Purple Patch Podcast

18 Jesse Thomas - Part 1- Winning Wildflower: How a Borrowed Bike and Cheap Sunglasses Catapulted a Career


Listen Later

Click Here to Register for the Jesse Thomas Wildflower Giveaway!

In 2011, Jesse Thomas was a new pro triathlete. He was so new, in fact, that when he decided to race the Wildflower Triathlon at the last minute that year, there were no real pro spots left, so he ended up with bib number 87, the first number behind the female pro bibs.

Picture this: He was on a borrowed bike and, fellow pro triathlete, Matt Lieto, let him borrow an aero helmet. Jesse slept in a closet the night before the race and he even stopped at the drug store at the last minute to pick up a pair of cheap aviator sunglasses because he didn't even have sunglasses to wear.

Literally, no one knew who he was; not even the race announcers who had to ask him his name as he crossed the finish line, much to everyone's surprise, at the front of the stacked pro field.

In part one of this special two-part interview with long-time Coach Matt Dixon, Jesse walks us through that magical day, which was, indeed, his catalyst into triathlon stardom.

He was a true "newbie triathlete" competitor who won this legendary race which seemed downright unfathomable. It is, as they say in the interview, one of the most authentic moments in sport, a true Cinderella story, and there are many lessons of process, expectations, and performance to be absorbed throughout this conversation.

Some may call it a fluke, but what makes this story and coach/athlete relationship so special is that Jesse defended his title successfully for the next SIX consecutive years and now he's back in 2018 (along with the return of the race) with a different lens on the sport, but, still, with big expectations and a true desire to win.

He can't wait to bring it all back to where it started and we can't wait for you to listen to this amusing, funny and inspirational account of the non-glamorous start to a pro triathlon career that has turned into one of the most successful.

In celebration of the return of the Wildflower Triathlon and Jesse's return to the start line, we've teamed up with Roka and Picky Bars to givevaway prize packs valued at over $2000! Visit purplepatchfitness.com/wildflowergiveaway to register.

Wildflower Giveaway

Jesse Thomas InstagramJesse Thomas WebsiteJesse Thomas FacebookJesse Thomas Twitter

Roka InstagramRoka FacebookRoka TwitterRoka Website

Picky Bars InstagramPicky Bars FacebookPicky Bars TwitterPicky Bars Website

Follow Purple Patch Fitness and learn more about our Coaching Services, Training Camps, Promotions and Matt's Latest Book, Fast Track Triathlete:

  • Purple Patch Fitness Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Thanks for taking a listen and, if you like what you hear, please subscribe, share, rate and review. Your feedback is appreciated.

Subscribe to the Purple Patch Podcast:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Google Play

Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Purple Patch PodcastBy Matt Dixon

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

557 ratings


More shows like Purple Patch Podcast

View all
Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad by TrainerRoad

Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

3,626 Listeners

On Coaching with Magness & Marcus by Steve Magness

On Coaching with Magness & Marcus

378 Listeners

The Effortless Swimming Podcast by Brenton Ford

The Effortless Swimming Podcast

99 Listeners

The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald

The Strength Running Podcast

1,337 Listeners

Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast by Crushing Iron

Crushing Iron Triathlon Podcast

717 Listeners

That Triathlon Show by Mikael Eriksson

That Triathlon Show

423 Listeners

Get Fast Podcast - Triathlon, Ironman & Cycling Coaching Advice by TriVelo Coaching

Get Fast Podcast - Triathlon, Ironman & Cycling Coaching Advice

21 Listeners

The TriDot Triathlon Podcast by TriDot Triathlon Training

The TriDot Triathlon Podcast

617 Listeners

Fast Talk by Fast Talk Labs

Fast Talk

305 Listeners

The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS by CTS

The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

106 Listeners

Professional Triathlon News by Professional Triathlon News

Professional Triathlon News

177 Listeners

The Triathlon Hour by Jack Kelly

The Triathlon Hour

152 Listeners

That Triathlon Life Podcast by That Triathlon Life

That Triathlon Life Podcast

551 Listeners

The Norwegian Method Podcast by SantaraTech

The Norwegian Method Podcast

30 Listeners

All in Triathlon with Jelle Geens and Aaron Royle by All in triathlon

All in Triathlon with Jelle Geens and Aaron Royle

9 Listeners