The B.rad Podcast Mark Allen: Reflections On Sport & Life From The Zen Master (and a joint interview for Shed Talks YouTube!)
Mark and I go way back to our days on the professional triathlon circuit where Mark was the greatest triathlete on the planet and an absolute master of one of the most difficult and grueling sports imaginable.
Mark had an evolved approach that was based on intuition, leading a balanced lifestyle, and competing with tremendous focus and intensity. He rocked two nicknames: the first, Zen Master, was for his thoughtful approach and injection of spirituality into the art of triathlon training and competition. His second nickname was Grip, short for “grip of death” which was what happened when you would take a bicycle training ride with him. You had to hold on to your handlebars for dear life because this guy routinely would open up the throttle and keep it open for as long as necessary to break the mightiest of men.
Mark also knew how to disappear from the high-energy training scene in San Diego or Boulder when he detected his training and recovery energies to be even slightly out of balance. He was one of the earliest athletes to stress the importance of an intuitive and balanced approach rather than a straight-ahead macho approach that is more prevalent in sports involving suffering. Mark has a tremendous amount of raw athletic talent for swimming, biking, and running, but it was his thoughtful approach that set him apart from other big machines on the circuit.
That said, it’s important not to sensationalize the zen mastery story too much, which seems to have happened frequently in endurance folklore. Mark did not use voodoo magic and incense meditation to win races. He won because he worked extremely hard, was smart in the way he trained, and pushed himself beyond the normal thresholds of pain that limit humans and into a higher dimension of intense suffering. Personally, I learned a lot from observing how Mark conducted himself as a professional, and how one could alternatively be an absolute beast of a competitor, but also a calm, centered, thoughtfully chill dude when he was off the racecourse.
Yes, the complete package of Zen Master and Grip was virtually unbeatable. Mark won all over the world at all distances. He dominated the World Long Course Championships in Nice, France, winning in 10 of 10 visits and regaling the crowd at the awards ceremony by accepting in French. He raced much less than the typical pro on the circuit, but when he showed up, you knew it was going to be a tough race.
Alas, Mark’s career was not without disappointment and raw failure. Despite being one of the very top guys since his first pro race in 1982, he was cursed again and again at the sport’s biggest race, the Hawaii Ironman. Six-time champ Dave Scott had his number; Dave had the uncanny ability to peak for Hawaii despite inconsistent results and numerous injuries at other times of those seasons when he won in Hawaii. In Hawaii, Mark’s first six tries involved lots of valiant efforts, podium finishes, big leads and breakdowns, but never victory. Pressure was mounting over his career accordingly, like a golfer anointed “best player never to win a major.” Mark even graced the cover of Kellog’s Ironman cereal but couldn’t close the deal.
Alas, the stars aligned for Mark in 1989 where he narrowly beat Dave Scott in the legendary Ironwar—the greatest triathlon competition of all time where these two guys, at the peak of their careers, battled side by side for eight hours, destroyed the course record and beat third place by several miles—literally. Listen to the great show with both Mark Allen and Dave Scott as they reflect on the great battle of 1989 and offer never before told behind the scenes observations about what it’s like to deal with the pressures and expectations at the highest level of professional sports.
Mark’s inaugural Hawaii victory launched him into beast mode and he won in his next five tries before retiring on top in 2005, becoming the oldest Hawaii Ironman winner at age 38 and beating his own record time. Today, Mark has a thriving multisport coaching business, hosts Fit Soul Fit Body retreats with spiritual leader Brant Secunda (based on the life lessons of the Huichol Indians), and likes to shred the local surf break near his home in Santa Cruz, CA. You will not find a more thoughtful athlete than Mark, and this show is sure to entertain and inspire.
Mark has been on a ton of podcasts talking about his triathlon exploits (including my own Primal Endurance show a few years back), so this show is a little different. Actually it was a syndicated production destined for both the Get Over Yourself podcast as well as Mark’s clever new YouTube program called Shed Talks. Yep, I cruised down to Santa Cruz and went into his shed filled with nine surfboards, a bunch of old-time magazine covers and ironman souvenirs, and a makeshift studio with perfect lighting to record with Mark. You can watch us interview each other on Mark Allen Shed Talks, or enjoy the recording on this podcast. I tried to unplug a bit from the talking point template in order to really help you get to know one of the most amazing and evolved athletes in any sport, ever.
TIMESTAMPS:
It is important to have your own space where you can have good personal experience. [04:42]
The training for speed golf is different from many other sports like triathlon. [06:49]
Mark talks about how you need to keep your brain quiet in order to access your focus. [10:28]
Participating in sport teaches valuable lessons that should make your life better. More than just the competitive sport. [12:14]
If you are doing something that is not your passion or calling, it’s going to be a big mistake. [15:42]
How you do something is how you do everything. [17:43]
Good sleep habits and disconnecting to tech are some of the things Brad focuses on in hopes of an amazing life and longevity in years ahead. [19:52]
Having a morning routine to get your day started is very important. [24:47]
Mark talks about the incredible strength of the Huichol people and how he applies it. [28:13]
What have Brad and Mark learned from racing that helps in their current careers? [33:34]
Brad explains why podcasting is such a good way to connect with people. [41:46]
Brad is going to try to break another Guinness World record. [52:13]
It is so easy to be a participant if you find your passion. [57:56]
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