In this episode of the Finding Strong podcast, Mark Bottenhorn and Arthur Blue discuss the challenges of training in extreme heat and how to maintain motivation and resilience. They emphasize the importance of focusing on what you can control, accepting the uncontrollable, and cultivating qualities like discipline and courage. The conversation also highlights the significance of mindfulness, embracing adversity, and leading by example to inspire others. Listeners are encouraged to make decisions based on long-term goals and to nourish their minds and bodies for success.

• Training in the heat can feel discouraging, but it's essential for endurance.
• Adjust your expectations during hot weather training.
• Training in adverse conditions prepares you for race day.
• Focus on what you can control in your training and life.
• Accept what you cannot control and adapt accordingly.
• Cultivate qualities like discipline and courage through training.
• Mindfulness can enhance your training experience.
• Embrace adversity as an opportunity for growth.
• Lead by example to inspire others.
• Make decisions based on long-term goals, not short-term emotions.

Summary:

Is it Snake Oil? Is it worth the hype? Spoiler alert - you should probably focus on nailing the fundamentals and dropping the ego before you focus on expensive remedies, potions and weird lights. 

In this episode of the Finding Strong podcast, hosts Mark Bottenhorn and Arthur Blue discuss the realities of training, the importance of consistency, and the overwhelming amount of misinformation in the fitness industry. They emphasize the need for basic recovery principles, the significance of setting realistic goals, and the necessity of hard work in achieving fitness aspirations. The conversation also touches on the hybrid athlete debate, the role of strength training for runners, and the relevance of biohacking in a well-rounded fitness routine.

Keywords:

fitness, training, recovery, social media, strength training, running, hybrid athlete, health, goals, consistency

In this episode of the Finding Strong Podcast, Mark Bottenhorn and Ryan Miller discuss the complexities of ultra running, including training strategies, the psychology behind DNFing, and the importance of communication in coaching. They share personal experiences from recent races, explore the balance between life and training, and emphasize the significance of finding joy in racing. The conversation also touches on the criteria for selecting races, the concept of periodization in training, and the need for consistency and adaptability in an athlete's journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:06 Race Experiences and Lessons Learned
06:01 The Psychology of Competition and DNF Dynamics
08:59 Training Strategies and Balancing Life
15:00 Coaching Dynamics and Communication
21:06 Finding Competitive Edge and Personal Fulfillment
29:16 Exploring Ultra Running Distances
32:25 Finding the Right Races
39:03 Criteria for Selecting Races
43:02 Understanding Periodization in Training
51:55 The Importance of Consistency and Adaptation
57:47 Embracing Change and New Challenges

Run Strong Athlete Tyler Kelley joins host Mark Bottenhorn on the Finding Strong Podcast. Tyler landed on the podium of his debut 100 mile race and now has his eyes set on a bigger prize - The Viper 200M race. Mark and Tyler talk through his journey, how he overcame past struggles, and how the tools he developed during those struggles have helped him in his journey. 

Tyler's Three Pillars for success are:

• Discipline
• Consistency
• Endurance

Other topics include sobriety, parenthood, race planning and confidence.

You can find Tyler on instagram: @TK_Running11

You can find Mark @Bottenhornrunning

Arthur and Mark talk about their plans for 2025. The hosts dive into setting goals, and reverse engineering the process to break their goals into more manageable chunks. The hosts talk about habits, goals, and their tactics for getting the most out of themselves. 

Strong Session: Discipline. 10 Minutes, All Killer, No Filler. 

In this episode, Mark Bottenhorn discusses the importance of discipline and self-control in achieving long-term goals. He shares a quote from Abraham Lincoln that highlights the conflict between immediate desires and long-term aspirations. Mark emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the ability to assess the consequences of our choices. He also talks about the importance of clarity in setting goals and the habit of building resilience. Mark encourages listeners to regularly evaluate their choices and make decisions that align with their long-term goals. The practical application of saying no to things that don't support our goals is also discussed.

Summary

In this episode, the first instillation of the Blue Print Series,  Mark, Arthur, and Ashleigh discuss the importance of training preparation and break down the key components of a training program. They emphasize the need to assess current fitness levels, set goals, and reverse engineer the training plan. They also highlight the benefits of running at different paces, incorporating speed work, and adding strength training to improve performance and prevent injuries. The hosts provide insights into their own training routines and share tips for breaking down large goals into smaller milestones. In this conversation, Mark, Arthur, and Ashleigh discuss various topics related to training and preparation for endurance events. They emphasize the importance of power output, compound lifts, and core training for improving athletic performance. The conversation highlights the importance of fueling, hydration, and sleep in the recovery process. They also touch on the role of visualization and mental preparation in achieving race day success. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of logistics and preparation for race day.

Keywords

training preparation, fitness assessment, goal setting, reverse engineering, running paces, speed work, strength training, injury prevention, training, power output, compound lifts, core training, glute activation, mobility work, fueling, hydration, sleep, visualization, mental preparation, logistics, preparation, endurance events

Summary

In this episode, Mark and Arthur discuss the importance of staying true to your passions and letting them shape who you are. They share personal experiences of facing setbacks and challenges, such as parenting and health issues, and how their passion for endurance sports has helped them overcome these obstacles. They emphasize the mental and emotional benefits of pursuing physical activities and how it has made them more resilient and fulfilled. They also highlight the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who support and inspire you. In this conversation, Mark and Arthur discuss the importance of discipline and motivation in achieving personal goals. They explore the role of therapy and exercise in managing mental health, as well as the challenges of staying motivated when faced with obstacles. They emphasize the need to prioritize health and make conscious choices that contribute to long-term well-being. The conversation also touches on the societal factors that influence lifestyle choices and the importance of embracing failure as a part of personal growth. Overall, they encourage listeners to pursue their passions and lead by example.

Keywords

passion, endurance sports, setbacks, challenges, parenting, health issues, mental resilience, fulfillment, support, discipline, motivation, therapy, exercise, mental health, obstacles, health, well-being, societal factors, failure, personal growth, passion, example

The gang has mixed results at three recent races. 

In this episode of the Finding Strong podcast, Mark, Arthur, and Ash discuss their recent race experiences and the lessons they learned. Arthur participated in a 50K night race to prepare for Leadville and focused on logistics and running with a headlamp. Ash faced challenges with race timing and missed a turn, but learned the importance of giving herself grace and staying focused on the joy of running. Mark won a four-mile race but realized he didn't execute his race strategy and needs to trust himself more. The main takeaways include resilience, embracing adversity, and staying present in the moment. In this conversation, Arthur and Mark discuss their upcoming races and the focus areas for their training in the next 10 weeks. They emphasize the importance of intent in training and the need to push through discomfort to achieve their goals. They also discuss the mental aspect of racing and the importance of logistics and nutrition. Mark highlights the significance of speed work in endurance training and the need to embrace the process. They conclude by reflecting on the lessons learned from overcoming adversity and the importance of self-accountability and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Keywords

race experiences, lessons learned, resilience, adversity, staying present, training, intent, discomfort, mental aspect, logistics, nutrition, speed work, endurance, adversity, self-accountability, pursuit of excellence

Summary

Raul Cardenas, founder of QO Nutrition, joins the podcast to discuss his brand and its unique product. QO Nutrition offers a natural nutrition powder made from six simple whole food ingredients that are wood fire roasted. The product can be used as a meal additive, meal replacement, or for fueling before, during, and after training. Raul shares his inspiration for creating the product, which came from his time spent in the Copper Canyon running with the Tarahumaras. He discovered their use of pinole powder and saw the benefits it provided for endurance running. Raul emphasizes the importance of sourcing high-quality ingredients and ensuring the product is third-party tested. Despite the saturated nutrition marketplace, Raul is driven by the belief that his product is needed and can help people improve their performance and overall health. Raul Cardenas shares his journey of building a brand that promotes healthy living through nutrition. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing a business that you believe in and are passionate about. Raul discusses the challenges he faced in the early stages of his startup, including creating momentum and overcoming setbacks. The conversation also explores the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet and the role of nutrition in longevity and performance. Raul highlights the versatility of QO Nutrition's products, such as the Pinole cookies and electrolytes, and shares his vision for expanding the brand in the next three to five years. The episode concludes with advice on taking risks and pursuing one's goals.

Takeaways

QO Nutrition offers a natural nutrition powder made from six simple whole food ingredients that are wood fire roasted.
The product can be used as a meal additive, meal replacement, or for fueling before, during, and after training.
Raul was inspired to create the product after discovering the use of pinole powder by the Tarahumaras in the Copper Canyon.
QO Nutrition emphasizes sourcing high-quality ingredients and ensuring the product is third-party tested.
Despite the saturated nutrition marketplace, Raul believes his product is needed and can help people improve their performance and overall health. Pursue a business that you believe in and are passionate about.
Overcoming challenges and setbacks is part of the process of building a startup.
A whole food plant-based diet can contribute to longevity and improved health.
QO Nutrition offers versatile products, such as Pinole cookies and electrolytes, that can be used for fueling workouts and as healthy snacks.
Taking risks and making the leap are essential for pursuing your goals.

Keywords

QO Nutrition, natural nutrition powder, whole food ingredients, meal replacement, fueling, training, Copper Canyon, Tarahumaras, pinole powder, endurance running, high-quality ingredients, third-party tested, performance, health, QO Nutrition, healthy living, nutrition, startup challenges, whole food plant-based diet, longevity, performance, Pinole cookies, electrolytes, expansion, taking risks