What if one bike ride could change the entire trajectory of your life? In Episode #554, Coach Rich Soares sits down with Bill Plock, Ride Director of Colorado's Ride, and Zed Pitts, Founder of Veloflow Projekt, to explore the unexpected ripple effects of endurance sports. From life-changing friendships and new opportunities to veteran recovery, purpose, and community impact, this conversation reveals how saying "yes" to a challenge can create connections that extend far beyond the miles ridden. Rich shares how meeting Zed during Colorado's Ride in 2024 led to relationships and opportunities that continue to shape his journey today. Whether you're a cyclist, triathlete, runner, or someone searching for a new adventure, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most important thing a bike carries isn't the rider, it's the opportunity for transformation.

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What does true transformation look like? In Episode #553, Coach Rich Soares sits down with Chris Sjothun to explore a journey defined by persistence, growth, and resilience. After multiple setbacks with the 70.3 swim, Chris refused to quit. Through consistent training, mindset shifts, and belief in the process, Chris turned a long-standing weakness into one of the greatest victories of the athletic journey. From overcoming self-doubt in open water to preparing for IRONMAN California, Chris shares the lessons that helped him build confidence, develop grit, and embrace the power of transformation. If you've ever questioned whether you'll reach a goal after repeated setbacks, this conversation is proof that your breakthrough may be closer than you think. 

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What does it take to keep moving forward when life delivers its toughest challenges? In this inspiring conversation, Lucy Zate shares a remarkable journey from competitive athletics and Ninja Warrior events through injury, personal loss, and ultimately becoming an IRONMAN at Lake Placid. Along the way, Lucy discovered that resilience is not something we're born with. It is built one decision, one challenge, and one step at a time.

Hosts Rich Soares and Kristin Overton explore the lessons Lucy learned through adversity, the importance of community, and how endurance sport became a vehicle for growth, confidence, and purpose. Whether you're training for your first race, chasing a new personal best, or navigating life's unexpected setbacks, this episode is a powerful reminder that our greatest victories often happen far beyond the finish line.

✅ From Ninja Warrior competitions to IRONMAN Lake Placid
✅ Overcoming injury and redefining athletic success
✅ The role of community during life's hardest seasons
✅ Lessons in resilience, perseverance, and grit
✅ What it felt like to hear, “Lucy Zate, You Are an IRONMAN”
✅ Why the next scary goal is already calling

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What does it really take to become an IRONMAN? In this inspiring episode, Coaches Rich Soares and Kristin Overton sit down with Lauren Brown to discuss the months of preparation, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and the unforgettable moment she crossed the finish line at IRONMAN Lake Placid. This is not a race recap. It is the authentic story of perseverance, consistency, and personal transformation. Whether you're training for your first race or chasing a lifelong endurance dream, Lauren's journey proves that extraordinary achievements are built one disciplined step at a time. 

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Think race day is all about fitness? Think again. The difference between a smooth, confident performance and a chaotic morning often comes down to one thing—your pre-race routine. In this episode, Coaches Rich Soares and Kristin Overton walk you through how to stack the odds in your favor with a repeatable system that covers everything from race rehearsals and fueling to transition setup and mental prep. Because when you eliminate the guesswork, you unlock your best performance.

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Race day is supposed to showcase your fitness—but too often, it exposes execution gaps instead. In this episode, Coaches Rich and Lauren break down the most common race-day mistakes that sabotage performance, from pacing errors to fueling missteps and mental breakdowns. You’ll learn why execution beats fitness, how early discipline sets up a strong finish, and practical strategies to protect your race from avoidable disasters. If you want to race with confidence, stay in control, and finish knowing you gave your best effort, this episode gives you the framework to do it right.

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This episode is brought to you by Vespa Power Products, helping endurance athletes optimize fat metabolism and unlock steady, efficient energy so you can perform stronger for longer.

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Think you need more time to train? Think again. In this episode, Coaches Rich and April flip the script on the biggest excuse in endurance sports and show you how to thrive inside a full calendar. You’ll learn practical strategies like the A/B/C workout system, habit stacking, and energy-based scheduling so you can stop chasing perfect weeks and start building consistent ones. If your life is busy (and whose isn’t?), this episode delivers a clear, actionable playbook for turning limited time into meaningful progress—without sacrificing your career or relationships.

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Running well off the bike is one of the biggest performance separators in triathlon—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Coaches Rich Soares and Lauren Brown break down exactly why the run feels so hard after the bike, from neuromuscular fatigue to fueling mistakes and pacing errors. You’ll learn the most common reasons athletes blow up, how to avoid them, and the key strategies to help you run strong, efficient, and in control on race day. If you want to stop surviving the run and start racing it, this episode gives you the roadmap.

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In Episode #546 of the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast, Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde sit down with legendary endurance coach Bobby McGee to break down the essentials of run mechanics. Known for coaching Olympic medalists and world champions, Bobby shares how to simplify complex concepts into practical cues that any athlete can apply. From improving efficiency and reducing injury risk to unlocking free speed—this episode is packed with actionable insights for runners and triathletes looking to elevate their performance.

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In this episode, we take you inside the world of elite bike fitting with Ivan O’Gorman, a world-renowned fitter based in Niwot, Colorado who works with top professional triathletes and cyclists. We break down why a professional fit is one of the highest ROI investments you can make—impacting comfort, power, aerodynamics, and injury prevention. Ivan shares his approach to assessing athletes, the technology behind modern fitting, and real-world examples of how small positional changes drive big performance gains. Whether you’re new to the sport or chasing your next PR, this episode will help you understand what it takes to ride like the pros.

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