Awake Athlete Podcast

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.

In this episode, professional gravel racer Emma Grant shares how yoga has become her secret weapon for high-stakes racing. From channeling competitive fire to staying grounded in the heat of battle, Emma reveals how her practice fuels both her performance and her mindset.

We talk about:
🧘‍♀️ How yoga helps her stay sharp, calm, and ready to win
🏁 Balancing external focus with internal presence during a race
🌅 Her elaborate morning routine that sets the tone for success
📚 Lessons from Mind Gym and the power of reframing language
💪 Guiding her athletes to balance confidence with humility

Emma's story is a masterclass in using mindfulness to navigate intense competition while staying true to the moment. Tune in to hear how she stays grounded before the fierce pace of racing.

 Nicole DeBoom, former pro triathlete, IRONMAN champion, and founder of Skirt Sports, opens up about the cycles of life, letting go, and rediscovering herself after major transitions. From redefining confidence for active women to launching her new venture, Nicole shares her journey of evolution and empowerment.

We explore:
👟 The journey from professional athlete to entrepreneur
💡 How letting go is multilayered and ongoing
🔄 When life brings back what you thought you were done with
🌟 Launching Ende Project and rediscovering her passion for connecting with women
💬 Why communication and guilt-free living are essential for creating a life of adventure

Nicole’s story is a masterclass in embracing evolution, letting go of guilt, and staying true to what matters most. Tune in to hear her wisdom on re-envisioning life and living with intention.

Paula Findlay, a professional triathlete with a 20-year career at the top of her sport, shares her powerful journey of transformation—from chasing perfection to embracing happiness and flexibility in training and life.

We dive into:
🏊‍♀️ Her evolution from natural talent to seasoned competitor
💡 Shifting from perfectionism to a more expansive life with balance
❤️ How happiness and flexibility bring out her best performances
🗣️ What she would tell her younger self after overcoming a major injury
🤝 Champion mindset advice on celebrating others and staying open through the highs and lows

Paula’s story is one of resilience, growth, and redefining what it means to be a champion. Her wisdom will inspire athletes and non-athletes alike to lead with gentleness and purpose.

Melissa Adams, a criminal defense lawyer and endurance athlete, shares her transformative journey from the rigidity of perfectionism to the openness of possibility.

In this episode, we explore:
🛑 The power of the pause and how it transformed her mindset
💡 Shifting from perfectionism to mindfulness and softness
❤️ Saying YES to adventures like following her heart to Patagonia
🧠 How mindset training has redefined her power and potential
🌍 Living a life led by heart, not just by habit

Melissa's story is a testament to what can happen when we allow ourselves to pause, reflect, and embrace what truly calls us.

In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Mayer, founder of Betty Designs, a brand known for its bold, risk-taking designs. But beyond her fashion-forward creations, Kristin shares how owning her mindset is what truly fuels her drive.

We dive into:
✨ How Kristin slows down, especially as a mother, and how a slight pause can change everything
✨ Overcoming comparison energy and interrupting negative thought patterns
✨ Adapting the Awake Athlete messages to refine her life while resisting the impulse to conform
✨ The connection between owning her unique designs and owning her power

Kristin shows us that owning your mindset isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about trusting your inner strength and staying true to who you are.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how Kristin’s commitment to mindset fuels her success and keeps her at the top of her game.