Jess and BJ reconnect after back to back adventures: Jess leading an eight day yoga trip in Iceland and BJ racing an Ironman in Lake Placid before jumping straight into a half Ironman in Maine. This episode is part travel story, part endurance debrief, and part philosophy on how adventure, racing, and teaching all reveal who we are under pressure.We discuss the contrast between Iceland’s wild weather and Lake Placid’s race day conditions, the lessons BJ took from missing Kona and Chattanooga qualification spots, and why both of them keep building lives around service, coaching, and movement. Andy also appears as a first time guest presence, while Clark makes his usual background cameo. Key topics In this episode: Iceland is described as a living, volatile landscape shaped by lava fields, waterfalls, wind, folklore, puffins, geothermal baths, and “Icelandic weather” that feels like its own character. Jess shares how the group in Iceland bonded quickly through shared discomfort, shared meals, yoga, long bus rides, and unscripted moments like fermented shark, voucher wine, and a roadside view of Kirkjufell. Jess and BJ talk about Inga, the trip guide, as a key part of the experience and reflect on how strong leadership helps a group move together like an organism. BJ shares the logic behind racing a full Ironman in Lake Placid and then a half Ironman in Maine the following week, including the goal of a Kona qualification and a 70.3 Worlds slot. In Lake Placid, BJ breaks down the swim, the Keene descent, the strong winds, a rear hub mechanical issue, and how those details affected both pacing and the run. The biggest lesson from the race was simple and direct: stick with the fueling plan that works, especially under wind, fatigue, and long-course stress. Jess and BJ discuss how teaching yoga at race weekends has become as meaningful as racing itself, especially when it creates calm, confidence, and practical mindset tools for athletes. In Maine, BJ describes the race as one of the best courses around, with a rolling bike, a challenging run climb, and a big turnout for the pre-race yoga session. They connect their work back to a larger purpose: helping people build space between stimulus and response, and showing that mindset training matters in racing and everyday life. The episode closes with advice for anyone considering an adventure or retreat: feel the pull, put down the deposit, and build your life around the experiences that matter. Timestamps 00:00 - Mic check, intro setup, and getting the conversation going 03:29 - Back from Iceland and Lake Placid, ready to debrief 05:03 - Why Iceland felt epic, alive, and unforgettable 07:57 - Weather, folklore, lava fields, waterfalls, and local Icelandic energy 09:43 - Geothermal pools, tough locals, and the robe standoff 11:48 - Why Iceland is a place you have to experience, not just hear about 13:00 - Low clouds, hidden views, and learning to notice what is in front of you 15:11 - Primal screaming behind the waterfalls and losing Jess’s voice 18:49 - The idea to race Lake Placid and then race Maine one week later 21:24 - Qualifying goals for Kona and 70.3 Worlds, and missing both 22:35 - What missing the slots revealed about love for the sport 23:21 - Teaching yoga at races and serving athletes before and after competition 26:23 - Using racing as a teaching platform about attachment and outcome 27:30 - Learning to let the finish line be a launchpad, not the whole story 30:10 - Why Ironman requires total commitment, no shortcuts 31:20 - Swim confidence, Lake Placid conditions, and the Keene descent 34:24 - Strong winds, bike instability, and why the descent felt risky 35:11 - Sunlight, confidence, lower back pain, and managing the bike all day 36:36 - The rear hub mechanical issue and the cost of lost minutes 37:29 - Run pacing, sodium, and the battle to stay moving 38:00 - Claire on the course, late-race motivation, and athlete support 39:22 - The biggest Lake Placid lesson: keep the fueling plan 40:08 - Why race-day decisions do not need to be overanalyzed after the fact 42:57 - The mind’s need for certainty and the pull toward control 44:44 - How retreats and race weekends create real transformation 45:38 - Being the social glue on trips and why groups bond fast 47:27 - Collecting the group in Reykjavik and the first airport reunions 50:41 - Fermented shark, staying awake, and the first group yoga class 53:28 - Yoga, travel, and how movement helps metabolize adventure 55:37 - Supporting fear on the bus and creating space for someone scared 56:35 - Shared meals, sleep deprivation, and the little moments nobody can script 57:17 - Mayonnaise on pancakes and the kind of joke that becomes trip lore 59:04 - Inga’s storytelling, Icelandic pop culture, and the Kirkjufell moment 61:22 - The cinematic drive, the mountain reveal, and saying yes to the trip 63:21 - Post-race recovery in Lake Placid: pickle juice, food, and hydration 64:59 - Swimming the next day, then recovering with rest and electrolytes 66:44 - No training after the race, just recovery, family time, and trust in the process 68:45 - Why BJ loves the Maine race and what makes the course so good 69:29 - Over 65 people at pre-race yoga and why the mindset work lands 70:25 - Interval training, pranayama, and building mental focus for race day 71:13 - Bike course and run course breakdown for Maine 73:27 - Wetsuit conditions, race logistics, and Santa Cruz coming up next 74:04 - Why the work matters for racers and non-racers alike 75:23 - The power couple label, divide and conquer, and doing what you love 76:11 - How the first Ironman yoga class in 2013 started the whole path 78:23 - Years of showing up, vulnerability, and building Yogi Tri Athlete 79:53 - Belief in the work, evidence over time, and community growth 80:23 - A race example showing how yoga can reconnect people to movement 81:38 - The three pillars: endurance coaching, mindset, and adventure 82:53 - Why waiting for the “perfect schedule” is backwards 84:08 - Put the deposit down, build your life around the trip, and dream away 85:45 - The trip team, route help, and how the support system works 87:15 - Fears about flying with the bike, travel, and being alone 88:12 - Moving through fear creates confidence and more information 89:42 - Costa Rica next May and why the retreat is a fast track 90:30 - Final night catamaran tradition and sealing the experience 92:09 - Taking risks in teaching, trusting the process, and growing the community 93:01 - Gratitude for the listeners, team, and travelers who make it all possible
