In this special Christmas and end-of-year episode, Tim Buxton and Mario Buchs slow things down to reflect on the journey of The One Percenters Performance Podcast across 2025 and to set the tone for what’s ahead in 2026.

Rather than chasing trends or polished soundbites, this conversation stays grounded, honest, and human. Tim and Mario unpack what they’ve learned through lived experience in sport, work, family, leadership, coaching, and life transitions. From the unsexy power of consistency to the importance of staying true to your core values, this episode is an invitation to reflect deeply before rushing into the new year.

This is not about resolutions. It’s about rhythms. Not about reinvention. But alignment.

Key Themes & Conversations

• Why authenticity beats algorithms

  A look back at why the podcast has stayed genuine, unscripted, and rooted in real experience rather than hype.

• The myth of the “New You”

  Why growth does not require losing who you are, and how staying anchored to your core values is essential during seasons of transition.

• The unsexy work of the 99%

  The daily habits, check-ins, and consistency that make the final one percent actually matter.

• Reflection as a discipline

  Why waiting until the end of the year is often too late, and how weekly or monthly reflection builds clarity and momentum.

• Gratitude as a daily practice

  Simple habits that shift mindset, perspective, and performance long before results show up.

• Teams, mentors, and human connection

  Why no meaningful progress happens alone and how surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything.

Tim and Mario share what’s on the horizon, including Looking Ahead to 2026:

• The evolution of humanitarian ultra-endurance experiences, including a return to Kurdistan, Iraq

• Expansion of coaching and mentoring, with a strong emphasis on human-first, holistic performance

• New guests joining the podcast, bringing fresh perspectives and respectful disagreement

• Continued focus on leadership, resilience, belonging, and performance beyond sport

The One Percent Takeaway: Don’t wait for a new year to become someone else.

Build rhythms that help you become more fully yourself.

Progress comes from ownership, consistency, reflection, and community — not from sudden reinvention or chasing the next shiny solution.

Get In Touch

Mario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠

Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and more

Tim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠

Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

In this episode, Tim Buxton sits down with ultra-runner and coach Mario Buchs just two weeks after his second successful finish at Coast to Kosciuszko. What unfolds is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most iconic endurance events: a 240km nonstop journey from the ocean at Eden to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.

Mario takes listeners inside the physical, mental, and emotional realities of the race, from starting with soaked shoes at sunrise, to navigating hailstorms, sleep deprivation, nutrition pivots, blister management, and a perfectly timed 10-minute nap that changed everything. Along the way, Tim shares reflections from crewing and pacing Mario through the night, offering rare insight into what it truly takes to finish strong.

This conversation goes far beyond running. It explores leadership, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and how small, consistent “one percent” choices compound into extraordinary outcomes.

Key Moments & Themes

• Touching the water to touching snow

  Mario begins the race by intentionally soaking his shoes in the ocean, symbolising the full arc of the journey ahead.

• Preparation over perfection

  From nutrition plans to heart-rate discipline, Mario explains why having a plan — and being willing to adapt it — is everything.

• The power of crew and community

  A deep dive into the critical role of a crew chief, pacers, and trusted teammates who remove ego and keep the project moving forward.

• Night running and mental clarity

  Why Mario thrives in the quiet hours, and how staying in motion becomes a form of active recovery.

• The 10-minute nap that changed the race

  A perfectly timed decision that took Mario from empty to energised and made a safe summit possible.

• Weather, uncertainty, and timing

  Hailstorms, race stoppages, and the razor-thin margin between pushing on and waiting wisely at altitude.

• Summiting Mount Kosciuszko

  Snow, ice, wind, emotion, and the payoff for months of disciplined training and sacrifice.

• Finishing strong — by design

  How Mario executed his visualisation and crossed the line on his terms.

The One Percent Lesson: Just keep moving — with intention.

Progress beats perfection. Whether in ultrarunning, work, leadership, or life, stopping without purpose is often more damaging than slowing down. Movement, however small, keeps momentum alive.

In part 2 of the recap on their recent ultra marathon experience in Iraq, Mario & Tim discuss the emotional aftermath, the importance of teamwork, and the challenges they faced during the run. They emphasize the significance of motivation, the unexpected moments that arose, and the cultural engagement with the local community. The conversation highlights the lessons learned about endurance, resilience, and the broader humanitarian efforts that extend beyond the run itself.

Key Takeaways

• Post Marathon Blues is a common experience after intense events.
• Team dynamics play a crucial role in overcoming challenges.
• The heat during the run had a significant impact on performance.
• Finding your motivation is essential to push through tough moments.
• Unexpected challenges can arise, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
• Cultural engagement with the local community added depth to the experience.
• Lessons learned from endurance events can be applied to everyday life.
• The journey of humanitarian efforts continues beyond the event itself.
• It's important to highlight the stories of those affected by conflict.
• This experience is just the beginning of a larger movement.

Chapters

00:00 Intro - The Journey Continues: Preparing for Tomorrow

02:34 The Journey Begins: Food and Community

05:18 Understanding the Local Culture and Nutrition Needs

07:42 The Final Days: Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Achievements

09:40 Physical Struggles: Navigating Health Risks During the Run

13:24 Lessons Learned: Endurance, Resilience, and Team Dynamics

19:30 The Bigger Picture: Humanitarian Efforts and Future Goals

24:17 Reflections on the Experience: Impact and Moving Forward

Get In TouchMario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and moreTim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!