Awake Athlete Podcast

There are two kinds of fear: the kind that keeps you alive — and the kind that keeps you from living. In this final episode of Awake Athlete: The Road to El Cruce, I share what it was like to stand on the starting line in Argentina after 27 weeks of becoming — confident, grounded, and deeply ready. Not because nothing could go wrong, but because I trusted what I would do with whatever came up. We...

On this narrowing road to El Cruce, I’m living in the unfiltered experience of me—the place where clarity breathes louder than chaos. In this episode, I explore the moments that can’t be measured, tracked, or posted… only felt. I open up about my greatest fear—not the unknown, but the soul-level terror of staying the same—and how this season has called me again and again into deeper alignment, dee...

Coming back from altitude rocked me in unexpected ways. This episode explores what it means to move forward without forcing — to release the need for hero workouts and align with the deeper rhythm of training, trust, and truth. I share the honest reality of returning from altitude, what I’m trusting now, and how the plan evolves from here as El Cruce draws near. I dive into the truth of “shou...

Altitude exposes truth — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, BJ Gumkowski joins me to break down my recent altitude training trip to Colorado — the planning, the purpose, and the push. We explore how I prepared for this trip while still recovering from my fall, how I trained for an ultra through a triathlete’s lens, and what it means to hold the mindset of *what can I do?* even...

The past four weeks have been nothing like I planned. One fall shifted my training, forced me into patience, and gave me a whole new window of clarity. It’s shown me that risk and consequence always travel together — and real strength is in how we meet the outcome, not just the leap. It’s shown me the danger of waiting too long, of holding out for perfect conditions that never come. And it’s remin...

Sometimes the clearest window opens when life drops an obstacle in your path. My fall brought a new training plan—not one I designed, but one I was given. And inside it, I’ve been handed lessons I couldn’t script: trust, surrender, and the courage to experience consequences without fear. In this episode, I share: – Why consequences aren’t negative, and how they carry us forward – The process of tr...

The middle is where growth takes root. It’s not flashy like the start or triumphant like the finish, but it’s where durability, patience, and true resilience are forged. In this episode, I explore the mental and emotional terrain of being halfway — in training, in ultras, and in life. I share a breath technique to slow down, the practice of meeting the edge without recklessness, and how to keep yo...

The stages for El Cruce have been released. The profiles are no longer an idea in my mind — they’re reality on paper. And that reality demands durability. I’m reflecting on two gnarly ultras I’ve done and the lessons that will carry me through these days in the Andes. I’m also awake to the moments when I’ve underestimated sections of a race, because this middle stage looks relentless. When the map...

In this episode of The Road to El Cruce, I’m diving into the art of restraint in endurance training — and why holding back can be just as powerful as pushing forward. I share a recent experience that landed me in what I call the “strange pocket” — that place where you want to do more, should yourself into believing you need to do more, but know deep down the best move is to stick to the plan. From...

The adventure is going — and it’s not just about the workouts. This season of training is about syncing up with the rhythm of my body, my mind, and the mission ahead. Because endurance isn’t just built in the legs — it’s built in your internal state. Inspired by a moment from the Tour de France, I explore what it means to get your body into the mindset — to set your inner frequency before the work...

Coming to you from Week 8 of training — a phase where the tweaks are subtle but powerful. I’m increasing my run volume without adding time to my training week, and I am paying close attention to my adaptation.  In this episode, I share exactly how I’m doing it — including details on my workouts and how I’m approaching the physical prep for El Cruce. But more importantly, I share what thi...

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Road to El Cruce , Season 6 of the Awake Athlete Podcast. We’re kicking things off right where I am — deep into week seven of my first 8-week foundation block. In this episode, I walk you through my current training structure and the mental, emotional, and spiritual edges I’m meeting along the way. In this episode, I share what’s unfolded so far: → a deep sickness that...

This season kicks off with a bold new format: interviews! For the first time in Awake Athlete history, I’m sitting down with some of the most inspiring minds in endurance sports and beyond—entrepreneurs, professional athletes, ultra-endurance legends, and everyday age-groupers—delivering their wisdom in binge-worthy, 20-minute episodes. But first, let’s talk about you . What are you waiting for? “...

Ultra-endurance athlete Kyle Powers shares his incredible journey through Ultraman, a race that demands mind, body, and spirit alignment over three grueling days. On day one, nothing went as planned, and the conditions were the exact opposite of every prediction. But Kyle didn’t break. Instead, he leaned into his mindfulness practices, found presence in the chaos, and turned the unexpected into an...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Mayer, founder of Betty Designs , a brand known for its bold, risk-taking designs. But beyond her fashion-forward creations, Kristin shares how owning her mindset is what truly fuels her drive. We dive into: ✨ How Kristin slows down, especially as a mother, and how a slight pause can change everything ✨ Overcoming comparison energy and interrupting negati...

Melissa Adams, a criminal defense lawyer and endurance athlete, shares her transformative journey from the rigidity of perfectionism to the openness of possibility. In this episode, we explore: 🛑 The power of the pause and how it transformed her mindset 💡 Shifting from perfectionism to mindfulness and softness ❤️ Saying YES to adventures like following her heart to Patagonia 🧠 How mindset train...

Paula Findlay, a professional triathlete with a 20-year career at the top of her sport, shares her powerful journey of transformation—from chasing perfection to embracing happiness and flexibility in training and life. We dive into: 🏊‍♀️ Her evolution from natural talent to seasoned competitor 💡 Shifting from perfectionism to a more expansive life with balance ❤️ How happiness and flexibility br...

 Nicole DeBoom, former pro triathlete, IRONMAN champion, and founder of Skirt Sports, opens up about the cycles of life, letting go, and rediscovering herself after major transitions. From redefining confidence for active women to launching her new venture, Nicole shares her journey of evolution and empowerment. We explore: 👟 The journey from professional athlete to entrepreneur 💡 How letti...

In this episode, professional gravel racer Emma Grant shares how yoga has become her secret weapon for high-stakes racing. From channeling competitive fire to staying grounded in the heat of battle, Emma reveals how her practice fuels both her performance and her mindset. We talk about: 🧘‍♀️ How yoga helps her stay sharp, calm, and ready to win 🏁 Balancing external focus with internal presence d...

Matti Weitz, a professional triathlete, joins me for a deep dive into the power of mindset and how it has transformed his life and athletic performance. Raised in Germany, Matti shares his journey from a perfectionist upbringing to cultivating self-belief, self-love, and a more open, resilient mind. We explore: 🌍 Why he chooses the most competitive races 🧠 Training the subconscious to manage str...

In this episode, I sit down with BJ Gumkowski—master coach, thought leader in endurance sports, and my partner in life and YogiTriathlete. BJ’s journey from doubt and unworthiness to an unshakeable mindset is nothing short of inspiring. We talk about: 🌊 Overcoming the fear of open water swimming ⏳ Unlocking hidden time in your day 🧠 Why the mind is the final barrier to greatness 🤝 Building a r...

In this final episode of Awake Athlete Season 5, we close the journey with one essential truth: knowing who you are eliminates compromise. This season has been a masterclass in patience, as each episode came together over the course of the year 2024 to reveal its own story of growth and evolution. Along the way, we’ve explored what it means to outgrow belief systems and step boldly into new pathwa...

Welcome to season four of the Awake Athlete podcast. I am thrilled to be traversing this life with you, and I am grateful for your attention as we dive into another season of mind training. This season will be more experiential as I have weaved in corresponding meditations and yoga nidra practices to assist you in deepening the messages of the episodes ahead.  In this season opener, I dive in...

In this episode, I reflect upon a trail run and the importance of staying awake in the valleys of life. I received a reminder that day of how so much can shift in just a moment and that when we are in the valleys of life, we should not forget to plant seeds for the future.  The valleys of life are fertile ground for growing what we desire. If we stay conditioned to repulse bad and cling to go...

The power of breath is a remarkable and often overlooked force in our lives. Although the world of athletics is steadily discovering its power for physical and mental performance, I believe the masses are merely scratching the surface of its true power.  Each inhale fills us with life-giving oxygen, while each exhale releases not just carbon dioxide but also stress and tension. Breath is the...