10. Mark Cavendish: There is always a finish line

The Joe Wicks Podcast

Joe Wicks wants to know: What’s the one thing that makes life better?

Joe loves finding ways to boost his mental and physical health, so he’s asking some of his inspiring mates about their secret to physical and mental happiness. Whether it’s a high-intensity cycle, a freezing cold shower or a good long dog-walk, every guest will share the one thing that works for them.

Mark Cavendish MBE is one of the UK's most successful sportsmen. Known as the 'Manx Missile', he's been World Champion on the track and on the road, BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2011, and though he's missed the Tour de France in 2020, with 30 stage victories, he's sitting second only to Eddy Merckx for the most of all time. Who would have thought that when he's recovering from a race, he likes nothing more than building lego sets and improving his drawing.

Joe sits down with his friend Mark for an intimate conversation about cycling (that time Mark dragged Joe up a mountain in Italy). But also about Mark's experience of depression and the impact it had on his health, career and the people closest to him. Mark talks about the restorative power of time spend doing normal 'Dad stuff' at home, and his pride in being part of a modern moment for British cycling.

Summer holiday’s been postponed and you’re feeling down? Forget about it. This is sunshine in a podcast. Joe Wicks is here for you, and he won’t stop until you’re fit and happy.

Producer: Clare Salisbury Editor: Dimitri Houtart A BBC Audio Bristol production for Radio 4