Sometimes the clearest window opens when life drops an obstacle in your path. My fall brought a new training plan—not one I designed, but one I was given. And inside it, I’ve been handed lessons I couldn’t script: trust, surrender, and the courage to experience consequences without fear.

In this episode, I share:

– Why consequences aren’t negative, and how they carry us forward

– The process of trust: what it looks like to live it instead of just talk about it

– How surrender evolves over time—not giving up, but putting down the fight

– Creating the best environment for healing, even when “everything is not good”

– Nullifying doubt and seeing what’s here without distortion

This isn’t easy, but it is clear. Every action leads to evolution. And in the practice of trust and surrender, everything resolves to good.

The middle is where growth takes root. It’s not flashy like the start or triumphant like the finish, but it’s where durability, patience, and true resilience are forged.

In this episode, I explore the mental and emotional terrain of being halfway — in training, in ultras, and in life. I share a breath technique to slow down, the practice of meeting the edge without recklessness, and how to keep yourself awake to progress instead of slipping into autopilot.

The middle is not monotony. It’s the forge. This is where inspiration is born, where the nervous system learns durability, and where the real joy — the dopamine — is found in the process itself.

The stages for El Cruce have been released. The profiles are no longer an idea in my mind — they’re reality on paper. And that reality demands durability.

I’m reflecting on two gnarly ultras I’ve done and the lessons that will carry me through these days in the Andes. I’m also awake to the moments when I’ve underestimated sections of a race, because this middle stage looks relentless.

When the map drops, panic can creep in. The mind might want to hit the throttle hard, but there’s a choice to be made: do I let panic become a magnet pulling me into scarcity, or a motivator that sharpens my focus?

In this episode, I share how I’m reading the course, regulating my nervous system, and doing the mental reps to stay in my power. I talk about the risk of writing the “not enough” story — and why meeting the course from a place of trust might just be the strongest move you can make.

In this episode of The Road to El Cruce, I’m diving into the art of restraint in endurance training — and why holding back can be just as powerful as pushing forward.

I share a recent experience that landed me in what I call the “strange pocket” — that place where you want to do more, should yourself into believing you need to do more, but know deep down the best move is to stick to the plan.

From the constant dissatisfaction of the mind, to the quiet strength of no longer needing to prove you’re tough, this episode explores:

-The question every athlete should ask to keep training on point
-The “secret training” technique I almost indulged
-A practical breath tool that drops you out of the noise and into clarity
-How to build mileage safely without overloading your system
-The deeper work of being in true partnership with your body and your goal

If you’ve ever wrestled with the urge to do just a little more, this episode is your reminder that more isn’t always better. Sometimes the greatest endurance is knowing when to step back.

🎧 Listen now and see what unfolds when you trust the plan.

The adventure is going — and it’s not just about the workouts. This season of training is about syncing up with the rhythm of my body, my mind, and the mission ahead. Because endurance isn’t just built in the legs — it’s built in your internal state.

Inspired by a moment from the Tour de France, I explore what it means to get your body into the mindset — to set your inner frequency before the work begins. We don’t wait for the start line to wake up. We prepare the body, the mind, and the spirit to be ready.

In this episode:

How my training is unfolding right now

Tour de France team radio + the mindset of readiness

Why visualization works

Modern science meets ancient wisdom

Skill in action: training your cells, not just your body

The two ideal companions to endurance training

Syncing up with the rhythm so you don’t miss what you’re ready for

This one’s for anyone learning that mastery isn’t just in the grind — it’s in the presence, the alignment, and the inner state of go.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Coming to you from Week 8 of training — a phase where the tweaks are subtle but powerful. I’m increasing my run volume without adding time to my training week, and I am paying close attention to my adaptation. 

In this episode, I share exactly how I’m doing it — including details on my workouts and how I’m approaching the physical prep for El Cruce. But more importantly, I share what this race is really about for me.

We dive into my nutrition evolution — from liquid calories and gels to adaptogens and supergreens. I’m peeling back the curtain on how I train my gut, what I’m supplementing with, and how I fuel long days on the bike and trail. I also share how I found Blank's and “The Will Special” — a game-changer in my Saturday sessions.

This episode is also about identity — and how I’ve learned to dissolve the boxes I’ve put myself in, including the one labeled “vegan.” There’s an honesty here I couldn’t avoid, and I’m trusting that living with integrity means listening inward, even when it disrupts expectations.

This is a story of trust, transformation, and tuning in. Let’s go deeper.

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Road to El Cruce, Season 6 of the Awake Athlete Podcast.

We’re kicking things off right where I am — deep into week seven of my first 8-week foundation block. In this episode, I walk you through my current training structure and the mental, emotional, and spiritual edges I’m meeting along the way.

In this episode, I share what’s unfolded so far:
→ a deep sickness that became a spiritual fire
→ a trip home that reminded me of the power of steady state
→ and a return to the edge — where true endurance is built

I explore three defining questions along the way:

What do I do when motivation disappears but the path still calls?

How do I stay steady when my expectations get flipped?

What lives on the other side of discomfort — if I stay awake to it?

Everything prepares us for the next. And this — breath by breath, mile by mile — is the path to Patagonia.

Let’s see what unfolds when we stay the course — and stay awake.

In this final episode of Awake Athlete Season 5, we close the journey with one essential truth: knowing who you are eliminates compromise.

This season has been a masterclass in patience, as each episode came together over the course of the year 2024 to reveal its own story of growth and evolution. Along the way, we’ve explored what it means to outgrow belief systems and step boldly into new pathways.

Waking up is simply returning to your most natural state. It’s about stripping away what isn’t you and standing firmly in your authenticity. Stay connected to your values. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher. Above all, live your life as a demonstration of truth for others.

I’m profoundly grateful for this season’s guests, the listeners who’ve shared their time with us, and the podSQUAD members who made this entire season commercial-free. If Awake Athlete has sparked something in you, consider joining the podSQUAD for just $10/month at yogitriathlete.com to keep this mission alive.

Thank you for being here. Let’s keep waking up, one thought at a time.

In this episode, I sit down with BJ Gumkowski—master coach, thought leader in endurance sports, and my partner in life and YogiTriathlete. BJ’s journey from doubt and unworthiness to an unshakeable mindset is nothing short of inspiring.

We talk about:
🌊 Overcoming the fear of open water swimming
⏳ Unlocking hidden time in your day
🧠 Why the mind is the final barrier to greatness
🤝 Building a relationship with struggle that feels easeful

BJ reminds us that nothing in life is guaranteed except how we choose to show up. Tune in and discover how to cultivate an unshakable mindset that sets you up for legendary success.

Matti Weitz, a professional triathlete, joins me for a deep dive into the power of mindset and how it has transformed his life and athletic performance. Raised in Germany, Matti shares his journey from a perfectionist upbringing to cultivating self-belief, self-love, and a more open, resilient mind.

We explore:
🌍 Why he chooses the most competitive races
🧠 Training the subconscious to manage stress and avoid the DNF spiral
🏋️‍♂️ His most transformative practice for mental training
🔥 A pivotal moment at Ironman Frankfurt that revealed the power of his mindset work
💡 How self-belief and self-love go hand in hand

Matti’s story is a testament to embracing challenges, trusting the process, and shifting from hardness to balance. Tune in to hear how he continues to strive for his biggest goals, with a mind that’s as strong as his body.