In this bonus episode, Andrew tells the story of something new that he and his wife recently started together, and what it’s like to be a total beginner again. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

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Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app.

Tell us about a time you were a beginner! Record a two-minute audio story about an awkward, funny, or embarrassing moment from trying something new, and Andrew might share it in a future episode: Record your story here.

Study materials for this episode

• The interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary are free for everyone. No membership needed.
• The comprehension quiz and the PDF study guide download are for Culips members.
• Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more.
• Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.

Keep an ear out for these expressions during the episode:

• To deteriorate
• Self-conscious
• To weigh the pros and cons
• To stick with (something)
• As the crow flies
• To put off
• A sales spiel
• A gym rat
• Ego lifting
• To be juxtaposed

Would you keep going in a race if something embarrassing happened to you halfway through? Andrew and Anna talk about an Australian athlete who had a bathroom accident during a Hyrox race in Beijing and kept going until she won. They discuss why the story traveled so fast online, what it meant for her sponsors, and whether pushing yourself to your limit is always a good thing. Along the way, you’ll hear expressions like “to have one’s blinkers on,” “a perfect storm,” “blowback,” “plastered all over,” “to spread like wildfire,” and “to lay low.”

Listening to Andrew and Anna share their opinions on a real news story will help you follow how English speakers talk about current events in everyday conversation.

The brand-new Culips app is live!

Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary:
Open this lesson in the Culips app.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

• Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now.
• Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.
• Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.

Link from this episode:

• BBC: “Hyrox athlete apologises for continuing race after soiling herself”

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

• To have one’s blinkers on
• A perfect storm
• Blowback
• To be plastered all over (something)
• To spread like wildfire
• To lay low

Does sport bring people together, or does it divide us? Andrew and Anna’s conversation moves from the World Cup to the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and even esports. Along the way, you’ll hear expressions like “in the wake of,” “to not have a dog in the fight,” “emotionally charged,” “over the top,” “good grief,” and “to check a box.”

The brand-new Culips app is live!

Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary:
Open this lesson in the Culips app.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

• Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now:
• Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.
• Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice:

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

• In the wake of (something)
• To (not) have a dog in the fight
• Emotionally charged
• Over the top
• Good grief
• To check a box