Ep. 20: Brendan "Trekky" Johnston: From Cancer-Surviving Electrician to Racing at the Top of the World

About this episode

Brendan 'Trekky' Johnston shares his inspiring journey from cancer survivor to elite cyclist, discussing resilience, purpose, and balancing life with sport.

What does it truly take to be a champion? In this episode, Jez sits down with Brendan "Trekky" Johnston — one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected cyclists — for a conversation that goes far beyond race results. While his six National Titles and victories at iconic races like the Melbourne to Warnambool and Otway Odyssey are legendary, it’s the story of how he got there that offers a masterclass in resilience. Brendan shares his journey from a promising junior whose career was derailed by a cancer diagnosis at 17, through his years as a top-performing athlete while working full-time as an electrician, to his modern-day leap of faith into the American gravel scene. We discuss his audacious plan to break the Perth-to-Sydney cross-country record, the realities of surviving cancer and associated PTSD, and the realities of balancing elite sport with the pressures of life, business, and family. Key Takeaways •Redefining Endurance: Learn about Brendan’s unconventional strategy to break the 4,000km Perth-to-Sydney record by prioritising sleep over non-stop riding... •The Power of Purpose: Understand the deep personal motivation behind his fundraising for Tour de Cure, rooted in…

People in this episode

Guest: Brendan Johnston

Topics covered

• cycling
• resilience
• cancer survival
• endurance sports
• mental health

Keywords

• National Titles
• Melbourne to Warnambool
• Otway Odyssey
• Perth-to-Sydney record
• Tour de Cure

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Next Frontier, Tour de Cure

Places: Australia, Melbourne, Warnambool, Perth, Sydney, US

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