In this episode of Training Chats with Aloha Athletics, Lindsey Tilton sits down with elite paddler and author Paolo Marconi to talk about the mental side of ultra endurance racing. Paolo shares powerful insights from his new book, Racing the Quit Monkey, which explores the inner voice that shows up when we’re deep in discomfort—and how to keep going anyway.

Lindsey and Paolo dive into the mindset tools that fuel high-performance athletes, including breathwork, yoga, and the mental strategies that help you overcome the urge to quit. They also reflect on their shared experience paddling 48 hours at Last Paddler Standing and how endurance sports teach lessons that extend far beyond the finish line.

Whether you're a stand-up paddleboarder, endurance athlete, or just someone looking to build more resilience, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to train your mind like you train your body.

Topics covered:

• The Quit Monkey: what it is and how to outlast it
• Lessons from SUP ultras and mindset breakthroughs
• The role of breathwork and yoga in peak performance
• Training for mental toughness, not just physical strength
• Why purpose matters more than pace

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