Go inside the mind of WorldTour coach, Koen Pelgrim, as the episode traces the journey from the physiology lab to the chaos of racing. You’ll get an inside look at what it takes to build a champion—from altitude camps and heat training protocols to how gym and strength work have become non-negotiables for today’s sprinters. The discussion digs deep into balancing “the art and science” of coaching, sharing actionable insights on tapering, team communication, and why trusting data (like heart rate and strain metrics) is key—but personal connection comes first. Key takeaways in this episode: Elite Prep: How sprinters and GC riders train differently for the Tour de France Altitude + Heat: Extend performance gains with modern adaptation strategies Strength & Conditioning: Why gym work is a pillar in today’s cycling programs Data in Action: How daily recovery, RPE, and metrics drive real-time decisions Art vs. Science: Why true coaching blends analytics and human intuition Learn how top coaches prepare elite sprinters for the Tour and use cutting-edge altitude and heat adaptation hacks. Discover proven performance analytics and real athlete-coach conversations that make the difference at the world's biggest races. Chapters: 00:00 – Altitude & Heat Training: Boosting Endurance for the Tour 00:53 – Training Differences: Sprinters vs. GC Riders 01:13 – Meet Koen: Coaching Roots & Early Influence 02:01 – Recent Wins & Prepping for the Tour de France 02:24 – From University Researcher to World Tour Coach 05:16 – Coaching Lessons: Lab to Real-World Application 06:04 – Culture Shift: Structured Plans in Pro Cycling 08:21 – Sprinter Preparation: Specific Workouts & Stage Simulation 09:05 – Altitude Camps for Sprinters: Aerobic & Anaerobic Focus 10:26 – Practicing Lead-Out Trains & Team Dynamics 11:55 – Strength Training: How Gym Work Evolved in Cycling 14:34 – Tapering: Differences for Sprinters and Climbers 16:29 – The Rise of Young Talent: Paul Magnier’s Development 19:32 – Balancing Sprint Power & Classic Ambitions 20:02 – Analyzing Race Data: Daily Effort, Heart Rate, and Recovery 23:43 – Heat Adaptation: Protocols Leading to the Tour 27:47 – Monitoring Subjective Data: Conversations Over Metrics 30:13 – Adaptive Training Plans & Athlete Autonomy 33:33 – Preventing Overtraining: Keeping Riders Controlled 35:08 – Art vs. Science: The Human Side of Coaching 36:43 – Closing Thoughts & Tour de France Preview

Ever wondered what it takes to prep for the toughest endurance race on Earth? Alex Howes and Joe Lewis kick off a new series, "Peak Access," part of the Endurance Unlimited podcast. In our first episode, we dive into the unique challenges of the Tour de France. With over 54,000 meters of climbing in just 21 days, this race is not for the faint-hearted. But it’s not just about the climbs. The athletes are facing a historic heat wave, making their training even more crucial. Join us as we discuss the insights, strategies, and the importance of the performance management chart that keeps these pros on track. What questions do you have about training and racing to Paris? Share your questions in the comments! 👇 For more info and stories about how Tour teams use TrainingPeaks data, check out our TdF Hub Page. #TourdeFrance #PeakAccess

Multi-sport training secrets, Olympic mindset shifts, and the art of balancing endurance sports—discover how to build unstoppable athletic versatility. Elevate your coaching or racing with power-packed tips from an Olympian who breaks all the rules. World-class athlete Anna Gibson joins Dirk on Endurance Unlimited to share her roller-coaster journey from track running and alpine skiing to trail, skimo, and elite gravel and mountain biking—often flipping the script on traditional training wisdom. You’ll get actionable insights into how being a multi-sport athlete can supercharge your competitive edge, why chasing curiosity fuels elite performance, and how to strategically blend volume, intensity, and rest when balancing several disciplines at once. Chapters: 00:00 – Anna Gibson’s Olympic Skimo Leap: The Unexpected Journey 01:46 – Building a Multi-Sport Engine: Running, Skiing, and Biking 03:54 – Life After the Olympics: Motivation, Mental Health & Reset 06:47 – From Alpine and Nordic to Trail: Early Athletic Foundations 10:30 – Closet Skimo Training and the Road to Team USA 12:26 – Saying Yes: Olympic Skimo Commitment and Qualification 15:17 – The Role of Camps and Community in Rising Fast 17:01 – Blending Training: Off-Season Recovery and Rapid Skill Development 19:44 – Confidence, Resilience, and Takeaways From Multi-Sport Racing 21:45 – Optimizing Cross-Training: Interplay Between Running, Biking & Skiing 24:18 – Future Goals: Big Mountain Events and Staying Curious 28:06 – Challenging Specialization: Lessons From Racing and Experimenting 29:55 – Leadville 100 Prep: Structure, Weaknesses, and Training Philosophy 35:39 – Sponsorships and Career Balance in a Multi-Sport Life 38:08 – Managing Workouts, Recovery, and Strength Across Disciplines 43:19 – Coaching Multi-Sport Athletes and Advice for Beginners 46:30 – Embracing Uncertainty, Staying Curious, and the Road Ahead

Pregnancy and Elite Athletic Performance: How Pro Cyclist Sarah Sturm and Coach Dennis Van Winden Redefine Training for Mom Athletes. Discover top pregnancy-safe training tips, real athlete-coach strategies, and how to navigate racing, metrics, mental health, and sponsorships, without missing a beat. Elite cyclist Sarah Sturm and her coach Dennis Van Winden break new ground with a candid look at what it takes to maintain consistency, motivation, and health throughout pregnancy as a professional athlete. From adapting the athlete’s mindset to rethinking metrics and embracing Rate of Perceived Exertion, this episode delivers essential insights for female athletes (and coaches) facing the unknowns of pregnancy and postpartum return to racing. 00:00 – Mindset Shift: From Performance to Health in Pregnancy04:07 – When Career Meets Family: Planning for Pregnancy10:17 – Stress, Racing Seasons, and Conceiving as an Athlete14:56 – Privacy, Career Impact, and the Athlete Mindset17:33 – Letting Go of FTP: Embracing RPE and Subjective Training21:02 – Nutrition & Fueling: Adapting Intake for Pregnancy Needs22:36 – Flexible Programming: Communication and Weekly Check-ins29:10 – Grand Prix Notification: Navigating Pregnancy in Pro Competition31:15 – Pioneering Deferrals: Advocating for Maternity Policies33:14 – Sponsor Support: Contracts, Clauses, and Progressive Change35:35 – Identity Shifts: Psychological and Emotional Dynamics38:12 – Planning the Comeback: Hopes and Unknowns for 202743:02 – The Coach-Athlete Relationship: Trust, Adaptability, and Support49:03 – Data Gaps and Experimentation: Building Knowledge for Future Athletes54:38 – Comparing Experiences: Each Pregnancy is Unique59:46 – Postpartum Roadmap: Day-by-Day Planning for the Comeback1:02:02 – Advice for Athletes: Building a Support System Before and During Pregnancy1:02:41 – Closing Thoughts: Changing the Conversation about Pregnancy, Athletics, and Support

Heat Adaptation Hacks for Cyclists: How the Pros Master Sauna Protocols, Active Heat Training & Performance Gains. Discover the power of heat acclimatization to boost resilience, race readiness, and recovery in any climate. Pro coach Ben Day unleashes the secrets of modern endurance training through practical protocols and behind-the-scenes stories from Girona, Boulder, and the pro peloton. This episode peels back the science of heat training—from sauna and hot tub sessions to sweat-inducing paint suits and indoor trainer hacks—and reveals how every athlete, from ambitious amateurs to WorldTour contenders, can unlock cardiovascular and performance gains with just 7-14 days of heat exposure. Learn how to: Integrate heat training into your annual plan for serious marginal gains without burning out Dial in the balance between active (trainer, paint suit) and passive (sauna, hot tubs) protocols to match your schedule Track adaptation using heart rate, power, core temperature, and good old-fashioned athlete feedback for a complete picture Avoid common mistakes—why “more is not better” and the art of nailing your heat adaptation window for race day Whether you’re prepping for a midsummer gran fondo, an early Tour Down Under, or just want a physiological edge, you’ll hear exactly how the world’s best apply cutting-edge research and TrainingPeaks tools to bring it all together. Consistency, structured feedback, and smart scheduling are the name of the game—get the pro tips to adapt faster, recover better, and take your performance into the red-hot zone.

In this episode, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich joins host Dirk Friel to dive into the ambitious launch of Modern Adventure Cycling—a new American cycling team that’s already making waves on the international stage. With decades of experience racing and leading teams, George Hincapie and Bobby Julich share what inspired them to tackle this monumental project, how they overcame challenges in building their roster, and why fostering a positive team culture matters more than chasing results. From candid stories about assembling their squad to detailing their unique approach to high performance and athlete development, this episode is a masterclass on leadership, adaptability, and what it means to create opportunities for the next generation of American cyclists. Plus, hear behind-the-scenes moments from training camps in Girona, their unexpected invitations to world-class races, and the philosophy that guides them as they strive not only for podiums, but for lasting impact in the cycling community. 00:00 Power Analysis and Lap Comparison 03:09 "New Devices, Metrics, Automation" 07:50 "Inside Modern Adventure Pro Cycling" 12:04 "Securing the Deal to Start" 13:43 "Selecting Young Cyclists Wisely" 18:14 Supporting Riders, Building Futures 21:40 "Building a Team We Wanted" 24:26 Teamwork Boosts Morale 27:52 "Coaching: Data vs. Connection" 31:58 "Adjusting Plans for Race Invites" 33:11 American Cycling's Ambitious Revival 36:04 "Performance Priorities and Future Goals" 40:20 Emerging American Cyclists in Spotlight 42:54 "Team Unity Drives Success" 47:51 "Maintaining American Presence Abroad" 50:42 "Endurance Unlimited Podcast Sign-Off"

In this episode, we dig into an inspiring athlete’s evolution, exploring the high-stakes world of elite road marathoning and the tough transition to trail and ultra running. Olympic marathon bronze medalist Molly Seidel and her coach, Cliff Pittman, join us to walk us through her running journey —overcoming chronic injuries, recalibrating her goals after an Olympic medal, and battling the mental and physical challenges that come with shifting from polished pavement to rugged singletrack. You’ll hear firsthand how Molly faced setbacks, from broken bones to burnout, and how her passion led her to the trails. Cliff shares how he’s helping Molly adapt her world-class engine for the unique demands of ultras, blending thorough communication, athlete autonomy, and strategic training techniques. From dialing in race nutrition to conquering technical descents, this episode delivers real lessons — plus a behind-the-scenes look at one of the newest and most intriguing athlete-coach duos in endurance sports. Whether you’re a long-time road runner, aspiring ultramarathoner, or endurance coach, you’ll find wisdom, humility, and plenty of practical takeaways on embracing change, trusting the process, and honoring the journey.

Host Dirk Friel is joined by sleep researcher and sleep coach Charlotte Edelsten, whose expertise is backed by over two decades of research on sleep and performance. Together, they dive deep into the science behind sleep for endurance athletes—addressing why sleep is a true foundation for training adaptations, injury prevention, and race-day performance. Charlotte Edelsten shares insights from her years conducting research at high-profile endurance events like UTMB Mont Blanc, unpacks why many athletes struggle with sleep quality (even Olympians!), and dispels myths about supplements and wearables. She discusses practical strategies for managing sleep during training and competition, including napping protocols, sleep banking, and how to optimize rest at altitude or before an ultra-endurance race. 00:00 "Endurance Training & Sleep Insights" 03:37 Sleep Disturbances in Athletes 09:10 Caffeine: Adenosine Blocker Explained 11:10 Limitations of Sleep-Tracking Devices 13:21 "Sleep's Impact on Athletic Performance" 18:46 "Understanding Sleep Through Sleep Diaries" 20:54 "Supplements Won't Cure Sleep Issues" 26:07 "Pre-Race Sleep and Mindset" 29:18 "Sleep Strategies and Performance" 31:01 "Gradual Sleep Extension for Athletes" 33:39 "Strategic Napping in Sports" 37:39 "Optimizing Sleep for Best Rest" 42:09 Sleep's Role in UTMB Success 43:49 "Fatigue Management for Runners" 47:42 "Caffeine Strategies in Training" 50:51 "Hallucinations From Extreme Sleep Deprivation" 55:12 "Endurance Unlimited: Follow & Train"

On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put the U.S. a ticket to the Games for Skimo, but also set the stage for what’s next in this fast-evolving sport. Cam Smith shares his journey from ultra-endurance races to the high-intensity, quick-transition world of ski mountaineering, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the training philosophies, mistakes to avoid, and the unique demands of mixed relay competition. You’ll hear how he leverages both running and skiing to fuel his performance, and get an inside look at how emerging talent like Anna Gibson is shaking up the U.S. team. 00:00 "Mixed Relay Racing Strategies" 03:32 "Qualifying on Home Soil" 07:50 "Trail Running Meets Skiing" 12:44 "Balancing Racing Seasons and Goals" 15:41 "Short Turnaround: Leveraging Speed" 17:45 Training for Steep Mountain Racing 22:48 "Injuries, Adaptation, and Focus" 24:39 Future Trail Racing Plans 29:30 "Building a Strong Skimo Team" 31:26 "Join Our Thriving Federation" 36:50 "Pacing Strategies in Racing" 38:38 Downhill Training for Racing Success 43:02 "Post-Season Training Reset" 45:19 "Skimo's Impact and Future" 48:40 "Inspiring the Next Generation"

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for an athlete-focused episode on the off-season, including practical strategies to help athletes integrate their training with work, family, and life, as well as building systems that drive long-term success. Instead of chasing peak fitness or pushing for higher power numbers, Matt urges athletes to focus on rejuvenation, consistency, and building foundational habits that set the stage for breakthroughs later in the season. He makes it clear: the off-season is not about piling on more work, but fine-tuning the invisible groundwork, like sleep, nutrition, strength training, and skill development. Whether you’re a dedicated competitor or just striving to be your best, tune in for expert tips and actionable advice that will help you come back stronger, faster, and ready to tackle your goals head-on. If you’re wondering how to structure your downtime for maximum gain, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom on building consistency, adopting a “challenge mindset,” and making off-season training not just effective, but fun and fulfilling.