Purple Patch Podcast

The Purple Patch Podcast is all about performance in sport, but also in broader life. We work with people who are seeking to improve and evolve their relationships or behavior patterns, ideally for the better. Our guest today is Social Psychologist and Coach, Dr. Amy Johnson. She, too, helps people who are seeking to improve their lives, mostly around freedom from and anxiety and unwanted habits. She also hosts a podcast called, “Changeable.” Today, Matt and Amy discuss the parallels and similarities of their work and clients. The Ways We View Change and How to Navigate Change and Adversity Why We View Certain Actions in our Life as Pass/Fail and How to Release that Tension How to Build a Healthy Relationship with Failure Why our Brains Seemingly Keep Getting in the Way of Performance The goal? Both Matt and Dr. Johnson assist their clients in developing a mindset to not take the thoughts that fill our brains quite so personally. As Dr. Johnson says, “Your brain gets in the way because it loves you

Matt welcomes longtime Purple Patch athlete, Lars Tandrup, back to the podcast. In 2018, Lars and his wife lost everything in the Santa Rosa fires. He was left, quite literally, with only his pajamas - and even those were on fire as he escaped through acres of flames to safety. A few months after this tragedy, Lars came on the podcast to discuss how he hoped to emerge from this adversity. He sought purpose, clarity, and a fresh start with gratitude. Now, almost three years later, Lars returns. What actually happened in the aftermath? How did he do? How has his perspective changed, and how has he used adversity to help others, especially in a year when we've all faced the unthinkable? Lars did, in fact, set his lens forward and developed key elements for an arsenal of performance that he continues to share often in work presentations. This toolbox is paramount to his personal health and has certainly been a catalyst to growth for those he works with on a daily basis. What Are A Few of the Lessons He Carries Wi

You need support and guidance in your endeavors. You go and find an expert or coach who can help. And just like that...like magic dust...The results flow. Is it really that simple? No.It isn’t. Ironically, so many folks just don’t know how to be coached. There is an important perspective, mindset, and action that can enable a coaching relationship to flounder or flourish. When you get that right, THEN the positive results will flow. How can you optimize your relationship with leaders, mentors, and coaches in any endeavor so that you can develop, grow, and thrive? Through stories and case studies, Matt outlines advice on how to be coached effectively. Key Takeaways: Case Study 1 - Athlete, Susan: A strong runner and rider, but refuses to implement a regualr strength regime. Case Study 2- Athlete, Heather: Commitment to be coached and follow the program through. She provides feedback and is engaged in the journey. Case Study 3- Athlete, John: Wants to go pro. Does he have the patience to play the long-gam

If you care about performance, if you want to understand the mechanics of training, if you’re invested in optimizing your training returns to yield the best adaptations, then this episode is assuredly for you. Matt Dixon welcomes a conversation with Exercise Physiologist, Dr. Stephen Seiler, a living legend in the world of Sports Science and Training Methodology. After unpacking Dr. Seiler's background and journey to becoming the preeminent Sports Scientist, they dig right in on a variety of topics and myths related to performance. The premise behind his polarized approach to training Season planning and how it is the most important thing an athlete can do, but with a caveat that sometimes planning is futile Dialing in the prescription of training and the mistakes athletes and coaches make when drawing up the training recipe Dr. Seiler's definition of stress and why our body's ability to perform diminishes in stress Finding Control in Calm and Chaos His Trinity of Training Perspectives Quick hit

This week in the United States, it's Memorial Day Weekend, where we take a moment to reflect and honor those who have served in the military. Today, we celebrate by welcoming long-time Purple Patch coach and veteran, Sean Garick. Sean didn't get into coaching simply by being an endurance athlete-turned-coach. His background is something entirely different. He's an aerospace engineer, a longtime United States Marine Corps fighter pilot, and he was a test pilot with over 2300 flight hours. He has a background that is eclectic, strong, and steeped in intentional focus and performance. What can we learn about endurance sports from this Marine Corps vet? Plenty. This conversation digs into Sean's journey as a Marine and how mentorship is vital, both with the mentors that he had, as well as his role as a teacher and mentor in the Marine Corps and now as a coach. Matt and Sean also explore various words that are synonymous with success in the military, but also across success in any aspect of life. Words like: disci

In this special episode, Matt speaks with a living legend in the sport of triathlon - Greg Bennett. Not only is Greg one of the best triathletes in the world, but he has also successfully transitioned to a business owner as a corporate coach, speaker and podcaster. This conversation paints a wonderful illustration of a successful athlete transitioning to build a business, all with a wealth of perspective on everything related to high-level performance and resilience. Matt digs into Greg’s background and journey as a young athlete, including the role of his family and parents in his pursuit of excellence. Believe it or not, Bennett’s triathlon career started at age 15 and spanned over 30 years, almost unheard of in the competitive and dynamic world of multisport. This decades-long journey garnered Greg a trophy-room full of accolades including two International Triathlon Union World Series titles,  three Australian National titles in 1998, 1999, 2000 (long course), two Oceania titles in 1998 and 1999, one Tria

It was inevitable. After a full calendar of racing was canceled in 2020, we knew that 2021 was going to be the year of deferrals and stacked event calendars. And now, here we are in the midst of the training season for this upcoming cluster of races that all feel important to you. You did invest the money and emotional energy into these races, after all, and you rightfully expect a positive return.  But, how do you plan to train for these clustered races? There are few off-the-shelf training plans that guide you through this scenario. The textbooks and magazines don’t give you much solid perspective, and many coaches stumble and get confused. Unfortunately, as a result, many athletes pinball through the season, going back and forth to events, layering fatigue, and not performing their best at any of these events. The confusion stops now, thanks to Matt’s Top 10 Tips for Success on Back-to-Back Racing, or the ol’ Dirty Dixon Double. Learn how to go into each race feeling fit-n’-fresh ready to commit to a stron

Now that restrictions are lifting and we're emerging from the fog of Covid-19, you may be deciding to take on a challenge - to TRAIN for something. It's your time to embrace the journey and go on a charge to challenge yourself, to stay consistent, and to achieve big hairy audacious goals. Today, Matt strips it all down to the fundamentals, to reground you, reset the mindset, and course correct in case you have strayed. This episode is a timely and important reminder of how to find performance in your time-starved life, no matter if you're embarking on your first 5k, family rafting trip, hike across the Grand Canyon, European bike tour, or a journey through IRONMAN training. Successful training means understanding and implementing key ingredients of your recipe: How to Set Yourself Up for Success - being clear about your purpose, knowing where you are starting from, aligning your team of allies, and understanding how to integrate the training into your life without letting it dominate. How to Build Your Pl

Today, Matt provides his insight on successful race day execution. It is a Dixon deep dive into all of the elements to ensure you are able to meet your trained potential with race day performance. It is normal and common for you to feel a little anxiety, even fear, when you return to racing. You are rusty, it has been a while, and the event feels bigger because of the gap from the last race. Acknowledge and even embrace the feeling. Why? Because what you are feeling is NORMAL. It is your body priming, and your brain cannot answer the question as to whether you are ready to have a breakout performance. There is no need to suppress the feelings, or pretend they are not real, but you can decide how you interact and respond with these feelings. Remember this mantra: This won't define me. There's nothing to lose. Nail the basics. Celebrate the return. Once this mindset is established, you can then shift into race execution mode. Matt walks through each discipline and provides his insight on how to get organized, p

The Purple Patch Podcast Triathlon Takeover strides towards the finish line this week where Matt takes you through all you need to know to help facilitate hitting your potential on the run - including shoe choice, nutrition, terrain, and even walking your way to your fastest run performance. It is a triathlete’s guide to run success. You come out of T2 and all you need to do is run to the finish.  What could go wrong? Well, apparently, a lot.  The run is the most common discipline for your race to unravel.  Across the three pieces of the triathlon puzzle, the run sees the greatest discrepancy between performance expectations and reality.    Athletes struggle here and they don’t need to. Today’s show is all about optimizing your run performance. But before you reach for your flats and add more miles to your schedule, take heed. In order to reach your potential you must first understand two important things: Why is the run such a challenge in triathlon racing? It’s presumably the simplest of the three discipl

The Purple Patch Podcast Triathlon Takeover rolls on this week with an hour of power on all things related to bike performance and race-day execution. Optimum bike fit, posture, equipment, and pacing strategies are all covered in this episode that features two of the best in the industry, Ivan O'Gorman and Chris Soden of IOG Bike Fit and Consulting. As you'll hear, IOG's approach to consulting is informed by research, while their recommendations are driven by years of experience. Put simply - they will help you as an athlete not only ride faster, but also run faster off the bike. Topics and questions covered include: Is aero everything for every athlete? What do you look for in a virtual or in-person bike fit? How much time should athletes allow before races to make significant bike fit changes? Why is power different on the road vs. an indoor trainer? Why is power different on a road bike vs. time-trial bike? When is it best to come out of aero? Is there a speed or hill grade? What is normal vs

The Purple Patch Podcast ‘Triathlon Takeover’ continues with a step-by-step guide to race day fueling and hydration with Sports Scientist and Precision Hydration Co-Founder, Andy Blow. Matt and Andy identify and explain the three levers of race fueling –  Fluids (water) Electrolytes Calories/carbohydrates Then, they outline your race day fueling prescription depending on race intensity, distance, and race conditions. Andy’s biggest piece of advice – “Don’t look over the fence. There are always good reasons why you shouldn’t follow the herd when it comes to YOUR fueling strategy.”  We are here to explain why! You’ll receive expert guidance and recommendations around:  Meal Planning - what to eat and what to avoid during race week, the day before, and the morning of your event Fueling and suggested approaches during each discipline of the triathlon, including T1, the bike, and the run Knowing your nutrition and hydration ranges and what conditions can affect those numbers This discussion takes t

The swim leg of any triathlon is one that elicits stress and fear. You’re entering into murky water with the blinding sun in your eyes. There are choppy waves that are seemingly predestined to make their way into your lungs. All the while, you’re getting very physical with hundreds of your closest friends. Swim anxiety is real, especially in open water swimming. Today, Coach Matt Dixon and Coach John Stevens diffuse some of the stress around triathlon swimming and frame strategies to help you approach the swim more effectively. In this deep dive on triathlon swimming, they will: Help Establish a Positive Mindset Around Swimming Benefits of Swim Band Training Identify Common Sources of Anxiety and Fear Outline Solutions and Strategies Around Many of Those Sources of Fear and Anxiety Around Swimming The goal of this episode is to help you build confidence and become empowered when approaching the triathlon swim. Regardless of whether you are a multisport veteran or a complete newbie, we hope to help y

Celebrate Good Times, C'mon! Fasten your seat belts, folks. It is time to get back to racing and over the course of the next several weeks, the podcast is executing a "triathlon takeover" - focusing on everything you'll need to implement a successful return to racing after our extended hiatus. Today's episode lays the groundwork to arm you with the knowledge, mindset, and tactics for a confident experience. Matt outlines: Expectations - How should you prioritize your expectations for this first race? The likelihood is that it has been a while since your last race, and if it is your first time then well -- it’s your first time. In either scenario, it is always unclear how your body will respond to the unique situation and stressors of racing. But, this does not mean that things are destined to go poorly. Not at all. Matt explains 'the why'... Mindset - Instead of trying to over-analyze and come up with solutions for things that don’t need to be solved before the event, take on a mindset of excited curiosit

Obsession. It isn't an easy topic, but it's an important one and Matt explores this fine line between a healthy commitment to performance vs. an unhealthy obsession in today's episode that sets the backdrop of future episodes. Remember, the pursuit and excellence in your sporting goals aren't the only measures of success. We define success as nailing that part, but by pursuing these goals, you also improve your health, increase your effectiveness at work, and are equipped to show up to friends and family as the best version of yourself possible. So, to lead listeners in the subject, Matt focuses the discussion around four key phrases: * Performance within Context * Embrace the Journey * Nail the Basics * No One Gives a Sh*t Using these four sayings as a guide and framework, we believe you can stabilize your relationship with the pursuit of excellence, and still become the best version of yourself within the context of life. The four key sayings also endorse a high work ethic, great commitment, and the require

Athletes often think of recovery as a weakness or liability to their training.  Unfortunately, our barometer of success is often a simple accumulation of training hours without regard to the quality of those hours or what we do in between. If we do give a thought to recovery, it's usually in the form of a rest day or a little foam rolling after a tough session. But, is this true recovery? Are we really allowing our body to adapt to the training stress? Through two case studies, Matt defines recovery and teaches athletes and high-performers how to integrate it into their training and life roadmap. Chris Lieto, and how Matt adapted his training to integrate real recovery during his 2008-2009 season, ultimately leading to a 2nd place finish at the Ironman World Championships The story of "Ken," a Purple Patch age-group athlete, who, like most of us, balance jobs, family, and other obligations. How did Matt integrate recovery into his work and training schedule? It isn't just about athletic recovery. He also iden

Consistency - the magic ingredient of success for those seeking to penetrate the thin air of word-class performance, to succeed in their journey to a first finish line, or to thrive in life performance. While every coach will tell you this is the magic bullet for success, not all will explain the HOW of developing consistency in a time-starved life. Via personal story and an athlete case study, Matt breathes life and practical application into this word, consistency, with: A review of the definition of consistency The methodology of consistency anchored around the pillars of performance The right mindset to apply the methodology Tactical 'how-tos' that you can implement today. This week. Right Now. This is not short-term. There is no quick fix. This is -- you have heard it before -- your journey, and it will only be a successful one if you develop consistency around all of the pillars of performance. Episode and Purple Patch Resources Purplepatchfitness.com/fastcoursetraining Human Kinetics Study J

There is a common thread that unites all Purple Patch athletes, and likely, all athletes in general - the desire to IMPROVE. Whether winning a world championship or optimizing energy throughout the day, we, as humans, embrace and enjoy the journey more when we improve and when we see progression. So, if you want to improve and go faster, you need to train faster, right?? Well, yes, sometimes. But, the greatest catalyst of performance improvement flows from a higher load strength-based training approach. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of goals, this episode delivers a path to enhance your physical improvements with three distinct elements: High-torque and low-cadence cycling Hill-based running in your training Strength and conditioning to optimize returns from your endurance intervals Embrace the lessons and tips from today and, not only will you get stronger, but you will get faster. Episode and Purple Patch Resources Purplepatchfitness.com/fastcoursetraining Human Kinetics Study Join the P

You may be committed to, or thinking about committing to, your very first IRONMAN® event. You might be salivating at a return to racing following a very dry 2020 season, or, you could be committed to making this your best race season ever and are desperate to get it right. What does it take to have your best performance at IRONMAN® racing? There is no escaping the requirement to thoroughly prepare and, as we say ‘go on the journey.’ A successful IRONMAN® event is not a single day, but a multi-month or multi-year journey. You want to do it right. Whether this is a return to the sport and IRONMAN® racing, or it is a calling for your very first big finish line, this episode will provide a coach's guide to help you set the mindset, the approach, and a few practical tips to take you on the journey -- all within a time-starved life. Episode and Purple Patch Resources Purplepatchfitness.com/triguide - 5 principles that should drive your thinking when plotting your training for your sport Join the Purple Patch Streng

Wearables, FTP, Sleep, HRV, Pace, Power, Sleep, Calories... There are so many opportunities to track things. As an athlete and a performance-minded fitness enthusiast, what are some aspects of your training and performance that you might consider tracking? And, most importantly, in what context? Today, we dive into data and provide a performance lens to create a workable marriage between those feelings and sensations you have in life and training, and the incessant monitoring and tracking of the data. Matt creates a filter of how you might lean into or stray away from data, dependent on your situation and who you are. The key is aligning the right metrics and use of that data to help you become more empowered, not shackled. Measuring and tracking are only valuable if they assist you in becoming more actionable and aware. Ultimately, data should help you gain both perspective and performance. Episode and Purple Patch Resources Join the Purple Patch Strength Programming Join the Purple Patch Performance Academy