I know it's shocking, but the news of the day makes it onto Episode 182 as Pete joins John to discuss the effect of this pandemic on our mental health, or weight, our training, and our day to day work life. This is the first show we have done since the shutdown and a lot has happened. We now, many of us, work from home, relatives have been lost, the weight has been gained, and cities are on fire. As much as we want to not think about these things, a discussion on how it has affected us is needed.

We all have things we need to overcome. For some, it might be cancer or some other illness. For others, it might be a big family and an unsupportive partner. When I talk about motivation or "mo jo", I am referring that point where that issue becomes so overwhelming it stops you from doing either what you need to do or what you want to do. John and Karen talk a little about this along with some of the ways they personally deal, and not deal, with that loss of mojo when it happens.

We thank you for your patience as we reimagined the show and thought through the direction over the past few months. Tonight Karen Clarke coaxed John out of his self-imposed exile to talk about his plans for the future and continued journey as both a coach and athlete in the endurance world. We even started off with a few discussions about New Zealand, America, some of the differences in how we perceive things when we return home and how the Noom program is helping John with weight loss.

A discussion with Pete D'Amico of Fatman Chronicles and the new "No Fear Project" about the subconscious mind and how we tend to undermine our efforts by assigning roles to ourselves. The belief in who we are, what we are capable of, what we can and cannot do, can be a strong motivator and predictor in who and what we become. If you have parents who constantly hounded you about being worthless, no good, “bound for prison”, often results in an adult who actually turns out the exact way that was “predicted”. Been told you were somehow “less than” your whole life results in that belief within you, no matter how well you try to hide it. The inner voice, the voice of your father, mother, teachers, spiritual leader, is in your head and will remain there. The conversation revolves around my use of the title “Fat Slow Triathlete” and Pete's "Fatman Chronicles" and how, subconsciously, we might regress in order to meet those role expectations. Read more at teamE4E and make sure to joing the Facebook groups teamE4E and the No Fear Project We are on all of the social sites using @teamE4E (Instagram and Twitter) Hashtags are: #teamE4E #fatmanchronicles #flycourageous #enduranceforeveryone #nofearproject

This is the short and sweet intro to the show that will only get better with time. I am using a new way to post and to manage, so we will see how that evolves. Hopefully the last 5 months have been great to everyone and you're glad to have me back.

Episode 176 is ready for your listening pleasure discussing the issues of body image and body dysmorphia (including an American Dad reference), John's thoughts on why podcasters and coaches, and even athletes, should pay attention to how they are perceived on social media, and wrapping it all up in a nice bow about why expressing an opinion does not equal judging.  Swim Calm Bike Strong and Run Steady

AN EPISODE OF MUSINGS FROM JOHN THIS WEEK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING: DROPPING INFINITUS AND THE NEW PLAN WHY I WEIGH EVERY DAY CHILDREN ON LEASHES AND DOGS OFF OF THEM ALL BLACK RACING KITS IN FLORIDA ... WHY? USING THE NUMBERS IN TRAININGPEAKS

It is amazing how the same issues reappear, so after getting questions on Thyroid issues in the Facebook group I went searching for an episode that Andrew and I had done back in the Ironman: Year One day - Episode 20A to be exact - so a very long time ago. I know the intro, format, levels, etc are different, but this was always one of my favorite episodes. Thanks to Andrew for saving these things!

Meghan and Sean, coaches from ZENDURANCENOW.com and long-time friends of the show come on to chat with John about his current training and moving towards another attempt at INFINITUS in June. Among the surprises? John had no idea Sean was a fellow Navy veteran Why did John choose the 88K as his distance? Is it harder to run downhill than uphill Keto? Yes, please Jumping Rope: Not for little kids anymore! What do "Atomic Habits" and "How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big" have in common with training and weight loss? This and SO MUCH MORE this week on Endurance for Everyone

This week's episode continues with Part 2 of Rob and Karen Clarke talking about cycling, with most of the discussion this time around centers on the gear. A very informative show from them. A short intro from John is also there talking of the virtues of a ZWIFT account and the positive enrgy flowing from Tampa Bay Aquatic Masters Swimming.