✨ Pause ✨ the gap between stimulus and response. The space where dreams meet realization. The place where magic happens.

Today we chat about:

- Our 8-hour meditation
- 30 days of hot yoga flow
- Building YogiTriathlete 
- Our "likes" and "dislikes" create our suffering
- BJ's new hoodie - letting something go and allowing something in
- Bike camp update from Jess
- Our favorite moment from 2024
- Ironman Arizona Race Day Recap Movie now on YouTube

Join us for this new interim series of the YogiTriathlete Podcast as we riff on life from the pause.

It’s not about stopping; it’s about listening, waiting, and allowing what’s next to reveal itself.

We’re so grateful to have you with us in this space.

✨ Pause ✨ the gap between stimulus and response. The space where dreams meet realization. The place where magic happens.

After wrapping our inspired Ironman Arizona First Timers series, we’re stepping into the pause—where reflection, recalibration, and possibility unfold.

Join us for this new interim series of the YogiTriathlete Podcast as we riff on life from the pause.

It’s not about stopping; it’s about listening, waiting, and allowing what’s next to reveal itself.

We’re so grateful to have you with us in this space.

In this special Coaches Roundtable episode, we sit down with YogiTriathlete Coach and Clinical Herbalist Melissa Gansz to reflect on her incredible race day performance at IMAZ. From achieving the 6th fastest run in her age group to nearly securing a Kona qualification, Melissa’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and preparation.

Beyond her race, Melissa shares how her dual role as a coach and athlete influenced her experience and what she’s bringing back to her athletes. Joined by BJ and Jess, this discussion dives into the power of the coach-athlete bond, the mental game of endurance sports, and the thriving YogiTriathlete community that continues to inspire athletes worldwide.

Let’s close this chapter together with Melissa and the YogiTriathlete team.

What does it take to become an Ironman? In this special wrap-up episode, we bring you behind the scenes with Team YogiTriathlete’s first-time Ironman finishers—Laura DeGroot, Brendan Hoehn, Patrick Testoni, and Emma Santangelo—as they reflect on their incredible journeys to the Ironman Arizona finish line.

From the unforgettable moment of hearing “You are an Ironman” to the lessons they’ll carry forward, this episode dives deep into the heart of endurance and the strength of community. We also celebrate Coach Melissa Gansz, who executed a stellar race with the 6th fastest run in her age group and joined Emma in coming so close to a Kona qualification.

This is more than a recap; it’s a celebration of resilience, connection, and the power of daring greatly.

We know this podcast has changed the lives of many, you are to thank for that as well.

Become a podSQUAD member and support the podcast today.

-> Support the podcast

On October 5th, BJ faced a challenging bike crash, leaving him on crutches with painful and significant injuries. The odds of even making it to the Ironman World Championship start line seemed impossible—but BJ didn’t let the “evidence of now” define his future.

Instead, years of mental training and an unshakable belief in possibility fueled his comeback.

Fast forward to October 26th: BJ defied all expectations. From swimming just a minute shy of his best World Championship time to conquering the grueling marathon mile by mile, he crossed the finish line under the Kona night sky—a living testament to resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

Today, BJ shares how he rose above one of life’s biggest setbacks and how this journey is transforming his leadership, athleticism, and vision for YogiTriathlete.

✨ Ready to be inspired? Listen now and hear how BJ showed us all what’s possible when grit meets purpose. 

Since 2016, you’ve kept the YogiTriathlete Podcast commercial-free, and today, we’re showing our gratitude with an early release just for you! Join us as we check in with our incredible Ironman Arizona first-timers, Emma, Brendan, Melissa, Patrick, and Laura. Less than three weeks from race day, these athletes share their experiences, from excitement to nerves, as they prepare to cross the finish line. Tap in to witness their final strides of preparation and feel the powerful heartbeat of the YogiTriathlete community. 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Your support fuels these stories—let’s keep it going!

In the latest installment of our Ironman Arizona First Timers series, we're joined by Melissa Adams, a two-time Ironman finisher and proud member of Team YogiTriathlete, coached by Master Coach BJ Gumkowski.

Melissa's first Ironman was at IRONMAN Arizona, so who better to offer insight, inspiration, and raw honesty as our first-timers prepare for their big day?

This episode isn't just about crossing the finish line—it’s about what comes after. Melissa shares her unfiltered reflections on the unexpected challenges and moments that follow race day: from surprising chafing and sleepless nights to the best post-race shower of your life and that relentless fog of exhaustion that hits two days later.

Melissa reminds us that the journey doesn't end at the finish line. It's these lesser-discussed moments that define the full experience of an Ironman and show the strength needed to navigate the aftermath. If you're gearing up for your first race or have ever pushed yourself to the limit, this episode will resonate deeply.

We know this podcast has changed the lives of many, you are to thank for that as well. Become a podSQUAD member and support the podcast today.

-> Support the podcast

🎧 Tune in and let us know what you think.

We’re back with another incredible story from our Ironman Arizona First Timers series, and today, we’re honored to introduce Patrick Testoni—a true example of resilience, transformation, and the power of taking leaps of faith.

Patrick’s journey into triathlon began just last year, but his path to health and wellness has been nothing short of extraordinary. Once facing homelessness, Patrick has since rebuilt his life, fully committing to endurance sports, movement, and a plant-based lifestyle. His story is one of courage and reinvention, from overcoming personal hardship to now standing on the brink of his greatest athletic challenge—Ironman Arizona.

As an energy management professional, athlete, and performance mindset coach, Patrick’s holistic approach to training sets him apart from others and makes him a perfect match for Team YogiTriathlete. He’s integrated hypnotherapy and mental conditioning into his preparation, helping himself and others push through barriers to reach new levels of achievement.

From his first team meet-up at Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz 2022 to the present day, Patrick’s journey has been marked by his commitment to taking risks, staying dedicated, and embracing the unknown. Join us as we explore how these leaps of faith have shaped his path and brought him to the start line of Ironman Arizona.

We know this podcast has changed the lives of many, you are to thank for that as well. Become a podSQUAD member and support the podcast today.

-> Support the podcast

🎧 Tune in and join us as we follow Patrick toward his Ironman finish line.

Today, we continue our journey toward IRONMAN Arizona with Coach Melissa Gansz—an endurance athlete, 70.3 World Championship Qualifier, master in Clinical Herbal Medicine and about to be a first-time IRONMAN.

In this episode, Melissa shares how Ironman training is not just about pushing through barriers, but also about releasing into your edges and holding an open mind. She knows that to succeed, athletes must learn to move through and with their training, allowing themselves the flexibility to adapt and grow.

As a YogiTriathlete coach, Melissa takes a holistic approach, blending traditional endurance training with herbal adaptogens and elixirs to help her athletes optimize recovery, reduce stress, and enhance their overall performance.

Melissa is an integral part of our 1:1 coaching community and during her weekly livestreams alongside Master Coach BJ, she provides invaluable insights to her fellow Ironman competitors, giving them a natural edge as they prepare for race day.

Tune in now to hear how Coach Melissa Gansz is preparing herself for the ultimate endurance challenge at IRONMAN Arizona next month.

We know this podcast has changed the lives of many, you are to thank for that as well. Become a podSQUAD member and support the podcast today.

-> Support the podcast

In this episode of the YogiTriathlete podcast, we continue our Ironman Arizona First-Timers series with a deep dive into the transformative journey of Brendan Hoehn, a committed member of Team YogiTriathlete.

Brendan’s path to endurance sport began after a life-changing moment at age 25, when he fell asleep at the wheel following years of heavy drinking. With the help of his dog Obi and a newfound dedication to running and yoga, Brendan embarked on a journey of personal growth that led him to the YogiTriathlete community.

From attending his first YogiTriathlete training camp to completing a 50k ultramarathon, Brendan has fully embraced the Awake and Ready life. Now, as he prepares for his first full Ironman at IMAZ.

Brendan reflects on the lessons and experiences that have shaped his path. Join us as we uncover how this powerful journey has redefined Brenden’s life and continues to propel him toward his biggest athletic challenge yet.

We know this podcast has changed the lives of many, you are to thank for that as well. Become a podSQUAD member and support the podcast today.

-> Support the podcast

🎧 Tune in and join us as we follow Brendan toward his Ironman finish line.