IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts Gwendolyn Bounds, author of "Not Too Late," on the Purple Patch podcast as part of the Win Cycle series, which focuses on performance in various aspects of life. Alongside Purple Patch Fitness Co-Founder Kelli McMaster, Gwendolyn shares her journey from an unathletic childhood to becoming a competitive Spartan racer in her 40s. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, commitment, and breaking routines.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the ARC process: Assess, Reflect, and Check-in. This methodology is integral to the Purple Patch coaching model, emphasizing reflection to drive action and improve performance. They highlight the importance of understanding one's "why" and assessing progress objectively, both in training and life. The conversation underscores the need for intentionality in training, avoiding the "more is better" mindset, and the value of course correction. They also stress the significance of reflection in maintaining motivation, clarity, and commitment and encourage athletes to seek help when needed.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts the Purple Patch Podcast, focusing on integrating sport into busy lives and overcoming performance anxiety. He introduces a free webinar on preparing for triathlons with limited time, emphasizing the importance of mindset. Dixon shares a case study of an athlete named Kate, who experienced self-doubt and underperformance due to outcome anxiety. He outlines five strategies to manage fear and self-doubt: reframing fear as a challenge, focusing on the process rather than outcomes, using stress as fuel, building exposure tolerance, and separating thoughts from identity. Dixon encourages athletes to embrace discomfort and train their minds for resilience.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of strategic training for IRONMAN and half IRONMAN races, emphasizing that 8-12 hours of training per week can be optimized for performance. They highlight common mistakes athletes make, such as neglecting strength training, ramping up training too quickly, and failing to increase calorie intake as training volume increases. They stress the importance of maintaining a balanced approach, including proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery. Max also underscores the need for athletes to have fun and maintain a positive mindset, suggesting that enjoying the journey is crucial for long-term success and performance.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces a new direction for the Purple Patch podcast, focusing on performance in life and work rather than just triathlon. He emphasizes the value of getting out of one's comfort zone, termed "win cycle," and how it applies to both athletes and professionals. Dixon shares stories of clients like Ben Cooper and Carmel Galvin who improved their lives and leadership skills through physical challenges. He outlines ten reasons why business leaders should take on physical challenges, including leading by example, fostering resilience, and enhancing team dynamics. Dixon also highlights the benefits of coaching for accountability and growth.
Read MoreMatt Dixon hosts the Purple Patch Podcast from the Hawaii IRONMAN training camp, featuring Susie Orcutt, a busy Mother and Physician's Assistant from Atlanta. Susie discusses her journey with Purple Patch, highlighting her coaching relationship with Nancy Clark and the challenges they faced initially. Susie emphasizes the importance of communication and trust in coaching, noting her significant improvements in performance, including winning her age group in an IRONMAN 70.3 and improving her rankings at the 70.3 World Championships. She also credits the team environment and the bike classes for her growth, particularly in bike handling and fueling strategies. Susie advises athletes to clearly define their goals and be open to feedback.
Read MoreA fresh new format featuring a coaching conversation with Host Matt Dixon and Co-Host Max Gering. This Valentine’s Day, we explore how athletes can integrate sport into life in a way that strengthens relationships rather than strains them—because true performance isn’t just about results, it’s about the bigger picture. IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of integrating sport into life sustainably, especially for athletes with busy schedules. They emphasize the need for effective training that fits within one's life, rather than overloading with long rides every weekend. They highlight the significance of communication with partners and family, planning together, and ensuring sport enhances life rather than compromising it. Practical tips include the "Sunday special" for reflection and planning, and making training a family activity. They stress that consistent, effective training over time leads to better performance and overall well-being, rather than focusing solely on training hours.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Panos Kakoullis, a long-time Purple Patch athlete, at the Hawaii IRONMAN training camp. Panos shares his Greek Cypriot background, growing up above a fish and chip shop, and his journey from becoming an accountant, later Senior Partner at Deloitte to CFO at Rolls Royce. He discusses his transition from powerlifting to endurance sports, influenced by his wife, and his 16 IRONMAN completions. Panos emphasizes the importance of consistency, recovery, and integrating sport into life. He highlights the role of curiosity, growth mindset, and releasing mental weight in his success. Looking ahead, he plans more marathons and a cycling trip across Italy.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon concludes a four-part series on winning at triathlon in 2025, emphasizing the importance of defining success, embracing the journey, and adopting a high-flex integration mindset. He highlights key strategies such as choosing races that align with strengths and weaknesses, avoiding common pitfalls like under-fueling and over-reliance on FTP, and prioritizing sleep and consistent strength training. Dixon also shares insights from a Purple Patch athlete, Dave Pray, who emphasizes the broader impact of endurance sports on health and longevity. Dixon explains how Pray and his focus on cycling and participation in the Purple Patch program has fueled his success and performance in triathlon and life. He emphasizes the importance of a high VO2 max for longevity and health, and how his training and social life are intertwined.
Read MoreIn Part 3 of Beyond the Finish Line: Winning as a Triathlete in 2025, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon from Purple Patch Fitness discusses his high-performance coaching approach, emphasizing a team-based methodology that has helped over 1,500 athletes qualify for world championships. Their coaching includes remote sessions with real-time feedback and ongoing education. Dixon outlines five principles for success: focusing on daily actions rather than outcomes, keeping things simple, responding proactively to challenges, reflecting regularly, and building a supportive team. He uses Stuart, an athlete with ambitious goals, as a case study to illustrate these principles, highlighting Stuart's resilience and adaptability in the face of life's challenges, eventually placing at a podium in triathlon.
Read MoreIn part two of a four-part series on winning at triathlon in 2025 IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon outlines Purple Patch's coaching offerings, including individual coaching and the tri squad program. He discusses the Purple Patch coaching model for triathletes, emphasizing a smart mindset and practical strategies for performance improvement. He outlines the training phases: off-season (October-December), pre-season (January-March), build phase (April-June), and race-specific (July-December). Dixon advises a preparatory mindset in pre-season, focusing on winning workouts and building foundational fitness. He recommends a three-week training block structure, balancing key sessions with supporting workouts, and integrating strength training. Dixon stresses the importance of life balance, flexibility, and the optimization mindset to avoid burnout and ensure long-term success.
Read MoreIRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces a four-part series on winning at triathlon in 2025, emphasizing personalized performance improvement. He outlines Purple Patch's coaching offerings, including individual coaching and the tri squad program. Dixon shares a case study of an athlete named Sam, detailing her goals, strengths, and weaknesses, and the three-pronged approach to her training: a swim project, a bike booster project, and a nutrition project. Sam's success in 2024 included improved swimming, stronger cycling, and faster running. Dixon encourages listeners to adopt an optimization mindset, focus on strengths, address weaknesses, and maintain supportive habits for sustainable high performance.
Read MoreOn this episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon highlights the achievements of Purple Patch in 2024, including qualifying over 50 athletes for world championships with an average weekly training of 10.6 hours, and 30 athletes for the Boston Marathon using a multi-sport approach. The organization also launched a leadership program, added new team members, and introduced the Performance Hub for better community engagement. Key events included a fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a team race in Santa Cruz, and transformative camps in Hawaii, Napa, and Greenville. Notable athlete achievements featured Jeff Dolan and Susie Orca qualifying for multiple world championships, and Jake, CEO of Fellow Products, excelling in various endurance events.
On this episode IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon highlights the achievements of Purple Patch in 2024, including qualifying over 50 athletes for world championships with an average weekly training of 10.6 hours, and 30 athletes for the Boston Marathon using a multi-sport approach. The organization also launched a leadership program, added new team members, and introduced the Performance Hub for better community engagement. Key events included a fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a team race in Santa Cruz, and transformative camps in Hawaii, Napa, and Greenville. Notable athlete achievements featured Jeff Dolan and Susie Orca qualifying for multiple world championships, and Jake, CEO of Fellow Products, excelling in various endurance events.
Read MoreMatt Dixon from Purple Patch Coaching emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to performance, aiming for success beyond just race goals. He discusses the need for athletes to define their vision of success, align with their coaches, and create a roadmap for their goals for 2025. Dixon introduces the concept of a two-to-three-day performance retreat, focusing on education, workshops, and activities like hiking and kayaking. He also highlights the importance of foundational habits such as proper eating, sleep, and hydration. Dixon encourages listeners to start these habits now to ensure a smooth transition into the new year and maximize their performance journey.
Read MoreMatt Dixon advises prioritizing key work and training sessions, integrating them into daily life, and allowing flexibility in exercise modalities. He stresses the importance of not regressing, maintaining critical habits like hydration and sleep, and being creative with workouts. Dixon also highlights the need for a re-entry plan post-holidays to avoid stress and ensure a smooth transition back to regular routines.
Read MoreMatt Dixon and Scott Tindal discuss the evolving landscape of nutrition in endurance sports, particularly in triathlon. Scott, co-founder of Fuelin, shares insights from the Hawaii IRONMAN World Championship, emphasizing the importance of tailored nutrition plans based on individual energy expenditure. He highlights the need for athletes to balance caloric intake with training intensity, noting that high-intensity athletes may require up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour, while lower-intensity athletes should consume less. They also discuss the importance of consistent, high-quality nutrition for overall health and performance during races and daily life.
Read MoreMatt Dixon and Scott Tindal discuss the evolving landscape of nutrition in endurance sports, particularly in triathlon. Scott, co-founder of Fuelin, shares insights from the Hawaii IRONMAN World Championship, emphasizing the importance of tailored nutrition plans based on individual energy expenditure. He highlights the need for athletes to balance caloric intake with training intensity, noting that high-intensity athletes may require up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour, while lower-intensity athletes should consume less. They also discuss the importance of consistent, high-quality nutrition for overall health and performance during races and daily life.
Read MoreJoin IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of reflection in achieving high performance, both in athletics and business. He emphasizes the need for athletes to assess their previous season to avoid performance plateaus and set goals for the next year. Dixon outlines a five-step reflection process: pausing to review past goals, identifying strengths, acknowledging growth opportunities, prioritizing key areas for improvement, and setting future objectives. He highlights the success of Purple Patch's leadership workshops and coaching programs, noting their effectiveness in improving performance. Dixon also promotes Purple Patch's one-to-one coaching opportunities and encourages listeners to reach out for support.
Read MoreIn this episode, we’re discussing what it takes to perform at your best—not just in the moment but over the long term. Today’s topic is one that is often overlooked yet absolutely essential for sustained high performance: reflection. Whether you're an athlete aiming for an IRONMAN podium or a business leader managing high-stakes projects, reflection is a crucial component of the high-performance machine. It connects important traits such as adaptability, coachability, resilience, and the ability to prioritize what drives results. You might be working hard, but without reflection, you’re not necessarily working smart or focusing your efforts where they will drive you toward your goals.
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