Endurance Unlimited

Molly Seidel, 2020 Olympic marathon bronze medalist shifting from elite road marathons to trails and ultras. Cliff Pittman, coach focused on durability and ultra-specific periodization. They discuss Molly’s move to trails, rebuilding durability after injuries, translating road fitness to ultra demands, race fueling and gut training, technical downhill practice, and long-term prep for Western States.

Charlotte Edelsten, sleep researcher and coach with a PhD and decades studying sleep at events like UTMB, breaks down sleep science for endurance athletes. She covers why sleep underpins training and injury prevention. Listens on caffeine timing, limits of wearables, nap and sleep-banking strategies, altitude effects, and how brief sleeps can boost safety and finish rates.

In this conversation, Cam Smith, a professional trail runner and ski mountaineer, shares insights from his journey to qualifying Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He discusses the thrilling strategy behind their World Cup victory and the intense training required for ski mountaineering. Cam highlights balancing running with rapid transition skimo events, the importance of speed training, and emerging talent like Anna Gibson shaking up the team. He also reflects on Coach Oscar's influence and the excitement of growing the sport in the U.S.

Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, shares invaluable insights on maximizing the off-season. He emphasizes prioritizing rejuvenation and building foundational habits over merely chasing fitness. Matt discusses the importance of maintaining structure during downtime, implementing a consistent training routine, and incorporating strength training as a cornerstone for performance. He also encourages adopting a 'challenge mindset' to foster resilience and confidence, providing practical strategies to blend training seamlessly with daily life.

In this discussion, elite triathlon coach Matt Dixon, co-founder of Purple Patch Fitness and author, reveals the secrets of effective offseason training. He emphasizes that the offseason is crucial for athlete breakthroughs, advocating for his four-phase coaching model. Listeners learn about improving athlete retention, avoiding common coaching mistakes, and preparing for a successful offseason filled with strength-building and targeted workouts. Dixon also highlights the importance of holistic habits like hydration and sleep to elevate performance.

Dr. Scott Frey, a neuroscientist and psychologist, dives into how neuroplasticity enhances endurance athletes’ performance. He reveals the brain’s pivotal role in both mental and physical output, emphasizing that mental fatigue can hinder athletic capability. Scott advocates for 'brain tapering'—reducing cognitive stress before races—to maximize effectiveness. He shares techniques for managing arousal and decision-making under fatigue, and discusses the importance of cognitive resilience training. Tune in for practical tips to harness your brain for peak performance.

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 racking up power records and chasing the podium at the esports world championships. Zach Nehr, Hayden Pucker's coach, shares nuts-and-bolts insights on how shifting training toward shorter, high-intensity intervals unlocked Hayden’s next level—and how dialing in things like core strength, fueling, and tactical savvy makes all the difference in esports. The episode tackles everything: race strategy, the key differences between virtual and real-world riding, handling setbacks, and why communication is everything between coaches and athletes. Whether you’re an endurance athlete, coach, or just curious about the future of virtual competition, this episode is packed with empowering takeaways and a wealth of actionable advice.

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 art in coaching, the critical importance of an authentic athlete-coach connection, and how personal drive and learning from failure have fueled both his career and the athletes he coaches. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a coach searching for inspiration, or someone fascinated by the human side of high performance, this episode delivers candid stories, practical takeaways, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades at the top of the sport.

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 on meeting each athlete where they are, adapting plans around individual needs, training environments, and even race start times that can hit at 2 AM thanks to global competition. He highlights the critical importance of communication, balancing intensity, and keeping a sharp eye on mental as well as physical fatigue—especially for those riding the line between indoor and outdoor racing. Whether you want to refresh your coaching toolkit, re-energize your winter training, or just geek out on how racing is changing, this episode is your ticket into the fast-paced universe of cycling esports. There’s something here for every coach and athlete ready to embrace structured training in a virtual space—no matter where you start.

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 examples of even elite athletes, like Taylor Knibb, Sepp Kuss, and Courtney Dauwalter, who've started incorporating strength into their training. Get ready for practical insights on how Erin structures strength programs for world-class athletes, why balancing strength with endurance matters, and how mobility and movement quality can be the secret sauce to keeping you on your feet (and on your bike) for the long haul. Whether you’re an age-group triathlete, a mountain-loving runner, or just want to ride your bike pain-free into your fifties and beyond, this conversation has real actionable advice. Erin’s approachable wisdom and evidence-based strategies will inspire you to rethink the role of strength in your own training—no matter where you are on your athletic journey.