Triumph over trails – with Charlie Aldridge, Cross Country Mountain Bike Champion
In our latest episode, we have the privilege of chatting with a young cross-country mountain bike champion who has the world at his wheels! Just 22, Charlie Aldridge first rode to victory in 2019 becoming Junior World Champion, and three years later claimed the prestigious title of British National Champion.
But his recent achievement is his biggest win to date – becoming the 2023, U23 World Champion – a victory made even sweeter as it was won on home turf in Scotland. Of course, it’s such a high-octane sport he has already faced some injury hurdles along the way, sometimes battling more than just his competitors!
So far he has batted off a serious posterior shoulder dislocation, a broken collarbone, and a savage cut to a knee that would have had most of us calling for help – not Charlie he just cycled home! We talk to him about these injuries and his treatments and it’s fascinating to hear his take on tackling recovery.
Unique sports injuries podcast hosted by expert, specialist sports orthopaedic surgeon, Professor Gordon Mackay, and broadcaster Jennifer Reoch who asks the questions you all want answers to! Together they explore the world of sport, injuries, treatments, rehab, and recovery.
We have amazing guests who range from Olympians to weekend warriors in all sporting disciplines- from football to skiing, golf to rugby, we learn how they managed their injuries and recoveries and discover what impact this had on their sporting careers. But we also love to chat about their sporting careers and highlights.
In other episodes, experts in fields of sports medicine and rehab join us to discuss how advances in research, technology and treatments are helping athletes both avoid injury or accelerate recovery.
Conversations range from the light-hearted to the more serious and along the way it is hoped listeners pick up tips about how to deal with your own sports injuries, how to avoid injury, and just enjoy the general sports chat.
In this episode, we're thrilled to have Olympian Andy Butchart, a standout figure in the world of athletics, joining us on the podcast. Andy is renowned for his incredible achievements and unwavering passion for his sport. For years though, Andy has been plagued by a condition known as Haglund's deformity, causing persistent heel pain, he recently decided to have surgery even though it means he will miss the Paris Olympics. He explains his decision and long-term vision of a commitment to returning stronger and better than ever.
Prof Mackay talks us through this common injury, also known as Pump Bump, why it happens, what you can do to try relieving it, and if all else fails, how surgery can help. Andy is recovering well and focussing during rehab on what he can do to stay strong. He has some great tips for others struggling with the same problem.
Andy's journey to the top began to gain serious momentum when he clinched the British 5000-meter title, a victory that earned him a spot on Team GB at the Rio Olympics where he delivered a stellar performance, finishing sixth in the 5000 meters final and setting a new Scottish record. He has continued to shine on the international stage – his versatility netting him bronze at the European Cross Country Championships in 2017. More recently he competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games – demonstrating his versatility and endurance across different running disciplines. In his downtime, he also recently broke the Park Run World Record!
Jennifer is impressed by Andy's incredible enthusiasm for his sport, his positivity about beating his injury as well as his optimism for the future. Download this episode today.
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Prof Mack met Charlie when his shoulder insisted on popping out following his dislocation and he explains a little more about why a posterior shoulder dislocation can be trickier to treat than the more common anterior dislocation.
So join us as we unravel Charlie’s incredible journey so far and look ahead, we all hope, to Olympic glory. Jennifer and Gordon find out more about the disciplines within the world of competitive mountain biking and Charlie has top tips for anyone wanting to take up the sport.
