In this episode of Endurance Matters, host Justin Metzler sits down with triathlon legend Melanie McQuaid—XTERRA World Champion, ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Olympian-level cyclist, and longtime Ironman competitor—for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and longevity in sport.

Melanie shares her journey from growing up in rural British Columbia to racing mountain bike World Cups, nearly chasing the Olympics, and ultimately dominating the XTERRA circuit. She opens up about pivotal career crossroads, coaching missteps, taking ownership of her own training, and the mindset that allowed her to stay competitive into her 40s and beyond.

You’ll hear:

• 🌍 Her breakthrough race in Maui that changed everything
• 🚴‍♀️ The rise of XTERRA and how she built a career from prize money and grit
• 🧠 Why she became her own coach—and how that unlocked multiple world titles
• 💔 The devastating 2011 World Championship collapse that marked the end of an era
• 🔥 Transitioning to Ironman at 42 to prove she wasn’t “too old”
• 🎓 What great coaching actually looks like (and what athletes get wrong)
• 🤖 Her candid thoughts on AI coaching vs real human mentorship

This is more than a race recap—it’s a masterclass in belief, stubborn resilience, and understanding your own physiology. Melanie dives deep into athlete development, injury trends, vetting coaches, and why unshakable self-belief might matter more than raw talent.

Whether you’re an age-group athlete, aspiring pro, or coach yourself, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom from someone who has seen every side of elite sport.

🎧 Listen now to hear how a triathlon legend stayed competitive for decades—and why she believes the real key to success isn’t magic workouts, but understanding yourself.

In this episode of Endurance Matters,  @bigjmetz11 (Justin Metzler) sits down with  @ECFITStrength (Erin Carson) is a leading voice in strength endurance training, to explore how endurance athletes can get stronger, more resilient, and perform better without sacrificing endurance 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♂️

Erin breaks down what strength endurance really means for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and hybrid athletes and why traditional strength training often misses the mark for endurance performance 🧠⚡

We dive into:

💪 What strength endurance actually looks like in practice

❌ Common gym mistakes endurance athletes make

🏋️ How to build strength that transfers to race day

🧘‍♂️ Durability, movement quality, and staying injury-free

You’ll also hear Erin’s insights on:

⚖️ Balancing strength work with high-volume endurance training

📆 Integrating strength training year-round

🧠 Long-term athlete development and performance longevity

Whether you’re an age-group athlete or a competitive endurance racer, this conversation will help you train smarter, stay healthier, and perform at a higher level 🚀

🎧 Listen now and start building strength that supports your endurance and be sure to tune in EVERY Monday at 6:45MT to Monday Morning Mobility  @ECFITStrength !

#EnduranceSports #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #strengthtraining #strength #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman

✌🏼 - BigMetz

Follow Erin on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ecfit_strength/

Erin's Website:
https://www.ecfitstrength.com/

In this episode of Endurance Matters, world-record ocean swimmer Andy Donaldson opens up with BigMetz about the raw, unfiltered side of ultra-endurance: the night swims, the panic, the doubt, the logistics behind swimming 200 km across seven oceans in one year and the quiet moments where he nearly quit 🧠💥.

He shares how open-water swimming saved his mental health, how a 19 km Rottnest crossing rebuilt his confidence, what it’s like to be pushed off course for hours in Molokai, and the calm thinking that got him through his first shark encounter 🦈😨. We also dive deep into his training secrets: cold exposure, ice baths, mobility work, smarter gym sessions, and the tiny 1% habits that fueled a world record.

On this Episode, Andy Donaldson breaks down everything:
• The moment Molokai nearly broke him mentally 🧠💥
• How open-water swimming saved his mental health
• His first shark encounter and how he stayed calm 🦈
• Training for freezing water + 1% habits that matter ❄️🔥
• Why gym durability beats endless miles
• How he became the fastest to complete the Ocean Seven 🌍⚡
• The life lessons only the ocean can teach

Raw. Honest. Inspiring.
 
If you’re rebuilding, dreaming big, or pushing past your limits — this one is for you 💛🔥.

#EnduranceSports #OpenWaterSwimming #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #ChannelSwimming #MentalHealthJourney #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #SwimLife #ColdWaterTraining #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman

✌🏼 - BigMetz

A breakthrough month of training. A crash that changed everything. An infection that spiraled into emergency surgery. In this episode of Endurance Matters, we sit down with Pro Triathlete and Host Justin "BigMetz" Metzler to unpack the wild swing from “best shape in years” to multiple hospital visits 🏥.

From podium-ready to hospital-bound in a flash 😳🏥. In this episode, Justin shares the full story: the crash, the infection, the surgery, and the heartbreaking moment the Ironman Arizona/Kona dream slipped away.

We talk:
 • The Achilles injury that wrecked his confidence 🦵💔
 • Sponsors pulling out + the mental spiral that followed
 • Why forced rest made him faster 🧘‍♂️⚡
• The emotional trap of hiding injuries
• His 365-day rebuild after surgery
• And how his dad turned a non-swimmer into a pro at 12 👏🏊‍♂️

Plus the family Ironman relay prediction you won’t believe (yes, it might beat his solo PR) 🚴‍♂️💨

Raw. Honest. Relatable.
If you’re chasing a comeback, this one is for you 💛🔥.

#ComebackYear #AchillesSurgery #TriathlonRecovery #EnduranceJourney #ProTriathlete #RoadBack #KeepShowingUp #Running #Ironman #Cycling #Swimming

✌🏼 - BigMetz

Social Accounts:

BigMetz Instagram

BigMetz Coaching Instagram

We're back! In this motivating episode of the Endurance Matters Podcast, host BigMetz sits down with Jelle Geens - Defending Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Olympic triathlete, World Triathlon Championship Series medalist, and one of the most technically precise middle-distance racers in the sport today. Known for his calm confidence and meticulous attention to detail, Jelle shares how he’s honed his craft through patience, process, and belief in long-term development.

Jelle opens up about the highs and lows of elite racing, from representing Belgium on the world stage to navigating setbacks and building back stronger. He offers a rare look into the mindset and daily systems that fuel consistency at the top level.

We discuss:

- The art of pacing and executing under pressure

- Lessons from Olympic-level preparation and world-class coaching

- Training smarter: quality vs. quantity in middle-distance racing

- Managing injury, recovery, and mental resilience

- The value of patience and trust in long-term performance

- Staying grounded and motivated through the sport’s ups and downs

Whether you’re training for your next triathlon or seeking to master the mental side of competition, Jelle’s story is a powerful reminder that endurance is built as much in the mind as in the miles.

✌🏼 - BigMetz

Social Accounts:

Jelle Geens Instagram

In this inspiring episode of the Endurance Matters Podcast, BigMetz welcomes Eric Hinman—entrepreneur, 5x Ironman, and influential voice in the fitness and wellness space. Known for blending high-performance endurance training with a vibrant personal brand, Eric shares how he’s built a lifestyle centered around movement, recovery, and community.

Eric opens up about his evolution from startup founder to full-time fitness content creator, offering insights into how he stays motivated, structures his day, and maintains authenticity in an often filtered social media world.

We discuss:

• Eric’s daily routine and non-negotiables for peak performance
• The power of building a “training tribe” and community
• Balancing fitness, entrepreneurship, and content creation
• Recovery practices and biohacks that actually work
• The mental side of endurance sport and staying consistent
• Creating meaningful influence in the fitness space

Whether you're chasing your next Ironman or building your personal brand, Eric’s story will motivate you to take ownership of your lifestyle, health, and impact.

✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought to You By:
PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION

Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz

Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner

Social Accounts:

Eric Hinman Instagram

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In this episode, BigMetz sits down with Matt Botrill—legendary time trialist, national champion, and renowned cycling and triathlon performance coach—to unpack the secrets of going faster. Matt shares his journey from elite racer to high-performance coach, explaining the mindset, training principles, and aerodynamic optimization that separate good athletes from great ones. We cover:

• Matt’s transition from competitive racing to full-time coaching
• The critical role of aerodynamics in time trialing and triathlon
• His approach to individualized training plans
• Common mistakes endurance athletes make in pacing and bike fit
• Real-world case studies of athletes gaining significant time through small adjustments
• How technology and data analysis are transforming endurance coaching

Whether you're a cyclist, triathlete, or coach, this episode is packed with practical tips and insights to help you improve your own performance.
#ironman #triathlon #enduranceathlete #endurancemindset #swim #bike #runningmotivation #olympics #cycling 

✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought to You By:
PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION

Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz

Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner

Social Accounts:

Matt Bottrill: https://www.instagram.com/bottrillmatthew/

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
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BigMetz is joined live post-race from Ironman Boulder 70.3 by all three Podium finishers, including: Kevin McDowell, Colin Szuch, and Sam Appleton. Hear how their each of their races unfolded and the the adversity they had to overcome just to get to the start line - or at the start line! You'll love our live Podcast with these gracious guests.
#ironman #triathlon #enduranceathlete #endurancemindset #swim #bike #runningmotivation #olympics 

✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought To You By:

PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION

Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz

Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner

THE MAGIC5 GOGGLES

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Social Accounts:

Sam Appleton: https://www.instagram.com/samappo/
Colin Szuch: https://www.instagram.com/colin_szuch/
Kevin McDowell: https://www.instagram.com/kevinmcdowell1/

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
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BigMetz is joined by Flora Duffy, 2021 Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Triathlon. Bringing home her native country, Bermuda, its first Olympic Gold Medal is a significant achievement. BigMetz and Flora discuss her journey to the pinnacle of sport, her struggles with injury, her endurance mindset and her amazingly positive spirit and attitude. Flora changed the way female athletes race triathlon and her imprint on the sport is legendary.
#olympics #triathlon #bermuda #enduranceathlete #endurancemindset #swim #bike #runningmotivation 

✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought To You By:

PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION

Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz

Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner

LEVER MOVEMENT

Get 20% OFF ALL DEVICES  👉 https://levermovement.com/
Enter code: "ENDURANCEMATTERS20"

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Enter: "endurancematters10"

Flora Duffy Social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floraduffy/

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
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BigMetz is joined by Brad Miles, Founder and CEO of  @levermovement . From humble beginnings, through hard work and persistence, Brad shares his ethos of building a foundational company in endurance sports. BigMetz has personally used Lever to help him successfully recover from achilles surgery. He and Brad discuss training protocols, going from concept to production, building a scalable company, and finding a niche in sports training. Used by top triathletes and runners across the globe, the Lever has become a staple for injury prevention and recovery. Brad's journey is inspirational to entrepreneurs and athletes alike!
#training #running #triathlon #mindset #podcast #podcastclips #entrepreneur #founder

✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought To You By:

PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION

Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz

Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner

LEVER MOVEMENT

Get 20% OFF ALL DEVICES  👉 https://levermovement.com/
Enter code: "ENDURANCEMATTERS20"

THE MAGIC5 GOGGLES

Get 10% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 bit.ly/Magic5EMP
Enter: "endurancematters10"

Lever Movement Social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levermovement/

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
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