REACH YOUR APEX

REACH YOUR APEX

By ESTRANYOLEFT NETWORKSportsScienceHealth & FitnessFitness
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REACH YOUR APEX episodes

  • ben kanute - New Era, New Goals

    A quiet reset with big stakes—Ben Kanute rethinks training, life, and legacy with a new coach and a fresh start.

    What happens when an Olympian decides to start over? In this episode, Neal sits down with long-course triathlete Ben Kanute, who recently relocated to Boulder and joined Neal’s coaching program. Together, they talk about what it takes to shift gears mid-career, rework your training from the ground up, and keep the fire burning while raising a young family and racing at the highest level. With Ironman Frankfurt on the horizon, this is a timely and honest look at the journey behind the jersey.

    In this episode:
    – Why Ben hit reset after over a decade of pro racing
    – The shift from chasing power numbers to training with intention
    – Life in Boulder and adjusting to altitude, parenting, and priorities
    – How Neal’s coaching approach is evolving with athletes like Ben
    – What to expect heading into Ironman Frankfurt and beyond

    Follow us:
    @apexcoachingco on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky
    apexcoachingco.com | estranyoleft.com

    🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more athletes find the show.

    59 min
  • Taylor phinney

    In this episode of The Reach Your APEX Podcast, Neal Henderson sits down with one of his most accomplished and most personal athletes — Taylor Phinney.

    From junior world championships, Olympic near-misses, Tour de France breakaways, and career-defining victories — to the hard realities that come after stepping away from professional racing — Taylor opens up about his entire journey.

    Neal and Taylor talk candidly about coaching, career pressure, reinventing your identity after racing, and finding new meaning in cycling outside of performance. It’s not just a conversation about results — it’s a conversation about what happens after the finish line, and how the bike can still serve a purpose long after the racing ends.

    For anyone navigating the highs and lows of high performance, this one delivers.

    Key Topics:

    Taylor’s early racing years and first connections with Neal

    Life as a young pro and rapid rise through the WorldTour

    Injuries, setbacks, and managing the mental toll of elite racing

    Redefining his relationship with cycling after retirement

    Building community, creativity, and adventure into riding today

    What younger athletes can learn from his career experience

    55 min
  • # 8 RYAP Hotel, Motel, Holiday Win
    If you’ve been listening from the start—thank you. This little podcast experiment with Neal Henderson started as a way to bottle up decades of coaching wisdom and turn it into something useful for anyone chasing a better version of themselves. But we’re stepping it up now.
    More guests. More real talk. More episodes that go beyond watts and whoop scores.
    This week, we’ve got Leah Van der Linden—pro cyclist, coach, and absolute road-trip ninja. She joins Neal for a deep dive on how to travel like a pro and still race like one, too. From busted bikes to burrito mistakes, this episode is equal parts goldmine and group therapy for anyone who's ever tried to fly with a disc brake bike and a dream.
    We’re making a point with this one: Reach Your APEX isn’t just about training plans and FTP. It’s about showing up, fully. Even if that means floor pumps, air tags, or dodging gas station roulette.
    🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube—or wherever you tune in.
    💡 And if you’ve got ideas or questions you want covered, hit us up. This is your ride too.
    👉 Support the network: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mygirona
    #ReachYourAPEX #Estranyoleft #CyclingLife #GravelTravel #PodcastFuel
    48 min
  • "Beyond the Miles: Mastering Long-Distance Gravel Races"
    Long gravel races test more than just your endurance—they challenge your training methods, bike handling, strength, fueling, and mental toughness. In this episode, coaches Neal Henderson and Jeff Hubler unpack their experiences and insights on training smarter, not harder, for long gravel events like Unbound and Trans Cordillera.
    Key takeaways include:
    Why longer training rides aren’t always better (and how to optimize duration)
    Essential strength training to handle unpredictable gravel terrain
    Proven fueling strategies that prevent mid-race disasters
    Crucial bike-handling and mechanical skills every gravel cyclist must master
    Prepare strategically, train intelligently, and ride your best gravel event yet. Listen now.
    33 min
  • Why Rest Days Make You Faster: The Science of Recovery with Andrea Devorak
    Rest isn’t weakness—it’s where the real gains happen. In this episode of Reach Your APEX, coach Neal Henderson is joined by endurance athlete and coach Andrea Deak for a deep dive into why recovery is the most underrated performance tool in the game.
    They break down:
    The difference between rest, recovery, and overtraining
    How to spot the signs of burnout and emotional fatigue
    Why elite athletes plan rest first—not last
    Real-world stories from Andrea’s time as a pro cyclist, swimmer, and Unbound finisher
    What to do when life forces you off the bike
    If you’re stuck in a plateau, dragging through workouts, or just afraid of taking a day off—this episode is your permission slip to train smarter, not harder.
    31 min
  • Gravel Race Start Strategy with Leah Van Der Linden
    What makes a gravel race start smooth—or turn instantly chaotic? In this episode of Reach Your APEX, Neal Henderson is joined by APEX Coaching’s Leah Van Der Linden, a former D1 soccer player, ski cross national champ, Ironman finisher, and now pro gravel racer.
    Together, they break down the start line dynamics that define success or disaster on course. From mass starts at Unbound to rolling timed segments at Paydirt, Leah shares what she’s learned across 50+ races—including how event formats are evolving, why women’s field dynamics matter, and how she plans her nutrition, positioning, and pacing to gain a competitive edge.
    With practical insight and honest storytelling, this episode maps out what every racer should know before their next gravel start line.
    49 min
  • How to Not Ruin Race Week: The Apex Blueprint for Event Success

    Event Week Planning: Your Blueprint for Race Day Success

    You’ve logged countless training hours, dialed in your nutrition, and sacrificed to get to this moment. But without careful preparation, race week itself can derail everything you've worked for.

    In this insightful episode of Reach Your Apex, expert coaches Neal Henderson and Zach offer a detailed, no-nonsense breakdown on mastering the crucial final days before your event. From proper tapering techniques to precise logistical planning, they equip you with essential knowledge to maximize your performance.

    In this episode you’ll discover:

    The Science of Tapering:
    Why it’s more nuanced—and critical—than you might think.

    A Day-by-Day Plan (Monday to Sunday):
    How to structure your week to stay sharp, rested, and race-ready.

    Expert Logistics and Nutrition Tips:
    Proven strategies to eliminate common mistakes with travel, gear, and fueling.

    Mental Strategies for Race-Day Excellence:
    Practical visualization and psychological tools to conquer stress and boost confidence.

    Whether you're targeting the podium or aiming for a personal best, this episode provides a structured plan to arrive at your start line physically primed and mentally focused.

    Reach Your Apex is proudly brought to you from Boulder, Colorado, delivering elite-level coaching insights to endurance athletes everywhere.

    31 min
  • Fitness Gets You In the Game. Skills Pay the Bills.
    The Hidden Wins: Maximizing Race Day Performance Without Changing Fitness
    In this episode, Neal Henderson is joined by elite cyclist Andrea Deák to
    dismantle the myth that fitness alone determines race outcomes. Drawing on
    decades of coaching experience and elite-level racing, they explore the
    true differentiators—technique, strategy, equipment, fueling, group
    dynamics, and mental mastery. Whether you're targeting your first gravel
    race or trying to edge out a podium finish, this conversation is your
    blueprint for extracting every watt of performance you've earned—without
    changing your FTP. Think of it as your marginal gains masterclass.
    Expect actionable insights. No fluff. Just real-world wisdom to help you
    Reach Your Apex.
    36 min
  • Strength Matters: How to Move Better, Stay Healthy, and Boost Performance
    In this episode of The Reach Your APEX Podcast, Neal Henderson sits down with Jeff Hoobler—expert strength, movement, and mechanics coach—to discuss why strength training is crucial for endurance athletes. They explore why proper technique and consistent, intentional strength training aren't just beneficial for performance, but essential for long-term health, injury prevention, and overall resilience. Discover how to correctly start your strength training journey, why maintaining a neutral spine and proper movement patterns are critical, and how consistent strength work positively impacts everything from injury prevention to bone density. Whether you're new to strength training or refining your current routine, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to enhance your performance and longevity.
    30 min
  • Crack the Code : How Testing Reveals Your True Cycling Potential
    Welcome to Reach Your Apex—the podcast where champions are made and limits get left in the dust! In this episode, Neal Henderson (world-renowned cycling coach and human performance guru) teams up with elite cyclist and coach Zack Gregg to dive headfirst into the fascinating, often misunderstood world of physiological testing.
    Ever wondered why some riders can just push harder, longer, and smarter? Neal and Zack crack open their decades of lab (and saddle) experience to help you unlock your true cycling potential. Whether you're a seasoned racer chasing podiums or just rolling into your cycling journey, this episode will help you navigate the mysteries of FTP, VO2 Max, lactate thresholds, and beyond—without overwhelming you with data you can't use.
    Expect laughs, real stories from Neal’s time as a self-proclaimed "human guinea pig," and plenty of insights that'll help you understand exactly why testing isn't just for pros—it's your personal blueprint to becoming faster, stronger, and smarter, no matter your starting point.
    So clip in, crank it up, and let’s crack the code to your true cycling potential!
    #EatRideSleep #CyclingLife #PerformanceTesting #CyclingCulture #ReachYourApex
    38 min

About REACH YOUR APEX

From the publisher's feed

Introducing The Reach Your APEX Podcast – A New Era in Coaching and Performance