Rich O'Connor | Founder & Head Coach, Mad Mule Trail
I am a Personal Trainer with 25 years of coaching experience.
I’ve spent my whole life enquiring how humans move and testing the limits of my own physical aptitude—from the Royal Marines and World Age group Duathlon to finishing the UTMB twice. Most recently, the Hardy Way FKT (Fastest Known Time) served as a masterclass in what happens when strategic planning, mindset, and physical aptitude align.
But I don’t coach to showcase my own achievements. I coach to ensure you value yourself enough to arrive at your challenge fully prepared.
Because of what my personal experiences and the Marines have taught me, I don’t believe in generic, rushed templates. I believe in patient leadership and structural durability. To deliver that, I have distilled a quarter-century of data into two definitive coaching pathways: The Foundation Track and The Finisher Track.
Explore the coaching corridors below to see where you fit.
Why Choose Madmule Trail
The Expertise
The tested limits
The Track record
Certified Personal Trainer
Sports Therapy & Massage Therapist
10 thousand + hours personal coaching sessions
Royal Marines Commando 9 years
Elite performance coach with professional tennis players
The Track record
The tested limits
The Track record
A career built across diverse coaching environments, managing everything from movement rehab to elite performance.
High performance health & fitness conditioning
Strategy Coach & Mentor to Junior performance athletes
The tested limits
The tested limits
The tested limits
UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) – 2x Finisher
UTS 50k, 100k, 100M finisher
NDW100 21:52
The Oner 4th
The Hardy Way FKT (Fastest Known Time) Holder
GB Age group Duathlon World Champs
Next race - Tor de Geants TorX330 Sep 2026
MADMULE 'EVERESTing challenge ' 7th march nr swanage, dorset
Local Endurance Athlete Conquers Dorset Hill: 8,848m of Ascent in 18 Hours
POOLE, UK – Endurance athlete Richard OConnor of Madmule Trail and ROC PT has successfully completed an "Everesting" challenge, climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest’s 8,848 meters on the Obelisk hill nr Swanage and Ballard Down. The grueling 18-hour feat, completed on 7th March, served not only as a personal test of grit but as a major fundraising initiative for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
The challenge, dubbed the "MadMule Everesting Project," saw Richard perform back-to-back hill climbs through mist, drizzle, and changing terrain. The effort was bolstered by a significant turnout from the local community, with fellow athletes, runners, and supporters joining for segments of the climb throughout the night and into the following afternoon.
"This wasn’t just about the elevation; it was about the power of choice and the strength of our community," said [Your Name]. "When things got difficult, it was the support from the people around me—and the knowledge that we were raising vital funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance—that kept the engine running."
The project gained considerable momentum in the lead-up to the event, with local athletes and supporters rallying to contribute to the fundraising goal. Even as temperatures dipped and physical exhaustion set in around the 14-hour mark, the project maintained its focus through disciplined nutrition and strategy, ultimately finishing in under 18 hours.
"Suffering is for those not in a position of choice," added Richard. "I choose these challenges to show that with preparation and a supportive community, we can push beyond our perceived limits."
Donations for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are still being accepted at tehir website.
For more information on the MadMule Everesting Project, please visit the blog here
Just Giving Page - Thank you for your support
Everesting challenge Rich climbing ulwell stairs for charity