El Cruce was a three-day initiation into a deeper way of meeting life.
An initiation rooted in willingness — to meet whatever arose without resistance.

After 27 weeks of training, El Cruce wasn’t something Jess needed to survive or conquer. She had earned her place on that starting line. Not because she knew how it would unfold — but because she trusted how she would meet it.

In this episode, she shares what it was like to step into Patagonia immersed in Argentinian culture, surrounded by energy, rhythm, and language she didn’t understand — and how that language barrier became a gift. A quiet. A witnessing. A rare inner stillness in the middle of so much movement.

We talk about fear — the kind that keeps you alive, and the kind that keeps you from living — and how willingness becomes the antidote to overwhelm. We walk through her race strategy across each stage, the mantras that anchored her, and the mindset that allowed the experience to stay fluid rather than forceful.

This conversation also goes into the practical pieces: nutrition, recovery, daily routines, and camp life — and why integration matters just as much as effort. Training doesn’t end at the finish line. It reveals who you’ve become.

This isn’t a hype episode.
It’s an honest look at what it means to meet the unknown without collapsing or controlling — and how that way of meeting life is available to all of us.

In this episode, we sit down with longtime YogiTriathlete athlete Claire Bruce, a quiet storm of determination who’s been part of our community since the earliest sparks of YT back in 2016. Claire has just returned from the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain, where she delivered one of the most powerful races of her life. Nearly a run PR on a world stage, unshakable presence from start to finish, and a pocketful of lessons that will carry her straight into the 2026 season as she aims to qualify for Nice, France.

We rewind a decade to the moment Claire first crossed paths with us, and trace her evolution from strong athlete to steady force of mindset and resilience. She opens up about the art of long-term development, the way belief matures over years of consistent showing up, and the quiet inner work that builds champions.

We also dive into her race adventure in Spain, from the joys and jolts of international travel to the emotional tapestry of racing overseas. Claire offers a grounded, honest recap of her day, revealing the grit behind her near-PR run and the unwavering tenacity that has defined her entire athletic path.

Claire is a gem in the YT community, a mirror of what is possible when an athlete chooses presence over panic, consistency over chaos, and self-belief over doubt. This conversation is heart, fire, and fuel for anyone playing the long game in sport or life.

In this episode, YogiTriathlete recaps BJ’s Ironman Arizona race day from start to finish. They break down race-morning energy, the training behind his fastest bike split ever, and the mindset shifts and mantras that kept him grounded throughout the day.

The team dives into BJ’s fueling strategy on the swim, bike, and run using Blanks Sports Nutrition and The Right Stuff, and the experience of racing alongside YogiTriathlete athletes. BJ also shares the most meaningful moment that unfolded out on the run course, along with his thoughts on perseverance and what never giving up really looks like.

This episode brings listeners inside the heart of race day—strategy, grit, presence, and purpose.

In this episode, BJ and Jess sit down to explore what it really means to race free—to show up for your goals with full heart and zero attachment.

BJ shares his winning mindset as he prepares for Ironman Arizona, revealing what it takes to truly go for the win. Jess brings insight from her own path toward El Cruce, a three-day ultramarathon through the Andes, and the inner transformation that’s unfolded along the way.

Together, they unpack:

It’s raw, real, and full of lessons from the front lines of racing, relationship, and self-mastery. Enjoy the show!

In this latest YogiTriathlete Podcast, Jess and BJ sit down for one of their favorite types of conversations—the unscripted kind where stories, insights, and laughter weave together naturally. From Clark’s unforgettable dish towel story to reflections on the Tour de France (including what type of riders they’d be), this episode is packed with presence, perspective, and plenty of fun.

They dive into big themes like the need for purpose, being willing to feel your feelings, and how the words we choose shape our reality. The discussion flows through wisdom from the Upanishads, moments that created major life shifts, and practical training talk—from fueling choices for specific sessions to the importance of consistency over perfection.

Jess brings us all up to speed on her El Cruce training, while BJ shares an update on his Ironman Arizona training, plus a recap of the Solana Beach Triathlon.

Whether you’re here for mindset, sport, or simply the joy of the YTP banter, this one will leave you with something to carry forward into your own life and training.

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