Purple Patch Podcast

Matt welcomes author, speaker, coach, and podcaster, Brad Stulberg for Part 2 of their discussion around Stulberg's latest book, The Practice of Groundedness Topics include: Meeting yourself where you are and taking realistic action in that current space. (14:20) "It's hard to accept where you're at, but if you don't, you never grow because you'll be starting on a fragile foundation that will brea...

Matt welcomes author, speaker, coach, and podcaster, Brad Stulberg for a compelling discussion on the nuances of performance and potential pitfalls of "heroic individualism." Stulberg's latest book, The Practice of Groundedness looks deeply at this character trait through many lenses. (30:00) Heroic Individualism is the ongoing game of one-upsmanship against self and others where the goalpost is a...

Athletes will get hit with illness. It is a part of the fabric of the journey of performance. (16:50) "In fact, the truth is, a smart coach will plan for sickness and injuries, no different than a contingency plan when you're making a budget." But how do you emerge from being under the weather in an effective way that will provide minimal downtime? Coach Matt Dixon provides that framework and coun...

As you trudge through the winter months, you may be navigating short days, dark mornings, and extreme cold weather as you build your 2022 Season of Performance. Don't let the winter doldrums kill your training mojo. Matt creates a blueprint to optimize any cold-weather training you may do outdoors, as well as tips to maximize the equipment you have inside that can assist you and become valuable tr...

You head off to a beautiful destination with bike, wetsuit, and running shoes packed and ready to go where you will spend multiple days in a lush destination without the distraction of work, family, and other life priorities. You are officially immersed in solid training with days and nights filled with multisport activity, food, and camaraderie. Are you at a classic training camp, or are you havi...

If you are a 'repeat offender' with running niggles and injuries... If you are frustrated with a plateau of results... Or, if perhaps you are simply intimidated by running and believe it just isn't a sport for you, then today's show can change everything - for the good. Matt outlines a clear path to demystify and rewrite your approach to run training that will reduce injury risk, amplify the fun,...

Fitness. Is. Broken. Way to start off the new year on a high note, right? It's true, though, and most of us are acutely aware. We are frustrated, challenged, and confused with how best to pursue fitness, performance, and a platform of health. You can ignore the fitness nuts and health gurus - you know the ones – that post the promoted wonderful life that they capture while failing to actually live...

As we round out the year, Matt takes time to reflect on the biggest performance lessons we've learned in 2021 that you'll be able to carry into your 2022 season planning. It's also a chance to share how Purple Patch will continue to apply these lessons to expand and enhance our programming and global community. Matt's Biggest Performance Lessons include: Athletes benefit greatly from mixing it up...

Successful athletes and performance enthusiasts tend to be intrinsically motivated and the hard work, such as tough training sessions, big miles, or breakthrough days provides instant gratification and validation. It is a massive reward to complete a tough training camp. It feels good to produce your best running splits. You get energized from accomplishing something you may believe improbable. It...

IRONMAN. Perhaps you have done one already but would love to do better. Maybe you are inspired to give it a crack, but not really sure if you are up to the task, or perhaps you are thinking, "I could never do that with my hectic life schedule." Today's episode will: Break down the myths and perceptions that often send time-starved hopefuls down the wrong path of their IRONMAN journey Outline a met...

This week features a conversation with Dr. Gil Blander. Dr. Blander is an expert in nutrition, biomarker analytics, athletic performance, biochemistry, and aging research.  Gil is also the Founder and CSO of InsideTracker, a personalized health and performance analytics company created by a team of scientists, physicians, nutritionists, and exercise physiologists from MIT, Harvard, and Tufts Unive...

Matt Dixon presents his annual gift-guide episode, a diverse list of ideas for holiday gifts all anchored in performance. Every one of these ideas is delivered after personal experience with Matt and the Purple Patch team, and we think they'll provide some inspiration for you and that favorite fitness enthusiast on your list. This holiday season, the best gifts are personal—and there's nothing mor...

Matt welcomes Dr. Chris Winter back to answer your questions about the importance and performance-enhancing effects of good SLEEP. If you think quality sleep has no bearing on your performance in life or sport, think again. "Doing Well" and simply "Being Able to Do" are two different things. Both Matt and Dr. Winter want you to do well and that is why they dig into your questions today, including:...

Matt welcomes Dr. Chris Winter back to the podcast to revisit our most potent performance enhancer, the secret to fitness improvement, heightened focus and clarity, better resilience and immune system, and a promise to the enhancement of your overall health. Today, Matt and Dr. Winter present your ultimate guide to sleep and help unpack the mystery of sleep. Key takeaways: His role as a Neurologis...

Matt takes a week off to pay tribute to his late Mother, Mary Owen. It is her influence that inspired him and his family's love of the outdoors, swimming, and, ultimately, coaching. What do you want to do with your life? Who or what is most important to you? Who are the folks that you want to keep in touch with? Don't let them go.   Learn More About Purple Patch Fitness, Training, and Education

Matt welcomes Coach Mike Olzinksi back to the podcast to discuss heavy strength training for both fitness enthusiasts and endurance athletes. This deep dive into heavy lifting will answer commonly asked questions and dispel myths around lifting, especially as it pertains to endurance athletes. They answer: Why should you incorporate heavy lifts into your strength sessions and what are the benefits...

In Part 3 of the Purple Patch series on performance nutrition, Matt Dixon, along with leading performance nutritionist, Scott Tindal, lift the veil on nutrition and fueling with nutrition case studies around real-life Purple Patch athletes. The goal for all? To frame a smarter common-sense approach to nutrition and fueling in order to build a long-term platform of health and resilience. This final...

As you shift away from the demands of racing in 2021, it is the prime time to focus on improving your weaknesses. Why Now? This is time because overall training stress is much lower and you're not under a burden to chase fitness for races. Coach Matt Dixon (with a little help from his silent sidekick, Barry) discusses converting your weaknesses to strengths and turning your liabilities into perfor...

In Part 2 of the Purple Patch series on performance nutrition, Matt Dixon, along with leading performance nutritionist, Scott Tindal, lift the veil on nutrition and fueling with nutrition case studies around real-life Purple Patch athletes. The goal? To frame a smarter common-sense approach to nutrition in order to build a long-term platform of health and resilience. This case study is centered ar...

What do you look for in a training program or group? What qualities will amplify your performance? Of course, you want a smart and progressive training plan throughout the season, but at Purple Patch, we believe there is so much more than just a "beef stew" of workouts. Matt and the team at Purple Patch want you to thrive in sport and life, develop great supporting habits around your training, and...

Coming off of a successful IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships where 85 Purple Patch athletes qualified, Coach Matt Dixon looks back at this event and shares insights and athlete stories of goal setting, habit creation, community, resilience, and success. He then outlines four components that are critical for you to achieve your success, especially if you, too, look to qualify at some point. 0:00-05:...

Matt revisits the popular subject of performance nutrition. Together, with leading performance nutritionist, Scott Tindal, they kick-start a miniseries of nutrition case studies around real-life Purple Patch athletes. The goal? To frame a smarter common-sense approach to nutrition in order to build a long-term platform of health and resilience. This first case study is centered around Purple Patch...

Matt does some time-travel in this discussion with six-time IRONMAN World Champion, Mark Allen. Together, they review the recent Collin's Cup race in Slovakia - the good, the bad, and the future of this excitin new format of racing. Mark was on the ground at the race as team captain for Team USA and provides his behind-the-scenes review of logistics, team selections, race day strategies, surprisin...

You're either progressing or regressing and, at Purple Patch, we want growth and evolution. We want you to continue to improve. Today, Matt outlines the framework of building in a successful break after your season has been completed without going backward. These actionable steps will allow you to embrace downtime and back off your hard training, but keep moving forward in your performance journey...

A defining component of Purple Patch Fitness is our highly distinct methodology and approach that frames a way of thinking and performance in both sport and life. Most think about Purple Patch as building a strong platform of health, and assisting time-starved athletes to thrive within limited training hours, and a strong focus on supporting habits, such as nutrition, strength, and sleep. The good...