Metta Performance

In this episode, Chris Skogen shares his journey from the bike industry to driving a Zamboni, emphasizing the importance of happiness, discipline, and making intentional life choices. We explore how small decisions and perspective shifts can lead to a more fulfilling life.

In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome coach Ryan Kohler for a practical conversation about endurance coaching, recovery, and long-term athlete development. Ryan brings more than 20 years of experience translating sports science into coaching for cyclists of all ages. They discuss how to balance drive with rest, why recovery and detraining are part of progress, and how to keep high achievers e...

In this episode, Holly sits down with Abigail Michelini to explore the relationship between performance, failure, creativity, and embodied living. Abby shares how poetry, teaching, and long-distance running have shaped her identity, and why learning to “suck at something” can be a powerful path to growth. https://www.abigailmichelini.com/ Deena Kastor: Let Your Mind Run https://a.co/d/0dtOlVgC

It’s okay if it sucks at first. In this episode, Kim Griffith joins Sean and Holly and shares the mindset that helped her grow from a CrossFit athlete into a full Ironman competitor: keep showing up, stay patient, and trust the process. Progress doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from doing the hard thing long enough to get better. We hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, Holly Benner, Sean Luitjens, and Michael Seiler answer questions from our listeners. In this coaches chat, we discuss strategies for managing nerves, mental preparation, and the lessons endurance sports teach us about life and leadership. We share practical tips for athletes facing challenges and how to apply these insights beyond sports. Enjoy!

How do athletes stop self-sabotage, manage performance anxiety, and build confidence that holds up under pressure? In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome certified mental performance consultant Carrie Jackson to explore the psychology behind sustainable performance. Together, they break mental performance training into practical, repeatable skills that athletes and coaches can apply in sport,...

How do leaders sustain high performance without losing the human side of work? In this episode, Michael welcomes Jason Fonder to explore how consistent coaching, smart use of data and AI, curiosity, resilience, and a people-first culture create stronger performance over time. This conversation also examines why leaders should invest in high performers, how to learn from failure without using data...

How do race directors create safe, memorable endurance events, and what can leaders learn from the pressure behind race day? In this episode, Sean and Holly welcome Jeff Smith from https://www.outsiderendurance.com/ to learn how he does it. This conversation explores the year-round work required to plan triathlons, manage safety, coordinate volunteers, respond to emergencies, and deliver an athlet...

In this episode, Michael welcomes Theresa Andrews who shares her journey from Olympic gold medalist to successful executive, highlighting lessons on teamwork, resilience, visualization, and leadership that apply both in sports and business. Topics Lessons from Olympic training applicable to business The importance of teamwork and collaboration Visualization techniques for peak performance Handling...

How can athletes, leaders, and HR professionals build sustainable high performance in a world that is changing faster than ever? In this episode of the Metta Performance Podcast, Holly welcomes Jeremy Shapiro and Lisa Csencsits to explore how feedback, resilience, and mindset shape the way people perform in sport, work, and life. You’ll hear how personal challenges can redefine performance, why fe...

How can endurance athletes stay motivated, adapt their training to real-life demands, and determine whether their bike fit is supporting—or limiting—their performance? Michael and Sean explore these questions and more with guest Tom Regal. This episode examines the connection between a strong coaching mindset, sustainable training, race-day adaptability, and effective bike fitting. The conversatio...

In this episode, Holly welcomes Michael Drabbenstott to explore how running, community, and physical challenge can become powerful tools for confidence, connection, sustainable performance, and personal growth. Through stories of early morning track workouts, race directing, trail advocacy, and lifelong movement, the conversation shows how sport can help people build resilience, create meaningful...

In this episode, Holly and Michael talk about about AI in coaching. This conversation explores the rise of AI coaching and looks at how AI can expand access to coaching, support athletes and leaders with data, improve coach presence through note-taking tools, and create new hybrid coaching models that combine technology with human insight. It also covers the risks: poor recommendations, confidenti...

What if curiosity - not expertise - is the real driver of high performance? In this episode, we welcome Debra Clary to explore how leaders can unlock better results, stronger teams, and sustained growth by asking better questions. Drawing from research behind the Curiosity Curve, this conversation reveals why curiosity declines with experience and how to intentionally rebuild it to lead more effec...

In this episode, Holly and Michael welcome former rower and current performance coach, Madeline Davis Tully to the pod to explore how high performers navigate career plateaus, leadership, and identity shifts in mid-career. The conversation unpacks why traditional success strategies stop working, how values misalignment creates internal friction, and how coaching, systems, and self-awareness can un...

How do you sustain high performance across careers, parenting, and entrepreneurship? In this episode, rower turned real estate agent Laura Aubrey joins Michael on the pod to tells us how she makes it happen. This episode explores how disciplined habits, adaptability, and clarity of purpose drive long-term success. From athletics to real estate, the conversation breaks down how to manage chaos, sta...

How do athletes actually reach elite performance? In this episode, Michael and Kate welcome Lauren LeClaire to explore how development-focused teams build long-term success through culture, learning, and opportunity -not just results. Learn how coaching philosophy, team dynamics, and strategic race exposure shape high-performing athletes and sustainable careers.

What does it take to sustain high performance for decades all while balancing a demanding career, personal life, and evolving goals? Join Sean, Michael, and guest John Hirsch as they dive into the details! This episode explores longevity in sport and life, revealing how to stay motivated, avoid burnout, and redefine success over time. From elite triathlon performance to public defense work, this c...

What separates athletes who last decades from those who burn out or break down? In this episode, physical therapist, endurance coach, and competitive triathlete Emma Taylor shares what she sees from the front lines of high performance. From intrinsic motivation and consistency to strength training, injury prevention, and fueling strategies, this conversation explores how endurance athletes build d...

What does high performance look like outside of sports or corporate leadership? In this conversation, singer-songwriter and Steep Canyon Rangers member Aaron Burdett shares how musicians train their minds and craft to perform at elite levels. From managing pressure on stage to turning jealousy into motivation, Aaron explains the internal psychology of performance, creativity, and teamwork in the m...

What does real high performance look like in sport and leadership? In this conversation, a long-time professional cycling team leader shares lessons from more than two decades building one of the longest-running women’s cycling programs. The discussion explores how elite athletes are developed, how to identify potential beyond results, and what habits separate sustainable high performance from sho...

What defines high performance in leadership, military command, and cutting-edge technology startups? In this episode with Lt General Ross Coffman [RET], we explore how failure, empathy, clarity, discipline, and mission-driven culture shape elite performance. From leading tanks in Desert Storm to tackling quantum cybersecurity threats, this conversation unpacks practical leadership lessons, sustain...

Join us for a coaches chat! In this coaching roundtable, we get the band together to discuss a variety of topics. The conversation explores how athletes maintain motivation between races, navigate identity shifts when performance changes, recover from injuries or illness, and build long-term relationships with sport. The coaches also share practical coaching insights on training structure, nutriti...

How do athletes, executives, and everyday performers stay strong, resilient, and competitive for decades—not just seasons? In this episode, experts in performance medicine and sport science, Sharon McDowell and Regan Stiegman, unpack the science-backed strategies behind long-term performance, recovery, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization. Drawing from their new book Staying in the Game, the conv...

Today, we welcome Laurel Rathbun. This episode explores what sustainable high performance really looks like through the lens of elite cycling, entrepreneurship, and personal resilience. From early athletic development to career-ending injury, returning to competition, launching a women’s pro team, and balancing work, training, and leadership, this conversation offers practical lessons on consisten...