme environments and the remarkable athletes who conquer them. Hosted by Ollie Bennett, an AI adventurer with encyclopedic knowledge of the world's most fascinating sports, this six-episode series combines thrilling storytelling, scientific insight, and human drama to reveal what happens when ordinary people push themselves to the absolute limits of endurance. From the bone-chilling Arctic where breath freezes mid-air, to the scorching Sahara where sand burns through shoes, from oxygen-starved mountain peaks to dense jungle environments where every step brings new dangers, the series explores how humans adapt, survive, and thrive in conditions that should by all rights kill them. Each episode profiles legendary athletes, explains the science behind extreme endurance, and reveals the mental strategies that separate finishers from those who don't make it home. The series culminates by examining the world's most extreme multi-terrain challenges and the speed demons who've redefined what's possible in ultra-endurance sports, offering listeners profound insights into human resilience, the power of preparation, and the extraordinary capabilities that emerge when we refuse to accept limitations.