Host Dirk Friel is joined by sleep researcher and sleep coach Charlotte Edelsten, whose expertise is backed by over two decades of research on sleep and performance. Together, they dive deep into the science behind sleep for endurance athletes—addressing why sleep is a true foundation for training adaptations, injury prevention, and race-day performance.

Charlotte Edelsten shares insights from her years conducting research at high-profile endurance events like UTMB Mont Blanc, unpacks why many athletes struggle with sleep quality (even Olympians!), and dispels myths about supplements and wearables. She discusses practical strategies for managing sleep during training and competition, including napping protocols, sleep banking, and how to optimize rest at altitude or before an ultra-endurance race.

00:00 "Endurance Training & Sleep Insights"

03:37 Sleep Disturbances in Athletes

09:10 Caffeine: Adenosine Blocker Explained

11:10 Limitations of Sleep-Tracking Devices

13:21 "Sleep's Impact on Athletic Performance"

18:46 "Understanding Sleep Through Sleep Diaries"

20:54 "Supplements Won't Cure Sleep Issues"

26:07 "Pre-Race Sleep and Mindset"

29:18 "Sleep Strategies and Performance"

31:01 "Gradual Sleep Extension for Athletes"

33:39 "Strategic Napping in Sports"

37:39 "Optimizing Sleep for Best Rest"

42:09 Sleep's Role in UTMB Success

43:49 "Fatigue Management for Runners"

47:42 "Caffeine Strategies in Training"

50:51 "Hallucinations From Extreme Sleep Deprivation"

55:12 "Endurance Unlimited: Follow & Train"

On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put the U.S. a ticket to the Games for Skimo, but also set the stage for what’s next in this fast-evolving sport.

Cam Smith shares his journey from ultra-endurance races to the high-intensity, quick-transition world of ski mountaineering, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the training philosophies, mistakes to avoid, and the unique demands of mixed relay competition. You’ll hear how he leverages both running and skiing to fuel his performance, and get an inside look at how emerging talent like Anna Gibson is shaking up the U.S. team.

00:00 "Mixed Relay Racing Strategies"

03:32 "Qualifying on Home Soil"

07:50 "Trail Running Meets Skiing"

12:44 "Balancing Racing Seasons and Goals"

15:41 "Short Turnaround: Leveraging Speed"

17:45 Training for Steep Mountain Racing

22:48 "Injuries, Adaptation, and Focus"

24:39 Future Trail Racing Plans

29:30 "Building a Strong Skimo Team"

31:26 "Join Our Thriving Federation"

36:50 "Pacing Strategies in Racing"

38:38 Downhill Training for Racing Success

43:02 "Post-Season Training Reset"

45:19 "Skimo's Impact and Future"

48:40 "Inspiring the Next Generation"

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for an athlete-focused episode on the off-season, including practical strategies to help athletes integrate their training with work, family, and life, as well as building systems that drive long-term success.

Instead of chasing peak fitness or pushing for higher power numbers, Matt urges athletes to focus on rejuvenation, consistency, and building foundational habits that set the stage for breakthroughs later in the season. He makes it clear: the off-season is not about piling on more work, but fine-tuning the invisible groundwork, like sleep, nutrition, strength training, and skill development.

Whether you’re a dedicated competitor or just striving to be your best, tune in for expert tips and actionable advice that will help you come back stronger, faster, and ready to tackle your goals head-on. If you’re wondering how to structure your downtime for maximum gain, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom on building consistency, adopting a “challenge mindset,” and making off-season training not just effective, but fun and fulfilling.

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for a masterclass on the offseason—the time of year Matt Dixon boldly claims is the single biggest predictor of athlete breakthroughs.

Together, they unpack Matt Dixon’s four-phase coaching model and explore why offseason isn’t just a break, but a critical opportunity for reflection, realignment, and revolutionizing athletic potential. You’ll hear actionable insights on athlete retention, the art of the season review, what mistakes coaches often make, and how to turn downtime into your most powerful training advantage.

Plus, discover the holistic habits and “offseason toolkit” that make the difference between a good athlete and a great one—along with practical ways TrainingPeaks brings it all together.

Host Dirk Friel sits down with Dr. Scott Frey, author, neuroscientist, and psychologist, for a deep dive into the critical role that the brain plays in endurance sports performance.

Scott Frey explains how the brain is the "central command and control center" for both physical and cognitive performance, and how neuroplasticity—our brain's ability to change—offers untapped potential for athletes. Scott breaks down how mental fatigue impacts physical output and why neglecting “brain tapering” could be holding you back on race day.

Discover the science behind neuroplasticity, actionable strategies to regulate stress and arousal, and why even top performers may be leaving “low-hanging fruit” on the table by not deloading cognitive stress before big events. Whether you’re coaching, competing, or striving for your personal best, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to harness the power of your brain for peak performance.

00:00 From Running to Brain Research

06:11 "From Science to Sport Mastery"

13:48 "Optimizing Performance Through Neuroplasticity"

20:44 "Brain's Role in Workout Performance"

23:13 "Tapering Cognitive Load for Athletes"

27:17 "Training Decision-Making Under Fatigue"

36:13 "Rethinking Brain Training Methods"

38:15 "Training for Resilience and Balance"

44:08 "Brain Signals and Survival"

48:53 Measuring Cognitive Fatigue in Training

56:37 "Concussion Effects and Recovery"

01:00:18 "How Brains Heal Differently"

TrainingPeaks' Education Specialist, Cody Stephenson, is joined by returning guest and eSport cycling coach Zach Nehr and professional cyclist and esports racer Hayden Pucker—better known as Farm Watts—for an honest, high-energy deep-dive into the world of virtual endurance racing. We’ll hear about Hayden Pucker’s unconventional journey from riding a hundred miles before dawn in Wisconsin to racking up power records and chasing the podium at the esports world championships.

Zach Nehr, Hayden Pucker's coach, shares nuts-and-bolts insights on how shifting training toward shorter, high-intensity intervals unlocked Hayden’s next level—and how dialing in things like core strength, fueling, and tactical savvy makes all the difference in esports.

The episode tackles everything: race strategy, the key differences between virtual and real-world riding, handling setbacks, and why communication is everything between coaches and athletes.

Whether you’re an endurance athlete, coach, or just curious about the future of virtual competition, this episode is packed with empowering takeaways and a wealth of actionable advice.

Host Dirk Friel sits down with Jim Miller, Chief of Sports Performance at USA Cycling and the most decorated cycling coach in U.S. history. They dive deep into Jim’s unparalleled coaching journey—from collegiate racing days in Colorado to guiding athletes like Keegan Swenson and Kristin Armstrong to Olympic and World Championship podiums.

Jim shares insights on the delicate balance of science and art in coaching, the critical importance of an authentic athlete-coach connection, and how personal drive and learning from failure have fueled both his career and the athletes he coaches.

Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a coach searching for inspiration, or someone fascinated by the human side of high performance, this episode delivers candid stories, practical takeaways, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades at the top of the sport.

Zach Nehr dives deep into the world of cycling esports, unpacking its rapid evolution and what it takes to train and coach athletes for peak performance—indoors and out.

Matti and Zach explore Zach’s background of collegiate racing and coaching to the professional road scene, and how the pandemic unexpectedly propelled him into the universe of indoor racing.

What sets Zach apart is his insistence on meeting each athlete where they are, adapting plans around individual needs, training environments, and even race start times that can hit at 2 AM thanks to global competition. He highlights the critical importance of communication, balancing intensity, and keeping a sharp eye on mental as well as physical fatigue—especially for those riding the line between indoor and outdoor racing.

Whether you want to refresh your coaching toolkit, re-energize your winter training, or just geek out on how racing is changing, this episode is your ticket into the fast-paced universe of cycling esports. There’s something here for every coach and athlete ready to embrace structured training in a virtual space—no matter where you start.

Erin Carson⁠ explains the role of strength training in optimizing endurance performance, enhancing mobility, and supporting long-term athletic health for all athletes.

Dirk and Erin explain why ⁠strength training⁠ isn't just for bodybuilders or football players. It's a critical component for athletes seeking longevity, durability, and peak performance in endurance sports. Erin shares real-life examples of even elite athletes, like Taylor Knibb, Sepp Kuss, and Courtney Dauwalter, who've started incorporating strength into their training. Get ready for practical insights on how Erin structures strength programs for world-class athletes, why balancing strength with endurance matters, and how mobility and movement quality can be the secret sauce to keeping you on your feet (and on your bike) for the long haul.

Whether you’re an age-group triathlete, a mountain-loving runner, or just want to ride your bike pain-free into your fifties and beyond, this conversation has real actionable advice. Erin’s approachable wisdom and evidence-based strategies will inspire you to rethink the role of strength in your own training—no matter where you are on your athletic journey.

Take a deep dive into the evolving tactics of gravel racing, where confidence, preparation, and expert coaching drive athletes to new heights.

Professional cyclist, Melisa Rollins, and her coach, Isaiah Newkirk, join host Matti Rowe, Education Specialist, for a look behind the scenes of training and racing tactics in professional gravel and mountain bike racing.

Melisa, fresh off of a win at Steamboat Gravel and breaking the record at Leadville 100, is redefining how races are won—not just by crossing the finish line first, but by making bold moves and having the confidence to see them through. When she returned to Leadville this year, Melisa brought a new perspective: instead of focusing solely on defending her title, she recognized the unpredictable nature of competition and embraced the value of small victories along the way. Her success comes from strategic planning, adaptability, and a fearless approach to each race, proving that winning can mean much more than a podium finish.

Isaiah, founder of TrainingEdge Coaching and performance director for Project Echelon, along with Melisa's coach, dives into the meticulous planning efforts and bold tactical moves—and how Melissa and Isaiah approach everything from training adaptations at altitude to the psychological ups and downs of top-level racing.

Key takeaways: If you’ve ever wrestled with motivation after a big win or doubted yourself mid-training session, Melissa’s honest account of post-victory blues and curbside tears offers a refreshingly real perspective. With insights into altitude training, mental resilience, and the power of immediate coach-athlete feedback, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom. Whether you’re preparing for your own Leadville-level challenge or just looking for inspiration to take your training up a notch, Melissa and Isaiah’s story will remind you: success comes from knowing your strengths, planning with purpose, and learning to thrive both in data and what's out of your control.

03:14 Parental Influence and Sport Choices

11:53 Building Confidence Through Specific Workouts

13:58 Racing Strategy & Mental Toughness

17:51 Evolving Race Tactics in Women’s Cycling

19:48 Optimizing Athletic Power Curve

25:15 Remote Coaching's Unique Connection

26:01 Coaching: Beyond Data, Emotional Support

29:20 Leadville Race Experience Insights

36:37 Redefining Winning Beyond Titles

43:36 Altitude Data Boosted Race Performance