What happens when we stop defining ourselves by finish times, podiums, and performance metrics and start paying attention to who we are underneath the sport?

In this episode of Fireside Chat, I sit down with Wendy Mader for a conversation that goes far beyond racing. We talk about athlete identity, resilience, and the mindset shifts required to become a better version of ourselves both on the run and in everyday life.

Wendy shares why she introduces herself as a person first, athlete second, and how that perspective helped her navigate injury, recovery, and self-worth without losing her sense of self.

We dive into choosing hard things on purpose (hello, cold plunges), reframing setbacks as opportunities, and why endurance sports can blur the line between dedication and self-punishment.

We also tackle disordered eating in endurance culture, why it’s still so rarely discussed, especially among men, and what it looks like to pursue performance while protecting mental health.

No hype. No highlight reels. Just an honest, human conversation about sport, identity, and showing up fully long before the start line.

🎧 Tune In and Remember Who You Are.

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