Endurance Matters Hosted by BigMetz

Marcus Gordon and Justin Metzler

The Endurance Matters Podcast, Hosted by Justin “BigMetz” Metzler, professional triathlete, is the ultimate destination for endurance enthusiasts. Join us as we dive deep into the world of endurance sports, from 5Ks to Ironman triathlons to Ultra Races, and everything in between. Each episode we'll bring you inspiring stories featuring athletes, trailblazers, and members of the endurance community. From the highs to the lows, this podcast will help us explore the limits of human physical and mental performance. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your endurance journey, Endurance Matters is your go-to source for motivation, education, and entertainment. Tune in, lace up, and let's go the distance together!

  1. 3 MAR

    Melanie McQuaid: XTERRA World Champion, ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, and multi-decade Professional Ironman Athlete

    In this episode of Endurance Matters, host Justin Metzler sits down with triathlon legend Melanie McQuaid—XTERRA World Champion, ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Olympian-level cyclist, and longtime Ironman competitor—for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and longevity in sport. Melanie shares her journey from growing up in rural British Columbia to racing mountain bike World Cups, nearly chasing the Olympics, and ultimately dominating the XTERRA circuit. She opens up about pivotal career crossroads, coaching missteps, taking ownership of her own training, and the mindset that allowed her to stay competitive into her 40s and beyond. You’ll hear: 🌍 Her breakthrough race in Maui that changed everything🚴‍♀️ The rise of XTERRA and how she built a career from prize money and grit🧠 Why she became her own coach—and how that unlocked multiple world titles💔 The devastating 2011 World Championship collapse that marked the end of an era🔥 Transitioning to Ironman at 42 to prove she wasn’t “too old”🎓 What great coaching actually looks like (and what athletes get wrong)🤖 Her candid thoughts on AI coaching vs real human mentorshipThis is more than a race recap—it’s a masterclass in belief, stubborn resilience, and understanding your own physiology. Melanie dives deep into athlete development, injury trends, vetting coaches, and why unshakable self-belief might matter more than raw talent. Whether you’re an age-group athlete, aspiring pro, or coach yourself, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom from someone who has seen every side of elite sport. 🎧 Listen now to hear how a triathlon legend stayed competitive for decades—and why she believes the real key to success isn’t magic workouts, but understanding yourself.

    54 min
  2. 22/12/2025

    Erin Carson: Endurance Strength and Mobility Coach to the Stars

    In this episode of Endurance Matters,  @bigjmetz11 (Justin Metzler) sits down with  @ECFITStrength (Erin Carson) is a leading voice in strength endurance training, to explore how endurance athletes can get stronger, more resilient, and perform better without sacrificing endurance 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♂️ Erin breaks down what strength endurance really means for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and hybrid athletes and why traditional strength training often misses the mark for endurance performance 🧠⚡ We dive into: 💪 What strength endurance actually looks like in practice ❌ Common gym mistakes endurance athletes make 🏋️ How to build strength that transfers to race day 🧘‍♂️ Durability, movement quality, and staying injury-free You’ll also hear Erin’s insights on: ⚖️ Balancing strength work with high-volume endurance training 📆 Integrating strength training year-round 🧠 Long-term athlete development and performance longevity Whether you’re an age-group athlete or a competitive endurance racer, this conversation will help you train smarter, stay healthier, and perform at a higher level 🚀 🎧 Listen now and start building strength that supports your endurance and be sure to tune in EVERY Monday at 6:45MT to Monday Morning Mobility  @ECFITStrength ! #EnduranceSports #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #strengthtraining #strength #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman ✌🏼 - BigMetz Follow Erin on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ecfit_strength/ Erin's Website:https://www.ecfitstrength.com/

    59 min
  3. 01/12/2025

    Andy Donaldson: Endurance Swimmer Who Swam 200km, Survived Sharks & Found Joy in the Oceans

    In this episode of Endurance Matters, world-record ocean swimmer Andy Donaldson opens up with BigMetz about the raw, unfiltered side of ultra-endurance: the night swims, the panic, the doubt, the logistics behind swimming 200 km across seven oceans in one year and the quiet moments where he nearly quit 🧠💥. He shares how open-water swimming saved his mental health, how a 19 km Rottnest crossing rebuilt his confidence, what it’s like to be pushed off course for hours in Molokai, and the calm thinking that got him through his first shark encounter 🦈😨. We also dive deep into his training secrets: cold exposure, ice baths, mobility work, smarter gym sessions, and the tiny 1% habits that fueled a world record. On this Episode, Andy Donaldson breaks down everything: • The moment Molokai nearly broke him mentally 🧠💥 • How open-water swimming saved his mental health • His first shark encounter and how he stayed calm 🦈 • Training for freezing water + 1% habits that matter ❄️🔥 • Why gym durability beats endless miles • How he became the fastest to complete the Ocean Seven 🌍⚡ • The life lessons only the ocean can teach Raw. Honest. Inspiring. If you’re rebuilding, dreaming big, or pushing past your limits — this one is for you 💛🔥. #EnduranceSports #OpenWaterSwimming #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #ChannelSwimming #MentalHealthJourney #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #SwimLife #ColdWaterTraining #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman ✌🏼 - BigMetz

    1 h 5 min
  4. 28/07/2025

    Eric Hinman: Building a Life of Endurance & Influence

    In this inspiring episode of the Endurance Matters Podcast, BigMetz welcomes Eric Hinman—entrepreneur, 5x Ironman, and influential voice in the fitness and wellness space. Known for blending high-performance endurance training with a vibrant personal brand, Eric shares how he’s built a lifestyle centered around movement, recovery, and community. Eric opens up about his evolution from startup founder to full-time fitness content creator, offering insights into how he stays motivated, structures his day, and maintains authenticity in an often filtered social media world. We discuss: Eric’s daily routine and non-negotiables for peak performanceThe power of building a “training tribe” and communityBalancing fitness, entrepreneurship, and content creationRecovery practices and biohacks that actually workThe mental side of endurance sport and staying consistentCreating meaningful influence in the fitness spaceWhether you're chasing your next Ironman or building your personal brand, Eric’s story will motivate you to take ownership of your lifestyle, health, and impact. ✌🏼 - BigMetz This Episode Is Brought to You By:PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner Social Accounts: Eric Hinman Instagram LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/EMPitunesSpotify: https://bit.ly/EMPspotifyAmazon: https://bit.ly/EMPamazon

    1 h 9 min
  5. 27/07/2025

    Matt Bottrill: Cycling and Triathlon Performance Coach

    In this episode, BigMetz sits down with Matt Botrill—legendary time trialist, national champion, and renowned cycling and triathlon performance coach—to unpack the secrets of going faster. Matt shares his journey from elite racer to high-performance coach, explaining the mindset, training principles, and aerodynamic optimization that separate good athletes from great ones. We cover: Matt’s transition from competitive racing to full-time coachingThe critical role of aerodynamics in time trialing and triathlonHis approach to individualized training plansCommon mistakes endurance athletes make in pacing and bike fitReal-world case studies of athletes gaining significant time through small adjustmentsHow technology and data analysis are transforming endurance coachingWhether you're a cyclist, triathlete, or coach, this episode is packed with practical tips and insights to help you improve your own performance.#ironman #triathlon #enduranceathlete #endurancemindset #swim #bike #runningmotivation #olympics #cycling  ✌🏼 - BigMetz This Episode Is Brought to You By:PRECISION FUEL AND HYDRATION Get 15% OFF BY CLICKING THIS LINK 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz Get a free Fuel & Hydration Plan for your next race 👉 https://visit.pfandh.com/bigmetz-planner Social Accounts: Matt Bottrill: https://www.instagram.com/bottrillmatthew/ LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/EMPitunesSpotify: https://bit.ly/EMPspotifyAmazon: https://bit.ly/EMPamazon

    1 h 6 min

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The Endurance Matters Podcast, Hosted by Justin “BigMetz” Metzler, professional triathlete, is the ultimate destination for endurance enthusiasts. Join us as we dive deep into the world of endurance sports, from 5Ks to Ironman triathlons to Ultra Races, and everything in between. Each episode we'll bring you inspiring stories featuring athletes, trailblazers, and members of the endurance community. From the highs to the lows, this podcast will help us explore the limits of human physical and mental performance. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your endurance journey, Endurance Matters is your go-to source for motivation, education, and entertainment. Tune in, lace up, and let's go the distance together!

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