In his late 20s, Gordo Byrn left a high-powered career in finance to go all-in on endurance training. By the age of 33, he had won the Ultraman World Championships.
Gordo is one of the most thoughtful voices in the world of endurance. He writes regularly on his two Substacks — Endurance Essentials and True Wealth. Both are well worth checking out.
We cover the “why” behind pursuing endurance training, what to do when training becomes compulsive, Gordo’s experience with over 100 training camps, how he ran his coaching business, and much more. 👇
Episode breakdown:
00:00 – introduction
00:18 – why is fitness worth pursuing?
05:04 – who should go all-in on training
07:27 – compulsion and the amateur athlete
12:51 – the cost of going fast
15:02 – motivation and the joy of the process
16:36 – from 50-minute 10k to 2.46 ironman marathon
20:26 – over 100 training camps: a lifestyle choice
22:43 – epic camp origins
25:10 – how to structure effective camps
26:58 – are you ready for a training camp?
30:38 – designing a life around endurance
37:23 – the importance of the big block
39:19 – a life of writing
41:39 – coaching and communicating through writing
43:43 – writing practice and publishing tips
45:57 – building an endurance audience
48:23 – endurance coaching as a business
50:44 – choosing the right coaching model
55:30 – curating attention in the digital age
57:57 – avoiding the trap of online dopamine
1:01:58 – anchoring your goals to your values
1:05:50 – integrity, openness, and recovery
1:07:40 – chasing an ironman record
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