Bryon interviews Synergy’s Eric Purdy about his endurance journey and mindset. Eric recounts traveling to Knoxville and then discusses why Ironman training felt uniquely consuming and intimidating, including triathlon cutoffs and the logistics of large races.

He describes going from an unathletic, overweight kid to finding strength training in high school and later shifting toward running after back issues, PT, and a first painful 5K. He credits a supportive community, coping with the Toys “R” Us closure through movement, and a Whiteface Mountain hike plus Joe’s challenge as catalysts for committing to the Wineglass Marathon, which became his biggest turning point for confidence. Eric explains marathon race-day highs and lows, training blocks (about 20 weeks for a marathon, ~6 months for triathlon), and emphasizes disciplined, scary goals, sharing them for accountability, and building supportive circles.

He cites the quote “You die with dreams or memories,” mentions writing himself a New Year’s email of goals, and lists his resume: 22 half marathons, two marathons with a third upcoming, four half Ironmans, and one full Ironman.

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On the Synergy Strong Podcast, host Bryon interviews Synergy member John Lanza, who has trained at Synergy for nearly three years and now attends 5–6 days a week while working to improve nutrition and lose 40–50 pounds. John shares his career story: starting at Rossi’s Pizza at 15, earning an accounting degree, then buying the business at 24 and owning it for 32 years, growing it to 35–40 employees and adding a franchise location, emphasizing consistency, quality ingredients, cost control, and hands-on management.

He discusses challenges balancing fitness with years of eating pizza daily, plans to retire at year-end, and strategies like 10,000 steps and frequent fresh-food shopping. John recounts major health crises including pericarditis that nearly killed him, lymphoma treated with six to seven months of chemotherapy and weight gain, and the loss of his wife Barb to pancreatic cancer, describing Synergy as key to his physical and mental healing. He advises younger people to take risks and work hard.

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In the first episode of the Synergy Strong Podcast, hosts Eric (Synergy trainer and run coach) and Bryon (Synergy owner and trainer) introduce the show’s mission of guiding busy adults through personal workouts and building community through future guests.

Bryon shares how a competitive, sports-focused upbringing as the youngest sibling sparked his drive for strength and leadership, leading him from soccer into football and lacrosse, weight-room training with friends, and an exercise science degree at SUNY Brockport where he played lacrosse and became captain. He credits an internship lead from a college friend for bringing him to Synergy in 2014, where he learned to coach non-athletic adults and helped sustain the business through COVID by shifting to virtual training.

After founder Joe moved west, Bryon chose to buy Synergy, taking on major debt to keep the business local, build a strong team, and prioritize family time while focusing on elevating the member experience across two locations.

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