Jess and BJ welcome ultrarunner and recent Moab 240 victor Jesse Haynes to the show. It's safe to categorize this one under story-telling; for the majority of this episode, Jesse takes us through his incredible journey like a verbal journal entry. From his relentless yet unsuccessful pursuit to drop out and the surprise visit on the trail that had him sprinting full gas to the finish, Jesse gives us all the details of his unexpected win.

Jesse has been in the ultra game for over a decade now but has been a runner even longer. With too many races under his belt to count, Jesse has taken some epic wins, a few DNFs, and many top tens and podium spots. Still, perhaps something even more important is that at 50, Jesse appears to have found a longevity recipe in the sport of running that keeps him going and at the top of his game.

Not only does running run through his bones, but it also runs through his household in partnership with his wife, ultrarunner, race director extraordinaire, and YTP guest Keira Henniger, who we had on the show in November 2020.

Thank you so much for tuning in; we truly hope you enjoy the show.

In this episode:

- Jesse's Moab 240 recovery

- Having a plan but a loose plan

- His only goal for Moab 240

- Three-minute naps and the solar eclipse

- Working through pulmonary edema

- Planning to drop and ultimately winning

- Power of being in first place

- Chasing a headlamp that was never there

- Jesse's turning point in the race

- Being hunted

- Hallucinations and falling asleep standing up

- All things are possible

Welcome back to the OH Show, where Jess and BJ open up and get honest about life, training, and racing. They are here to answer your questions, dive in deep, and uncover the limitations holding us back that we may not otherwise uncover. Submit your questions today for the next OH Show, DM, or comment on this post.

Thank you for tuning in for this episode; sit back, relax, and get ready as BJ opens up about his preparation to race his fastest IRONMAN yet!

To follow along his journey, join him over at patreon.com/yogitriathlete for his weekly Vlog leading into IRONMAN Texas 2024.

In this episode:

- Episode 400 guest?

- Art of manifestation

- We must use our will to concentrate the mind

- Interval training for the mind

- BJ’s journey to his fastest Ironman

- Backup races - Yay or Nay?

- What does it take to achieve your fastest race yet

- Unrealistic desires

- Big goals, mental requirements

- Inspired action

- First-timers race - Ironman Arizona 2024

- The myth of choice

- Exciting adventures ahead

Namaste-

Jess

Jess and BJ welcome back Dr. Monica Davern to the show.

Dr. Monica Davern, MD MPH, is a practicing pediatrician, vegan athlete, and mom to 2 little boys. She is the creator of Mighty Roots, an elevated resource for parents seeking better health and connection with their kids. Be sure to read this entire post for a special YTP listener offer!

Jess and BJ first met Monica in 2017 at Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa, briefly in the expo and then the following morning in the wee dark hours as they boarded athlete shuttles to the swim start in Lake Sonoma.

Over these years, they have stayed in touch; Monica was on Team YogiTriathlete for a time and is now turning her attention to her latest offering, Mighty Roots.

The three of them dive into that and much more as they catch up with fellow athlete and friend Dr. Monica Davern.SPECIAL

Thank you for joining Jess and BJ for this episode; if you are enjoying this commercial-free content, make your pledge, as little as $5/month, on patreon.com/yogitriathlete today.

In this episode:

- moving forward from the "sucks enough" moment

- the high stakes of emergency care

- the day Monica will never forget

- parenting two adventurous sons

- bringing plant-based lifestyle to families

- Monica’s plant-based story

- inspiration for Mighty Roots

- important gut biome and education

- family meals critical bonding and obesity prevention

- time in nature without structure

- Leafy Littles: masterclass for families

- What we need to know about cow’s milk, antibiotics, allergies and more

- overcoming picky-eaters

- iron absorption fussiness

- progress over perfection

- exposing a variety of foods to children

- include children in the shopping and preparing of meals

OFFER FOR YTP LISTENERS:

Her new offering is Leafy Littles, a 5-week online course to help parents on a transformative journey to plant-based nutrition for the whole family. In this course, you'll learn how to confidently provide perfect plant-based nutrition for your kids and rediscover calm, clarity, and connection at mealtimes.

Whether you are looking for a total wellness overhaul or have been vegan for years and want to be confident providing the right nutrition to your littles... THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU!

Head https://www.mightyroots.org/leafylittles to enroll

Use the code YOGITRI for a 20% discount.

Jess and BJ welcome professional triathlete and flight attendant Svenja Thoes to the show today.

Svenja never thought or lived like she would race the best of the best on the big island, but that is precisely what she did a few weeks ago. Today, the three of them unpack her experience, unlikely backstory, and vision of the future.

After winning a contest at work, she was given entry into Ironman 70.3 Mallorca. At the time, she didn't swim, she didn't bike, and sometimes she ran with her dog. But when race day showed up, so did Svenja.

She claimed 2nd in her age group that day and qualified for the 70.3 World Championship, where she went on to win her age group.

Over a decade later and a recent top 20 finish at the big dance on the big island, we can safely assume this woman was meant for triathlon.

Thank you for joining Jess and BJ for this episode; if you are enjoying this commercial-free content, make your pledge, as little as $5/month, on patreon.com/yogitriathlete today.

In this episode:

- big change from when she was a child

- her journey in turning professional

- pressure to race as a pro vs age group

- first Ironman experience

- goals for her Ironman World Championship race

- what calls her to persevere

- 5th fastest run in Kona

- feeling all alone and being ok

- running on fumes to the finish

- making a decision to risk it in spite of fears, doubts

- who Svenja looks up to

- going all in with triathlon

- starting from the unknown

- coach/athlete relationship

- training sessions she loves

- plans for the future

- shifting to a positive mindset

Namaste-

Jess

Alec Merlino is living a big life, pursuing his dreams, exploring opportunities, pushing his limits in endurance sports, and figuring it out as he goes along.

Having walked away from a full-time career to pursue a life unscripted, we're sure Alec has come upon a moment or two of uncertainty as he creates his life. We dive into it all during this episode.

Alec came into our awareness after moving to Carlsbad, and I believe it was during one of his endurance challenges of which he has done his fair share -  5k a day, Calendar Club Challenge, going for a KOM on Kauai and most recently plunging into an ice cold bath every day of the year. For you Survivor buffs, you may know Alec from Season 37, aired in 2018, and also in the global obsession White Lotus, Season One.

We were so grateful to sit down in person with Alec earlier this month and hope you enjoy his adventurous spirit and unwavering belief in his dreams.

Thank you for joining Jess and BJ for this episode; if you are enjoying this commercial-free content, make your pledge, as little as $5/month, on patreon.com/yogitriathlete today.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Roots of his love for cycling

- Detachment from outcomes

- Craving big challenges

- Why endurance sports?

- Life moments that led to being on Survivor

- KOM love

- The upbringing that shaped his adventurous life

- From panic attacks to riding with full presence

- Lone wolf mentality

- Leaning into fear, doubt, and anxiety to move through it

- Alec's relationship to patience

- The journey of life IS the joy

- Rule of thirds

- Desire to push the mental limits more

Namaste-

Jess

Many years ago, 2009 to be exact, YogiTriathlete founders BJ and Jess took the double win at a local triathlon in Boulder, CO taking home the grand prize of two big burritos. Since that day, every time they both take the win, they refer to it as the "Big Burrito Win" and they almost had another just a few weeks ago at the Mission Bay Triathlon in San Diego. However, BJ's first-place ranking quickly moved to second place as the results rolled in, and then was left to watch how his mind wanted to cling to the top step of the podium. Oh, the work of taming the mind is never done but it assuredly does become easier to let things go along the way.

This episode is a great reminder to all triathletes and the triathlon-curious that swim, bike, run is a triathlon at any distance. On this particular weekend, Team YogiTriathlete athletes spanned the distances from the Ironman World Championship full distance of 140.6 to the mini kids sprint in the birthplace of triathlon. So no matter the distance, no matter the pace triathlon is meant to be celebrated, not minimized.

Thank you for joining Jess and BJ for this episode, if you are enjoying this commercial-free content make your pledge, as little as $5/month, on patreon.com/yogitriathlete today.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Travel to unseen lands without bumping into tourists

- Women's only IRONMAN World Championship in Kona

- Making your strength stronger

- Many touches in the water

- The run record in Kona goes down 

- Longtime Team YogiTriathlete athlete races Kona!!! 

- "Acting as if" is not "fake it till you make it"

- Mission Bay Triathlon recap

- Big burrito win!

- How the mind reacts to race results

- Lose the word “just”

- Building a local YogiTriathlete San Diego team

- Training camp January 12-14, 2024 SIGN UP TODAY

Namaste-

Jess

Time and again, year after year, we continue to hear the unfolding of the amazing lives shared on this show, and it's always so cool when we connect with a YT listener who is finding great purpose in life and willing to share.

Jayme Linker reached out a few weeks ago to introduce herself, which left our jaws on the ground. This woman is living off the front of adventure and fueling it with a purpose of service and an attitude of health and well-being for all, including herself.

Jayme has been an extreme adventure athlete for over a decade, starting in Obstacle Course Racing and now a world record holder as an ocean rower.

Jayme is the 1st US female to row both the Atlantic and Mid-Pacific Oceans and is working towards the next record-breaking project for the summer of 2024. Her team will become the first to embark on a circumnavigation attempt of all three oceans, starting with the Indian Ocean, then the Atlantic Ocean, and ending with the Pacific Ocean.

Jayme and her teammate Owen will row for several causes, including Eating Disorder Awareness, which is close to Jayme's heart and life experience.

We know that pain transmuted is fuel for a purposeful life that can serve many, and by utilizing her own battle with eating disorders, Jayme is committed to facing her fears so that others may benefit.

It's an inspiring episode of one woman's great battle and the undefeatable spirit that keeps her reaching for more.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Jayme's journey with eating disorder

- Obstacle course racing

- Gathering the skills of a rower

- Ocean row metrics

- Trusting your teammates and your skills

- Making her own food for her ocean crossings

- Training on no water and little sleep

- Practice eating "fear foods" so the brain will not restrict

- Training for survival adventures on land

- 6-8 hours training daily

- One hour per week spent rowing

- Logistics of rowing, fueling, and sharing space

- Eating disorder awareness and raising funds

- Circumnavigation of three oceans back to back to back

- Dimensions and features of her ocean boat

Namaste-

Jess

Today, we have not one but two of the most sought-after coaches in the world.

Lawrence Van Lingen and Erin Carson have risen to legendary status in the world of endurance sports by following their curiosity and not worrying too much about what the mainstream says about mobility and strength for athletes.

Guided by intuition and strong intellects, these two coaches are staples in the lives of A-List athletes like Jan Frodeno, Rudy Von Berg, Taylor Knibb, and Paula Findlay.

Erin is making her three-peat appearance on the show today, having first come on the show back in 2018 for episode 114 and then just a few months ago for episode  373.

Lawrence first came on the show in 2019 for episode 184, which was also his first podcast ever. After recently speaking to Erin and then learning that Lawrence has left his So Cal contingency for the athletic mecca of Boulder, Colorado, we were inspired to get these two on together.

They eagerly said yes because they are amazing and love this community, and we love listening to the passion they have for everyone to realize free movement in their body.

Thank you for tuning in, and please comment to let us know how you enjoyed this episode.

If you find value in the YogiTriathlete and Awake Athlete podcasts, please join us on Patreon for as little as $5/month to make a difference in the life and reach of these shows.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Letting go of labels

- A creative way of being

- We are not all created equal

- The drudgery of sameness

- Being on a journey, not just solving problems

- Memorable moments from 2023 PTO, IRONMAN and WTS racing

- Working with Jan Frodeno in his final year of racing

- Mastery of movement vs outcome

- Ashleigh Gentle, Alex Yee, Rudy Von Berg, Cassandra Beaugrand

- Why the Nice course demands presence

- PTO's influence on the future of triathlon

- Relax to run fast

- Cushioning vs compliance

- Running is an efficiency sport

- Taylor Knibb and Jason Pohl's successes

- Humans learn through play

- Pulling tires

Namaste-

Jess

Today, we are thrilled to welcome professional ultra trail runner and Ironman triathlete Lucy Bartholomew to the show. Lucy has talked so openly about the high highs and the low lows of doing what she is called to in this life, and yet she continually persists to, as she says, uplevel to a new devil.

At age 27, Lucy is already a trail running veteran with course records, podium finishes, and many lessons along the way. Lucy has crossed the finish line at the most significant events in the sport, like the Tarawera Ultramarathon, Western States, and, most recently, Ultra Trail Du'Mont Blanc, where she placed 10th.

She has also embarked on solo adventures that have taken her to the limit, like the 231 K trek along the Larapinta Trail in Australia's Northern Territory. Salomon Running created a fantastic film, Running Out, which documents this incredible feat. But the piece that caught our attention was last year when Lucy crossed the finish line at Ironman Western Australia and qualified for the Ironman World Championship, which takes place in Kona, Hawaii, in just a few weeks.

Trail and triathlon, they said it couldn't happen, and now it is all the time. We love the crossover, we love what we've seen in following Lucy's story, and we're so grateful to have this beam of sunshine with us today. We hope you enjoy the show.

Thank you for listening. Be sure to check out NEW PATREON tiers to support this, and the Awake Athlete podcasts; let's keep both commercial-free!

In this episode, we discuss:

- Finding flow again at Tarawara

- UTMB and Ironman World Championship

- Pinnacles of the sport side by side

- Endurance sports is problem-solving with a little exercise in between

- Happening "to" you or "for" you

- Process and privilege of getting gritty

- The honor of knocking on the pain cave door and being let

- Calm, confident, curious

- Outrun the love of running

- When you think you know it, you don’t

- All gear, no idea

- Biggest learning from Ironman Western Australia

- Nutrition changes from ultrarunning to triathlon

- Lucy’s dad's experience at Western States 100 Endurance Run

- Trusting intuition to fuel the body with plants

- Favorite dish from her cookbook - Dahl - zero waste recipe

- Resonating with professional athlete Heather Jackson

- Favorite moment of UTMB

Namaste-

Jess

It's been a minute since our last race smackdown, and we're excited to be bringing back the tradition today.

In this episode, BJ and I share the mic with YT coach Melissa Gansz and YT athlete Patrick Testoni, who crossed his first 70.3 finish line at this race. These two faced their fair share of obstacles in their training, traveling, and race execution. They are both generous and honest with the information they share and how much of their experience is aided by their mindset training.

We hope you take many nuggets of gold away as you listen, and if you desire more community in your life, perhaps joining Team YogiTriathlete is your next step. We'd love to have you with us!

Thank you for listening. Be sure to check out NEW PATREON tiers to support this, and the Awake Athlete podcasts; let's keep both commercial-free!

In this episode, we discuss:

- First time experiencing IM 70.3 Santa Cruz

- A journey to becoming a swimmer

- Challenges as a part of feeling fulfilled

- The barrage of pre-race obstacles

- Being a leader when no one is looking

- Let go or be dragged

- Santa Cruz bike course

- Race mantras

- First time 70.3 finish line experience

- The power of community

- Nurturing the desire for something more in life

- Finding the right fit for coaching

Namaste-

Jess