Purple Patch Podcast

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...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On the episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, Purple Patch Co-Founder Kelli McMaster, and Rachel Schaefer discuss the impact of perimenopause and menopause on women's performance and health. Rachel emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological changes, such as the decline in ovarian reserve and estrogen production, which affect mood, sleep, and...

  Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Max Gering discuss common myths in triathlon training. They debunk the notion that athletes need 15-20 hours of training per week for an Ironman, emphasizing quality over quantity. They highlight the importance of individualized training plans, including over-distance workouts and strength training. They ar...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the "Win Cycle" program, which applies principles of elite athletic performance to leadership and business teams. Over 18 months, the program has helped various organizations enhance performance by adopting practices like proper hydration, movement, and mental resilience. Key insights include the need f...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon from Purple Patch Coaching discusses the transition from Q1 to Q2 training, emphasizing the importance of building race-specific fitness. He highlights the need for a new full-time coach, detailing the job description and application process. Dixon outlines the Q2 training focus, including tougher swim sessions,...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Brad Stulberg discuss the concept of excellence, emphasizing it as a practice rather than an outcome. Brad's latest book, "The Way of Excellence," explores this idea, highlighting the importance of consistency, integrity, and alignment with values. They discuss the role of routines and stability in managing st...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the Purple Patch Run Squad program. 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: cardiovascular conditioning, muscular resilience, tissue durability, economy of move...

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. He highlights the importance of walk...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, Jeff Dolan, an international executive at Starbucks, shares his journey from a busy executive to a high-performing triathlete. Initially, he struggled with balancing his demanding role with his passion for triathlon. After joining Purple Patch Fitness, he learned to focus on quality training over quantity, integrating nutrition, sleep, and reco...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Chris Harris, a long-time coached Purple Patch Athlete, about overcoming a severe viral fatigue that affected his performance and motivation. Chris, a busy executive and father, initially sought coaching to improve his triathlon performance. Despite initial success, he faced a six-month period of debil...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Podcast, emphasizing the importance of challenging oneself to extend performance, happiness, and purpose in life. It features Will Turner, a senior coach at Purple Patch, who completed a remarkable feat of six and a half Ironmans in an eight-day race at altitude, covering 914 miles. Wi...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, Matt Dixon and Chris Soden discuss maximizing winter training for cyclists and triathletes. They emphasize the importance of proper bike fitting, posture, and equipment for indoor and outdoor training. Chris highlights the benefits of using smart trainers and the Velocity platform for effective training, noting that proper form and equipment ma...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the Purple Patch coaching program, highlighting limited spots for senior coaching and individual coaching slots. He emphasizes the benefits of the Tri Squad program, which offers personalized, low-cost consultations and a supportive ecosystem. The focus of the episode is on training for Q1 2026, covering...

On this episode, Mike Davison, a long-time Triathlete and member of Purple Patch's Tri Squad shares his journey of athletic success and personal growth. Despite initial plateaus and challenges, including long COVID, Mike leveraged Purple Patch's coaching and resources to improve his performance. He emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, true coaching, and community support. Mike highlights...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses strategies for setting performance goals and training effectively in 2026. He emphasizes the importance of starting now, before the holidays, to avoid the "New Year, New You" pressure. Dixon identifies three common challenges: the overwhelmed athlete, the rigid athlete, and the mature athlete. He advise...

Steve Magness x Matt Dixon on joy, resilience, and what actually creates long-term success in young athletes Too many conversations about youth sports focus on podiums, rankings, and early success. But the real power of sport isn't medals— it's the humans our kids become along the way. In this special conversation, performance experts Steve Magness and Matt Dixon break down what truly matters in y...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Human Performance Author & Coach Steve Magness discuss the importance of mental toughness in athletic performance and life. Magness emphasizes that mental toughness is not about ignoring pain but navigating it effectively. He highlights the need for a comprehensive approach, including sleep, nutrition, and on...

Welcome to the Win Cycle Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Co-Founder Kelli McMaster interview Sami Inkinen, co-founder and COO of Trulia and CEO of Virta Health, discussing his journey of high performance in sports and business. He emphasizes the importance of managing energy over time, integrating work, family, and personal interests, and treating...

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 Win Cycle Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces Win Cycle, a performance-first leadership system inspired by elite athlete training principles. Designed for executive and academic teams, Win Cycle aims to build systems for sustained high performance. The program, developed over 18 months and launched in 2024, has seen significant growth and positive fe...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of off-season training for athletes, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation, flexibility, and building a foundation for next year's performance. He highlights the benefits of consistent, low-impact cycling, which not only maintains fitness but also improves cognitive health. Dixon advocate...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On the episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon welcomes guest and Purple Patch Athlete Marina Gelman. In 2000, at the age of 40, Marina Gelman lost her college-aged daughter in a tragic car accident. At the time, Gelman was a new fitness enthusiast and avid runner. Overcome by grief after the accident, however, she holed herself up for almost two years and focu...

In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the evolution and future of coaching on the Purple Patch Podcast. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach, integrating performance with life demands, and proactive coaching that anticipates challenges. Dixon highlights the need for mutual investment, collaboration, and simplification in coaching. He warns against the "magic met...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of strength training during the off-season for athletes, emphasizing its benefits for longevity, performance, and overall health. He shares a case study of Dave Pray, a 70-year-old cyclist who improved his lean body mass by 8 pounds and reduced body fat by 35% through a combination of hig...

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On the episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of the off-season in triathlon, offering free Needs Assessment calls to help athletes plan for 2026. He emphasizes the critical role of physical challenges in improving performance, both for athletes and non-athletes. Dixon explains that physical challenges provide embodied learning, immed...