Purple Patch Podcast

This week on the Purple Patch Podcast, we continue our Purple Patch Performance Case Studies series. In this series, we delve into real-life examples and the experiences of real athletes to provide practical insights about performance. In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon looks beyond athletics and sports and outlines a path to sustained high performance in work and life. Through the case study of Purple Patch athlete Vijay, Matt highlights the results of adopting an athletic mindset and strategies for improving health and how one shows up in work and life. In our case studies, athletes have used the Purple Patch Pillars of performance to refocus their training, reframe their mindsets, and improve their race performances. However, what if you're like Vijay, having no interest in being a competitive athlete or struggling to balance work, health, and family? You don't need to become a health nut or fitness freak to perform better at work and improve your healthspan. Instead, Matt lays out small, sim

Welcome to this week's episode of the Purple Patch Podcast! Today, we're continuing our Purple Patch Performance Case Studies series, where we delve into real-life examples and the experiences of real athletes to provide practical insights about performance. Joining IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon on the show is Purple Patch Tri-Squad member Chris Hughes, whose story is one of remarkable athletic evolution. Chris has been on an impressive streak of individual race results lately, but in 2019, he almost quit the sport due to years of frustration, setbacks, and injury. Despite putting in a lot of effort, he wasn't making significant progress, and the sport didn't seem to fit into his life. He was fatigued, underperforming, and plagued with injuries. In this episode, Chris shares the mindset and approach that shifted his perspective on training, moving away from piling on training hours and instead focusing on fulfilling sessions, education, coaching moments, and embracing the support and accountability of the t

On this week's episode of the Purple Patch podcast, we present the second part of our Purple Patch Performance Case Studies series, where we share practical insights about performance by analyzing real-life examples. Matt welcomes Purple Patch athlete David Farsai to the show. David is a busy executive seeking performance in sport, work, and life. He recently qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice after a remarkable performance at the IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. Aside from his impressive racing accomplishments, David's story highlights the importance of coachability and offers a lesson in optimizing your coaching relationship. He discusses developing the appropriate mindset around coaching and how to apply coaching lessons and strategies on race day to achieve results. David’s story is a valuable lesson for any time-starved athlete looking to improve their performance in all areas of life. Hopefully, it will inspire you and help you in your sporting journey. About David Farsai Partner at Ma

This month on the Purple Patch Podcast, we're highlighting Purple Patch Performance Case Studies.  We wanted to share practical insights about performance, so we're analyzing real-life examples rather than just theories. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon begins our case study series by examining the performance journeys of two prominent members of the Purple Patch Pro Squad, Matt Lieto and Meredith Kessler.  Matt and Meredith played a crucial role in the success of the Purple Patch Pro Squad and were instrumental in developing the coaching approach that is now central to Purple Patch Fitness. Matt shares insights on personal performance development based on the experiences of these two world-class triathletes who have excelled in their sport and beyond. Matt discusses their initial performance struggles, his coaching analysis and suggestions, and the results of their new approaches. The stories of Matt Lieto and Meredith Kessler offer valuable lessons that are releva

On this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon reflects on the long history of the Purple Patch Pro Squad and the lessons you can apply to your own performance journey. Whether you're an athlete, the leader of an organization or team, a coach, or just someone striving to live a better and longer life, the stories we'll discuss today can greatly influence your mindset and approach toward achieving success. Matt explores three essential lessons that contributed to the athletes' incredible achievements: the collective mindset as a driver for individual success, the importance of a team approach in a sport centered on individual performance, and the practices and skills beyond training that drove effectiveness and performance gains. Each driver of success is broken down to simplify elements that athletes of any level can integrate into their training program. We also have supporting materials for the show, which we highly recommend reading. After the show, head over to our Purple Pat

For those who are new to running, the training requirements for a marathon or other running events may seem intimidating or overwhelming. Alternatively, even experienced runners may face challenges with injuries related to race preparation. No matter where you are in your performance journey, there is an effective way to approach training for an endurance running event without overloading on hours and intensity, and risking your health and performance. In today’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon aims to evolve your approach to running training using his innovative method designed to help you improve your speed, prevent injuries, and enhance overall performance in all aspects of your life, regardless of your level or experience. In his analysis of the typical training methods used by runners, Matt highlights the reasons why they often fail to meet their race goals. He proposes an alternative approach to marathon training that uses a prescriptive combination of strength train

Although endurance athletes typically focus on strength training during the off-season, it's important to recognize that strength and conditioning can benefit performance all year round. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explains the value and significance of strength as a performance enhancer. He provides a framework for integrating strength into your training program and easy-to-use techniques for executing your workouts almost anywhere. Whether you're an athlete striving to cross the IRONMAN finish line, looking to boost your energy in the boardroom, or simply aiming to improve your overall health, strength & conditioning should be a key component of your training regimen. Matt breaks down the discussion on strength into three categories: sports performance, healthspan, and performance in work and daily life. Matt also provides details on how to access a free video-on-demand session from our functional strength training program. This is a great opportunity to

It’s been 15 years since the start of the Purple Patch journey. While many elements of the Purple Patch program have evolved, and we continually seek to grow, improve and enhance our coaching, our central belief and approach to coaching have remained unchanged.  We believe athletes of all levels can achieve optimal endurance performance by following a balanced training approach. Our methodology, based on four pillars of performance, is designed to provide a simple framework that helps athletes understand and commit to their athletic journey. The Purple Patch Pillars of Performance: Endurance Strength Nutrition and Fueling Recovery On this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon gives us a look at the methodology in action through 3 case studies that illustrate how the pillars are put to use and how they were able to deliver performance for athletes across genders, skill levels, and a range of goals. We look at these principles through the lens of a pro athlete building their spo

At the beginning of the year, we took some time to reflect, plan for the future and set Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). Now, we have reached the halfway point of the year. Most of you hit the ground running with ambitions and lofty goals, but how did they pan out? Are you nailing your goals? Are you thriving in your performance journey? Is it fulfilling? Where can you improve or shift your approach? It is essential to come up for air midway through the season and execute some big-picture thinking about the work you have been putting in, the purpose of it, and where you want it to take you. On this week’s episode of The Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon presents a framework to help you evaluate your progress and performance over the past six months to set yourself up for a strong finish to the year. Matt lays out a process for identifying the areas within your control where you have excelled, the lessons you have learned, and opportunities for improvement, to help you develop a plan of a

With race season in full swing, we’ve received a flood of requests asking us to tackle the topic of race-day fueling and hydration. So this week on the Purple Patch Podcast we are doing a special Episode Rewind. We are bringing back a timely conversation with renowned Sports Scientist and CEO of Precision Fuel and Hydration, Andy Blow. We pulled an episode out of the archives to help you fine-tune your fueling and hydration strategy. EP. 162 - Your Guide to Race Day Fueling and Hydration with Andy Blow of Precision Hydration Matt and Andy identify and explain the three levers of race fueling: Fluids (water) Electrolytes Calories/carbohydrates They then outline your race day fueling prescription depending on race intensity, distance, and race conditions. Andy’s biggest piece of advice: “Don’t look over the fence. There are always good reasons why you shouldn’t follow the herd when it comes to YOUR fueling strategy.” - Andy Blow You’ll receive expert guidance and recommendations around: Meal Plannin

Are you showing up to your event in the best mental space possible? You may have checked all the boxes in your training program and set yourself up to arrive at your event ready to allow trained potential to translate to race-day performance, but setting up the right mindset is one part of the performance readiness equation that is often ignored or misunderstood by athletes and coaches. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon shares his secret to supercharging your mental game so that you arrive physiologically fresh and mentally prepared on race day. Most coaches and athletes jump to pre-event preparation with a heavy emphasis on training and physical readiness, which can sometimes reinforce performance anxiety. Instead, Matt offers a path to developing belief and confidence in your approach by focusing on areas within an athlete’s control on a day-to-day basis and reinforcement strategies for framing and processing your post-training and race-day performance. Matt lays o

In this week’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon takes a closer look at youth sports and the development of young athletes. With his experience as a parent, as well as a coach to world-class professional endurance athletes, executives, and amateurs alike for over 15 years, and using his own background in competitive swimming and triathlons, Matt examines the importance of sports for social and physical development in kids and examines the role parents and coaches play in helping to create meaningful experiences. "This is sport. The journey of becoming. That is much more powerful and more important than the outcomes." - Matt Dixon Matt maps out the discussion in a way that applies not only to parents, coaches, and young athletes but also to adult athletes looking to draw insights for their own development journey. This episode covers the role of sports for kids ages 8 to 18 and suggests a healthy route for developing an athletic foundation. It also provides insight into how

Imagine you are in the midst of a tough race in the middle of hot and humid conditions and suddenly your body begins sending you signals of surrender. Anyone who has exerted any type of energy in the sweltering heat can attest to the difficulties posed by the conditions. Nothing sucks the speed out of the legs more than high heat and humidity. So, how do you go about setting yourself up for success when the sun is beating down on you and the humidity becomes claustrophobic? In this week’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon breaks down how to mitigate the impact of heat by establishing strategies to arrive prepared and ready to perform in adverse conditions. Matt takes a closer look at the challenges of racing in the heat and dissects the physiological effect it has on the body and how it impacts your overall performance. He provides tips and resources to help you arrive fit, fresh, and ready to adapt to the conditions on race day. In this episode: How the Body Responds to Hea

In this week’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, we focus on athletes like you. Ironman Master coach Matt Dixon puts a spotlight on four case studies anchored in performance. Matt breaks down the lessons we can learn from those who have excelled in their performance journey as well as those who were less fortunate and serve as cautionary tales about the pitfalls on the way to improved performance. All of the case studies are real athletes that either Purple Patch or Matt has trained. We look at the training process through the lens of a former rugby player reigniting his fire for fitness by finishing marathons and committing to his performance journey. This is a great story of integration of sport into your life, not just to develop a pride and satisfaction from the outcome, but about becoming a better version of yourself. And having the rewards be the journey itself throughout the daily routine. - Matt Dixon We also delve into the athletic mindset by following the mini-victories of an athlete emerging f

Whether it's the boost of our morning espresso or the common drowsiness that sets in after lunch, we all experience bumps and slumps in our daily energy levels. Our vitality over the course of the day can sometimes be a rollercoaster. For some of us, that erratic ride has become a daily routine and an obstacle that limits our potential for performance. However, there are ways to rewire that routine to unlock predictable and stable energy sources that keep you active and present throughout the day. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon focuses his coach’s lens on energy management to help build the best platform for kicking off your training or tackling any of life’s endeavors. We walk through a daily routine with actionable tips you can implement every day to promote improved energy levels and increased cognitive function. From the positive impact of sunlight in the morning to the detrimental effects of blue light before bed, Matt uses proven habits and coaching experien

The path to improvement is one that includes hard work and commitment, but too often we travel that path alone. We seek our personal goals in a very personal way. It can often be a solitary endeavor. Not only does it not have to be, but it also shouldn’t be. "You cannot expect to optimize your performance or results if you always take the journey alone." In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon highlights the benefits and impact of chasing your individual improvements by engaging in team and group training. The thread that unites athletes of all levels and abilities is a desire to improve. Tapping into that shared motivation fosters a supportive, fun, and competitive environment that provides accountability and inspires a diverse performance culture. Using stories of Purple Patch Squads enduring 5 am coldwater plunges and scaling virtual mountains together through video-coached bike classes, Matt illustrates how individual gains emerge from the practices and habits that d

Welcome to another "Ask Matt Anything" edition of the Purple Patch Podcast. Today IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon tackles your voicemails and emails. You asked and today Matt answers your questions on training and racing through a coach’s lens. In this installment of "Ask Matt Anything", Matt answers your questions related to: Management of training Expectations around improvement Race preparation strategy And much more Episode Timestamps 0:00 - 03:28 - Welcome and Episode Introduction 3:43 - 07:24 - Word of the Week 07:32 - 37:53 - The Meat and Potatoes: Episode 264: Ask Matt Anything - Troubleshooting Training to Race Day 08:30 - Question 1 from Joan: “I struggle with keeping up the hard training as well as my performance when I head to work. I often find myself falling into really deep drowsiness in the middle of the afternoon desperate for sleep. I try and battle through and I can certainly feel like it's impacting my focus and my productivity in the afternoon. I feel like I sleep okay. But I just wonde

Today on the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon welcomes former U.S. Pro Cyclist Robbie Ventura to the show. Robbie is the founder of Vision Quest Coaching and Velocity, an online indoor cycling training platform. Robbie shares experience and knowledge from his 12-year career as a pro cyclist, and more than 20 years providing expert training programs to endurance athletes of all levels, to dial in what he believes are the critical skills every cyclist should develop. Using Robbie’s approach and development as a model for training as a time-starved athlete, Matt focuses on how to leverage indoor bike trainers to elevate your race craft and become a better and faster cyclist.  Matt and Robbie put remote coaching under the microscope and examine the common mistakes athletes make in using indoor bike trainers and share strategies for getting the most out of indoor training. They also explore Velocity’s unique training software and how it aims to elevate the quality of engagement between coaches

As we begin to emerge into Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, many athletes are setting their sights on their B.H.A.G.s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). The season is ahead of us and many of us are starting to move outside for more of our training. While it is a breath of fresh air for many athletes trapped indoors during the winter months, it is also the time when athletes start to make serious performance mistakes. So many athletes come off the rails by way of one or more common pitfalls as they approach their race goals. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon covers five key mistakes to avoid in order to optimize your race readiness and pave your way to improved performance heading into the next phase of the year. 5 Key Mistakes to Avoid Turning your back on strength training Dumping more hours into the schedule than is appropriate Accelerating training load too quickly Doing the easy training too hard Failing to build and retain solid nutrition and fueling habits

Coaches and athletes love to discuss the importance of specificity in regard to training. While specificity is important to an extent, race-specific training is not always one-size-fits-all. Unfortunately, many athletes follow a specific plan that ends up not being the optimal plan for their needs and situation. For time-starved athletes, with competing demands in life and work, integrating a set amount of training hours designed around specific race distance means cramming training into a life already bursting at the seams. In today’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explains how to build a training program that can achieve sustained high performance across a range of distances while fitting into a life with high competing demands. Matt leverages Purple Patch’s popular tri-squad program to highlight a training structure that fits all levels of athletes under one umbrella. How can athletes have different race distance goals - from sprint distance and short course to IRONMAN