🧠 Episode Summary

In this special solo episode, Christoffer reflects on the end of the agility season and the importance of using the active rest period wisely. As the competition year wraps up, this is the time to pause, reflect, and plan ahead.

Christoffer walks you through how to evaluate the year that’s been — what went well, what didn’t, and what lessons you can carry forward into the next. Drawing from sports science and mental training principles, he explains how goal-setting, reflection, and structured planning create continuous growth for both handler and dog.

This episode will inspire you to define what success means for you, set bold goals that push you outside your comfort zone, and build a clear plan to achieve them in 2026.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🐾 For Agility Handlers

Whether you’re an experienced competitor or planning your first season, this episode helps you think like a champion. You’ll learn how to balance training, life, and rest — and how to align your actions with your long-term vision.

🔗 Resources & Links

📘 Join the Agility Mindset Community — get access to Christoffer’s Planning for Agility Success 2026 course, templates, and live coaching.

PS:🎁 Founding Member Offer: First 100 members (or before Oct 31) receive a signed physical copy of The Agility Mindset including access to the community at a discounted price

💭 Quote of the Episode

“You are the superstar of your life, and you have to define what success means for you.”

00:00 Welcome to The Champions Journey Podcast

00:56 Purpose of the Podcast

02:08 Defining Success and Setting Goals

02:36 Active Rest Period and what to do in this period

03:56 Planning and Training Strategies

05:45 Reflecting on the Past Year

10:15 Setting Ambitious Goals

13:25 Creating a Detailed Plan

24:04 Final Thoughts and Community Invitation

In this episode of The Champion’s Journey, host Christoffer Endresen sits down with Dave Munnings, one of the most respected figures in the world of dog agility. The episode opens with a heartfelt tribute to John Nys, the beloved U.S. team leader and influential member of the agility community, who recently passed away.

Dave shares his personal journey from his early beginnings in agility to becoming a world-class competitor in the sport. He reflects on how handling techniques have evolved over the years and how his professional career has been shaped.

The conversation explores a range of insightful topics, from the progression of agility course design to the critical importance of proper warm-ups and cool-downs for canine athletes. Dave also discusses his experiences at major events such as Olympia and the World Championships, offering behind-the-scenes perspectives on what it takes to perform at the highest level.

Further, he delves into his contributions to the UK agility scene and shares exciting updates about his latest venture, Nexus Agility. The episode closes with Dave’s reflections on patience, perseverance, and the vital role that strong support systems play in achieving lasting success in agility training.

And BIG NEWS - He is getting a sheltie!

Timestamps
00:00 In Memory of John Nys
02:59 Introduction to The Champion’s Journey Podcast
04:01 Meet Dave Munnings: Agility Champion
08:04 Dave’s Early Days in Agility
11:12 Competing on the World Stage
14:05 The Evolution of Agility Training
29:02 The Importance of Warm-Up and Cool-Down
31:33 Reflecting on Dobby’s Retirement
33:00 Transitioning to a New Dog
33:47 Adapting to New Handling Techniques
36:59 The Evolution of Agility Courses
41:13 Support Systems in Agility Training
45:16 Challenges and Changes in UK Agility
51:10 Traveling for Competitions Post-Brexit
53:02 Memorable Moments and Achievements
55:11 Lessons Learned from Dogs
57:28 Future Plans and New Adventures
59:59 Podcast Conclusion and Gratitude

Dave Munnings Online Training
https://www.qme-agility.co.uk/ 


👇 Stay connected & get more: 
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey
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Leaving the Comfort Zone

📌 Subscribe to The Champion’s Journey so you don’t miss future episodes.

In episode 008, host Christoffer Endresen delves into the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to facilitate growth. He explains the real purpose of setting goals and tackling the discomfort and challenges that come with them.

Endresen discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, facing limiting beliefs, and the significance of accountability and community support. He shares personal stories, including publishing his book and starting this podcast, to illustrate his points. Listeners are encouraged to stretch their boundaries, reflect on their desires, and take actionable steps towards achieving their goals.

Ready to take your mental game to the next level?
👉 Join the Agility Mindset Community here: 
https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/join-the-community-cpj 

Want to dive deeper into mental training for agility?
🎥 Sign up for our next free webinar here: 
https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/pl/2148705245 

00:00 Introduction to Episode 8
00:12 The Purpose of Setting Goals
01:00 Challenges of Leaving the Comfort Zone
02:08 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
03:04 Expanding Your Comfort Zone
05:01 Anticipating and Managing Discomfort
09:36 Personal Stories of Growth
12:30 Building a Supportive Community
17:47 Conclusion and Encouragement

👇 Stay connected & get more:
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book 
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey 
📩 Newsletter: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christoffer_endresen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogagilityperformance 

Overcoming the Odds: Enya Habel's Journey

In this episode of the Champions Journey podcast, Enya Habel shares her inspiring story from the early challenges of her youth to becoming a top dog agility competitor. Enya talks about her dedication to the sport, her unique training methods, and the importance of mental resilience.

She also recounts the harrowing experience of her partner Marcus’s near-death incident and his miraculous recovery and comeback. The episode highlights the significance of perseverance, the value of seizing opportunities, and the lessons learned from our canine companions.

Enya also discusses her collaboration with Susan Garrett and Max Sprinz on a groundbreaking agility training program - Synergy Handling 360. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that grit and a positive mindset can help overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Resources & Links: 

00:00 Summary of clips
01:44 Introduction to the Champions Journey
03:01 Enya Hobel's Agility Journey
05:51 Moving South: A Leap into the Unknown
10:01 The Impact of Early Life and First Dog
22:54 Training with Limitations and Overcoming Obstacles
36:51 First World Championship Experience
41:33 Overcoming Setbacks in Agility Competitions
42:55 The Unique Challenges of Agility Sports
50:13 Building a Community and Training Facility in Luleå
01:02:15 A Life-Changing Event: Marcus's Cardiac Arrest
01:06:25 The Road to Recovery and Triumph
01:13:57 The Impact of Dogs on Life Perspective
01:17:35 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

👇 Stay connected & get more: 
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey
📩 Newsletter: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christoffer_endresen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogagilityperformance 

Description:

In this episode of The Champion’s Journey, Christoffer Endresen sits down with Max Sprinz, one of the brightest young stars in agility. At only 26 years old, Max has already won the European Open three times — with two different dogs — and has collected a staggering number of medals across Europe.

From being afraid of dogs as a child to sleeping in the garage of a motorhome just to get to competitions, Max’s journey is one of persistence, vision, and sacrifice. In this episode, you’ll hear about the struggles, breakthroughs, and mindset shifts that shaped him into the champion he is today.

Resources & Links: 

00:00 Clips from the episode
01:03 Introducing Max Sprints
02:29 Max's Early Achievements
02:59 Podcast Introduction and Subscription
04:02 Max's Journey Begins
04:34 Facing Early Challenges
07:16 Developing a Growth Mindset
07:46 Overcoming Fear of Dogs
09:15 First Steps in Agility Training
13:26 The First Competition
15:54 Learning from Others
19:04 Sacrifices and Investments
23:50 Dreaming Big and Working Hard
35:54 Reflecting on Progress
39:40 Biggest Struggles and Finding Confidence
41:13 Standing Up for Yourself
43:18 Making Decisions in Competitions
45:25 Balancing Coaching and Competing
53:17 Breakthrough Moments and Challenges
58:43 Personal Growth Through Agility
01:03:07 Collaborating with Susan Garrett and Enya Habel
01:12:15 Future Goals and Reflections
01:14:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

👇 Stay connected & get more:
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey
📩 Newsletter: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christoffer_endresen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogagilityperformance 

In this solo episode, Christoffer steps away from interviews with agility champions to share a powerful mental tool you can use on your own journey: gratitude.

We often take things for granted—our dogs, our training, even simple things like clean water or electricity. By practicing gratitude and using techniques like negative visualization, we can shift our mindset, appreciate what we already have, and improve how we experience both life and agility.

Christoffer explores:

This is a deeply personal and reflective episode, designed to help you find perspective, appreciation, and confidence in your agility journey.

👉 Don’t miss the next episode with Max Sprinz, where gratitude and growth continue to be central themes.

Resources & Mentions:

📌 Subscribe to The Champion’s Journey so you don’t miss future episodes.

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 5: A different kind of episode
01:00 – Gratitude: A universal agreement across science & philosophy
02:00 – Doubts, expectations, and stepping outside the comfort zone
04:00 – Struggles with daily gratitude lists
05:15 – Reframing: From “grateful for” to “what I take for granted”
06:15 – Negative visualization explained (Stoic philosophy)
06:49 – Simple example: Appreciating clean tap water
08:35 – Electricity, internet, and other “invisible luxuries”
10:03 – Shifting perspective and mindset with gratitude
10:58 – Weekly practice: The exercise of taking things for granted
12:15 – Applying gratitude practice to agility trials
13:50 – Expressing gratitude vs. just writing it down
14:40 – A personal story: Writing gratitude letters to people & dogs
16:10 – Appreciation, expectations, and Tony Robbins’ quote
17:00 – Applying appreciation to dogs, agility, and life
18:00 – Closing thoughts and thank you to the listeners
18:40 – Teaser for next week: Interview with Max Sprinz

👇 Stay connected & get more:
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book 
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey 
📩 Newsletter: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christoffer_endresen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogagilityperformance 

Chris Kerton – Beyond Easy.

In this episode of the Champions Journey podcast, host Christoffer Endresen interviews Chris Kert, also known as Kert, about the ups and downs of his journey in dog agility. The discussion encompasses Kert’s initial skepticism about the sport, his early struggles, and the perseverance that has driven his achievements.

Kert shares insights into the importance of handling skills, fitness, and training the dog in front of you. He emphasizes consistency and commitment in both agility training and personal fitness. Kert also touches on the broader benefits of fitness, the impact of support systems, and his perspective on balancing life priorities. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of mentorship, consistent training methods, and the small, incremental steps to achieving success.

00:00 Introduction to Dog Agility
00:52 Meet the Guest: Chris Kerton
03:37 Kert's Journey into Agility
06:38 Early Challenges and Learning
09:43 Training Philosophy and Techniques
13:30 Setting and Achieving Goals
16:57 Overcoming Training Obstacles
25:33 Current Dogs and Training Insights
28:24 Mentorship and Continuous Learning
34:33 Training Snickers: A Unique Approach
36:19 Reflecting on Training Progress
38:05 The Importance of Mindset and Perspective
39:15 Acknowledging Support and Help
43:05 Consistency in Training Methods
44:06 Physical Fitness and Agility
54:24 Social Media and Unrealistic Expectations
57:08 Starting Your Fitness Journey
01:08:03 Balancing Agility and Life
01:11:00 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

💪 Ready to take your fitness to the next level?
✨ Discover what Karma Fitness is all about – watch the video now! 🎥🔥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ6Fq1Z7LcQ

👇 Stay connected & get more:
📘 Book: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/book
🎙 Podcast: https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/podcasts/the-champion-s-journey
📩 Newsletter:https://www.dogagilityperformance.com/ 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christoffer_endresen/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogagilityperformance

In this episode of the Champions Journey podcast, host engages in an insightful conversation with Renan Campos, a 35-year-old Brazilian competitive dog agility handler.

Renan shares his remarkable journey from starting agility at 16 in Brazil to achieving top placements at major events like the European Open and the Agility World Championship (AWC). He discusses the significant dedication required, the challenges of training in a resource-limited environment, and how working with a sports psychologist revolutionized his competitive mindset.

Renan emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey, celebrating small achievements, and valuing the community and experiences agility brings. He also reflects on the critical role his wife plays in his training and competition routines, as well as the invaluable lessons he has learned from his dogs.

This episode is a compelling account of resilience, passion, and the intricate dynamics of competing at the highest levels of dog agility.

00:00 Unexpected Victory: A Brazilian Champion's Journey
00:35 Introduction to the Champions Journey Podcast
01:39 Meet Renan Campos: A Brazilian Agility Enthusiast
02:26 Life in São Paulo: Challenges and Training
04:16 The Long Road to Competitions
06:28 Balancing Work and Agility Training
07:29 Starting in Agility: Renan's Early Years
10:48 International Competitions: The Dream and Reality
13:59 The Impact of Role Models and Achievements
16:03 The Emotional Journey and Personal Sacrifices
21:30 ICE: The Dog That Made History
27:53 Mindset Shift: From Nerves to Confidence
33:40 Letting Go of Results
34:02 Support System: My Wife
37:56 Challenges in Agility Training
42:10 Reflecting on Achievements
53:29 Dealing with Social Media Pressure
58:48 Lessons from Dogs
01:01:40 Looking Ahead
01:03:06 Conclusion and Farewell

Focus, Breath, Trust, Repeat – Interview with Diane Patterson

In this episode, Diane shares her journey in the world of dog agility, starting in her early 40s and spanning over two decades. She discusses the challenges of training different dogs, the importance of patience and mindset, and the significance of having the right support system. Diane reflects on her proudest moments, including winning the Westminster Master Agility Championship and the Senior World Championship.

She emphasizes the value of asking questions, being kind to oneself, and maintaining a balance between training and enjoying life with her dogs. The conversation also highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in achieving success in dog agility.

The Champion's Journey: Embracing the Growth Mindset

In the first episode of The Champion's Journey, host Christoffer Endresen introduces the podcast and its mission to share the untold stories of agility champions. Inspired by Carol Dweck's concepts of fixed and growth mindsets, Christoffer emphasizes the importance of understanding the struggles and efforts behind success.

The episode encourages listeners to embrace the process of growth and to see success through their own definitions. Prominent agility figures like Diane Patterson, Renan Campos, Chris Kerton, and Max Sprinz will be featured in upcoming interviews, offering inspiration and motivation to the agility community. Listeners are invited to subscribe to the podcast and sign up for the Daily Champion Newsletter for regular affirmations, quotes, and actionable challenges.

00:00 Welcome to The Champion's Journey
00:08 Purpose and Motivation Behind the Podcast
01:08 Understanding Growth vs. Fixed Mindset
01:52 Carol Dweck's Assignment and Its Relevance
02:57 Personal Experience in the Agility Community
04:53 Defining Success on Your Own Terms
06:31 Embracing the Struggle and Growth
08:04 Applying Agility Training Principles to Yourself
09:01 Invitation to Follow the Journey
10:00 Subscribe and Stay Updated
11:06 Introduction to the First Guest
11:54 Upcoming Interviews and Conclusion