Max Jones

‘It’s those big days out where doubts fill your head, ‘What am I doing? I can’t finish this!’ and then the thrill that comes with getting through it, crossing the line and doing something most people wouldn’t even think of trying.’

Who is Max Jones? Honestly, that’s something I’m deep in the process of figuring out. At 28 and with so much still to experience, how well could I really know myself yet? 

What I can share is that I’m a self-employed carpenter. Those closest to me will know that I often question my job, but having the skills and knowledge to renovate my first home over the last seven months has turned out to be hugely rewarding. I’m certain there’s a specialist area within carpentry in which I’ll fully thrive; I’m just still working out exactly what that is. 

I’m a dog lover with two Labrador companions, Eddie and Winston, who join me at work on a daily basis. I’m also a cold water enthusiast. Yes, I regularly get in a wheelie bin full of cold water. Give it a try and let me know how it makes you feel. You’ll never see me in a pair of trousers, either. I’m one of those shorts all year-round people. 

Growing up I was always doing something, but I never excelled at one sport in particular. Summers were spent in Little Haven where, from as young as 11, I’d either be in the sea trying to surf, out on a boat trying to wakeboard, or we’d have long games of fox and hounds (basically a huge game of tag) just running riot around the village. I’d say my love for the outdoors has stemmed from having such a fortunate upbringing, being able to spend every spare minute doing things I enjoyed. I’ll be forever grateful for my Mum’s decision to uproot us from South London to Little Haven in 1997; how different my life could have been from one different decision. 

‘I’ve gone from alcohol and parties to electrolytes and long days on the bike, and I absolutely love it.’

Through my teens, winters were spent caked head to toe in mud, training and playing as part of a very successful junior and youth rugby team for the local town, Haverfordwest. Winning the Under 16s cup in Aberystwyth and going on to play at the (then brand new) Parc Y Scarlets is a pretty good memory. 

When I think back, there’s one game in particular that stands out. I was playing for the Under 14s and it was the biggest game of the season: Narberth, away. It would always be wet and cold, and they were tough as nails.

The feeling in the changing room before running out on the pitch still gives me goosebumps and the pre-game chats from the few boys in the team who already looked 30 sent shivers through a little Max Jones. 

That game for me was the highlight of all the ones I played, making every tackle and scoring a try meant we took the win on their home turf.

Moving into early adulthood, partying and CrossFit became my new sports, but triathlon has since provided me with a sense of purpose and enabled me to flip my lifestyle on its head. I’ve gone from alcohol and parties to electrolytes and long days on the bike, and I absolutely love it.

‘…we need to look beyond just performance. It’s bigger than that and that’s what I really love about being here.’

Triathlon has also introduced me to some of the best people I know, showed me so many hidden gems right on my doorstep and across the UK, and pushed my physical capabilities to heights that were, at one time, no more than a dream. 

It's a sport that also provides that raw sense of adventure that I was missing as an adult tackling the realities of modern life, something that’s a key component to my wellbeing. Dan and the team at RÁS know that to get the best out of me, we need to look beyond just performance. It’s bigger than that and that’s what I really love about being here. There’s a lot of fun to be had among the ebbs and flows of motivation.  

One of my first big outdoor cycles was a 64 mile ride in August 2016, which included a climb up and over the Preseli Hills. I remember going up that climb while my good friend Andy Devs, who had already reached the top, came back down to check I was OK before climbing most of the hill with me again. I remember getting home, barely being able to move and thinking, ‘how on earth could he do that?’. 

Five years on, with many more training hours logged, I plan to ‘Everest’ that very same hill. It’s a challenge that will see me ascend that segment over 85 times in one ride. To even be in a position to attempt that is, to me, a sign of success and hugely motivating. 

‘For me, success is more than just power numbers or finish times. Although they are both motivating factors, my driving force is the enjoyment of the experience.’

My most thrilling and memorable moment to date would have to be cycling through Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park as part of my ‘LEJOG’ ride. Ironman Wales was cool, Everesting was special, but LEJOG is my current north star. 

Having left Land’s End 7 days and 700 miles earlier, riding past Balmoral Castle was a moment for me that I honestly still can’t find the words for. If you enjoy cycling, I urge you to take a trip with your bike to Scotland and explore. It’s truly mind blowing.

For me, success is more than just power numbers or finish times. Although they are both motivating factors, my driving force is the enjoyment of the experience. It’s those big days out where doubts fill your head, ‘What am I doing? I can’t finish this!’ and then the thrill that comes with getting through it, crossing the line and doing something most people wouldn’t even think of trying. 

Take a 225km ride while battling a -5°C wind chill in the middle of February, for example. That’s a pretty big success for me.