Metta Performance

In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome coach Ryan Kohler for a practical conversation about endurance coaching, recovery, and long-term athlete development. Ryan brings more than 20 years of experience translating sports science into coaching for cyclists of all ages. They discuss how to balance drive with rest, why recovery and detraining are part of progress, and how to keep high achievers engaged without burning them out. Enjoy!

In this episode, Holly sits down with Abigail Michelini to explore the relationship between performance, failure, creativity, and embodied living. Abby shares how poetry, teaching, and long-distance running have shaped her identity, and why learning to “suck at something” can be a powerful path to growth.

https://www.abigailmichelini.com/

Deena Kastor: Let Your Mind Run https://a.co/d/0dtOlVgC

It’s okay if it sucks at first. In this episode, Kim Griffith joins Sean and Holly and shares the mindset that helped her grow from a CrossFit athlete into a full Ironman competitor: keep showing up, stay patient, and trust the process. Progress doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from doing the hard thing long enough to get better. We hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, Holly Benner, Sean Luitjens, and Michael Seiler answer questions from our listeners. In this coaches chat, we discuss strategies for managing nerves, mental preparation, and the lessons endurance sports teach us about life and leadership. We share practical tips for athletes facing challenges and how to apply these insights beyond sports. Enjoy!

How do athletes stop self-sabotage, manage performance anxiety, and build confidence that holds up under pressure? In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome certified mental performance consultant Carrie Jackson to explore the psychology behind sustainable performance. Together, they break mental performance training into practical, repeatable skills that athletes and coaches can apply in sport, work, and life. The conversation explores why the brain naturally focuses on threat, how self-talk shapes confidence and performance, why dwelling on uncontrollable factors drains valuable energy, and how to prepare mentally for difficult moments before they happen. You’ll also learn practical strategies for strengthening confidence, improving focus, navigating pressure, and making your mindset an asset rather than a barrier.

Learn more about Carrie here: https://carriejackson.com/

How do leaders sustain high performance without losing the human side of work? In this episode, Michael welcomes Jason Fonder to explore how consistent coaching, smart use of data and AI, curiosity, resilience, and a people-first culture create stronger performance over time. This conversation also examines why leaders should invest in high performers, how to learn from failure without using data as punishment, why company values must be simple enough to live every day, and how the right mentors and support system can help you move through a career crossroads. Enjoy!

How do race directors create safe, memorable endurance events, and what can leaders learn from the pressure behind race day? In this episode, Sean and Holly welcome Jeff Smith from https://www.outsiderendurance.com/ to learn how he does it. This conversation explores the year-round work required to plan triathlons, manage safety, coordinate volunteers, respond to emergencies, and deliver an athlete experience that appears effortless. It also examines how endurance sports build confidence, adaptability, and calm decision-making when plans change. Enjoy!

Find one of Jeff's events to sign up for here: https://www.outsiderendurance.com/

In this episode, Michael welcomes Theresa Andrews who shares her journey from Olympic gold medalist to successful executive, highlighting lessons on teamwork, resilience, visualization, and leadership that apply both in sports and business.

Topics

Resources

Olympic Race - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3fCggOGYsE

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-andrews-523b2a30/

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_Andrews

How can athletes, leaders, and HR professionals build sustainable high performance in a world that is changing faster than ever? In this episode of the Metta Performance Podcast, Holly welcomes Jeremy Shapiro and Lisa Csencsits to explore how feedback, resilience, and mindset shape the way people perform in sport, work, and life.

You’ll hear how personal challenges can redefine performance, why feedback often becomes valuable after discomfort, how sport teaches adaptability and courage, and why the future of work should be designed around growth, development, and meaningful human contribution. Enjoy!

How can endurance athletes stay motivated, adapt their training to real-life demands, and determine whether their bike fit is supporting—or limiting—their performance? Michael and Sean explore these questions and more with guest Tom Regal.

This episode examines the connection between a strong coaching mindset, sustainable training, race-day adaptability, and effective bike fitting. The conversation reveals why progress requires more than simply completing every workout, how a clear sense of purpose strengthens consistency, when a road bike may be the smarter choice, and what athletes should ask before hiring a bike fitter.

Listeners will also learn how injury history, flexibility, posture, riding goals, and ongoing follow-up shape a cycling position that is comfortable, efficient, and built for long-term performance.