Endurance Unlimited
Endurance Unlimited is a training podcast for serious endurance athletes and coaches, powered by TrainingPeaks. Each episode features in-depth conversations with elite cyclists, runners, triathletes, ultramarathon athletes, and their coaches, focusing on the science, strategy, and real-world insights that improve performance. The show analyzes training methods and provides actionable advice for those preparing for races or coaching athletes. It serves as a resource for anyone looking to better understand and optimize their endurance training.
Episodes
What Sets Elite Athletes Apart | Scott Johnston - Season 8 Episode 8
Ultra running and mountain athlete coaching redefined: discover Scott Johnston’s trusted training secrets for building champions at UTMB, Hardrock, and Western States.
Legendary coach Scott Johnston unpacks the real art of endurance coaching—where customized plans, day-to-day communication, and tough-love honesty shape trail legends. This episode goes beyond the X's and O's, revealing what it re
Peak Access Episode 6 — Taking Women's Cycling to a New Level – 2026 Tour de France Femmes
Join pro cyclist Ruth Edwards and host Joe Lewis as they pull back the curtain on the 2026 Tour de France Femmes—every dramatic stage, gritty comeback, and the crucial behind-the-scenes support that’s powering a new wave of champions. You’ll get the inside scoop on game-changing workouts, the impact of investment and equality, and the data-driven tools elevating the women’s peloton to its fastest,
Closing Cycling's Data Gap for Women with Callum McQueen
Ahead of the longest, most mountainous Tour de France Femmes in the race's five-year history, Human Powered Health Cycling Head of Performance Callum McQueen joins Endurance Unlimited to talk preparation. From individualized workload design to closing the research gaps still facing women's cycling, Callum breaks down how his team translates data into decisions for one of the sport's toughest stage
Peak Access Episode 4 — Paris on the Line: The Tour by the Numbers – 2026 Tour de France
In the final episode of Peak Access, Alex Howes and Joe Lewis break down the hardest-hitting moments and stats from the Tour, revealing why training for sprints, building durability, and mastering recovery are game changers for riders of all levels.
This is your inside look at Tour de France training secrets, pro cyclist recovery hacks, and sprint workout breakthroughs. Whether you’re prep
Peak Access Episode 3 — Surviving the First Rest Day – 2026 Tour de France
Dive into the third episode of Peak Access, where the conversation goes beyond just race recaps.
Alex Howes and Joe Lewis unpack what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in the world’s biggest bike race, translating elite tactics into actionable advice for all athletes and coaches.
From mastering fueling habits to understanding the critical role of rest, while balancing try to surviving r
The Science of Heat Stress: Boost Your Endurance with Core Temperature Insights
Many believe that riding outdoors in high temperatures guarantees heat adaptation. But that’s not the whole story.
Aline Barre, the Endurance Performance Lead for CORE, explains what it takes to get true performance benefits for athletes. And why real heat training requires understanding both internal and external temperatures. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean your body is adapting eff
Peak Access Episode 2 – The Power Behind the Race | 2026 Tour de France
Time to dive into the actual power behind the race.
Alex Howes and Joe Lewis are back to break it all down on the next episode of Peak Access, part of the Endurance Unlimited podcast.
Get behind-the-scenes insights from Alex and Joe as they decode pro power numbers, team tactics, and the mental game of modern bike racing from the first few stages of the Tour de France.
Join us as we breakdown
Coaching WorldTour Riders to Peak at the Right Time | Koen Pelgrim - Season 8 Episode 7
Go inside the mind of WorldTour coach, Koen Pelgrim, as the episode traces the journey from the physiology lab to the chaos of racing. You’ll get an inside look at what it takes to build a champion—from altitude camps and heat training protocols to how gym and strength work have become non-negotiables for today’s sprinters. The discussion digs deep into balancing “the art and science” of coaching,
Peak Access Episode 1 — Grand Départ Prep — 2026 Tour de France
Ever wondered what it takes to prep for the toughest endurance race on Earth?
Alex Howes and Joe Lewis kick off a new series, "Peak Access," part of the Endurance Unlimited podcast. In our first episode, we dive into the unique challenges of the Tour de France. With over 54,000 meters of climbing in just 21 days, this race is not for the faint-hearted.
But it’s not just about the climbs. The a
Multi-Sport Olympian: Her 6-Month Training Gamble | Anna Gibson Season 8 Episode 6
Multi-sport training secrets, Olympic mindset shifts, and the art of balancing endurance sports—discover how to build unstoppable athletic versatility. Elevate your coaching or racing with power-packed tips from an Olympian who breaks all the rules.
World-class athlete Anna Gibson joins Dirk on Endurance Unlimited to share her roller-coaster journey from track running and alpine skiing to trail,
The Real Story: Coaching, Contracts, & Pregnancy in Elite Cycling | Sarah Sturm & Dennis van Winden - Season 8 Episode 5
Pregnancy and Elite Athletic Performance: How Pro Cyclist Sarah Sturm and Coach Dennis Van Winden Redefine Training for Mom Athletes. Discover top pregnancy-safe training tips, real athlete-coach strategies, and how to navigate racing, metrics, mental health, and sponsorships, without missing a beat.
Elite cyclist Sarah Sturm and her coach Dennis Van Winden break new ground with a candid look at
Can You Transform Your Fitness in Just 14 Days? | Ben Day - Season 8 Episode 4
Heat Adaptation Hacks for Cyclists: How the Pros Master Sauna Protocols, Active Heat Training & Performance Gains. Discover the power of heat acclimatization to boost resilience, race readiness, and recovery in any climate.
Pro coach Ben Day unleashes the secrets of modern endurance training through practical protocols and behind-the-scenes stories from Girona, Boulder, and the pro peloton. This
Building America’s Dream Cycling Team with George Hincapie and Bobby Julich Season 8 Ep. 3
In this episode, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich joins host Dirk Friel to dive into the ambitious launch of Modern Adventure Cycling—a new American cycling team that’s already making waves on the international stage. With decades of experience racing and leading teams, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich share what inspired them to tackle this monumental project, how they overcame challenges in buil
Molly Seidel and Cliff Pittman on the Shift from Running Marathons to Ultras Season 8 Ep. 2 to Trails
In this episode, we dig into an inspiring athlete’s evolution, exploring the high-stakes world of elite road marathoning and the tough transition to trail and ultra running. Olympic marathon bronze medalist Molly Seidel and her coach, Cliff Pittman, join us to walk us through her running journey —overcoming chronic injuries, recalibrating her goals after an Olympic medal, and battling the mental a
Transform Your Training with Smarter Sleep: Insights with Charlotte Edelsten - Season 8 Ep 1
Host Dirk Friel is joined by sleep researcher and sleep coach Charlotte Edelsten, whose expertise is backed by over two decades of research on sleep and performance. Together, they dive deep into the science behind sleep for endurance athletes—addressing why sleep is a true foundation for training adaptations, injury prevention, and race-day performance.
Charlotte Edelsten shares insights from he
Inside Cam Smith and the USA Skimo Team's Road to the 2026 Games - Season 7 Ep 20
On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put the U.S. a ticket to the Games for Skimo, but als
Making the Most of the Off-Season: Habits, Strength, and Mindset - Season 7 Ep 19
In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for an athlete-focused episode on the off-season, including practical strategies to help athletes integrate their training with work, family, and life, as well as building systems that drive long-term success.
Instead of chasing peak fitness or pushing for higher power num
Building Better Athletes: The Coach's Off-Season Toolkit with Matt Dixon - Season 7 Ep 18
In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for a masterclass on the offseason—the time of year Matt Dixon boldly claims is the single biggest predictor of athlete breakthroughs.
Together, they unpack Matt Dixon’s four-phase coaching model and explore why offseason isn’t just a break, but a critical opportunity for
Neuroplasticity and Brain Fatigue in Endurance Sports with Scott Frey – Season 7 Episode 17
Host Dirk Friel sits down with Dr. Scott Frey, author, neuroscientist, and psychologist, for a deep dive into the critical role that the brain plays in endurance sports performance.
Scott Frey explains how the brain is the "central command and control center" for both physical and cognitive performance, and how neuroplasticity—our brain's ability to change—offers untapped potential for athletes.
From Gravel to E-Sports: How Hayden Pucker Found His Edge in Virtual Racing - Season 7 Ep. 16
TrainingPeaks' Education Specialist, Cody Stephenson, is joined by returning guest and eSport cycling coach Zach Nehr and professional cyclist and esports racer Hayden Pucker—better known as Farm Watts—for an honest, high-energy deep-dive into the world of virtual endurance racing. We’ll hear about Hayden Pucker’s unconventional journey from riding a hundred miles before dawn in Wisconsin to racki
Jim Miller on Coaching Champions: The Art & Science of Elite Cycling Success — Season 7 Ep 15
Host Dirk Friel sits down with Jim Miller, Chief of Sports Performance at USA Cycling and the most decorated cycling coach in U.S. history. They dive deep into Jim’s unparalleled coaching journey—from collegiate racing days in Colorado to guiding athletes like Keegan Swenson and Kristin Armstrong to Olympic and World Championship podiums.
Jim shares insights on the delicate balance of science an
Adapting Your Coaching for Esports Success - Season 7 Ep 14
Zach Nehr dives deep into the world of cycling esports, unpacking its rapid evolution and what it takes to train and coach athletes for peak performance—indoors and out.
Matti and Zach explore Zach’s background of collegiate racing and coaching to the professional road scene, and how the pandemic unexpectedly propelled him into the universe of indoor racing.
What sets Zach apart is his insistenc
Elite Endurance: The Strength Training for Champions Like Taylor Knibb and Courtney Dauwalter — Season 7 Ep 13
Erin Carson explains the role of strength training in optimizing endurance performance, enhancing mobility, and supporting long-term athletic health for all athletes.
Dirk and Erin explain why strength training isn't just for bodybuilders or football players. It's a critical component for athletes seeking longevity, durability, and peak performance in endurance sports. Erin shares real-life ex
Power, Confidence, and Success: Behind Pro Cycling with Melisa Rollins - Season 7 Ep 12
Take a deep dive into the evolving tactics of gravel racing, where confidence, preparation, and expert coaching drive athletes to new heights.
Professional cyclist, Melisa Rollins, and her coach, Isaiah Newkirk, join host Matti Rowe, Education Specialist, for a look behind the scenes of training and racing tactics in professional gravel and mountain bike racing.
Melisa, fresh off of a win at
Virtual Crits, Course Recon, and Live Coaching: Redefining Indoor Training - Season 7 Ep 11
Hear how structured workouts, virtual communities, and game-changing tech combine for authentic, effective winter training — or cycling in general.
George Gilbert and Tim Cusick join host Dirk Friel for a look into the shift of virtual training and how purposeful, science-backed structure can help both athletes and coaches make the most of winter (or year-round) workouts.
George, TrainingPea
Scott Johnston's Winning Formula for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans at UTMB — Season 7 Ep 10
Scott Johnston, fresh off coaching both the men's and women's winners of UTMB in the same year, shares his coaching philosophy with Dirk Friel. Scott emphasizes the value of consistent, disciplined training rooted in tried-and-true principles. Not through flashy shortcuts, just a thoughtful blend of science, individualized pacing, and real-world adaptability.
Throughout the conversation, Scott
Fueling Insights Explained: Iñigo San-Millán on Optimizing Carbohydrate Intake for Cyclists — Season 7 Ep 9
You're not seeing things. CoachCast has been renamed Endurance Unlimited. Stay tuned for more great episodes and more. Now, on to this episode...
Dr. Iñigo San-Millán explains the science and strategy behind optimal cycling nutrition. Learn how TrainingPeaks' new Fueling Insights feature leverages decades of his metabolic research data to help athletes and coaches evaluate and individualize fuel
From Couch Potato to World Champion: April Zilg on Coaching and What Makes a Great Paddle Athlete — Season 7 Ep 8
The evolution of paddle sport racing is pushing the limits of endurance competition, where training technology and data-driven coaching play a significant role.
April Zilg, world champion paddle athlete, joins the show to share her journey from "couch potato" to the top of the stand up paddle board (SUP) world—all powered by smart training, dedication and data. In this episode, April reveals how
Gravel's Evolution: Dylan Johnson Talks Unbound, Training, Gear Choices & Strategy — Season 7 Ep 7
In this episode, host Dirk Friel sits down with professional gravel racer and Ignition Coaching coach Dylan Johnson to dig into all things gravel.
They break down the cutting-edge equipment trends seen at the 2025 edition of Unbound Gravel, as well as training trends, nutrition and training tips for both amateurs and pros. Hear why mountain bike tires are dominating the scene, the evolving role
Fixing Food Culture in Endurance Sports Beyond Carbs and Calories with Kristen Arnold — Season 7 Ep 6
In this episode of the CoachCast, host Dirk Friel sits down with Kristen Arnold, a registered dietitian, elite cycling coach, and former pro racer, to unpack the complex relationship endurance athletes often have with food and body image. Drawing from her coaching and clinical experience, Kristen explores how disordered eating patterns can quietly surface in training environments that overemphasiz
From Racing Pro Motocross to Running the Boston Marathon with Coach Alex Martin — Season 7 Ep 5
In this episode, Dirk Friel talks with Alex Martin, a former professional motocross and supercross racer who spent over 15 years competing at the highest level, earning podiums and top-five finishes. After retiring from racing as a pro, Alex leaned into his passion for training and performance, co-founding Troll Training. His coaching company blends motocross performance with endurance sports meth
Designing Optimal Training Load with Purple Patch's Matt Dixon — Season 7 Ep 4
Matt Dixon shares his clear and simple approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of purpose, consistency, and developing foundational habits over chasing the latest trends or technologies. Whether you're an ambitious amateur or a seasoned pro, this episode has valuable takeaways to optimize your training and life balance.
Matt is the founder and CEO of Purple Patch Fitness, a coaching comp
Inside WorldTour Cycling Camps: The Training, Testing and Nutrition — Season 7 Ep 3
We're diving deep into the world of professional cycling camps as we hear first-hand from some of the leading coaches and nutritionists in pro cycling. Reporting from the picturesque coastal climbs of the Costa Blanca in Spain, our host, Dirk Friel, brings you insights from performance coaches like Lieselot Decroix and Mattia Michelusi, who reveal the critical training techniques employed to enhan
Fergus Crawley on Training Hybrid Athletes and the Benefits for Endurance Athletes — Season 7 Ep 2
In this episode of the TrainingPeaks CoachCast, we sit down with Fergus Crawley, the co-founder and head coach of Omnia Performance, to look into the world of hybrid athletes. Hybrid training, a blend of strength and endurance disciplines, challenges the traditional boundaries of athletic training.
Fergus draws from his rich background in rugby, powerlifting, triathlons, and concurrent training to
Inside Nell Rojas' Approach to Marathon Training and Athlete Development — Season 7 Ep 1
Professional runner and running coach Nell Rojas shares her insights into racing and coaching athletes for marathons, including the Boston Marathon, using a balance of art and science.
She attended Northern Arizona University, where she studied exercise science and competed in cross country and track. Nell ran her first marathon in 2018 and became the top American finisher in the Boston Marathon
Season 6 Ep 14 — Optimizing Ultra Race Recovery with Scott Johnston of Evoke Endurance
Scott Johnston, co-author of "Training for the New Alpinism" and "Training for the Uphill Athlete," shares insights on recovery strategies for ultramarathon runners in this new podcast episode.
Johnston emphasizes the critical balance between rest and performance, outlining how factors like central nervous system fatigue, motivation, and age influence post-race recovery. The conversation highlight
Season 6 Ep 13 — TrainingPeaks Virtual: Redefining Indoor Cycling and Training with George Gilbert and Lee Gerakos
Listen in as indieVelo creator George Gilbert and TrainingPeaks president Lee Gerakos break down the reasoning behind the acquisition of the virtual riding platform, now named TrainingPeaks Virtual, the opportunities for coaches and athletes and how the ethos of credible virtual racing is a part of the DNA of the merger.
They share with Dirk the importance of community feedback in shaping the pla
Season 6 Ep 12 — Gale Bernhardt — From Math Teacher to Olympic Coach
Gale Bernhardt's insights on effective coaching, balancing technology with human touch, setting long-term goals and tips for aspiring coaches.
With over 35 years of coaching experience, Gale Bernhardt has guided Olympians and World Championship athletes and played pivotal roles as the USA Triathlon Olympic and Pan American Games Triathlon coach. She shares her incredible journey from a mechanical
Season 6 Ep 11 — Addressing RED-S and Optimizing Nutrition with Sports Dietitian Kylee Van Horn
Understand the essentials of athlete fueling, including RED-S and the importance of tailored nutrition plans, with sports dietician Kylee Van Horn.
Kylee Van Horn, CEO of Fly Nutrition, specializes in helping athletes optimize their performance and manage eating disorders, including RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport). She's also an ultrarunner and running coach based in Colorado, looking
Season 6 Ep 10 — HRV4Training's Marco Altini on the Most Important Aspects of HRV Data
Heart rate variability (HRV) is unique to each athlete. Learn how to effectively measure and use HRV data alongside subjective feedback to optimize your training and recovery.
Our guest for episode 10 is Marco Altini, a scientist, app developer and expert in using data from wearable devices to optimize health and performance. Many will recognize his name from the app HRV4Training, which integrate
Season 6 Ep 9 — Olympic Triathlon 2024: Gearing Up Team U.S.A With Ryan Bolton & Erin Carson
Explore insights from top coaches Ryan Bolton and Erin Carson on preparing U.S.A. triathletes for the 2024 Olympic Triathlon competitions and, in one instance, the individual time trial in cycling, through coaching collaboration and training techniques.
In this episode, Ryan Bolton and Erin Carson discuss the details of preparing athletes for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Triathlon team in Paris. Ryan Bol
Season 6 Ep 8 — Behind the Scenes of Tour de France Nutrition With Iñigo San Millán
In this special episode for the Tour de France, Iñigo San Millán, a performance coach for UAE Team Emirates, shares his expertise on how race-day nutrition is meticulously planned and adjusted using race data from TrainingPeaks.
We'll discuss the critical differences in fueling demands for various stages of the Tour, the importance of individualized nutrition strategies, and why maintaining weight
Season 6 Ep 7 — The Parallels of Gaming and Sports: Mental Tactics and Coaching With Amine Issa
In this special episode, we explore the insights of Amine Issa, Ph.D., on the intersection of gaming and numerous disciplines, such as esports, Formula 1, and even the military. Amine has spent 25 years obsessively playing video games and even competed professionally.
He spent five years researching the extremes of human performance at the Mayo Clinic. His findings help develop new technology and
Season 6 Ep 6 — Determining Recovery Protocols With Bora-hansgrohe Coach John Wakefield
In this episode, we sit down with John Wakefield, the managing director of Science to Sport and performance coach with the Bora-hansgrohe World Tour cycling team. John, from Cape Town, South Africa, shares his insights from years of coaching and an advanced training facility in Girona, Spain. Understand why recovery is the key to progression and how ignoring it can impede an athlete's performance,
Season 6 Ep 5 — Applying Elite Training Science to All Athletes With HYCYS Coach Björn Geesmann
Björn Geesman is a German-based sports scientist and coach. He is also the CEO of HYCYS coaching company and co-founder of power & pace. He works with pro triathletes Patrick Lange and Kat Matthews, among other big names in endurance sports.
In this episode, Dirk and Björn dive into everything from wind tunnel testing tunnels and bike selection based on data to the importance of sports psychology
Season 6 Ep 4 — How to Utilize Running Power Metrics With Dr. Will O'Connor
Dr. Will O'Connor takes us through the nuances of using running power in training. Will and Dirk get into the scientific side of power meters, discuss the accuracy and data consistency from devices like Stryd and other wearables, and learn how to use critical power zones to break down the metabolic costs of running variable terrain. Will also touches on some of the lessons in his Fundamentals of R
Season 6 Ep 3 — Olympic Champion Kristin Armstrong: Navigating an Era of Wearables, Data & Social Platforms
Kristin Armstrong talks coaching strategies in a data-driven world filled with wearables and social platforms. With the advancement of technology and platforms, there is a growing tension between positives and negatives when it comes to data, wearable devices and social media.
The challenges of managing this tension have become heightened for younger athletes who may feel pressure to maintain an o
Season 6 Ep 2 — Exploring Joe Friel's 40-Year Coaching Evolution
In this episode, we have none other than Joe Friel, a legendary figure in the world of endurance coaching. As the co-founder of TrainingPeaks and author of several seminal books on athletic training, Joe has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of endurance sports. The fifth edition of the Triathlon Training Bible hit shelves earlier this month. Plus, he has kept his peak health and part
Season 6 Ep 1 — How Sociology of Sport Impacts Coaching With Brian Gearity
In this episode, Dr. Brian Gearity, professor and director of the Master of Arts Sport Coaching program at the University of Denver, talks with Dirk Friel about the intersection of sociology and coaching.
Dr. Gearity, with his extensive experience in sports sociology, coaching and exercise science, provides valuable insights into the complexities of coaching that come from social constructs. The t
Season 5 Ep 12 — Building Strength and Durability in Endurance Athletes With Chris Lee
Dirk Friel digs into Chris' approach to strength training. His philosophy is underpinned by thorough body movement assessments, identifying and targeting an athlete's limiters, and a belief in the vital role of strength work for injury prevention and performance improvement. He points out that he advocates year-round strength training tailored to each phase of an athlete's season.
Lee, the directo
Season 5 Ep 11 — Youth Development and Age-Appropriate Progression With Lance Watson
In this episode, Lance and Dirk discuss the importance of cultivating a multidimensional sports foundation for young athletes before zeroing in on a particular sport. Hear about the upsides of a mixed sporting background and the risks of early specialization. Lance also shares insightful experiences as a coach (guiding Brent McMahon from the junior ranks to retirement from the pro circuit) and a p
Season 5 EP 10 — Triathlon Offseason Training Secrets With Mike Ricci
Mike Ricci, founder and head coach at D3 Multisport and After 40 Reboot, joins the CoachCast this month to talk all things triathlon offseason. Mike shares several tips that any athlete can do to take the offseason into race season with more momentum.
With over 20 years of coaching experience, Mike has worked with IRONMAN age group winners and national champions. He believes in working on weaknes
Season 5 Ep 9 — What Coaches & Athletes Should Know About the Business of Endurance Coaching
Whether you're a coach looking to navigate the business landscape or an athlete considering hiring a coach, this episode offers valuable insights and perspectives from seasoned professionals.
Three diverse coaches in business structure, sport type and location open up to shed light on their sources of income, ranging from subscription-based coaching to book royalties and bike fits. Learn the diffe
Season 5 Ep 8 — The Intersection of Cycling & Sailing: Ben Day's Journey to the America's Cup
The physical demands of cyclists and cyclors take center stage in this episode of the CoachCast. Ben Day, a retired pro cyclist and head performance coach of the American Magic team, shares his insights on his transition from pro cycling to yacht racing and the advent of cyclors crewing race boats.
Cyclors, using their lower-body strength, can produce 30-40% more power than arm grinders, making t
Season 5 Ep 7 — Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes With Jill Colangelo
In this episode of the TrainingPeaks CoachCast, host Dirk Friel interviews Jill Colangelo, a researcher focusing on mental health in endurance athletes. Colangelo shares insights from her ultra endurance experiences, sports psychiatry work and research, highlighting the higher prevalence of mental illness among ultra endurance athletes.
She discusses the need for recognition and treatment of exer
Season 5 Ep 6 — 5 Mistakes Endurance Athletes Make for Weight Loss With Renee Eastman
Renee Eastman explains the details of the five mistakes people make in losing weight as endurance athletes, which she published in a blog post on the CTS website. From overcompensating for nutrition deficits to fad diets to short-term fixes and misplaced belief that cardio drives weight loss, learn how to use slow and boring tactics to have the best results in losing weight while maintaining perfo
Season 5 Ep 5 — Dynamic Loading, Physiological Testing and Effective Range With Gordo Byrn
In this episode, Gordo Byrn explains the importance of base training, which he defines as "the ability to move for the duration of your goal event." Highlighting that athletes should focus on building general capacity before moving on to specific capacity training. He believes that many endurance athletes make the mistake of focusing too much on specific capacity training and not enough on general
Season 5 Ep 4 — Manaslu and Ultrarunning at 75 With David Babbitt and Coach Land Heintzberger
David Babbitt is an American ultrarunner living in Nepal and racing some of the most difficult multi-stage races on the planet. He's doing this at age 75. With the help of his long-time coach, Land Heintzberger, the duo have focused on core training basics to keep David in races and finishing faster than many younger competitors.
Babbitt completed the seven-day Manaslu Mountain Trail Race, which c
Season 5 Ep 3 — The Habits to Running Healthy and Lifelong With Coach Amanda Brooks
Listen in as Amanda Brooks and Dirk talk pre-hab, fueling as an aging runner, perimenopause and menopause and how she prescribes intensity even to those 60 and 70+ runners.
Amanda Brooks is a running coach and author who has helped many runners achieve their goals. She is a perpetual blogger and author of several books, including "Run to the Finish: The Everyday Runner's Guide," and has contribute
Season 5 Ep 2 — NVDM's Secrets to Training Triathletes With Natasha van der Merwe
Originally from South Africa, founder, CEO and head coach Natasha van der Merwe has built a unique coaching business in Austin, Texas.
NVDM Coaching has seen explosive growth over the last two years, and while catering to athletes of all abilities, many have gone on to win age groups or podium spots in a number of Ironman races. Van der Merwe and her coaching staff have also developed a special k
Season 5 Ep 1 — How Zone 2 Biochemistry Powers Athletes' Biomechanical Energy With Iñigo San Millán
Dr. Iñigo San Millán is a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, performing clinical and research work in cellular metabolism, especially in diabetes, cardiometabolic disease and cancer. He has been testing and coaching world-class endurance athletes for over 25 years. He is also the Head of Performance for the professional cycling team UAE, where he is the personal coach of t
Season 4 Ep 12 — Training for World-Class Skimo and a Leadville MTB 100 Podium with John Gaston
Though coming to the sport later than most, John Gaston is the current U.S. National Ski Mountaineering champion and has won multiple prestigious U.S. events, including the Audi Power of Four 10 times. He is arguably the country's best ski mountaineering, or skimo racer, and competes on the world stage in the winter.
During the summer, Gaston mountain bikes the trails near his home in Aspen to ma
Season 4 Ep 11 — The Essentials of Training Plans with David Warden and Matt Fitzgerald of 80/20 Endurance
David Warden and Matt Fitzgerald are the founders of 80/20 Endurance, one of the pioneers of endurance training plans. 80/20 sold its first plan within the TrainingPeaks Marketplace in 2005. Their plans have helped hundreds of thousands of athletes of all experience and ability levels achieve their goals.
David Warden is an internationally recognized coach and author with clients including world c
Season 4 Ep 10 — The Moxie & Grit of Pro Mother, MTB Racer and Coach Sonya Looney
Sonya Looney is pushing the traditional notions of training for professional mountain bike racing during and after pregnancy while reinforcing patience and resilience in her clients as a health coach.
Despite her results as a pro, she describes herself as a normal person who has accomplished extraordinary things through hard work, self-belief, determination and willingness to fail. Dirk sits down
Season 4 Ep 9 — Triathlon Peaking and Tapering with Craig Alexander, Plus Kona 2022 Predictions
Craig Alexander, or "Crowie" as many call know him, has formulated an approach to triathlon training through many years as a professional and now as a coach. He talks with Dirk Friel about his approach to hitting peak fitness while balancing a restorative taper for the best performance racing long course triathlon.
Crowie and Dirk consider the schedule changes to the Ironman World Championships in
Season 4 Ep8 — Training for Big Mountains and Defining New Alpinism with Steve House of Uphill Athlete
Steve House sees the convergence of technical climbing and mountaineering as "New Alpinism." And the athleticism required to be an all-around alpinist demands a training regimen as diverse as the skills of the blended climbing disciplines used. His coaching company, Uphill Athlete, grew from his work helping lead other alpinists, mountaineers and athletes based on personal learnings and fundamenta
Season 4, Ep 7 — Taking Big Risks and Pioneering Gravel Inclusivity with Amy Charity
Despite establishing a career in the financial domain after college, Amy Charity took a big gamble, trading boardrooms for race courses. She is now a former professional cyclist and member of a World Championship time trial team for the United States, and author of "The Wrong Side of Comfortable." Her new career is co-founder and owner of the SBT GRVL gravel event that has become one of the marque
Season 4, Ep 6 — Sports Psychology Frameworks for Anxiety and Injury with Dr. Justin Ross
Dr. Ross is a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colo. specializing in athlete mental health and performance. He helps address issues such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating and insomnia while aiming to develop high-performance sports psychology skills within any field of play.
Dr. Ross authored the Introduction to Sports Psychology for Endurance Coaches course through TrainingPeaks Universi
Season 4, Ep 5 — Ultrarunning: Training, Mental Skills and the Hierarchy of Needs with Jason Koop
Ultramarathon running is a complex sport. Jason Koop's updated book, "Training Essentials for Ultrarunning," dives into the complexity to help answer many of the questions that ultrarunners and other competitors face as endurance athletes. The book is filled with evidence-based methodologies that may be useful for athletes in other endurance sports beyond ultrarunning.
Koop is a leading authority
Season 4, Ep 4 — Coaching Race Day Ready with Joy and Brian McCulloch
Joy and Brian McCulloch are the husband and wife team behind the southern California-based Big Wheel Coaching. Joy was a high school P.E. teacher and professional mountain biker. Her vision behind Big Wheel Coaching was to bring P.E. to adults by providing structure, feedback and accountability to athletes. Brian joined the business in 2016 and has over 15 years of professional road, mountain bike
Season 4, Ep 3 — Nutrition Training for Race Day and Beyond with Asker Jeukendrup
Recognized as one of the world’s leading sports nutrition experts, Asker Jeukendrup is the author of several books on sports nutrition and over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles on exercise and sports nutrition.
He started a consulting business, mysportsscience.com, where he advises teams and organizations. Jeukendrup is currently head of nutrition for the Dutch Olympic Committee, Jumbo-Visma pro
Season 4, Ep. 2 — Bike Fitting, Technology, Biomechanics and the Future with Dr. Andy Pruitt
Dr. Andy Pruitt, whose professional legacy includes the pioneering of 3-D bike fits, three patents for the development of Specialized Body Geometry shoes and saddles, all of which are designed to help optimize performance and comfort based on individual anatomy.
Dr. Pruitt has spent his entire career helping thousands of riders from Tour de France contenders to local racers achieve their own bran
Season 4, Ep. 1 — Running and COVID Recovery with Gwen Jorgensen and Bobby McGee
Gwen Jorgensen won the triathlon gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic games after a pair of ITU World Triathlon Series championships in 2014 and 2015. She has since retired from professional triathlon and is focused on marathon running. She will be inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame in August of 2022.
After contracting COVID-19 recently, she and elite athlete coach Bobby McGee reset her g
Season 3, Ep. 22 From Distance Running to Weightlifting with Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall left the pro running circuit in 2016. The U.S. half marathon record-holder and unofficial American marathon record-holder has a new passion these days — bodybuilding. From running a sub-2:05 Boston Marathon in 2011 to putting on 40 pounds of muscle, Hall found a new fulfilling way of expressing himself after his body told him his competitive long-distance running days were over.
The two-
Season, 3, Ep. 18 Talking Gravel Racing and Life with Peter Stetina
Peter Stetina was an accomplished World Tour road cyclist before embracing gravel racing in 2019. He quickly established himself as one of the best in the sport, winning Utah’s Crusher in the Tushar, the 2021 Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the inaugural Leadboat, which is the combination of two arduous endurance races for a total of 250 miles over two days.
In 2020, he set the course record on
Season 3, Ep. 20 Exploring Skimo with Joe Howdyshell and Grace Staberg
Ski mountaineering, or Skimo, has been gaining traction among winter sports athletes for years. With the recent announcement that the sport will be included in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Skimo will soon be elevated to a worldwide stage.
Grace Staberg, 19, is an accomplished ultramarathon runner and a hopeful to represent the United States in the inaugural Skimo event at the Olympics. Grac
Season 3, Ep. 19 Finding More Meaning in the Training with Chris Hauth
Chris Hauth intimately knows the interworking of a master's athlete. He knows the family and social obligations, recognizes the desire to remain competitive but also owns the fact the motivation shifts dramatically as athletes age. The glamor of big podium racing fades thus requiring athletes to seek out a deeper ‘why.’
Listen as he and Dirk explore the meaning of working out and ‘working in,’ mea
Season, 3, Ep. 18 Creating the Perfect Recipe for Triathlon Olympic Gold with Arild Tveiten
The National Triathlon Team of Norway has a fascinating story. Head Coach Arild Tveiten started with just a small handful of athletes interested in the sport. With the right investment of time (8 years!), dedication and a heavy focus on sport science (forget 80/20 training, they are using 90/10!), athlete Kristian Blummenfelt was able to bring home his first gold in triathlon from Tokyo.
Discove
Season 3, Ep. 17 How to Be a Faster Runner with Will O'Connor
In this episode of the CoachCast, Dirk dives in with Will O'Connor to explore everything related to running power. Listen as they compare the value of running versus riding with power, discuss the best use-case scenarios for run power, as well as examine what it can teach us that GPS data and heart rate can’t.
They even touch on the (literal) power contained in a new pair of Nikes and exactly wha
Season 3, Ep. 16 How to Be a Faster Mountain Biker with Matt Miller
If you identify with the mountain bike crew and or with the data nerd clan, this episode is for you. Matt Miller, mountain bike scientist and founder of BrakeAce sat down with Dirk to explore all ways of improving speed and fitness.
They start out by discussing how, despite Matt's determination to challenge the idea that FTP rules all, his testing has only certified that it remains steadfast as th
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