Purple Patch Podcast

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of the off-season in triathlon performance, offering complimentary Needs Assessment calls to help athletes prepare effectively. He introduces Renee Songer, a physical therapist at Purple Patch, who emphasizes the role of physical therapy in performance enhancement beyond injury recovery....

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of the off-season for athletes, emphasizing intentional recovery and strategic planning for 2026. He introduces two case studies: Miguel, a first-time IRONMAN athlete who improved his training approach and finished under 13 hours, and Markus, a seasoned triathlete who overcame injury and...

Welcome to Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of the off-season in triathlon, emphasizing it as a critical phase for performance breakthroughs. He highlights three open spots in their one-to-one coaching program and offers complimentary off-season needs assessments. Dixon outlines a five-step plan for a successful off-season: nailing bas...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In the episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of a structured off-season for athletes to avoid performance regression. He emphasizes the need for consistent, lighter training rather than complete shutdown or high-volume base building. Dixon highlights the significance of maintaining rhythm, technique, and strength during the off-seaso...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Chris Soden of Strategic Fitting, one of the world's leading experts in bike fitting, discuss the importance of customized coaching and bike fitting. Chris shares his background, emphasizing the evolution of bike fitting from basic measurements to advanced systems. He highlights the significance of saddle fit...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! This week, we're revisiting one of the most insightful interviews we've done here on the Purple Patch Podcast. In this episode, we're exploring the topic of mature athletes. These athletes are just as ambitious and goal-driven as younger ones, but they often have a deeper and more meaningful purpose beyond winning races and setting personal records. We received...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Marathon Special program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount on the first month. The program includes live education, race strategy support, and on-site coaching. Dixon emphasizes the importance of balancing pressure with support to enhance performance, us...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Marathon Special Program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount for new subscribers. He also promotes the Win Cycle leadership program, designed to enhance team performance and adaptability. Dixon emphasizes the benefits of taking on challenges mid-year, whet...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the Purple Patch Run Squad program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount for the first month. He highlights the success of Pasquale Romano, a 60-year-old athlete who achieved a half IRONMAN PR and first age group win. Dixon breaks down running performance into five components...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss a case study on Gwen, a 43-year-old triathlete who has been dealing with recurring lower-body injuries. Gwen's training followed a fixed three-week high-load cycle, leading to frequent injuries. The intervention focused on a three-week cycle with intentional recov...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss how the midpoint of any racing season is more than just a milestone—it's a vital opportunity to pause, assess, and intentionally adjust one's course. Dixon talks about the power of midseason reflection and how to leverage it for sustained high performance. Racing reveals...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses a unique marathon training approach, emphasizing five unconventional principles. He argues against overvaluing the long run, suggesting instead a cluster-running strategy to build muscular resilience. Dixon advocates for multi-sport training to reduce injury risk and enhance cardiovascular conditioning....

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of one-to-one coaching in athletic success. They emphasize the need for flexible training plans that adapt to life's changes, key sessions, and understanding session intent. They highlight the significance of support, accountability, and education o...

On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon from Purple Patch Fitness discusses strategies for balancing summer training for IRONMAN races with personal life. He emphasizes the importance of a flexible optimization mindset, weekly clarity through the "Sunday special," and intentional recovery. Dixon advises athletes to integrate training into life, plan around travel and family vacations, and...

In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the Purple Patch coaching program, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, personalization, and community in achieving long-term athletic success. They highlight the success of their tri-squad program, which has helped over 1,500 athletes qualify for World Championships and boasts an average athle...

On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts a re-airing of a fireside chat with Vincent Luis and Paula Findlay, two top Professional Triathletes, at the Purple Patch Performance Center in San Francisco. The Night of Champions event supports the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides opportunities for individuals with physical challenges. Vincent and Paula discuss their journeys,...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the case of David, a 52-year-old father and IRONMAN aspirant with limited training time. David's initial marathon training was rigid and stressful, affecting his family life. The team at Purple Patch adapted his training to a dynamic, flexible schedule, focusing o...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) in endurance sports, emphasizing its role in training and racing. He explains that RPE, influenced by factors like muscle fatigue and psychological stress, is a subjective rating of effort that complements metrics. Dixon highlights common mistakes, such a...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss lessons from Purple Patch Pros for racing success. They emphasize tailored training programs and the importance of mental resilience. Key stories include Sam Appleton's overcoming illness to achieve a top-six finish, Sarah Piampiano's resilience after a poor swim,...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On today's episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, host of the Purple Patch Podcast, discusses a special episode featuring a re-screening of the Triathlon Therapy Podcast with former Pro Triathletes Tim Reed and Sam Appleton. Dixon reflects on his coaching journey with Reed and Appleton, emphasizing the importance of health, mindset, and adaptability. He high...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses strategies for performing well in hot and humid conditions. He emphasizes the importance of heat training, which increases plasma volume and sweat rates, enhancing the body's cooling mechanisms. Key strategies include avoiding pre-race fatigue, adapting pacing plans, and using hydration and cooling tech...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts a roundtable discussion with three Purple Patch coaches—Brad Hunter, Nancy Clarke, and Max Gering—on race preparation. They discuss the importance of taper, emphasizing energy conservation and maintaining some intensity. They highlight the need for a structured approach to race week, including planning and reducing cognitiv...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, host of the Purple Patch Podcast, discusses the Win Cycle program, designed to help leaders and teams achieve consistent performance. He emphasizes the importance of "nailing the basics" for high performance, drawing from his experience coaching elite triathletes. Dixon highlights key habits, such as the "Sunday...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon Interviews Scot Davis, a Purple Patch Athlete and Chief Operating Officer at Crow Holdings, who completed the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days across seven continents. His journey began after caring for his mother with pancreatic cancer. Initially training with a previous coach, he...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Stephanie Go, a busy Doctor and Mother, shares her journey as a Purple Patch Athlete, emphasizing the importance of consistency and efficiency in training. Despite a demanding schedule, she achieved significant success in 2024, including qualifying for the Hawaii IRONMAN and the World Championship in New Zealand. Steph...