Expectation vs Reality: The Truth About Being a Bricklayer

Ash Mahoney explores the highs, lows and challenges of life as a bricklayer, from earning a living and maintaining a work-life balance to the physical and mental demands that come with the job.First, legendary bricklayer Rob Songer looks back on his own experiences, the things he wishes he'd known when starting out and what could be done to better prepare the next generation for life in bricklaying.Then, Sir Al the Trowel (Ally Porthouse) discusses how his approach to the trade has evolved, the different aspects of bricklaying he's taken on and also shares a very harsh reality of the trade that he's currently struggling with... Finally, Chris Quinn reflects on the realities of the trade, the demands of working on site, competing in his first Super Trowel final and the challenges of being a boss.

Ash Mahoney explores how the trade shapes you as a person, from the harsh realities of starting out young to the lessons you carry throughout your career.Ash is joined by experienced bricklayer Andy Pali to reflect on the old-school approach to learning the trade, Izzy The Bricky to discuss growing up in a more modern industry but with an old school approach, and Super Trowel 2026 champion Dale Wherton to talk about teaching the next generation.

Bricklayer, boxer, farmer and fighter — John Gavin has lived a life full of twists, turns and extraordinary stories.Ash Mahoney chats with John about his remarkable journey, from growing up in rural poverty in Ireland and arriving in Birmingham at just 16, to building houses, fighting bare-knuckle bouts and eventually finding a home in Yorkshire.John’s story is one of hard graft, determination, financial ruin, personal tragedy and survival. He opens up about the experiences that shaped him, the devastating moments he’s had to overcome and why he decided to put it all down on paper in his autobiography, Mister John.

This programme contains discussions of suicide, drug use, addiction recovery and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. Ash Mahoney is joined by Charlie Collison and Rob Muldoon as he looks at mental health in bricklaying.Ash shares his own experiences and speaks to Charlie and Rob about their journeys, and the challenges and triggers that can affect our wellbeing.They’ll discuss why it can be so hard to admit when we’re struggling, the importance of talking and having someone to turn to, and how we can better support colleagues who might be saying “I’m fine” when they’re not.If you are experiencing mental health difficulties and/or suicidal thoughts, remember that help is always available:Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/Fix Radio Foundation - https://fixradiofoundation.co.uk/ The Lighthouse Charity - https://lighthousecharity.org/Construction Industry Helpline - https://www.constructionindustryhelpline.com/Andy’s Man Club - https://andysmanclub.co.uk

Ash Mahoney is joined by world record-breaking Bricklayer, Charlie Collison to hear the full story behind his successful Guinness World Record attempt.Charlie talks Ash through the challenge from start to finish – how he prepared, what it took to break the record and what it felt like to officially become a world record holder.Ash also picks up the conversation around his decision to step away from site work earlier this year. With Charlie recently back on site himself, Ash gets his thoughts on the decision.

After returning to site work this year, Ash has come to the conclusion that he simply can’t make it pay or work for him anymore.In this episode, Ash is joined by Bricklayer, Dale Wherton, who had a similar experience and ultimately decided to leave site work behind and move into teaching.Ash and Dale compare their experiences of working on site, explore why it can be increasingly difficult to make site work financially viable, and discuss what happens when experienced bricklayers decide there are better options elsewhere.They also look at what the future could hold for site work if more tradespeople make the same decision — and whether there’s still a sustainable future for those choosing to build their careers on site.Note from the producer: We recorded this show two days before Dale's win at Super Trowel - we will get Dale back on to tell us all about it and everyone at Fix Radio sends their congratulations to Dale! 

Ash Mahoney is joined in the studio by Alic Ramon from Australia and Grant Helms from the US, who recently won Spec Mix in Las Vegas at the third attempt. Ash chats with Alic and Grant about their background in the trade as well as their experiences on the tools and what the differences are between three continents when it comes to bricklaying. Alic and Grant are over in the UK for Super Trowel 2026 which takes place Friday 31st July & Saturday 1st August at the Hertfordshire Country Showground (supertrowel.co.uk - for more details and tickets)

With the Super Trowel 2026 final just two weeks away, Ash Mahoney catches up with Dale Wherton & Tom Humphrey about their route to the final and how they've been preparing. Ash also talks to them about their qualifying heats and also who they feel are the ones to watch in the final.

Ash Mahoney asks Bricklayers to join him and discuss how we get and do certain things in the trade. From getting good work, to getting materials or bricks and finding good people to work with you. Guests: Andy Pali, James Naughton & Dean Haywood.

Ash Mahoney looks into potential roles you can take off the tools but still in the trade, if you want to keep working in Bricklaying but worry about the longevity of your body. Richard Green from GSQ talks about his progression from working on the tools into management roles and the new set of challenges that come with it. Ian Hodgkinson talks about how he's done almost every management role imaginable after starting out on the trowel, The one role in management he couldn't crack and also his journey into TV work.