We all know that growth happens outside the comfort zone or that the "magic" happens outside the comfort zone. And we athletes might feel like we have succeeded in pushing ourselves past the comfort zone in our workouts and our races.  But we are here to challenge that notion.  How do you know when you are in the comfort zone?  What are the signs?  Even if we push ourselves in training, does that really mean we are out of our comfort  zone? And how do fear and vulnerability play a role? We challenge you in this episode to really think about if you are stepping outside your circle of comfort.  Have a listen! 

It's easy to be grateful when life is going your way, but is it possible to be grateful in the moment for life's challenges?  In this podcast, we discuss how you can transform your mindset by searching for gratitude in sport and life.  Some topics covered:

• Transforming negative experience 
• Finding growth in adversity 
• Embracing the present moment
• Quiet confidence 
• The power of goals and transformation 
• Embracing the journey over the outcome 

We are back with Part 2 of our body image podcast. We start with the pressure of appearance in professional sports and then move into understanding the relationship of weight and performance, and how to build healthy eating habits (no matter if your goal is weight loss, performance, feeling good, or all three). We discuss focusing  on health over aesthetics but also acknowledge the importance of feeling good in your body.  We went down lots of paths in this episode so have a listen! 

In this episode, we have an open and honest conversation on body image and sport. This episode was so long (and we could have kept going), that we are putting it out in two parts. In Part 1, we talk about body image and its impact on athletes and the pressure of performance. We delve into how childhood affects the way we see our bodies, as well as societal influences on body image. We even talk about Ozempic and debate about whether or not the era of "body positivity" is over.  A must listen for all athletes male and female, and we encourage you to be part of this conversation by emailing your thoughts to us at [email protected]. Have a listen! 

In this episode, we explore the idea of being a lone wolf- whether that means training alone, or if you are single, or if you feel like you are alone even while in a relationship.  We dive into how to communicate with supportive and unsupportive partners; how solo racing and training can instill confidence; how to balance time and relationships; and how to embrace independence and self-love. Have a listen! 

Season 4 of the IRLAG podcast is starting out with a bang (pun intended)!  How does being an athlete affect sex and libido? Does it differ by gender or training season?  We talk about all of this, plus the topics below.  Trust us, you don't want to miss this one!

• Sex as a performance booster 
• The role of sleep and stress in sexual arousal 
• Understanding emotional connection
• Role of communication
• Supplements 
• Saddle sores and other physical issues 
• Tips for enhancing your sex life as an athlete

In our last episode of 2024, we ask the not-so-simple question of "Did You Get Where You Needed to Go?" Perhaps it wasn't where you wanted to end up, but is it where you NEEDED to end up. We also talk about the two different interpretations of the word "need," and how that impacts how we view want vs. need.  And on another note, THANK YOU for listening to us for another year!  Please hit that follow button, share the podcast, and we will be back for season 4 in 2025!  

What happens when pain and injury become chronic? When the structural issues have healed and when doctors and PTs can't find anything else wrong, yet there is still pain? In this episode, we dive into the pain/brain connection as it relates to athletes with special guest, Daniella Deutsch. Daniella is the Co-Executive Director of WellBody Psychotherapy and the Co-Founder of the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center. Topics covered:

• Understanding Pain Reprocessing Therapy 
• Structural vs Neuroplastic Pain 
• Personality Traits and Pain Perception
• The Role of Fear in Pain Management
• Creating Evidence Lists for Pain 
• Scientific Evidence of PRT
• Myths and Misconceptions of Neuroplastic Pain

Have a listen! 

December is a strange month in the athlete universe.  Most athletes have come off a rest block or are about to take one; the days are almost at their shortest of the year; winter training groups might be on holiday break; and there may or not be any rhyme or rhythm to training.  We are here to help you through this month. Topics covered include how to come off a rest block, planning 2025, coaching, how to handle training in December, and if Angela and Amy can punch each other in a boxing class ;). Lots of info and fun in this one, as usual! Have a listen. 

Angela and Lindsay Long (coach and athlete of Angela's) join Amy for a race recap of Ironman Cozumel.  And although there is talk of the gorgeous swim, the 3 loop bike, and the hot run, the conversation detours into adjacent topics- how to do 3 Ironman races in 4 months, colliding with a truck (!!), and debates on carb consumption and hydration and fueling. So much is covered in this podcast and a massive congrats to both Lindsay and Angela on their strong performances to wrap up their 2025 season. Have a listen!