Endurance Icons

By Mark and Jessica CullenSports

Endurance Icons episodes

June 04, 2024 Ep. 59 - Characteristics of the Top Endurance Athletes & How to Choose a Coach
In our latest episode, we have a discussion about coaching philosophies and what to look for in a coach. We explored the importance of communication, engagement, and taking ownership in fostering successful athlete-coach relationships. Key takeaways highlighted that coaches should have experience with athletes who share similar goals and backgrounds. It’s crucial to find a coaching style and philosophy that align with your personal needs, whether that means preferring a hands-on or hands-off approach. Top performers stand out by being adaptable, focusing on the process rather than just the goal, and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities.
We delved into the specifics of choosing a coach, emphasizing the need to consider their experience with similar athletes, the benefits and drawbacks of remote versus in-person coaching, and the importance of matching communication styles. Credentials can be helpful but are not the sole determinant of a good coach. We also discussed the qualities of top-performing athletes, who take responsibility for their training, communicate regularly with their coaches, and remain open to feedback. Mark's coaching philosophy was shared, focusing on integrating performance within the context of a busy life and using endurance sports to build life skills beyond fitness.
34 min
May 22, 2024Ep. 58 - Chattanooga 70.3 Recap with Jess Turanec and Allison Jacob
Jess Cullen sits down with fellow LP Endurance Pro teammates Jess Turanec and Allison Jacob to run through their races and experiences at Chattanooga 70.3 in the Ironman Pro Series.
Episode Notes
Transitioning from age group to pro is a big adjustment with many differences

Swim starts are more chaotic, bike courses less crowded, run is about chasing down competitors

Mindset is key - viewing races as learning experiences and staying positive through challenges

Consistent training at prescribed paces and avoiding heroic efforts enables longevity in the sport
Jess T felt very nervous, especially at pro meeting surrounded by triathlon stars

Allison felt calmer than before her first pro race, used mantras/focus words

Jess C had a hectic lead-up with work travel and moving, focused on executing race plan
Open water swimming is challenging compared to the pool, takes time to translate

Jess T and Allison exited water alone, Jess C had a panic moment early on

Downriver current was strong, buoys came quickly, some physical contact between athletes
Allison rode on feel vs power, focused on steady effort and cadence, course felt empty

Jess T's seat was too low causing hip pain, rode mostly solo enjoying the course

Jess C had favorite ride, pushed hard and rode with other pros which was motivating
Allison aimed to ease into pace on hilly course, counted steps to maintain cadence

Jess T developed a side stitch and had to walk/slow down, but enjoyed cheering others

Jess C went into triage mode due to heart arrhythmia, ran easy but still had fun
Pro races have more perks but are "pure" racing without advantages like drafting

Dynamics are different - always chasing vs being chased, truly racing yourself

Learning curve is steep but provides motivation to keep improving each race
All three racing Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant next

Allison traveling to Europe for work, will take a short training break

Jess T connecting with another pro female in Ottawa to train together
1 hr 15 min
May 08, 2024 Ep. 57 - Ironman Texas Race Recap w/ Pro Triathletes Allison Jacob & Jess Cullen
In this episode we cover:
-Allison's journey to her first pro race at Ironman Texas
-Pre Race prep and feelings
-Swim, Bike, Run recaps
-Whats next.
1 hr 31 min
April 09, 2024 Ep. 56 - Oceanside 70.3 - Jess’ First Pro Race - Recapping the Mishaps, Memorable Stories and Epic Performances

Welcome to the Oceanside 70.3 recap! In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of triathlon, specifically the recent race where Jess had her first pro experience.
We start with Jess's journey leading up to the race with her preparation and how the pro experience differed from being an age grouper. We hear some funny stories from the pro briefing around race ranger, aero fairing and the pro personalities.
Jess recaps her day through the swim, bike and run and shares a few funny gear and fuelling mistakes she made on the day.
Next we dive into a recap of the amazing top performances from the day on the mens and womens side and rate the kickoff to the pro series.
To wrap things up, Mark shared a hilarious story about an age grouper who had a whirlwind of a day. From showing up late, to renting a bike, to getting a mechanical; this athlete's journey was filled with ups and downs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of triathlon racing.
Overall, the Oceanside 70.3 was a race to remember, filled with thrilling moments, inspiring performances, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in to our next episode for more exciting race recaps and triathlon insights!
1 hr 5 min
March 22, 2024 Ep. 55 - Overcoming Barriers and Optimizing Performance: Insights from Endurance Coach and Physician, Jeff Sankoff
In this insightful conversation, Jeff Sankoff - physician, coach, athlete and podcaster at TriDoc podcast shares the top 5 takeaways that actually work for athletes, highlights misconceptions in endurance sports, and delves into his coaching philosophy across swimming, cycling, and running. With personal reflections on mindset shifts and optimizing performance, along with practical advice on gear selection and upcoming race plans, Jeff's expertise resonates with both seasoned athletes and enthusiasts seeking to excel in endurance sports.

Follow Jeff on TriDoc Podcast and his journey for invaluable insights and inspiration.
Links:
PODCAST: https://www.tridocpodcast.com/
Microbiome podcast: https://www.tridocpodcast.com/episode/ep-124-the-microbiome-and-athletic-performance-tamara-jewett
This episode is sponsored by Open. To get one month free, use code ICONSOPEN30 o-p-e-n.com.

1 hr 5 min
March 08, 2024 Ep. 54 - Maximizing Athletic Potential: The Sleep Connection with Dr Michael Grandner
Uncover the secrets to unlocking your full athletic potential with sleep expert Michael Grandner. Gain valuable insights into sleep requirements for athletes, practical tips for improving sleep quality, and the truth behind common sleep myths.
Get ready for a discussion fueled by entirely audience questions!

Follow Michael at Dr. Michael Grandner

57 min
February 23, 2024 Ep. 53 - Haley Smith, Olympian and Professional Cyclist on Eating Disorders and Racing Gravel
In this episode of the Endurance Icons podcast, hosts Mark and Jess welcome Haley Smith, an accomplished mountain biker, gravel racer, Olympian, Commonwealth Games and World Cup medalist, and mental health advocate. Haley reflects on her journey into professional cycling, her struggles with anxiety and an eating disorder, and her ongoing efforts to balance athletic excellence with mental well-being and academic pursuits. She shares insights into her training routines, lifestyle choices, and aspirations for the future, providing a candid and inspiring look into the life of a professional cyclist
49 min
February 09, 2024 Ep. 52 - Running the World: Ben Pobjoy's Record-Breaking Journey
Hey, Endurance Fans! Get pumped for another awesome episode of Endurance Icons with Ben Pobjoy back for round two!
Join us as we dive into Ben's wild adventure – attempting to run a mind-blowing 242 marathons in just one year, all around the globe. We're talking numbers, we're talking laughs, and we're talking some seriously epic tales from the road.
From highs to lows, Ben shares the ups and downs of his incredible journey, showing us just how beautiful and bonkers our world can be when you're running through it. Trust us, you don't want to miss this one!
So, lace up those sneakers and get ready to be inspired by Ben Pobjoy's record-breaking quest. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just love a good story, this episode will leave you cheering for more. Let's hit the pavement with Ben and explore the world one stride at a time! 🏃‍♂️💫

58 min
January 26, 2024 Ep. 51 - Jess Goes Pro, Big Life Changes & Recapping 1 Year of Endurance Icons!
Jess is making the jump to pro! The hosts talk about the big and exciting life changes ahead in 2024 for them and why a little break was needed in the last month. The hosts debrief on some of their favorite memories from the first full year of endurance icons.
30 min
December 01, 2023 Ep. 50 - Scott Tindal - Nutrition strategies to enhance endurance performance & the Fuelin App
In this episode of Endurance Icons, Mark is joined by Scott Tindal, the Co-Founder of Fuelin and a distinguished performance nutrition coach. The episode kicks off by covering Scott's journey through professional sports, notably his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, providing a rich backdrop for understanding the intricate world of performance nutrition.
The conversation delved into Fuelin's approach aimed at simplifying nutrition for endurance athletes. Scott elaborated on the stoplight system, a method that dynamically adapts to an athlete's training loads. This system ensures athletes fuel optimally for their specific training and racing needs, enhancing their performance significantly.
Scott shared insights into Fuelin's transformative impact on renowned athletes like Holly Lawrence, Skye Moench, and Rachel Zilinskas. These athletes have witnessed remarkable breakthroughs in their race performances, attributing a big part of their success to Fuelin's tailored nutrition strategies.
One of the podcast's highlights was Scott's thoughts on adapting fueling strategies around the menstrual cycle. Additionally, he tackled the recent debate of high vs. low carb diets, offering perspectives rooted in practical experience. Scott also emphasized how athletes can go about finding an optimal race weight and how Fuelin assists athletes in navigating this complex aspect of performance.
Follow Scott on the Fuelin account @getfuelin
1 hr 16 min

About Endurance Icons

From the publisher's feed

Endurance Icons is a podcast hosted by Jessica and Mark Cullen that interviews the greats of endurance sports, ranging from triathlon, running and OCR to adventure racing, freestyle skiing and car racing.