emulation.

Zach Duke is an ordinary man with an extraordinary goal. 
3 years ago he set himself the challenge to compete in the 2026 Football World Cup.
Never having touched a football in his life.

One might say that it is impossible, and one would probably be right. But in this journey to the impossible, Zach became alive again, he became himself again. 
Pursuing the impossible sometimes sends you on the right path and the initial goal becomes the excuse for rebuilding your foundations.

So yeah, Zach will probably not compete in the 2026 World Cup, but he proved himself that the fire to live was still here, that he could learn a new sport and be good at it, and that the person you become and the people you meet along the way is what counts in the end.

Will you judge him on the completion of his goal or on the man he has become because of it?

-More about Zach here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldcupdad/

-More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: [email protected]

-Sponsors: none... yet.

Today’s episode is a bit different—no guest, just the two of us.
We’ve recorded 10 episodes so far with athletes from all kinds of sports, and we figured it was a good time to take a step back, talk about what we’ve learned, and share a bit more about ourselves.

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind Emulation, how it started, or what’s been going on behind the scenes—this one’s for you. We also answered a few questions you guys sent us on Instagram.

It’s a super casual chat, but we did take time to prep a few thoughts—so there are definitely some takeaways in there that we think can bring value or give you something to reflect on.

We really enjoyed that one. Hope you do too!

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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: [email protected]
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Sponsors: none... yet.

Matt C Smith is a 34-year-old South African cross-country skier who recently qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Just two years ago, he was a complete beginner. What started as a way to stay fit through the brutal Norwegian winters quickly turned into something much bigger—a dream to represent South Africa on the world’s biggest stage.

Since then, Matt has almost self-funded every step of the journey. Balancing life as a part-time venture capitalist and public speaker, he’s carved out a path that lets him train full-time and chase a goal most would call impossible.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to play the hand you’re dealt, why being unexpected can be your biggest strength, and how to walk the tightrope between seriousness and joy in sport.

For anyone who's an amateur in sport but dares to dream unreasonably, this one’s for you.

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More about Matt here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcsmith_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesnowbok
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattcsmith

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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: [email protected]
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Sponsors: none... yet.

Grégoire Munster is a 26-year-old WRC rally driver with a Belgian-Luxembourgish background. Born into a motorsport family, Grégoire’s path to rallying seemed natural—but talent alone doesn’t cut it in this sport.
At 18, Grégoire was a bit lost, playing video games to fill the void of an undecided future. His father gave him the push he needed to turn things around.
We talk about what makes rallying so unique, the subtle but crucial dynamics between driver and co-driver, and how taking bold action—on and off the track—can shape your career.
Grégoire also opens up about managing pressure, entering the zone for peak focus, and why sometimes, to move forward, you need to stop waiting for the “perfect” moment.

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More about Grégoire here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoiremunster/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrégoireMunster

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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_lab
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: [email protected]

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Sponsors: none... yet.

Jimmy Whelan is a 28-year-old Australian triathlete. After 7 years as a professional cyclist, Jimmy felt the spark fade.
The risks of the sport, amplified by crashes, led him to question his place in the peloton. In October 2024, he made the difficult choice to walk away.
Now, Jimmy’s diving into professional triathlon. Last Sunday, he made his pro debut at Ironman 70.3 Geelong, just his second-ever triathlon, facing one of the toughest fields of the season.
In this episode, Jimmy opens up about his cycling journey, the reality of racing in the pro peloton, the mental challenges of starting over in a new sport, and ... much more.

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More about Jimmy here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmywhelann/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimmywhelan
Strava: https://www.strava.com/pros/3356275

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More about emulation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emulation__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emulation_off
Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1255518
Email: [email protected]
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Sponsors: none... yet.