Shows
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Matti Weitz, When You Embrace That Everything Is Happening For You and Not To YouMatti Weitz, a professional triathlete, joins me for a deep dive into the power of mindset and how it has transformed his life and athletic performance. Raised in Germany, Matti shares his journey from a perfectionist upbringing to cultivating self-belief, self-love, and a more open, resilient mind.
We explore:đ Why he chooses the most competitive racesđ§ Training the subconscious to manage stress and avoid the DNF spiralđď¸ââď¸ His most transformative practice for mental trainingđĽ A pivotal moment at Ironman Frankfurt that revealed the power of his mindset workđĄ How self-belief and self-love go hand in hand
...2025-01-1321 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Season Wrap Up, When You Know Who You Are - Negotiations Will EndIn this final episode of Awake Athlete Season 5, we close the journey with one essential truth: knowing who you are eliminates compromise.
This season has been a masterclass in patience, as each episode came together over the course of the year 2024 to reveal its own story of growth and evolution. Along the way, weâve explored what it means to outgrow belief systems and step boldly into new pathways.
Waking up is simply returning to your most natural state. Itâs about stripping away what isnât you and standing firmly in your authenticity. Stay connec...2025-01-1313 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Kristin Mayer, When You Own Your Mindset, You Own Your PowerIn this episode, I sit down with Kristin Mayer, founder of Betty Designs, a brand known for its bold, risk-taking designs. But beyond her fashion-forward creations, Kristin shares how owning her mindset is what truly fuels her drive.
We dive into:⨠How Kristin slows down, especially as a mother, and how a slight pause can change everything⨠Overcoming comparison energy and interrupting negative thought patterns⨠Adapting the Awake Athlete messages to refine her life while resisting the impulse to conform⨠The connection between owning her unique designs and owning her power
Kristin...2025-01-1322 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Melissa Adams, When a Perfectionist Opens Up to PossibilityMelissa Adams, a criminal defense lawyer and endurance athlete, shares her transformative journey from the rigidity of perfectionism to the openness of possibility.
In this episode, we explore:đ The power of the pause and how it transformed her mindsetđĄ Shifting from perfectionism to mindfulness and softnessâ¤ď¸ Saying YES to adventures like following her heart to Patagoniađ§ How mindset training has redefined her power and potentialđ Living a life led by heart, not just by habit
Melissa's story is a testament to what can happen when we allow ourselves to pause, reflect, and emb...2025-01-1321 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - BJ Gumkowski, From Fear and Excuses to Legendary StatusIn this episode, I sit down with BJ Gumkowskiâmaster coach, thought leader in endurance sports, and my partner in life and YogiTriathlete. BJâs journey from doubt and unworthiness to an unshakeable mindset is nothing short of inspiring.
We talk about:đ Overcoming the fear of open water swimmingâł Unlocking hidden time in your dayđ§ Why the mind is the final barrier to greatnessđ¤ Building a relationship with struggle that feels easeful
BJ reminds us that nothing in life is guaranteed except how we choose to show up. Tune in and discover how to...2025-01-1322 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Kyle Powers, When the Unexpected Becomes Your Greatest TeacherUltra-endurance athlete Kyle Powers shares his incredible journey through Ultraman, a race that demands mind, body, and spirit alignment over three grueling days. On day one, nothing went as planned, and the conditions were the exact opposite of every prediction. But Kyle didnât break. Instead, he leaned into his mindfulness practices, found presence in the chaos, and turned the unexpected into an opportunity for growth.
In this episode, Kyle reveals:⨠What drove him to start dedicated mindset training⨠How yoga nidra helped regulate his maxed-out nervous system⨠His advice for aspiring Ultraman athletes⨠How...2025-01-1323 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Paula Findlay, What Happens When You Train with Happiness and FlexibilityPaula Findlay, a professional triathlete with a 20-year career at the top of her sport, shares her powerful journey of transformationâfrom chasing perfection to embracing happiness and flexibility in training and life.
We dive into:đââď¸ Her evolution from natural talent to seasoned competitorđĄ Shifting from perfectionism to a more expansive life with balanceâ¤ď¸ How happiness and flexibility bring out her best performancesđŁď¸ What she would tell her younger self after overcoming a major injuryđ¤ Champion mindset advice on celebrating others and staying open through the highs and lows
Paulaâs story is one of resilience...2025-01-1318 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Season Opener, When Desire Meets CourageThis season kicks off with a bold new format: interviews! For the first time in Awake Athlete history, Iâm sitting down with some of the most inspiring minds in endurance sports and beyondâentrepreneurs, professional athletes, ultra-endurance legends, and everyday age-groupersâdelivering their wisdom in binge-worthy, 20-minute episodes.
But first, letâs talk about you.
What are you waiting for?âWantâ is a state-granted immediately, but the issue isnât wantingâitâs the courage to act.Desire without action leaves us stagnant, forever dreaming. Only when we step forward do we begin to fulfill t...2025-01-1310 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Emma Grant, Yoga as a Benefit for Fierce RacingIn this episode, professional gravel racer Emma Grant shares how yoga has become her secret weapon for high-stakes racing. From channeling competitive fire to staying grounded in the heat of battle, Emma reveals how her practice fuels both her performance and her mindset.
We talk about:đ§ââď¸ How yoga helps her stay sharp, calm, and ready to winđ Balancing external focus with internal presence during a raceđ
Her elaborate morning routine that sets the tone for successđ Lessons from Mind Gym and the power of reframing languageđŞ Guiding her athletes to balance confidence with humility
...2025-01-1325 min
Awake Athlete PodcastS5: The Interviews - Nicole DeBoom, When What You Think Youâre Done With Comes Back Nicole DeBoom, former pro triathlete, IRONMAN champion, and founder of Skirt Sports, opens up about the cycles of life, letting go, and rediscovering herself after major transitions. From redefining confidence for active women to launching her new venture, Nicole shares her journey of evolution and empowerment.
We explore:đ The journey from professional athlete to entrepreneurđĄ How letting go is multilayered and ongoingđ When life brings back what you thought you were done withđ Launching Ende Project and rediscovering her passion for connecting with womenđŹ Why communication and guilt-free living are essential for creating a life...2025-01-1324 min
Find Your Finish Line with Mike ReillyMindfulness Meets Muscle: Jess Gumkowski's JourneyIn this episode, I chat with Jess Gumkowski, four-time Ironman competitor and co-founder of Yogi Triathlete, who shares how integrating mindfulness with physical training can lead to faster and safer results.
Jess discusses the transformative power of mindfulness practices and offers valuable insights into tr. training â a program designed to optimize performance with minimal injuries. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or simply curious about extending your potential, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt stories.
Discover how to harness the mental strength required to find your true finish line and learn how yo...2024-04-2053 min
Endurance PlanetJess Gumkowski: The Awake Athlete Mindset â On Thoughts, Ego, Emotions, Karma, Mastery and Much More
Sponsor:
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Whether youâre looking to heal from issues like gut dysbiosis, hormonal imbalances like low sex hormones or imbalanced stress hormones, or just looking to improve performance, maintain a strong immune system and get that ex...2024-03-221h 28
Endurance PlanetJess Gumkowski2024-03-221h 28
Grow the GoodAwake Athlete: A Mind-Training Guide to Optimize Performance in Sport and Life with Jess GumkowskiWhat if the key to peak performance lies not just in physical strength but in the intentional integration of breath, mind, and authentic living? In her new book, "Awake Athlete," mindset coach Jess Gumkowski offers a recipe for mental health that seamlessly integrates activity and awareness for sustained embodied engagement. Jess shares some incredible insights into where the intersection of mind and body becomes the gateway to sustained flow states and optimized performance. From conscious breathing practices to the art of living against the grain and "wise selfishness," our conversation navigates how to redefine your approach to...2023-12-151h 08
Awake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep5: Do You Need A Mental Vacation?In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's essential to remember the value of taking a mental vacation. Just as we need physical rest, our minds crave moments of escape.A mental vacation is a planned break devoid of the distractions of everyday life. It can look many ways, but it is a powerful technique to be at your best and to know when you're at your best. In this episode, I share a profound experience from the past when I was moving very fast from the energy of anger and how I t...2023-11-0608 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep8: Make Things Right - Guided MeditationGet comfortable and ready for deep relaxation with this 15-minute guided meditation using the Ho'oponopono mantra.Ho'oponopono is a Hawaiian meditation and forgiveness practice. It involves repeating four phrases: "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," and "I love you" to promote healing and reconciliation, both within oneself and with others.This meditation is a powerful tool to use anytime you are feeling off center with yourself, or within a circumstance in your life or a relationship with another. This sacred mantra has assisted me countless times over the years, and I am grateful to...2023-11-0615 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep6: Take A Mental Vacation - Guided MeditationLife can get hectic, and we all deserve a break. Join me on a journey to serenity through this soothing guided meditation.No experience is necessary for this brief respite from life; find a quiet space (closets and cars are perfect for this type of break if nothing else avails itself) and get ready to be transported to your happy place.2023-11-0612 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep9: What If It Wasn't Injury?In this episode, I offer an expanded perspective on the roots of disease and injury as learned through many years of studying the body and mind and training and racing as an endurance athlete.Â
I share about my struggles with slowing down and how difficult it was for me to "chill" when injury or sickness showed up. For many years, I pushed through, and that only brought me more of the same.Â
But in 2004, it all began to change when I embarked on an educational journey that led me to an undeniable understanding of the in...2023-11-0622 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep7: Do You Want Safer Roads?I love riding my bike. And I am not afraid, but that is not how it's always been for me. I used to be scared, and in this episode, I share about a time when I felt fearful every time I got into the car and how I overcame that fear.I share a technique to heal fear and to make things right because the safety we desire comes from within first. And don't be afraid to look within; we have to let the trauma shake out, and when we do this, we shift our point of...2023-11-0618 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep4: Pre-Race Pranayama - Guided MeditationIn this episode, I take you through a breathwork practice that many athletes have said saved their race day performance. I give a few universal tips on meditation and meditative posture to assist in stillness practice.These are a series of tried and true, time-tested, practical breath exercises to physically prep the muscles of breathing for performance, balance the nervous system, and soothe feelings of anxiety while grounding us in the present moment.You will feel calm, connected, and powerful after practicing this meditation, which is the perfect state for walking back into your day.2023-11-0614 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep10: Yoga Nidra - Guided PracticeYoga Nidra, often referred to as "yogic sleep," is a deep relaxation and meditation practice that promotes profound physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.Â
It's typically done in a comfortable, lying-down position, and the aim of Yoga Nidra is to reach a state of conscious awareness between wakefulness and sleep, where you can access deep inner peace, reduce stress, and unlock your subconscious potential.Â
It's a powerful tool for relaxation, self-discovery, and healing. Enjoy the healing benefits of this 20-minute practice.Â
 2023-11-0621 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep11: Never Give Up!Since the last time I fired up the mic, I published Awake Athlete: When Mastery Is Your Only Option, and in this episode, I let the book decide the teaching, so tune in and let's learn together.Â
As we dive in, we find that the work is always the same; it's zooming out and seeing that there are limitless solutions for every problem and that every turn in life gives us opportunities to grow. And that dedication trumps motivation as it lends longevity to our experiences.
The overarching message is that in a world where m...2023-11-0612 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep3: Power Of BreathThe power of breath is a remarkable and often overlooked force in our lives. Although the world of athletics is steadily discovering its power for physical and mental performance, I believe the masses are merely scratching the surface of its true power. Each inhale fills us with life-giving oxygen, while each exhale releases not just carbon dioxide but also stress and tension. Breath is the bridge between the mind and body, capable of calming a racing heart or energizing a tired spirit. It's the perfect tool for mindfulness, helping us stay present and find inner pe...2023-11-0613 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep1: This Contrasting LifeWelcome to season four of the Awake Athlete podcast. I am thrilled to be traversing this life with you, and I am grateful for your attention as we dive into another season of mind training. This season will be more experiential as I have weaved in corresponding meditations and yoga nidra practices to assist you in deepening the messages of the episodes ahead. In this season opener, I dive into the contrast of life, precisely the contrast of racing Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and the following Saturday sitting for an eight-hour meditation. The confirmation that I pulled away from t...2023-11-0619 minAwake Athlete PodcastS4 Ep2: The Vibrant ValleyIn this episode, I reflect upon a trail run and the importance of staying awake in the valleys of life. I received a reminder that day of how so much can shift in just a moment and that when we are in the valleys of life, we should not forget to plant seeds for the future. The valleys of life are fertile ground for growing what we desire. If we stay conditioned to repulse bad and cling to good, we'll never reach our potential. We must learn to shift our mindset around life's valleys and get curious a...2023-11-0607 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep9: 12-Minute Guided Meditation Wisdom and Inner KnowingSet up for this meditation by sitting comfortably in a chair or on your meditation cushion. Comfort is critical because it will be easier for us to return to the practice if we are comfortable. So don't sweat crossed legs if that is uncomfortable; the only thing I don't suggest is lying down. When we lie down, our minds are apt to remember sleep and thus become lazy. Make sure that you are warm but not too warm. Pull on your favorite socks for an added dose of coziness. Use my voice as your point of concentration, a...2022-05-2813 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep7: Yoga Of FoodIn this episode, I share my philosophy regarding eating, which focuses on healthy digestion. I steer this episode towards not so much why we eat or what we eat or when we eat but how we eat. If you are an athlete who counts calories, fat, macros, etc., this episode will be of particular interest to you as you seek the right balance for your body. I offer a few topics for your consideration that I believe influence the body's ability to metabolize a perfectly calculated meal. And I provide a two-fold practice that benefits the nutrition y...2022-05-2818 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep1: Relentless GentlenessSo happy to be back for another season and to hear and feel the shifts and changes I have experienced since recording episode one of season one. I hope you find the same as you continue expanding your mind through the 10,000-foot view of life. In this season opener, I address the very thing that keeps us from what we desire and the performances we know that we can execute. I talk about the base muscle for better performance in sport, and the remedy for all that holds us back, which may be simpler than you think. 2022-05-2816 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep2: Are You Changing To Be The Same?Everything is constantly changing, and if there is something in your life that is not changing, know that it is changing. It is just changing to be the same. Ugh!It's essential for us to know our stories and the things we carry, especially when they are sucking our joy. And in changing our stories, positive talk alone doesn't work very well. So I offer some practical techniques that you can apply to make changes to recurring patterns that are no longer serving you. In this episode, I reflect on a relationship I discovered around s...2022-05-2812 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep8: Injury: Wisdom and Inner KnowingI am on the other side of my back injury and here to reflect on how it all unfolded. I share what I garnered from this experience and how my birthday intentions played out.Coming out of injury with more strength and clarity is one of the most empowering experiences we can have as athletes. But ultimately, that is a choice. I give insight into how we can extract the greatest wisdom from our challenges in this episode and how I kept physical and mental momentum moving forward throughout my healing.2022-05-2815 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep5: I'm Injured!I recorded this podcast during an acute back injury which I feel is the perfect time to talk about sustaining an injury from an Awake Athlete's viewpoint. I share the story of how this injury happened and the subtle voice that warned me not to do what I did which caused the damage. This injury was timed just days before my 50th birthday, which threw all my plans up in the air and asked me to let go. It was an experience that showed me attachment to training and another opportunity to focus on what I can d...2022-05-2823 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep6: Is your habit the master of you?We are masters of creating habits. The question we want to entertain is if we are actively feeding the patterns that move us towards the life we desire.In this episode, I share some practical guidance on how to break habits that you have identified that do not serve you anymore so you can feed the ones that benefit your dreams.I share my story of how I changed a habit around alcohol which happened during a time in my life when the drive to be clear each morning outweighed the practice of drinking wine...2022-05-2808 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep3: A Drop On MeditationI love being competitive, and meditation has been the thing that allows me to push my body harder while my awareness stays anchored into something I never expected.At first, you may need to compel yourself into your meditation practice. Still, with consistent practice, you will realize the elements and benefits I discuss in this episode, especially regarding our relationship to pain.All things are possible when we tap into the Awake Athlete within, but first, we need to know how to tap in. In this episode, I give recommendations for developing and deepening your...2022-05-2820 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep10: Devotion Not EmotionHave you ever caught yourself fighting to feel sub-par? I have, most certainly.And have you ever considered how emotions might be getting in the way or, at the least, causing drama on the path to fulfilling your commitments?When we commit to something, it's essential to feel that commitment which leads us to be more skillful at saying yes or no to opportunities that come our way. I give an example of a recent commitment I made and how I had to self-regulate repeatedly to stay devoted to my pledge. This episode i...2022-05-2815 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep4: Are You Giving In To The Culture of Giving Up?Being aware that our thoughts are packets of potential is critical to succeeding in realizing our goals because how we water those seeds of potential weighs heavily on how our reality plays out. The truth is that most people in our modern society are fighting for their limitations which comes from a deep fear that they may be a great success. And although that seems contradictory to an athlete's character, self-sabotage fueled by fear of success is commonplace these days.In this episode, I share a story of how I recognized fear of success within m...2022-05-2826 minAwake Athlete PodcastS3 Ep11: Go To The CalmThe inspiration for this episode comes from my husband BJ and a story from Dr. Wayne Dyer. It speaks to our conditioning to look outside ourselves for answers because we were never taught to look within.I share the message not about renouncing the world but using it to your greatest advantage. When we dial in too close to the drama of the world, we will lose our perspective, and the world gets its grips on us.  As we turn inward, we gain wisdom about who we truly are, and the voice of the false s...2022-05-2815 min
515 : The Ultra PodcastS2E9 -- A Look Back -- 515's One Year AnniversarySend us a textThis episode is a celebration of the first year of 515 The Ultraman Podcast. I share clips from different conversations throughout the year.It will be a nice retrospective for the regular listener and perhaps a catalyst for newer listeners to go back into the archive to hear these people tell their stories in full.Resources mentioned in this episode:Comrades MarathonUltraman CanadaEpic 5 ChallengeTerry Fox Kidney Donor Athletes Kilimanjaro Climb (support Lucy)Brazil 135Badwater 135Boston MarathonBBC Superstars Ironman World ChampionshipsWorld Marathon Challenge100k Antarctica UltraNorth Pole MarathonIronman Sou...2022-01-211h 32