YogiTriathlete Podcast

Hola YogiTriathlete community! We are so glad you are here with us for our May OH Show. We recorded this episode post cycling challenge and yoga retreat. We dive into takeaways, and through those, we discuss ways to live with less effort and more aligned with our nature.

We hope you enjoy the show, and thank you so much for tuning in.

We are sending a big shout-out of gratitude to YogiTriathlete patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- thoughts on our extended stay in Costa Rica

- trusting the process and staying the course

- practicing ahimsa and non-stealing

- yamas & niyamas = GPS system for life

- Costa Rica takeaways

- voice of the small self

- never count yourself out

- showing up for the possibility

- living against the grain requires courage

- daily practice of awareness

- something for everyone at Awake Minds Yoga Retreats

- retreat routine supports your life, digestion, and mindset

- a day in the life on retreat

- it takes no effort to be you

- releasing the need to know why

- living an awake life

Namaste-

Jess

We are coming to you on location for this episode at the Pura Vida Hotel in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Complete with background sounds of the bustling local community and nature at night as we gathered around our community table after stage two of the Pura Vida Cycling Challenge, La Vuelta al Mundo.

The longest of the five stages, this route is filled with microclimates and highly diverse terrain. Our day began with a relatively flat warmup (by Costa Rican standards). Then it took us through lush tropical mountain terrain, cigar and coffee plantations, a low desert climate near the Pacific Coast, and one of the most famous climbs that Costa Rica has to offer, "El Aguacate."

We share this episode with five athletes participating in this May's challenge, including co-founders Jennifer Vollman and Dan Casey. We intend for you to feel the familiarity within our group and the camaraderie that formed almost instantaneously. Lifelong friendships, many laughs, and long climbs, we hope you capture the vibe. Thank you for being on this ride with us and tuning into this episode.

NEXT CHALLENGE: September 2-6, 2023 | 10% Early Bird Discount available - Code: GRIT23

Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Pura Vida vision as reality

- more smiles and laughs in 5 days than anywhere else

- inclusivity with the local community

- what brought the riders to the Pura Vida Cycling Challenge

- most memorable feelings so far in the challenge

- language barriers do not compromise connection

- jungle heat and humidity

- Swedish coffee schedule

- cycling in Europe vs. Central America

- growth of female riders at Pura Vida

- local guides

- setting yourself up for a successful Pura Vida experience

- SAG vehicle experience

- experiencing joy through the eyes of the riders

- the roads are for everyone

Namaste-

Jess

Our guest today is Jeffrey James Binney, and he encourages us to look at the crazy thing we’ve always wanted to do and know that this is the time. He reminds us that we only live once, and we must make the most of it.

Jeffrey is a trail runner, adventure travel host, comedian, and speaker. He is the producer and director of "Once Is Enough," which is a film that documents his journey from losing his mom to obesity-caused heart disease to stepping onto the starting line of the world’s more difficult 100-mile ultramarathon.

This vegan son-of-a-pig-farmer has loved adventure from a very early age, and this film brings it all together; the inspiration, the loss, pain, exhaustion, failure, and triumph of life. "Once Is Enough" is a must-see, and this podcast is a must-listen, so thanks for tuning in.

Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- getting more people outside

- don’t put off living life

- inspiration from mom

- aspirations of being an astronaut and having adventures

- obsession with Lewis & Clark

- death as motivation to be healthy

- fixed mindset vs growth mindset

- motivation through external doubt

- moving to a plant-based lifestyle on a dare

- couch to 20 miler to 50 miler to 100

- path to making the indie film

- the miracle baby

- during the tough times in a race, pulling upon mom’s strength

- challenges in making the film

- Pacific Crest Trail adventure

- travel host experiences focused on inclusivity

Namaste-

Jess

Melissa is the newest addition to YogiTriathlete's coaching team. She started with us on January 1st, and her magnetism as a coach has attracted spectacular athletes to her roster so far. We love having her on the team alongside coaches Daniel, Chef Lynda, BJ, and myself.

The other piece we love so much is how it all went down.

Melissa and I connected on Instagram a few years ago, and I had the honor of spending seven nights and eight days with her on a retreat last year in Costa Rica. Of course, I now understand that experience poured the foundation for our expanded relationship that began last fall. On November 28th, we launched the OH Show, announcing we wanted to hire a running coach. On December 5th, Melissa posted on Instagram that she was looking to take on athletes for coaching, a post I saw the following day.

I immediately sent her a DM to see if she was open to talking, which she answered absolutely! But even before her response, I knew the person I described in my ask to the universe was just delivered. However, in all that is universal love, Melissa is everything we asked for and more. She is a long-distance runner, coach, triathlete, and herbalist currently finishing her Master's in Clinical Herbal Medicine at the Maryland University of Integrated Health.

Melissa's coaching surrounds running, strength training, cross-training, mobility, whole-body wellness, and herbal consultations for athletes who seek optimal human performance.

Her philosophy focuses on "pushing the boundaries we draw for ourselves and stepping past resistance."

Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Melissa's path to YogiTriathlete

- the experience of "retreat life"

- growth from contrast

- coaching perspective

- in giving, we receive

- band nerd to endurance athlete

- knowing when to rest in order to absorb fitness

- how cycling and swimming benefit run performance

- consistency and routine helps build good habits

- trust over fear

- connecting with ourselves through nature

- herbalism for athletes

- Melissa’s ethos - meditation, nutrition, mindset, and consistency

Namaste-

Jess

Today's guest is Damien Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Pillar Performance, a sports micronutrient company based in Australia. Damien and his team at Pillar are filling a gap between traditional sports supplements and pharmaceutical intervention to keep athletes doing what they love longer into their lives.

And we love that, and of course, we love the vegan tab on their website recognizing the growing population of athletes choosing to no longer eat animal-based products as a means to perform well.

But what we love even more and are committed to sharing is the story behind the product, the series of events that led to the creation of Pillar, and the "chance" meeting that initiated this and many of the 360-something podcasts that precede this one.

Indeed, this happens when you follow your heart, learn from your pain, and live life purposefully; the universe will conspire to support you and bring you the people that align with what you offer the world.

And this happened just a few weeks ago at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside when we met Damien. Within minutes I knew he had a story we wanted to share, and after trying the Pillar Performance product that night, it was evident we needed to get him on the show.

Damien is a former professional athlete well known for his injuries, which became a growing challenge that ultimately guided him to where he sits today and no doubt fuels his passion for supporting athletes' longevity in sport.

Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Damien's background as a professional rugby player

- his unique injury and how he prolonged his career

- a-ha moments

- do anything mentality

- work ethic trumps talent

- retirement and the launch of Pillar

- getting more athletes to more start lines more often

- why triathletes inspire Damien

- the biggest challenge for Pillar

- why triple magnesium?

- timing of micro-nutrition reaps major benefits for performance

- morning routine, meditation & swimming

- debuting Pillar at IM 70.3 Oceanside

- future and vision for Pillar Performance

Namaste-

Jess

Thank you for tuning in for our April OH Show. Coming together for an hour each month to throw down and reflect on life is a great joy. We intend that you take away many nuggets of gold. And please, a special request for this month. Post a comment and let us know if you want to sleep on Machu Picchu or live amongst giant tortoises.

One final shoutout to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Getting ready for the Pura Vida Cycling Challenge

- FOMO vs. JOMO

- Move, Meditation and Mindful Eating: A Class To Feed Your Soul.

- Awake Minds Newest Retreat February 17-21, 2024

- Pulling on the thread of curiosity

- What is a yoga adventure? Is it different from a yoga retreat?

- CAST YOUR VOTE: Sleep on Machu Picchu or live amongst giant tortoises?

- Ironman 70.3 Oceanside OH Show reflections

- Carlsbad 5000

Namaste-

Jess

While active in her early years, Callie adopted a lifestyle in college that left her staring down an early death sentence. It was a reality that her physician brought to her attention more than once, but it wasn't until she faced a one-mile walk to brunch that she decided to change.

A decade later, we find Callie on the other side of numerous ultrarunning events, including the Moab 240. And currently, she is gearing up for the iconic Western States 100 endurance run this coming June, where she will represent the Indigenous advocacy nonprofit Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs.

Please enjoy this story of a woman who took charge of her health and created herself a better world inside and out.

Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- the brunch that changed her

- building momentum slowly

- journey to running

- Moab 240

- running in the dark

- inspiration for others to pursue their passion

- food as fuel, not just pleasure

- fueling with GU Energy

- the ongoing forgiveness process & loving your body

- rebranding a runner's body

- what are you waiting for? Just do it

- the inchworm story

- full circle to the Western States 100

Namaste-

Jess

Welcome to our first smackdown of the 2023 season! Hot off the heels of IM 70.3 Oceanside, we are joined by Coach Daniel and three members of Team YogiTriathlete. We love capturing these episodes when the memories are fresh, and the muscles are still sore.

We intend that you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed listening to these fantastic athletes share their experiences. Thank you to our patrons who support this podcast and the Awake Athlete podcast on Patreon. If you want to learn about what it means to be a patron, please visit patreon.com/yogitriathlete.

In this episode, we discuss:

- our guests' life-changing stories

- of course, you can

- breathing practice to find calm

- working through the doubts/fears

- training with a heart condition

- feel more confident in swimming

- bike course unknowns

- race nutrition

- perspective is critical to success

- detaching from race results

- power of community

- parenting and training for a triathlon

- feeling worth the investment

- it’s not ALL or NOTHING

- communication is key for coaching at YT

- takeaways and growth

Namaste-

Jess

Gene Baur is the co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary. He is the star of YTP episode 17, which we recorded in 2016 when BJ and I lived on the road. We were staying in Ithaca, New York, and we'd drive to Watkins Glen, drop Clark off at a dog sitter, and then head to Farm Sanctuary, where we volunteered for seven days. It was a profound experience of transformation and hard labor.

Gene has been relentless in his advocacy of animals for almost four decades. He has visited hundreds of farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses, documenting deplorable conditions. Through his investigative and rescue work, he has educated millions about the plight of modern farm animals.

His message of compassionate living transcends age, race, or class and hits deep into the essence of who we are and begs the question - if we can live well without causing unnecessary harm, why wouldn't we?

From hob-knobbing with Hollywood royalty to debating on national television, countless public addresses, and authoring two books, Gene is showing this world that compassion is a superpower for good and in effect, has inspired many to shift their mindset around animals to friends, not food.

We loved this beautiful conversation and hope you do too! Thank you for tuning in. If you are enjoying the show, if it's assisting you with positive change in your life, please take a moment to leave a review on your preferred listening station. And then head over to Patreon and check out the perks of support; we couldn't do this each week without our patrons.

In this episode, we discuss:

- compassion is a superpower for good

- update on Watkins Glen, NY & Acton, CA locations

- the profound impact of veganic agriculture

- lawns transitioning to gardens

- find common ground to educate

- only 4% of mammals live free in the wild

- we are losing biodiversity

- obstacles to moving to a vegan lifestyle

- Hilda's story

- positive videos to raise awareness and open hearts and minds

- animals are social beings

- long walks in nature to process

- animal advocacy legislation

- future of Farm Sanctuary

Namaste-

Jess

Welcome to the March OH Show, where we show up, perhaps a bit punchy for this episode. Thank you for tuning in, and please send us your topics or questions for us to dive into next month.

Thank you, Patreon supporters, for keeping this and the Awake Athlete podcasts commercial-free. If you enjoy the show, please consider becoming a Patron to support your weekly content and indulge in great perks like weekly yoga or the Awake Athlete community.

In this episode, we discuss:

- running off the bike

- recap of our training days

- make time for the things that are important to you

- challenge habits and beliefs

- inner runner mobility program

- minimizing subscriptions

- minimal furniture

- decision fatigue

- things that make us lazy

- thrift books

- giving up before you start

Namaste-

Jess