Fresh from his first headline European solo tour, Jack Cullen is preparing for his most ambitious challenge yet: running 22 ultramarathons in 22 days from Berlin to London ahead of his biggest headline show to date at Oslo Hackney. A former professional rugby player turned musician, Cullen has built a loyal following through a unique blend of endurance feats and heartfelt songwriting, transforming personal setbacks into remarkable achievements both on and off the stage.

<>You're about to run 22 ultramarathons in 22 days from Berlin to London. What made you choose this challenge, and why now?

Combining this challenge alongside my first UK&EU headline tour felt like a moment. A big chapter in my life, so when I look back I can see and say that we had a good time doing it!

How does preparing for an endurance feat like this compare to preparing for a headline tour?

Honestly my preparation for the run was not as planned. With an ankle injury that pushed aside any long-distance running, preparation went out the window. There’s only so much you can prepare for this kind of stuff, I think. And I’m not an athlete… So I think if my mind can carry me, then my feet will follow.

Looking back, how did the end of your professional rugby career shape the artist you've become today?

I think sport taught me a huge amount about resilience. To analyse, be honest with mistakes and how to get better so the next time you’re out there, you’re hopefully a little bit better than before.



You've built a reputation for linking music with extreme physical challenges. What connection do you see between endurance and songwriting?

I think there’s too much in this question for a short answer. But ultimately by allowing my mind to slow down away from normal life and my body to be tired and exhausted, it has the potential to allow you to look at honest parts of yourself that are then allowed to come to the surface as the noise and the comfort from life back home are stripped away. There lies inspiration for songwriting.

Raising money for cancer research was a major part of that challenge. Why was that cause important for you to support?

It’s something that we all know affects us all in one way or another. As I was running to the gig at the end of the 12 days, there were people who I know would be there, but they couldn’t. So It was for them.

All I Need became a breakout moment. Did you have a sense while writing it that the song might resonate so widely?

Nope. I just knew when me and Jamie were writing it it felt wonderful to us.

Social media played a significant role in bringing people along on your journey. How do you balance authenticity with the pressure to constantly document everything?

Honestly, I have no idea!

During your 650-mile cycle from Edinburgh to Glastonbury, you stopped to perform impromptu sets along the route. Do any of those unexpected performances stand out in your memory?

I think the gig In the sauna in Manchester was an interesting one... a hot one for sure!

What have you learned about connecting with audiences from performing in unconventional settings compared with traditional venues?

They’re fun! They often feel a bit weird, but that’s where it’s interesting and a way to connect closer to fans.

You've just completed your first headline European solo tour. What were the biggest surprises from taking your music across different countries?

That people came! It feels amazing to me that people over in Europe are coming to shows! I hope, of course, that it grows and grows, but I never want to lose that amazement.

Endurance challenges inevitably involve moments of doubt. What do you tell yourself when your body or mind wants to stop?

Ask yourself the question – can you take another step?

Has there been a moment on this journey—from rugby player to musician to endurance athlete—where you felt everything finally clicked into place?

There have been moments absolutely. However the clicking into place might not have happened… It's a process and a journey in itself. When I’m reflecting and writing, I’m sure I might find the right words.

Your biggest headline show to date at Oslo Hackney is on the horizon. What does that milestone mean to you personally?

It’s a big moment. That’s why I wanted to mark it with the run and with the memories that come with it all. It’s all leading up to the gig on 12th June. And I can’t wait.

When people look back on this chapter of your career, what do you hope they'll remember most: the music, the challenges, or the message behind both?

I hope that they listen to the music that reflects and connects it all. I don’t know what that says yet – or what that sounds like. But it’ll hopefully make sense to them and me.

Bonus question: If you could go back and speak to yourself on the day your rugby career ended, what would you tell him?

I’d tell him to strap in for a bumpy ride.