*In this video: How do you keep competing at a high level when your body changes the rules? Sean Luitjens shares 38 years of triathlon wisdom, living with Crohn's disease, and what it really means to be a system of one.*
Nick Day and Hari Kalymnios welcome their very first guest on episode 87 of the Mindful Paths Podcast. Sean Luitjens is a lifelong triathlete, corporate executive, and performance coach who has competed for nearly four decades across Olympic distance, half Ironman, and full Ironman events.
The conversation covers what happens when late onset Crohn's disease forces you to completely rethink training, nutrition, and race day fuelling. Sean breaks down how he adapted his diet, learned to read perceived exertion over raw data, and found a way to stay competitive while managing a chronic illness.
They also explore the mental game of aging in endurance sport, including how identity gets tied to performance, why the journey matters more than the finish line, and what happens when you lose the happiness of training. Sean shares his "system of one" philosophy, the importance of gratitude in sport, and practical advice on balancing 12 to 16 hour training weeks with a corporate career and family life.
Whether you are an endurance athlete navigating setbacks, someone managing a chronic condition, or simply looking for a more mindful approach to fitness and life, this episode offers real perspective from someone who has been through it all.
Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, wellbeing, and the psychology behind living a mindful life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
đź“Ś *Connect with Sean Luitjens:*
👉 Sean Luitjens on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-luitjens/
👉 Metta Performance: https://mettaperformance.com/
👉 Metta Performance Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metta-performance/id1847733571
đź“Ś *Connect with Nick - JGA Recruitment:*
👉 Phone: 01727 800377
👉 Email: [email protected]
👉 Website: https://jgarecruitment.com/
👉 Nick Day's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/
👉Podcast Website: Mindful Paths Podcast: https://jgarecruitment.com/the-mindful-paths-podcast/
👉Transformational Coaching with Nick or Hari Enquiries: [email protected]
👉 Hari Kalymnios on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harikalymnios
👉Hari Kalymnios Website: https://harikalymnios.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*Timestamps:*
(00:00) Meet Sean: First Ever Guest on Mindful Paths
(01:55) The Brené Brown Episode Apology
(03:15) Why Spirited Debate Matters
(04:36) Sean's 38 Year Triathlon Journey
(06:17) Late Onset Crohn's Disease at 50
(08:16) Eating Like a Teenage Boy with Crohn's
(10:32) Race Day Nutrition and Fuelling Challenges
(13:15) The Mental Side of Chronic Illness in Sport
(15:26) When Ironman Becomes Your Identity
(18:04) The System of One Philosophy
(22:29) Training Hours at 56 vs Peak Years
(25:04) Balancing Family, Career and Ironman Training
(28:10) Dedication vs Passion in Endurance Sport
(30:53) Running Your Age in Miles Every Birthday
(33:18) Why Most Athletes Skip Strength Training
(37:14) Reframing Pain and Practising Gratitude
(40:03) The Couch to 5K Respect
(44:24) Recovery, Sleep and Biometric Tools
(49:46) Perceived Exertion as a Leading Indicator
(52:49) Mental Toughness in the Hurt Locker
(58:04) Why Athletes Need Permission to Train
(1:00:10) Final Advice: Be Adaptable and Just Start
