Endurance Unlimited

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 how...

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,...

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 athle...

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, s...

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 w...

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 e...

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...

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...

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 her...

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...

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 numb...

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 r...

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. S...

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...

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 and...

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 insistence...

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 exa...

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 Steam...

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, TrainingPeaks’ VP...

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 exp...

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 fuelin...

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 t...

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 of...

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...

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...