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Episode 55: Unlocking Triathlon - Resilience Warriors
What does it mean to keep going—when things get hard?
In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Alison Freeman, co-founder of NYX Endurance, USA Triathlon Certified Coach (Level III, May 2026), and contributing writer for Triathlete Magazine, to explore the deeper meaning of endurance—not just as performance, but as a process of becoming.
Rooted in the mythology of NYX—the primordial goddess of the night—this conversation reframes “the hard” not as something to avoid, but as a powerful space for growth.
Whether it’s training for an endurance event, navigating the demands of a PhD, or pursuing something meaningful in life, we all encounter moments where things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and overwhelming.
And in those moments, the question becomes:
What do we rely on?
Through her coaching philosophy and lived experience, Alison shares how structure, intentional training, and trust in the process can serve as an anchor—especially when motivation fades, and the outcome feels far away.
Together, we explore:
- What it means to “embrace the hard” in endurance sport and in life
- How identity is shaped through challenge, repetition, and persistence
- Why trusting the process matters more than chasing outcomes
- The role of structure, data, and preparation in building confidence
- How to align training with life in a way that supports long-term growth and well-being
This is a conversation about resilience—not as something we claim, but as something we build.
As Dr. Gordon shares, this is a community of resilience warriors, grounded in the idea of strength for the journey within.
Dr. Gordon extends her sincere gratitude to Alison for joining her on the show. Alison’s upcoming book, Unlocking Triathlon (Human Kinetics), is set for release in September 2026.
Learn more about Alison’s coaching at nyxendurance.com
and her book at unlockingtriathlon.com
The PhD Journey Unplugged is a space for real voices and authentic conversations at the intersection of health and human performance.
The information shared by Dr. Gordon and her guests is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
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By Dr. Sarah L. GordonWhat does it mean to keep going—when things get hard?
In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Alison Freeman, co-founder of NYX Endurance, USA Triathlon Certified Coach (Level III, May 2026), and contributing writer for Triathlete Magazine, to explore the deeper meaning of endurance—not just as performance, but as a process of becoming.
Rooted in the mythology of NYX—the primordial goddess of the night—this conversation reframes “the hard” not as something to avoid, but as a powerful space for growth.
Whether it’s training for an endurance event, navigating the demands of a PhD, or pursuing something meaningful in life, we all encounter moments where things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and overwhelming.
And in those moments, the question becomes:
What do we rely on?
Through her coaching philosophy and lived experience, Alison shares how structure, intentional training, and trust in the process can serve as an anchor—especially when motivation fades, and the outcome feels far away.
Together, we explore:
- What it means to “embrace the hard” in endurance sport and in life
- How identity is shaped through challenge, repetition, and persistence
- Why trusting the process matters more than chasing outcomes
- The role of structure, data, and preparation in building confidence
- How to align training with life in a way that supports long-term growth and well-being
This is a conversation about resilience—not as something we claim, but as something we build.
As Dr. Gordon shares, this is a community of resilience warriors, grounded in the idea of strength for the journey within.
Dr. Gordon extends her sincere gratitude to Alison for joining her on the show. Alison’s upcoming book, Unlocking Triathlon (Human Kinetics), is set for release in September 2026.
Learn more about Alison’s coaching at nyxendurance.com
and her book at unlockingtriathlon.com
The PhD Journey Unplugged is a space for real voices and authentic conversations at the intersection of health and human performance.
The information shared by Dr. Gordon and her guests is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.