Podcast · Health

Men’s Health: Built For Life

by Men's Health UK · English · Health

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 ca

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 53 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 58 min

Tom Hiddleston on His Hollywood Fitness Heroes: ‘I’ve Always Wanted to Be That Kind of Actor’

For Tom Hiddleston, running is part of the creative process, a way to clear his head and a reminder of what it feels like to be alive. In this special crossover episode of Men’s Health Built For Life and Runner’s World, he joins Andrew Tracey and Ben Hobson to talk strength, stamina and the joy of movement. From his six-week challenge to bulk up for a Thor audition to the physical demands of playing Loki and mountaineer Edmund Hillary, Tom reveals how he trains to be ready for whatever a role throws at him. He shares the five-exercise workout he uses to combine strength and cardio in around…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

1 Oct 2026 · 47 min
What Men Don’t Ever Hear About Grief With Pete Cohen
In this episode of Men’s Health’s Built for Life, Ben and Andrew are joined by speaker, author and performance coach Pete Cohen for a personal conversation about grief, connection and finding meaning after loss. With more than 30 years’ experience working with everyone from Olympic champions to business leaders, and 12 years as GMTV’s resident life coach, Pete has spent his career helping people navigate challenges and make changes in their lives. Losing his wife, Hannah, brought those questions into deeply personal territory. Following Hannah’s death in 2023, Pete brought together personal…
24 Sep 2026 · 49 min
Oli Patrick: Are Your Recovery Methods Actually Helping or Just Adding More Stress?
When most of us think about recovery, we picture ice baths, saunas, supplements and sleep trackers. But some of the things we do to recover place another stress on the body – and when we’re already running on empty, doing more might be the last thing we need. In part three of our three-part performance series, in association with Samsung, MH Fitness Director Andrew Tracey is joined by physiologist and human-performance expert Oli Patrick to ask a surprisingly overlooked question: what actually is recovery? They explore the difference between recovering from training and recovering from the…
17 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
The UK’s Fittest Man on the Biggest Hybrid Training Mistake - Harry Lightfoot and Mike Allen
When most of us think about improving our performance, we assume that means training harder and doing more. But hard sessions aren’t necessarily productive sessions – and when it comes to hybrid training simply smashing two different, programmes together could leave you smashing your body to bits. In part two of our three-part performance series, in association with Samsung, MH Fitness Director Andrew Tracey is joined by the UK’s fittest man, Harry Lightfoot, and his coach, AOD Fitness founder Mike Allen, to explore what it really means to train for performance. They discuss the difference…
10 Sep 2026 · 54 min
The Performance-Nutrition Mistakes Holding Back Your Training — with Ollie Marchon and Liam Holmes
When most of us hear the word ‘diet’, we think weight loss. But eating to lose fat and eating to perform at your best aren’t necessarily the same thing. In part one of our three-part performance series, in association with Samsung, MH Fitness Director Andrew Tracey is joined by Ollie Marchon and performance nutritionist Liam Holmes to explore what it really means to fuel your training. They discuss the signs that you’re under-fuelled, why hard sessions aren’t necessarily productive sessions and how eating more could improve your performance, recovery and mood without sacrificing your…
3 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
What Raising Two Non-Speaking Autistic Sons Taught Me About Fatherhood – And Could Teach You
James Hunt is the father of two autistic, non-speaking sons, Jude and Tommy, the man behind Stories About Autism and the author of Love Needs No Words. In this episode of the Men’s Health Built For Life podcast, James joins Andrew Tracey and Ben Shephard for an honest conversation about autism, fatherhood and learning to communicate beyond spoken language. He shares the fear and grief that followed his sons’ diagnoses, the heartbreaking decision to have the brothers live separately and the daily realities of raising children with high support needs. James also explains how celebrating the…
27 Aug 2026 · 47 min
Gladiators’ Giant Jamie Bigg: ‘Kids Are Being Offered Steroids at 16’
On this episode of the Men’s Health Built for Life podcast, Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey sits down with former firefighter, IFBB professional bodybuilder and Gladiators star Jamie Bigg – better known as Giant. Jamie opens up about leaving bodybuilding, the injury that ended with his biceps tendon snapping and why he believes he was dropped from Gladiators. The conversation then turns to the growing number of teenage boys experimenting with steroids. After almost a decade of steroid use left him with a sperm count of zero, Jamie explains why young men need to understand the…
20 Aug 2026 · 56 min
Burnout Expert: How to Perform at Your Best Without Burning Out
In this episode of the Men’s Health Built for Life podcast, Andrew Tracey is joined by researcher, speaker, author and leadership expert Nick Petrie, whose work has taken him inside organisations including Google and NASA to study resilience, burnout and sustainable high performance. Nick explains why the behaviours that make you successful early in your career – working harder, saying yes to everything and pushing through exhaustion – can eventually become the very things that hold you back. We discuss why simply taking time off often fails to solve burnout, how a small group of people…
13 Aug 2026 · 46 min
Ian Machado Garry on Becoming a Dangerous Man – Without Losing Yourself
On this episode of the Built for Life podcast, UFC welterweight title contender Ian Machado Garry joins Andrew Tracey ahead of the biggest fight of his career at UFC 330 to talk about what it takes to believe you can become the best fighter on the planet – and why, ultimately, fighting isn't the most important thing in his life. Ian talks about growing up in Dublin, discovering boxing and martial arts, the influence of Conor McGregor and the mindset that's taken him from highly touted prospect to the brink of a UFC world title. We get into why he believes every man should understand his own…
6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Dr Mike Israetel: Why Most Men Are Getting Muscle Growth Completely Wrong
In this episode of the Men’s Health Built for Life podcast, Andrew Tracey sits down with exercise scientist, bodybuilder and one of the internet’s most recognisable fitness experts, Dr Mike Israetel, to cut through the noise surrounding training, nutrition and body composition. Dr Mike explains why most men spend far too much time searching for the perfect exercise, diet or scientific ‘hack’ – and not enough time consistently applying the fundamentals that actually drive results. They discuss genetics, progressive overload, training intensity, high-volume versus high-intensity workouts, the…
30 Jul 2026 · 51 min
Josh Fletcher: The Truth About Anxiety That Wellness Influencers Won’t Tell You
Anxiety has never been more talked about – but has it ever been more misunderstood? This week on the Men's Health Built for Life podcast, we sit down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Joshua Fletcher (better known to many as Anxiety Josh) to separate everyday worry from disordered anxiety, unpack why so many of us get trapped in cycles of panic, rumination and reassurance-seeking, and explore why the modern obsession with optimisation might actually be making our mental health worse. Josh explains why trying to 'fix' anxiety often reinforces it, why you are the coping technique—not…
23 Jul 2026 · 53 min
Kori Sampson: Why More Runners Need to Train Like Bodybuilders
Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey sits down with coach, endurance athlete and content creator Kori Sampson to discuss the journey from bodybuilding and partying to sobriety, marathon running and 100-mile challenges. Kori explains how he balances high-volume endurance training with building and maintaining muscle, why protein still matters for runners, how he fuels long races and what most people get wrong when trying to lose fat while improving performance. The pair also discuss the pressure to appear ‘balanced’, why moderation simply doesn’t work for everyone, and how discipline…
16 Jul 2026 · 57 min
Oli Patrick: Why You’re Still Tired – Even When Your Health Data Says You’re Fine
In this episode of the Men’s Health Built for Life podcast, Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey are joined by physiologist and human-performance expert Oli Patrick to explore what really drives our energy – and why so many of us feel permanently exhausted. Oli explains why sleep trackers and health data can sometimes create more anxiety than clarity, why we’re too quick to chase supplements and biohacks before fixing the basics, and why energy may be a more useful measure of wellbeing than any single biomarker. The three discuss sleep, stress, nutrition, movement, recovery and the danger of…
9 Jul 2026 · 39 min
Paddy Pimblett On Losing, Coming Back And Fighting Under McGregor
Paddy Pimblett is back on the Men’s Health Built for Life podcast. After suffering the first real loss of his UFC career, Paddy sits down with Andrew Tracey to talk about coming back, growing up, fatherhood, fighting for something bigger than yourself, and why he knows he’ll return ‘bigger and better and stronger’. He also breaks down the brutal reality of UFC weight cutting, from 1,850-calorie fight camp days to losing 15lb overnight, why he believes the cut can be ‘more dangerous than the fight’, and what really happens between the weigh-in and walking into the cage. Plus, Paddy reveals…
2 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
How to Stop Starting Over With Your Fitness
Lawrence Price – former professional rugby player, coach, personal trainer and co-host of The Secret Life of Dads podcast – joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey on the Built For Life podcast. In this episode, Lawrence talks about the viral success of his Pints and Ponytails events, why dads across the world have connected with the idea, and how a simple hair-braiding session in a pub became part of a much bigger conversation around fatherhood, masculinity and showing up properly for your kids. He also breaks down how busy parents can build a genuinely sustainable fitness-led lifestyle –…
25 Jun 2026 · 46 min
They Told Him He Was Too Old. Then He Won Paralympic Gold
Paralympic gold medallist, marathon world record holder and disability inclusion advocate Richard Whitehead MBE joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey on the Built For Life podcast. Born with a double through-knee congenital amputation, Richard has spent his life refusing to be limited by other people’s expectations. In this episode, he talks about being told he was ‘too old’ to make it as a sprinter, switching from marathon running to the 200m for London 2012, breaking a blade on the way to qualification, and the gold medal race that became one of the defining moments of the Paralympic Games.…
18 Jun 2026 · 51 min
The Menopause Guide Men Didn’t Know They Needed
Most men think menopause is about hot flushes and periods stopping. Award-winning health writer and bestselling author Joe Warner thought much the same – until a health scare involving his partner forced him to learn more. In this episode of Built For Life, Joe explains why menopause isn’t just a women’s issue, how it can put huge strain on relationships, and why so many men are completely unprepared for what’s coming. We discuss communication, intimacy, midlife pressures, and the simple mistakes men make when they try to help. Joe’s new book, Burning Up, Frozen Out: What Every Man Needs To…
11 Jun 2026 · 38 min
Jet Li: 'Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body'
Jet Li is one of the greatest martial arts stars of all time – a former wushu champion, global action icon and star of films including Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die and The Expendables. But in this conversation, he opens up about the fight that changed him most: the one with his own mind. Speaking to Men’s Health, Jet Li reflects on fame, fear, success, Buddhism, meditation and the near-death experience during the 2004 tsunami that transformed his view of life. He explains why chasing more – more money, more recognition, more success – can become its own prison, and why true freedom comes…
4 Jun 2026 · 56 min
Inside Sport’s Doping Arms Race
In this episode of Men’s Health: Built For Life, Andrew Tracey and Ben Shephard are joined by sports science writer James Witts, author of Dope: How Drugs Change Sport, for a deep dive into the murky world of performance-enhancing drugs. From caffeine, creatine and tramadol to steroids, peptides, GLP-1 drugs, gene doping and the controversial Enhanced Games, James explains why the line between ‘clean’ and ‘cheating’ is far less clear than many of us think. We get into the history of doping, how athletes beat drug tests, why recovery may be the real performance advantage, the rise of…
28 May 2026 · 32 min
Why Looking Ripped Stopped Mattering to Colman Domingo
Fresh from his Men’s Health cover shoot, this week on Men’s Health: Built For Life, we sit down with Emmy-winning actor, director and playwright Colman Doming to talk confidence, ageing, movement and what it really means to take care of yourself. Colman opens up on the mindset shift that changed his relationship with fitness in his 50s – moving from chasing aesthetics to prioritising health, mobility, confidence and feeling good in his own skin. We get into intermittent fasting, losing 20lbs, reconnecting with movement, morning walks, building routines that actually last and why kindness,…
21 May 2026 · 39 min
Eddie Hearn: ‘I Feel Better Now Than I Did In My 30s’
Eddie Hearn is back on Men’s Health: Built For Life – and this time, he’s talking about the training, nutrition and mindset shifts helping him feel better in his 40s than he did in his 30s. Speaking to Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracey, the boxing promoter opens up on why movement has become a daily non-negotiable, how he’s learned to train smarter rather than simply smash himself in the gym, and why fuelling properly – yes, including carbs – has transformed the quality of his sessions. Hearn also discusses ageing, fatherhood, weight, self-criticism, the long-term investment of…
14 May 2026 · 42 min
How Richard Gadd Gained 40kg For Half Man
On this episode of the Built For Life podcast, Richard Gadd joins Andrew Tracey to break down the reality behind his extreme body transformation for Half Man. After dropping to 68kg for Baby Reindeer, Gadd pushed his body to over 100kg, training six days a week, eating relentlessly and even dehydrating himself for scenes. But despite the scale of the change, he admits he ‘never felt as big as I wanted to be.’ They unpack the psychology of bulking, why progress is so hard to see even when it’s obvious to everyone else, and how quickly training can become addictive. The conversation also digs…
7 May 2026 · 52 min
The Ex-Marine Who Walked 12,000 Miles To Save His Life
This week on the Built For Life podcast Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey are joined by Paul 'The Warrior Walker' Harris, who explains how something as simple as walking became the foundation for rebuilding his life. After a mental health crisis left him lost and struggling, the former Royal Marine set out to walk the UK coastline with no plan and just £300. He didn’t just finish it – he did it twice, covering over 20,000km. A powerful conversation on mental health, resilience, and why more of us need to get out and walk. Want more from Men’s Health? Join the Men’s Health SQUAD for exclusive…
30 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Why The Fat Comes Back After Weight-Loss Jabs
On this week's Men’s Health: Built For Life podcast Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey sit down on the with GP, broadcaster and author Dr Jack Mosley to unpack two of the most talked-about ideas in modern nutrition: ‘food noise’ and fat-loss jabs. Why do some people constantly think about food, while others barely give it a second thought? Is it really a willpower issue – or something deeper? They dive into the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Tirzepatide, how they act like ‘noise-cancelling headphones’ for your appetite, and why for many people, the noise comes roaring back once they stop.…
23 Apr 2026 · 59 min
How Ben Shephard is Training For The Marathon at 51
Your Men's Health: Built For Life Hosts – Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey – sit down to unpack Ben’s road back to the marathon at 51 – after being told post–back surgery he’d never go the distance again. They dig into the reality of ‘minimum effective dose’ training, how to rebuild around injury, and what actually moves the needle when time (and your body) isn’t on your side. AT also breaks down his latest experiment: taking on the brutal 81km TransGranCanaria mountain ultra on just one run per week. What worked, what didn’t, and how a simple timekeeping error left him stranded at the top of…
14 Apr 2026 · 40 min
James Norton on Marathon Training with Type 1 Diabetes
Actor James Norton joins Men’s Health and Runner’s World for a special crossover episode. Ahead of his first London Marathon, Norton breaks down what training actually looks like when you’re not a “natural runner” - and what changes when you’re managing Type 1 diabetes. From carb strategy and glucose monitoring to injuries, data overload and mental fatigue, this is a candid look at the reality of preparing for 42.2km. We also get into cold exposure, mindset, and why, for this race, finishing matters more than hitting a time. Plus, Norton explains how new diabetes tech is transforming…
8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
He Ran a Marathon From the Top of a Volcano
Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey are joined by former Royal Marines Commando and expedition leader Aldo Kane to break down what ‘mental toughness’ actually means – and why most people have it completely wrong. From operating in war zones to leading teams into the world’s most hostile environments, Aldo explains why toughness isn’t about ice baths or suffering for the sake of it, but the ability to keep going when things get uncomfortable – physically, mentally and emotionally. Along the way, we dig into the realities of extreme performance – including running a marathon from the summit of the…
2 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Military Cross Recipient on Masculinity, Vulnerability and Real Toughness
Former British Army soldier and Military Cross recipient Brian Wood joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk about masculinity, vulnerability and what real toughness actually looks like – starting with the war crimes allegations that turned his life upside down. After being accused of serious offences following his actions in Iraq – claims he always denied and was ultimately cleared of – Brian opens up about the toll of years under investigation, the impact on his mental health, and the reality of fighting a very different kind of battle back home. Drawing on his experiences in combat –…
26 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
PB Your 5K By Fixing Your Breathing
Breathing coach David ‘Jacko’ Jackson joins Andrew Tracey and Ben Shephard to explain why most of us are breathing wrong – and how fixing it could transform your running, recovery and overall performance. From cutting down your 5K time to reducing stress and improving sleep, Jacko breaks down the simple changes that can make hard efforts feel easier. We dive into breathing rate, CO₂ tolerance, nasal breathing, and why ‘just get fitter’ might be missing the point. If you want to run better, recover faster and feel more in control under pressure, this one’s worth your time. Breathe Smarter,…
19 Mar 2026 · 50 min
At 52, Paddy McGuinness Changed His Body – This Is How
Comedian, broadcaster and newly minted Men’s Health cover star Paddy McGuinness joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk discipline, routines and what he learned from taking on the 75 Hard challenge in his fifties. After years of dipping in and out of training, Paddy explains why the simple structure of the challenge finally made things click – and how focusing on the basics helped him build momentum. He shares how committing to daily movement, reading and consistency reshaped his approach to fitness, while also sharpening his mindset and bringing a new level of discipline to his day.…

About Men’s Health: Built For Life

Men’s Health: Built For Life is a English health podcast from Men's Health UK. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Men's Health UK
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 53 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1727695309
Rights: Men's Health UK

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