Welcome back to the YogiTriathlete podcast, where we explore the edge of human potential through sport, mindset, and the relentless pursuit of what’s possible. I’m Jess Gumkowski and I’m here with my co-host and partner BJ. We’re super excited for today’s episode because our guest, Liz Perkoski, is here to smack down her experience solo thru-hiking the John Muir Trail — 24 days, total miles 270 including the 211 mile JMT and 51,000 ft of vert,  — which she completed just about a week ago.

Liz is a longtime member of the YogiTriathlete community, previously a VIP one-on-one athlete with BJ, and someone I’ve had the please of working with on mindset for the past year and a half, Liz is no stranger to yoga retreats and adventures and is currently an active member of our Endurance Squad. She’s the kind of athlete who quietly puts in the work, takes on big challenges, and often doesn’t realize just how extraordinary her achievements are. This was a massive undertaking, and today we’re going to unpack the preparation, the surprises, the challenges, and the moments that made this adventure one she’ll carry forever.

So without another moment passing, Liz Perkoski welcome back to the show. 

Welcome back to the YogiTriathlete podcast, where we explore the intersection of mind, body, and sport with those who are boldly living a life without limits. Today, we’re bringing the fire with a guest who has shown us what’s possible when relentless commitment meets a limitless mindset.

Brendan Hoehn is no stranger to this community—he was part of our Ironman Arizona First Timers series, and we highly encourage you to go back and listen to his journey through that monumental debut. But today? Today we’re celebrating something extraordinary. Brendan just threw down a 35-minute Ironman PR in Lake Placid—on one of the toughest courses out there, deep in the Adirondack Mountains. His performance left no doubt: this guy is only just getting started.

A VIP one-on-one athlete coached by BJ Gumkowski, Brendan is showing us what’s possible when training is built on trust, consistency, and inner belief. In this episode, we’re diving deep into his Lake Placid experience—his preparation, race-day mindset, nutrition, mantras, and what it takes to keep showing up, even when the road gets steep. Brendan’s potential is limitless, and today we’re cracking open his process so that we can all level up.

What happens when your race doesn’t go as planned—like a cancelled swim at Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts? In this episode, BJ takes us inside race day and the mental pivot from doubt to possibility. He shares how a "death hike" (no one died!) helped prep him for the unexpected, how his pre-meditation mindset might have derailed him in the past, and the one mantra that carried him through. We break down the gritty details of the run, those finish line feels, and the electric energy of community that reminded him why we show up, again and again. Plus, hear how Blanks Nutrition continues to fuel his podium performances and why Ironman Arizona is calling for those ready to join Team YogiTriathlete. This one’s all about presence, perseverance, and leaning into what’s possible—no matter what the day throws your way.

This week, we dive into the powerful story of Kristen Kelly — full-time OB/GYN, mom of two, and YogiTriathlete athlete who just qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. In this episode, Kristen shares how she breaks through the myth that there’s “not enough time” to chase big goals, carving out early mornings for her training — her sacred “chocolate cake” time before the world wakes up.

We explore how mental prep plays a role in racing strong, what it means to “be here now,” and how parenting can actually help us spread our wings. Kristen opens up about key training sessions, her daily routine, the surprising joy of stepping outside life’s routine, and the unexpected moment she realized she was Worlds-bound. It’s honest, energizing, and a reminder that with purpose and consistency, you can feed the joy of life no matter how full your plate is.

🎧 Tune in now — this one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if they can do it all. (Spoiler: You can.)

In this episode, we dive into the latest from YogiTriathlete life and endurance adventures. Jess shares reflections from her recent Galápagos yoga adventure, including plans to return in 2026, and announces her next challenge: El Cruce, a 3-day stage trail race across the Andes. She’s documenting her training journey on Strava as she prepares to enter the unknown. Meanwhile, BJ reflects on his own path toward Ironman 70.3 Massachusetts, discussing the importance of staying unattached to outcomes. Together, they explore themes of ego, self-awareness, sleep, and how YogiTriathlete continues to be more than a brand—it's a way of life.

Topics Covered: 

- Highlights from the Awake Athlete Podcast, including the prerace pranayama episode
- Jess’s Galápagos yoga adventure recap and announcement of a 2026 return
- Jess’s next adventure: El Cruce, a 3-day stage trail race in South America
- Jess’s El Cruce training documented on Strava
- Race route revealed only two weeks before the start
- Overview of Jess’s El Cruce training plan
- BJ preparing for Ironman 70.3 Massachusetts and the practice of entering the unknown
- Discussion on attachment to outcomes in training and life
- Exploration of how ego is not the enemy
- Insight on how we are all so self-absorbed and the opportunity for growth
- Thoughts on the importance of sleep for endurance and wellbeing
- Living the YogiTriathlete lifestyle with intention and presence
- Updates from the YogiTriathlete Endurance Squad

There’s a magic that happens when you say yes to life without needing to know all the answers. ✨

This week on the YogiTriathlete Podcast, Jess and BJ sit down, fresh from recording the Awake Athlete audiobook — a journey years in the making. They reflect on the adventure that brought them here: quitting their jobs, selling their house and everything in it, packing up their tiny car, and heading west with no roadmap except a deep trust in life.

What they discovered along the way was far more fruitful than just landing in California — it was the nurturing of an unwavering belief: keep moving forward, even when the evidence suggests otherwise.

When obstacles appeared, they didn’t retreat. They leaned in. They trusted the next step would reveal itself — and it always did. And here they are: recording Awake Athlete in a professional studio, with the help of their community — including their athlete Paul and their dear friend Katrina, who provided makeup support — bringing this work to life and sharing it with the world.

🎙️ On the latest episode, Jess and BJ dive deep into the power of allowing, trusting, and living urgently.

Tune in and be inspired to take your next step — even if you don't know exactly where it will lead. 🔥

The Oceanside 70.3 smackdown was everything—heartwarming, motivating, and full of FOMO-inducing vibes. These athletes showed up big, and their stories will light you up. This is so much more than a race recap. It’s a celebration of what’s possible when community, consistency, and courage collide. The hype is real for 2026—and we want you in on it.

Athlete burnout—it’s real, it’s sneaky, and it doesn’t have to be inevitable. In this unedited early release, we dive deep into the why behind burnout and the holistic, science-backed solutions to keep athletes thriving for the long haul. 💡

We cover:

✅ The hidden causes of burnout
✅ How to train smarter, not harder

✅ Mindfulness, recovery, and nervous system balance
✅ Why joy is non-negotiable in sport


Listen first, reflect, and let us know—what’s your biggest burnout breakthrough? 🎙️🔥

Read more about this too in our recent blogpost: 
How To Avoid Burnout

This episode was recorded just one day after Jessica returned from two transformative weeks in Chile—one leading a life-changing yoga adventure in Patagonia, the other immersed off the grid in the depths of nature.

From witnessing transformation in others to embracing her own, this experience was a powerful reminder of why she does this work. Tune in for stories from the trail, reflections on purpose, and the magic of Patagonia.

Life doesn’t wait, and neither do the lessons it throws our way. In this Pause episode, we dive into the power of being on time—not just for life’s appointments but for our own evolution.

From BJ’s return to running and the Holy Trinity of LVL to the mental virus of doubt and the upcoming Oceanside 70.3 team race, we explore the challenges that keep coming at us and how to walk our talk through them all.

Plus, a France yoga adventure on the horizon, the Ruggable experience (you’ll see), and the ultimate question: Where are you on the path?

Hit play and pause with us. 🎧🔥