Episódios

  • Elite Endurance: The Strength Training for Champions Like Taylor Knibb and Courtney Dauwalter — Season 7 Ep 13
    Oct 3 2025
    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.
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    50 minutos
  • Power, Confidence, and Success: Behind Pro Cycling with Melisa Rollins - Season 7 Ep 12
    Sep 24 2025
    Take a deep dive into the evolving tactics of gravel racing, where confidence, preparation, and expert coaching drive athletes to new heights. Professional cyclist, Melisa Rollins, and her coach, Isaiah Newkirk, join host Matti Rowe, Education Specialist, for a look behind the scenes of training and racing tactics in professional gravel and mountain bike racing. Melisa, fresh off of a win at Steamboat Gravel and breaking the record at Leadville 100, is redefining how races are won—not just by crossing the finish line first, but by making bold moves and having the confidence to see them through. When she returned to Leadville this year, Melisa brought a new perspective: instead of focusing solely on defending her title, she recognized the unpredictable nature of competition and embraced the value of small victories along the way. Her success comes from strategic planning, adaptability, and a fearless approach to each race, proving that winning can mean much more than a podium finish. Isaiah, founder of TrainingEdge Coaching and performance director for Project Echelon, along with Melisa's coach, dives into the meticulous planning efforts and bold tactical moves—and how Melissa and Isaiah approach everything from training adaptations at altitude to the psychological ups and downs of top-level racing. Key takeaways: If you’ve ever wrestled with motivation after a big win or doubted yourself mid-training session, Melissa’s honest account of post-victory blues and curbside tears offers a refreshingly real perspective. With insights into altitude training, mental resilience, and the power of immediate coach-athlete feedback, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom. Whether you’re preparing for your own Leadville-level challenge or just looking for inspiration to take your training up a notch, Melissa and Isaiah’s story will remind you: success comes from knowing your strengths, planning with purpose, and learning to thrive both in data and what's out of your control. 03:14 Parental Influence and Sport Choices 11:53 Building Confidence Through Specific Workouts 13:58 Racing Strategy & Mental Toughness 17:51 Evolving Race Tactics in Women’s Cycling 19:48 Optimizing Athletic Power Curve 25:15 Remote Coaching's Unique Connection 26:01 Coaching: Beyond Data, Emotional Support 29:20 Leadville Race Experience Insights 36:37 Redefining Winning Beyond Titles 43:36 Altitude Data Boosted Race Performance
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    48 minutos
  • Virtual Crits, Course Recon, and Live Coaching: Redefining Indoor Training - Season 7 Ep 11
    Sep 11 2025
    Hear how structured workouts, virtual communities, and game-changing tech combine for authentic, effective winter training — or cycling in general. George Gilbert and Tim Cusick join host Dirk Friel for a look into the shift of virtual training and how purposeful, science-backed structure can help both athletes and coaches make the most of winter (or year-round) workouts. George, TrainingPeaks’ VP of Virtual Platforms and the mind behind TrainingPeaks Virtual, pulls back the curtain on the fast pace of innovation in the virtual cycling world. From supporting completely custom GPX route uploads, called GPXplore, to immersive, realistic physics for cornering and drafting, the focus is on making indoor training both motivating and specific to real-world cycling. George emphasizes the value of credibility and seamless integration — your outdoor and indoor data, preferences, and progress are all in sync for an experience that works as hard as you do. Tim, founder of Basecamp Coaching and TrainingPeaks WKO product lead, shares how his holistic approach unites expert coaching, nutrition, strength, and mental skills. By leveraging technology and community-driven group workouts, Basecamp delivers individualized plans that encourage consistency and bring the camaraderie of a training camp right to your room or pain cave. Tim urges coaches to lean into building engaging communities, use technology to scale their expertise, and focus on process-oriented growth rather than endless racing or chasing every metric. Key takeaways: Successful indoor training isn’t about generic "spin classes" or chasing the latest trend — it’s about purposeful structure, real-world specificity, and the power of community. Learn about features like Zen mode for focused training, heart rate-based ERG workouts, and dynamic challenge events. Listen in for a fresh look at how tech, expert guidance, and meaningful connection can help you nail your goals — whether you’re prepping for your first century, a bucket-list crit, or want to start your season stronger than ever.
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    1 hora e 13 minutos
  • Scott Johnston's Winning Formula for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans at UTMB — Season 7 Ep 10
    Sep 4 2025
    Scott Johnston, fresh off coaching both the men's and women's winners of UTMB in the same year, shares his coaching philosophy with Dirk Friel. Scott emphasizes the value of consistent, disciplined training rooted in tried-and-true principles. Not through flashy shortcuts, just a thoughtful blend of science, individualized pacing, and real-world adaptability. Throughout the conversation, Scott explains how he tailored training for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans, highlighting that while every Evoke Endurance training plan is built on a shared set of core principles, the real magic lies in personalizing workouts to each athlete's unique needs and life circumstances. Hear how Scott's approach balances rigorous data—like lactate testing and measured thresholds—with the all-important "soft" skills of daily check-ins, building trust, and keeping athletes mentally anchored during major events. One clear takeaway: success is less about pushing past your limits at every session and more about knowing when to hold back, adapt, or shift focus. Scott also dives into the technical side: steep treadmill sessions to build fatigue resistance, the smart use of poles, innovative altitude and heat strategies, and the power of true athlete-coach communication. 00:00 Race Preparation 05:17 Prepared for Rainy Conditions 09:08 Running Takes Backseat to New Priorities 11:00 Speed vs. Endurance Training Balance 15:56 Feared Treadmill Workout 17:04 Lactate-Controlled Workout Intensity 22:54 Technological Advancements Elevate Athletic Performance 24:32 Beyond Data: Understanding Athletes' Internal Load 28:14 Safe Training Limits Prevent Injuries 32:33 Coaches as Essential Partners
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    35 minutos
  • Fueling Insights Explained: Iñigo San-Millán on Optimizing Carbohydrate Intake for Cyclists — Season 7 Ep 9
    Aug 7 2025
    You're not seeing things. CoachCast has been renamed Endurance Unlimited. Stay tuned for more great episodes and more. Now, on to this episode... Dr. Iñigo San-Millán explains the science and strategy behind optimal cycling nutrition. Learn how TrainingPeaks' new Fueling Insights feature leverages decades of his metabolic research data to help athletes and coaches evaluate and individualize fueling plans based on athlete metrics, not guesswork. From breaking through the outdated 40-gram carb ceiling to personalizing race-day nutrition for every level of today's cyclist, learn how this tool is changing how we plan, perform and recover. 03:34 Iñigo Intro and Current Roles 07:50 Revamping Carbohydrate Intake for Athletes 12:41 Metabolic Flexibility 14:28 Pioneering Carbohydrate Oxidation Research 19:08 Fat Oxidation Misconceptions in Athletes 21:07 FATMAX: Peak Fat Oxidation Point 26:30 Race Performance and Energy Expenditure 27:48 Balancing Glycogen for Athletes 31:05 Cyclists' Nutrition & Intensity 38:31 Fueling Insights Workout Calculation Steps 39:48 Metabolism Variability Among Individuals 44:32 Risks of Fasted Workouts 47:16 Understanding Gross Efficiency Limitations 56:54 The Nutrition Evolution Learn more about Fueling Insights Learn more about TrainingPeaks Episode 1, Season 5: The Biochemistry of Zone 2
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    1 hora
  • From Couch Potato to World Champion: April Zilg on Coaching and What Makes a Great Paddle Athlete — Season 7 Ep 8
    Jul 24 2025
    The evolution of paddle sport racing is pushing the limits of endurance competition, where training technology and data-driven coaching play a significant role. April Zilg, world champion paddle athlete, joins the show to share her journey from "couch potato" to the top of the stand up paddle board (SUP) world—all powered by smart training, dedication and data. In this episode, April reveals how technique-focused coaching, a science-based approach to training and leveraging TrainingPeaks shapes her work with athletes of all levels. Get a crash course in the many flavors of paddle sports—from lightning-fast sprints to epic 1,000-mile adventures—and how race type, equipment and environment shape effective training strategies. April stresses the importance of tracking progress, balancing intensity and recovery, and being open to new technology, including heart rate and (soon) power meters on the water. Whether you're curious about SUP racing, endurance coaching, or just want a peek behind the paddle, this episode is full of valuable coaching and training tips.
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    58 minutos
  • Gravel's Evolution: Dylan Johnson Talks Unbound, Training, Gear Choices & Strategy — Season 7 Ep 7
    Jun 11 2025
    In this episode, host Dirk Friel sits down with professional gravel racer and Ignition Coaching coach Dylan Johnson to dig into all things gravel. They break down the cutting-edge equipment trends seen at the 2025 edition of Unbound Gravel, as well as training trends, nutrition and training tips for both amateurs and pros. Hear why mountain bike tires are dominating the scene, the evolving role of aerodynamics in the sport, and the reasons behind faster race times over the last few years. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a gravel-curious newcomer, you'll hear expert advice on your next gravel race and the new "Unbound Block" approach to training. Dylan also offers a glimpse into the future of even faster gravel racing. To learn more about Dylan Johnson, check out his training plans or follow him on YouTube and Instagram.
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    55 minutos
  • Fixing Food Culture in Endurance Sports Beyond Carbs and Calories with Kristen Arnold — Season 7 Ep 6
    May 21 2025
    In this episode of the CoachCast, host Dirk Friel sits down with Kristen Arnold, a registered dietitian, elite cycling coach, and former pro racer, to unpack the complex relationship endurance athletes often have with food and body image. Drawing from her coaching and clinical experience, Kristen explores how disordered eating patterns can quietly surface in training environments that overemphasize being lean, disciplined, or performing at any cost. Kristen offers practical strategies for coaches and athletes to identify red flags, reframe food as fuel (not a reward or punishment), and prioritize long-term health alongside results. From race-day fueling to an off-season mindset, this conversation challenges outdated norms and empowers listeners to pursue performance with compassion, curiosity, and balance. Resources discussed in this episode: Environment and Language Guide for Discussing and Managing Physique USOPC Sports Nutrition Resources for Young Athletes Directory of Registered Dietitians Sports Nutrition for Women E-Course HEXIS App Fulein App
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    45 minutos