Endurance Unlimited

Heat Adaptation Hacks for Cyclists: How the Pros Master Sauna Protocols, Active Heat Training & Performance Gains. Discover the power of heat acclimatization to boost resilience, race readiness, and recovery in any climate. Pro coach Ben Day unleashes the secrets of modern endurance training through practical protocols and behind-the-scenes stories from Girona, Boulder, and the pro peloton. This episode peels back the science of heat training—from sauna and hot tub sessions to sweat-inducing paint suits and indoor trainer hacks—and reveals how every athlete, from ambitious amateurs to WorldTour contenders, can unlock cardiovascular and performance gains with just 7-14 days of heat exposure. Learn how to: Integrate heat training into your annual plan for serious marginal gains without burning out Dial in the balance between active (trainer, paint suit) and passive (sauna, hot tubs) protocols to match your schedule Track adaptation using heart rate, power, core temperature, and good old-fashioned athlete feedback for a complete picture Avoid common mistakes—why “more is not better” and the art of nailing your heat adaptation window for race day Whether you’re prepping for a midsummer gran fondo, an early Tour Down Under, or just want a physiological edge, you’ll hear exactly how the world’s best apply cutting-edge research and TrainingPeaks tools to bring it all together. Consistency, structured feedback, and smart scheduling are the name of the game—get the pro tips to adapt faster, recover better, and take your performance into the red-hot zone.

In this episode, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich joins host Dirk Friel to dive into the ambitious launch of Modern Adventure Cycling—a new American cycling team that’s already making waves on the international stage. With decades of experience racing and leading teams, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich share what inspired them to tackle this monumental project, how they overcame challenges in building their roster, and why fostering a positive team culture matters more than chasing results. From candid stories about assembling their squad to detailing their unique approach to high performance and athlete development, this episode is a masterclass on leadership, adaptability, and what it means to create opportunities for the next generation of American cyclists. Plus, hear behind-the-scenes moments from training camps in Girona, their unexpected invitations to world-class races, and the philosophy that guides them as they strive not only for podiums, but for lasting impact in the cycling community. 00:00 Power Analysis and Lap Comparison 03:09 "New Devices, Metrics, Automation" 07:50 "Inside Modern Adventure Pro Cycling" 12:04 "Securing the Deal to Start" 13:43 "Selecting Young Cyclists Wisely" 18:14 Supporting Riders, Building Futures 21:40 "Building a Team We Wanted" 24:26 Teamwork Boosts Morale 27:52 "Coaching: Data vs. Connection" 31:58 "Adjusting Plans for Race Invites" 33:11 American Cycling's Ambitious Revival 36:04 "Performance Priorities and Future Goals" 40:20 Emerging American Cyclists in Spotlight 42:54 "Team Unity Drives Success" 47:51 "Maintaining American Presence Abroad" 50:42 "Endurance Unlimited Podcast Sign-Off"

In this episode, we dig into an inspiring athlete’s evolution, exploring the high-stakes world of elite road marathoning and the tough transition to trail and ultra running. Olympic marathon bronze medalist Molly Seidel and her coach, Cliff Pittman, join us to walk us through her running journey —overcoming chronic injuries, recalibrating her goals after an Olympic medal, and battling the mental and physical challenges that come with shifting from polished pavement to rugged singletrack. You’ll hear firsthand how Molly faced setbacks, from broken bones to burnout, and how her passion led her to the trails. Cliff shares how he’s helping Molly adapt her world-class engine for the unique demands of ultras, blending thorough communication, athlete autonomy, and strategic training techniques. From dialing in race nutrition to conquering technical descents, this episode delivers real lessons — plus a behind-the-scenes look at one of the newest and most intriguing athlete-coach duos in endurance sports. Whether you’re a long-time road runner, aspiring ultramarathoner, or endurance coach, you’ll find wisdom, humility, and plenty of practical takeaways on embracing change, trusting the process, and honoring the journey.

Host Dirk Friel is joined by sleep researcher and sleep coach Charlotte Edelsten, whose expertise is backed by over two decades of research on sleep and performance. Together, they dive deep into the science behind sleep for endurance athletes—addressing why sleep is a true foundation for training adaptations, injury prevention, and race-day performance. Charlotte Edelsten shares insights from her years conducting research at high-profile endurance events like UTMB Mont Blanc, unpacks why many athletes struggle with sleep quality (even Olympians!), and dispels myths about supplements and wearables. She discusses practical strategies for managing sleep during training and competition, including napping protocols, sleep banking, and how to optimize rest at altitude or before an ultra-endurance race. 00:00 "Endurance Training & Sleep Insights" 03:37 Sleep Disturbances in Athletes 09:10 Caffeine: Adenosine Blocker Explained 11:10 Limitations of Sleep-Tracking Devices 13:21 "Sleep's Impact on Athletic Performance" 18:46 "Understanding Sleep Through Sleep Diaries" 20:54 "Supplements Won't Cure Sleep Issues" 26:07 "Pre-Race Sleep and Mindset" 29:18 "Sleep Strategies and Performance" 31:01 "Gradual Sleep Extension for Athletes" 33:39 "Strategic Napping in Sports" 37:39 "Optimizing Sleep for Best Rest" 42:09 Sleep's Role in UTMB Success 43:49 "Fatigue Management for Runners" 47:42 "Caffeine Strategies in Training" 50:51 "Hallucinations From Extreme Sleep Deprivation" 55:12 "Endurance Unlimited: Follow & Train"

On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put the U.S. a ticket to the Games for Skimo, but also set the stage for what’s next in this fast-evolving sport. Cam Smith shares his journey from ultra-endurance races to the high-intensity, quick-transition world of ski mountaineering, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the training philosophies, mistakes to avoid, and the unique demands of mixed relay competition. You’ll hear how he leverages both running and skiing to fuel his performance, and get an inside look at how emerging talent like Anna Gibson is shaking up the U.S. team. 00:00 "Mixed Relay Racing Strategies" 03:32 "Qualifying on Home Soil" 07:50 "Trail Running Meets Skiing" 12:44 "Balancing Racing Seasons and Goals" 15:41 "Short Turnaround: Leveraging Speed" 17:45 Training for Steep Mountain Racing 22:48 "Injuries, Adaptation, and Focus" 24:39 Future Trail Racing Plans 29:30 "Building a Strong Skimo Team" 31:26 "Join Our Thriving Federation" 36:50 "Pacing Strategies in Racing" 38:38 Downhill Training for Racing Success 43:02 "Post-Season Training Reset" 45:19 "Skimo's Impact and Future" 48:40 "Inspiring the Next Generation"

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for an athlete-focused episode on the off-season, including practical strategies to help athletes integrate their training with work, family, and life, as well as building systems that drive long-term success. Instead of chasing peak fitness or pushing for higher power numbers, Matt urges athletes to focus on rejuvenation, consistency, and building foundational habits that set the stage for breakthroughs later in the season. He makes it clear: the off-season is not about piling on more work, but fine-tuning the invisible groundwork, like sleep, nutrition, strength training, and skill development. Whether you’re a dedicated competitor or just striving to be your best, tune in for expert tips and actionable advice that will help you come back stronger, faster, and ready to tackle your goals head-on. If you’re wondering how to structure your downtime for maximum gain, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom on building consistency, adopting a “challenge mindset,” and making off-season training not just effective, but fun and fulfilling.

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for a masterclass on the offseason—the time of year Matt Dixon boldly claims is the single biggest predictor of athlete breakthroughs. Together, they unpack Matt Dixon’s four-phase coaching model and explore why offseason isn’t just a break, but a critical opportunity for reflection, realignment, and revolutionizing athletic potential. You’ll hear actionable insights on athlete retention, the art of the season review, what mistakes coaches often make, and how to turn downtime into your most powerful training advantage. Plus, discover the holistic habits and “offseason toolkit” that make the difference between a good athlete and a great one—along with practical ways TrainingPeaks brings it all together.

Host Dirk Friel sits down with Dr. Scott Frey, author, neuroscientist, and psychologist, for a deep dive into the critical role that the brain plays in endurance sports performance. Scott Frey explains how the brain is the "central command and control center" for both physical and cognitive performance, and how neuroplasticity—our brain's ability to change—offers untapped potential for athletes. Scott breaks down how mental fatigue impacts physical output and why neglecting “brain tapering” could be holding you back on race day. Discover the science behind neuroplasticity, actionable strategies to regulate stress and arousal, and why even top performers may be leaving “low-hanging fruit” on the table by not deloading cognitive stress before big events. Whether you’re coaching, competing, or striving for your personal best, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to harness the power of your brain for peak performance. 00:00 From Running to Brain Research 06:11 "From Science to Sport Mastery" 13:48 "Optimizing Performance Through Neuroplasticity" 20:44 "Brain's Role in Workout Performance" 23:13 "Tapering Cognitive Load for Athletes" 27:17 "Training Decision-Making Under Fatigue" 36:13 "Rethinking Brain Training Methods" 38:15 "Training for Resilience and Balance" 44:08 "Brain Signals and Survival" 48:53 Measuring Cognitive Fatigue in Training 56:37 "Concussion Effects and Recovery" 01:00:18 "How Brains Heal Differently"

TrainingPeaks' Education Specialist, Cody Stephenson, is joined by returning guest and eSport cycling coach Zach Nehr and professional cyclist and esports racer Hayden Pucker—better known as Farm Watts—for an honest, high-energy deep-dive into the world of virtual endurance racing. We’ll hear about Hayden Pucker’s unconventional journey from riding a hundred miles before dawn in Wisconsin to racking up power records and chasing the podium at the esports world championships. Zach Nehr, Hayden Pucker's coach, shares nuts-and-bolts insights on how shifting training toward shorter, high-intensity intervals unlocked Hayden’s next level—and how dialing in things like core strength, fueling, and tactical savvy makes all the difference in esports. The episode tackles everything: race strategy, the key differences between virtual and real-world riding, handling setbacks, and why communication is everything between coaches and athletes. Whether you’re an endurance athlete, coach, or just curious about the future of virtual competition, this episode is packed with empowering takeaways and a wealth of actionable advice.