Tom Kinsley - Newcastle, NSW, based RAAF pilot, on being an endurance athlete and adventurer - running 24 hours and a “can do” attitude to a life of diverse adventures, including sinking a yacht off after sailing across the Channel!

Episode 17! While visiting Queensland after five months of COVID-19 induced state border closures, we took the opportunity to have a great conversation with Tom Kinsley - who also happens to be the partner of our Episode 5 guest, Cecilia Mattas.

Tom is an English born, RAAF pilot based in Newcastle, NSW who has been living in Australia since 2013. Tom’s passion for sport, adventure and running in particular really comes through in this conversation. Both within and outside of work he has been on some incredibly diverse adventures around the world and his “I’ll give anything a go” attitude to adventure and competition is clear. 

We talk about an array of his achievements and adventures and how, pre-COVID-19 he had been planning to race the iconic trail running stage race, Marathon des Sables, in the Sahara Desert, and how his goals were forced to be re-established amidst the pandemic era. This led Tom on some incredible alternative challenges, including a self-organised, “solo”, 24 hour running challenge around a 1km bitumen loop on the air force base - covering over 170km while raising funds for the UNICEF Australia COVID-19 appeal. Tom talks about the highs and lows of this incredible endurance challenge.

We also cover topics including dealing with injury - and Tom’s attitude to it being a battle of the mind, but with a supportive partner and team around him, how it refocused him to thinking about what he CAN do, including time swimming and on the bike.

Failed adventures are another favourite of conversation and Tom delivers superbly on this, having sailed a yacht with a team across the English channel, before sinking it off the coast of Cherbourg, France. In spite of Tom’s cool and humorous recollection of events, we’ve no doubt this would be a somewhat frightening experience amidst terrible weather conditions during a European winter.

We should also “importantly” highlight that in this episode, Kristen is mainly just stoked she has found her first “Hells No” to pineapple on pizza guest - not to mention a fellow trumpet player. Finally, Tom’s wildest wee may include a Prime Minister and is one not to be missed!

If you would like to find Tom online he’s @tomkinno on Instagram. 

Amongst others, Tom makes reference to the Rim to Rim to Rim route in the Grand Canyon; the Three Peaks Challenge in the UK, the Three Peaks Yacht Race and Marathon de Sables.

We are still sorting out some audio issues with the popping in the background (if anyone knows what could be going on, please slide into our DMs or email [email protected]) but we hope it does not take away from the quality of the conversation. 

Finally, if you’re interested in supporting the podcast, you can visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast or subscribe, rate and review if you’re enjoying these conversations! THANK YOU.

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