Purple Patch Podcast

Like most time-starved athletes, it’s the time of year when you reflect on the season and look forward to a well-deserved break. While the winter months offer a welcome shift of focus to other areas of life, your commitment to longer-term goals and your performance journey looms large. The threat of losing momentum in your athletic performance conflicts with the need to disconnect.  Today IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon lays out a few strategies for developing your winter action plan, to help you find the mental relief you seek while setting up a strong performance for next year. Matt shares his 5 non-negotiable basics that every athlete or fitness enthusiast can do this winter to stay on pace for an optimal long-term outcome. Retain Structure and Amplify Focus on Life (24:07) "A training structure is actually the very framework that allows organization. And that becomes really important because having some structure in your life is the very key that unlocks effectiveness in work, in giving time to family

If you are like many fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and those looking to improve their health and fitness while balancing the demands of work, family, and life, you may be struggling or disatisfied with the results. Maybe you invested in your fitness journey and your body composition or fitness profile is not improving Maybe you're stuck in an injury cycle. You are not alone. Many people are struggling to find their performance recipe within the framework of today’s traditional fitness model. The fitness landscape is saturated with gyms, group fitness classes, strength programs, and get-ripped-quick schemes that promise everything under the sun yet usually deliver little in the way of long-term growth. The stale routines and lack of results of programs that are narrow in scope and broad in guidance only compound the frustration by introducing a blizzard of information and performance-enhancing strategies that deliver nothing more than broken promises of improved body composition, better health, and longevity.

For many athletes, the offseason is the bridge between the end-of-summer finish lines and next season's starting lines. While you might be considering turning the dial down on your athletic performance, you may actually be setting yourself up for failure in the coming year. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon highlights the common mistake many athletes make in their approach to training and performance habits during the most important phase of training. (22:08) "There is seldom a time where a complete removal of structure is your best option. Because when you remove structure, and focus, you lose all organizational framework. And you're also going to miss an opportunity of preparation. And that critical preparation is often the catalyst, the number one performance predictor for you having a wonderful season next year. " Matt makes a case for a radical shift in approach during the winter months to set up a platform of resilience and increased performance readiness for

You’ve done everything you can to avoid injury. You focused on fueling and hydration, followed a well-balanced strength and conditioning program, removed intensity when needed, and diversified your training to include a multisport approach. You leveraged all of the strategies Matt covered in the first two episodes of our three-part series on injury prevention and management. Despite your best efforts, you now find yourself fending off the niggles and worry about it becoming a larger issue. In our final segment on breaking the injury cycle, Matt moves beyond strategies for injury prevention and digs into the painful reality of coping with nagging injuries. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Matt provides insight, based on patterns he has seen as a coach over many years, on how to avoid getting stuck in a cycle of injury and successfully emerge ready to train and compete. Matt shares 6 principles that are important to apply a smart and pragmatic approach to overcoming the niggles and injuries. Unders

With the Hawaii IRONMAN World Championships looming, one can’t help but wonder about the level of performance to expect from an ever-growing field of high-performance athletes whose athleticism seems to trend upward every year. Beyond Kona, professional triathlon has witnessed performance and endurance levels rise and the makeup of endurance athletes shift based on the growing demands and expectations of the sport. In today’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN master coach Matt Dixon uses his experience as both an athlete and coach to examine the shift over the past few decades in the athletic approach to training, nutrition, recovery, and all the elements needed to perform at the professional level in today’s triathlon landscape. Matt takes a look at the future of Professional Triathlon through the lens of its past by highlighting 6 main principles he has observed around the changing of the sport. The Application of Science: Improved access and understanding of scientific data for optimal training

The day has finally come to celebrate a vision nearly a decade in the making, as the doors to the Purple Patch Performance Center in San Francisco's historic Mission District officially open. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon takes us from seed to sprout with the story of how the performance center came to fruition through hard work, the endurance of spirit, and the adaptive evolution of the dream. Matt takes us from a special idea tangled in red tape to an opening day threatened by the impacts of a global pandemic. (22:07) "Greatness emerges from the ability to adapt, be changeable, and to navigate obstacles. And so the truth was that the center suddenly became a real-life situation of a phrase that we love at Purple Patch, we needed to evolve or die as a business, literally. And so we had no option, we had to adapt." Matt gives us a preview of the center, its partners, and the services it provides, that embody the Purple Patch Pillars of Performance and helped ma

It’s that time of the year, and the first time since 2019, that athletes from all parts of the world gear up for the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in Kona. Whether you're planning to compete, supporting friends, or you're just an enthusiast, ironman master coach Matt Dixon invites you to follow along as he shares everything you need to know about how to achieve success in Kona. In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Matt draws from his 15 years of experience helping athletes thrive at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships and provides a breakdown of the preparation, training, and logistical elements you need to consider before ever setting foot on the island. Purple Patch has guided more than 750 athletes to qualification at the World Championships, has coached multiple age group world champions, and has had numerous purple patch pros in the top 10 overall, including athletes such as Chris Lieto, Rachel Joyce, and Sarah Piampiano. Matt takes the lessons he has learned from coaching these athletes

In part two of our three-part series on injury prevention and management, Matt Welcomes to the podcast leading performance nutritionist Scott Tindal of FuelIn for a discussion on the role of nutrition in injury prevention, mitigation, and recovery. Together Matt and Scott frame the topic of injury through the lens of under-fueling or improper fueling and its impact on soft tissue and bone health. The conversation covers: Low Energy Availability (LEA), Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS), Over Training Syndrome. Chronic vs. Acute LEA (7:06) "What I think tends to happen is athletes see the results of...taking in limited amounts of fuel. They see the body composition improve, they see the weight drop, they see maybe some improvement in these performance parameters, maybe because of reduced weight, and then they get oh, maybe if I lose more, maybe if I go further. Maybe if I drop more fat, maybe if I don't eat as much here, I can continue to improve, and then you start to see those changes, you know. N

Fresh from the Haute Route Alps, Ironman Coach Matt Dixon returns to the podcast to share his thoughts on the experience, the lessons he gleaned from the 7-day event, and how to apply them to your athletic pursuits. The conversation covers training versus race execution and a look at the principles and elements of Matt’s preparation as a time-starved athlete that supported his performance. (22:19) "I think I arrived at the race really vibrant and healthy. We always talked about fit and fresh. I think I actually managed to succeed in doing that. And that was really beneficial for me. The challenge was the mental test. Every single day I finished I thought, goodness me, I've just done too much damage to myself today. But the interesting thing about these is not judging yourself, not buckling mentally, and just maintaining a curious mind of what is the body going to pay me back with. And every day the body responded for myself and the rest of our team. And it was -- I just felt fresh every day." Matt walks us

Welcome to the 8th and final day of our Haute Route Alps coverage as Matt and the Drunken Donkeys cross the finish line in Megève. Matt gives us a look at the team’s last day of riding as the 7-day journey comes to a close. With one last 148km push through the Haute-Savoie, Matt and the gang make their way through the Col de l’Epine, Col de la Croix Fry, and Col des Aravis. We hear from the team after the day's climb, and Matt looks at what's to come as we round off our coverage of the Haute Route Alps.  Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route Learn More About Precision Fuel and Hydration FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Purple Patch and Episode Resources This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside T

Welcome to day 7 of our Haute Route coverage. Today, the team takes on THE CLASSICS. Stage 6, the riders are headed for another climb of almost 4,000 meters as they traverse the switchbacks of the Col du Tra, before facing the Cormet de Roselend.  Matt couldn't resist and found his best ride of the course, Panos returns, Christopher attempts to add to his recent success, and Rob impresses everyone with his steady and sound performance.  Make also makes a friend along the way and enjoys some beautiful views as the Haute Route experience heads into its final day with Stage 7.  Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way. Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route Learn More About Precision Fuel and Hydration FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Tra

Welcome to day 6 of our Haute Route coverage. Today, it’s Matt and the Drunken Donkeys vs time. The team faces Stage 5, LOVE OR LOATHE LA LOZE, which hosts the time trial portion of the course, along with a 10km climb from Méribel to Col de la Loze. With a good start, the team takes on the inclines while taking in the natural beauty of the course. Matt faces a crossroads with only two stages left until Megève as Chris matches his intensity in Stage 4. With the end in reach, the riders look ahead to stage 6, which promises stunning views and challenging switchbacks. Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way.   Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coac

Welcome to day 5 of our Haute Route coverage as Matt and his Team round the corner at the halfway mark of the 7-day journey from Nice to Megève. Stage 4, titled ON YOUR TOES, features a steep 1300m+ climb up the Col du Glandon followed by a challenging ascent up the Col de la Madeleine. Martin returns to the fold rejuvenated and Chris's youth helped him find a new gear as the entire team starts to feel the wear of four days on the saddle. Matt provides a look at the steep challenges of the day and what we can expect as the team prepares to take on the time trial in Stage 5. Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way. Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Pat

Welcome to day four of our Haute Route coverage as Matt and his Team push forward on stage 3 of the 7-day journey from Nice to Megève. Stage 3, titled ALL FOR THE VIEWS, promised the picturesque landscape of the Écrins mountains and it most definitely delivered, but Matt suffers a minor setback along the way and has to adapt mid-climb. Matt gives us a look at the challenges of the day, the status of his teammates, a nice surprise from Stage 2, and what to expect as they move on to Stage 4. Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way. Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp The Purple Pat

Welcome to day three of our Haute Route coverage as Matt and his Team take off on stage 2 of the 7-day journey from Nice to Megève. The Drunken Donkeys face a sobering set of climbs in the stage known as the Two Giants. In a tour of Le Tour, so to speak, the team faces the Col d’Agnel and the Col d’Izoard, both of which have held prominent roles in Tour de France. Matt provides an update on the challenge of the day, the status of his teammates, and what to expect moving forward. Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way. Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp The Purple Patch Center i

Welcome to day zero of our Haute Route coverage. The day before the excitement begins with stage 1 tomorrow. This is our first daily report and official kick-off show. Matt and his team are assembled and ready to ride. In this first preview of the Haute Route Alps, Matt introduces us to the gang and sets the scene for things to come. Be sure to check out our daily video breakdown of the day, every day, and follow us on all of our social media platforms for coverage of Matt's Journey. We'll have plenty of insights and observations from Matt along the way. Episode Timestamps Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn More About The Haute Route FREE Live Webinar - Free Speed Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Purple Patch and Episode Resources This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Insi

We have a special abbreviated podcast this week as Matt prepares for his journey to tackle the Haute Route Alps. In this episode, Matt provides a quick look at our daily coverage of his progress through the Haute Route and what we can expect. Beginning August 20th, Matt will provide daily field reports sharing his observations and insights as he and his two brothers navigate 7 days of some of the toughest cycling in the world. Matt will bring us coverage from the road as he makes his way across 800 kilometers, and more than 70,000 feet of climbing through the heart of the alps. Brief daily reports will highlight his challenges and choices around fueling, hydration, pacing, and overcoming adversity, along with all the lessons gleaned from a multi-day event. We encourage you to follow along on our social media platforms. Videos will be posted daily on Youtube, but you can keep up with the adventure on Facebook and Instagram as he relays photos and stories along the way. Episode Timestamps 0:00 - Special Edition

In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon frames his preparation and training path as he sets his sights on the Haute Route Alps, a 7-day cycling challenge through the heart of the Alps. The Haute Route Alps is thought of as one of the toughest endurance cycling events in the world and is the original version of the Haute Route Series of events now spanning the globe. Matt and his team, consisting of his two brothers and a group of friends, will traverse some of the most challenging uphill climbs in cycling. (47:16) "We have eight folks, all time-starved, all middle-aged men...that are going to do this thing on a very similar program." The course spans from Nice, in the Côte d'Azur, to Megève, in the Mont Blanc massif and features 6 mountain stages of the Tour de France along with a hill-based time trial. With the Haute Route only weeks away, Matt outlines his approach to the event, giving us a classic example of a time-starved athlete balancing training for a major challe

Whether you’re an amateur or a professional athlete, there is no greater source of frustration than repeated cycles of niggles and injuries. It can derail your progression, dismantle race performance, erode confidence, and dilute your motivation. While there are myriad reasons for various kinds of injuries, the good news is that most can be preventable, and manageable by adopting practical habits and tactics. In the first episode of our three-part series on injury management and prevention, Matt shares his observations on patterns, common themes, and mistakes made by athletes and coaches that often lead to injury and the strategies that you should take as an endurance athlete or fitness enthusiast to lower your risk and occurrence of injury. Matt’s 5 Keys to Injury prevention: Fueling post-workout - Using nutrition to recuperate and recharge. (18:10) “It promotes tissue rebuilding and repair...it facilitates adaptations...it's going to fuel your brain for your energy levels throughout the day...so that you

Matt welcomes Purple Patch Pro Athlete, Line Thams, to the Podcast. Thams is a professional triathlete from Denmark, focusing on short-course ITU racing. She sits down with Matt to provide insight into dealing with stress and adversity. Thams shares her own story of coping with family tragedy and trauma and how to leverage adversity to emerge stronger in sport and life. Over the last few years, Thams has had to navigate her mother’s stroke and subsequent coma, her partner's battle with cancer, and the physical and emotional trauma of a major bike crash that crippled her confidence and almost ended her athletic career. Line frames her approach and the mindset she applies to move beyond the obstacles of the unexpected and provides valuable insight into formulating a plan of actionable steps towards recovery. It is an inspiring story of resilience for anyone looking to manage, control, and emerge from the sometimes overwhelming weight of stress in their life. Together, Matt and Line discuss the following themes: