Endurance Icons

Mark and Jessica Cullen
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Endurance Icons

Endurance Icons is a podcast hosted by Jessica and Mark Cullen that interviews the greats of endurance sports, ranging from triathlon, running and OCR to adventure racing, freestyle skiing and car racing. We also produce a special feature called Endurance Experts that dives into the experts that support these icons!

  1. 11/15/2024

    Ep. 62 - Natasha van der Merwe - Building Community and Legacy in Endurance Sports

    Description: In this episode of Endurance Icons, we sit down with Natasha van der Merwe, a former professional triathlete, coach, and founder of NVDM Coaching. She shares insights into her coaching philosophy, the power of community, and her passion for empowering athletes at all levels. We dive into the creation of her innovative nutrition products, the importance of mindset in endurance sports, and her vision for leaving a legacy rooted in service and connection. Natasha's story reminds us of the profound impact of purpose-driven work and the joy of pursuing excellence.

    47 min

  2. 11/01/2024

    Ep. 61 - Kona Recap & Lessons for AG athletes w/ Coach and Former Pro Jeff Beech

    Mark and Jeff dive into: -Pre race buzz around Kona -Who our podium picks were -How the race played out & analysis -Lots of valuable information for Age Group athletes around racing, nutrition, heat, gear etc.

    1h 8m

  3. 07/12/2024

    Ep. 60 - 70.3 Tremblant, 2024 Plans and Dealing With Loss with the LP Pro Triathletes

    Canadian Pro Triathletes Jess Turanec, Allison Jacob and Jess Cullen

    1h 24m

  4. 06/04/2024

    Ep. 59 - Characteristics of the Top Endurance Athletes & How to Choose a Coach

    In our latest episode, we have a discussion about coaching philosophies and what to look for in a coach. We explored the importance of communication, engagement, and taking ownership in fostering successful athlete-coach relationships. Key takeaways highlighted that coaches should have experience with athletes who share similar goals and backgrounds. It’s crucial to find a coaching style and philosophy that align with your personal needs, whether that means preferring a hands-on or hands-off approach. Top performers stand out by being adaptable, focusing on the process rather than just the goal, and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities. We delved into the specifics of choosing a coach, emphasizing the need to consider their experience with similar athletes, the benefits and drawbacks of remote versus in-person coaching, and the importance of matching communication styles. Credentials can be helpful but are not the sole determinant of a good coach. We also discussed the qualities of top-performing athletes, who take responsibility for their training, communicate regularly with their coaches, and remain open to feedback. Mark's coaching philosophy was shared, focusing on integrating performance within the context of a busy life and using endurance sports to build life skills beyond fitness.

    33 min

  5. 05/22/2024

    Ep. 58 - Chattanooga 70.3 Recap with Jess Turanec and Allison Jacob

    Jess Cullen sits down with fellow LP Endurance Pro teammates Jess Turanec and Allison Jacob to run through their races and experiences at Chattanooga 70.3 in the Ironman Pro Series. Episode Notes Transitioning from age group to pro is a big adjustment with many differences Swim starts are more chaotic, bike courses less crowded, run is about chasing down competitors Mindset is key - viewing races as learning experiences and staying positive through challenges Consistent training at prescribed paces and avoiding heroic efforts enables longevity in the sport Jess T felt very nervous, especially at pro meeting surrounded by triathlon stars Allison felt calmer than before her first pro race, used mantras/focus words Jess C had a hectic lead-up with work travel and moving, focused on executing race plan Open water swimming is challenging compared to the pool, takes time to translate Jess T and Allison exited water alone, Jess C had a panic moment early on Downriver current was strong, buoys came quickly, some physical contact between athletes Allison rode on feel vs power, focused on steady effort and cadence, course felt empty Jess T's seat was too low causing hip pain, rode mostly solo enjoying the course Jess C had favorite ride, pushed hard and rode with other pros which was motivating Allison aimed to ease into pace on hilly course, counted steps to maintain cadence Jess T developed a side stitch and had to walk/slow down, but enjoyed cheering others Jess C went into triage mode due to heart arrhythmia, ran easy but still had fun Pro races have more perks but are "pure" racing without advantages like drafting Dynamics are different - always chasing vs being chased, truly racing yourself Learning curve is steep but provides motivation to keep improving each race All three racing Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant next Allison traveling to Europe for work, will take a short training break Jess T connecting with another pro female in Ottawa to train together

    1h 15m

  6. 05/08/2024

    Ep. 57 - Ironman Texas Race Recap w/ Pro Triathletes Allison Jacob & Jess Cullen

    In this episode we cover: -Allison's journey to her first pro race at Ironman Texas -Pre Race prep and feelings -Swim, Bike, Run recaps -Whats next.

    1h 31m
  7. Ep. 56 - Oceanside 70.3 - Jess’ First Pro Race - Recapping the Mishaps, Memorable Stories and Epic Performances

    04/09/2024

    Ep. 56 - Oceanside 70.3 - Jess’ First Pro Race - Recapping the Mishaps, Memorable Stories and Epic Performances

    Welcome to the Oceanside 70.3 recap! In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of triathlon, specifically the recent race where Jess had her first pro experience.  We start with Jess's journey leading up to the race with her preparation and how the pro experience differed from being an age grouper. We hear some funny stories from the pro briefing around race ranger, aero fairing and the pro personalities.  Jess recaps her day through the swim, bike and run and shares a few funny gear and fuelling mistakes she made on the day.  Next we dive into a recap of the amazing top performances from the day on the mens and womens side and rate the kickoff to the pro series.  To wrap things up, Mark shared a hilarious story about an age grouper who had a whirlwind of a day. From showing up late, to renting a bike, to getting a mechanical; this athlete's journey was filled with ups and downs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of triathlon racing. Overall, the Oceanside 70.3 was a race to remember, filled with thrilling moments, inspiring performances, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in to our next episode for more exciting race recaps and triathlon insights!

    1h 5m

  8. 03/22/2024

    Ep. 55 - Overcoming Barriers and Optimizing Performance: Insights from Endurance Coach and Physician, Jeff Sankoff

    In this insightful conversation, Jeff Sankoff - physician, coach, athlete and podcaster at TriDoc podcast shares the top 5 takeaways that actually work for athletes, highlights misconceptions in endurance sports, and delves into his coaching philosophy across swimming, cycling, and running. With personal reflections on mindset shifts and optimizing performance, along with practical advice on gear selection and upcoming race plans, Jeff's expertise resonates with both seasoned athletes and enthusiasts seeking to excel in endurance sports. Follow Jeff on TriDoc Podcast and his journey for invaluable insights and inspiration. Links: PODCAST: https://www.tridocpodcast.com/ Microbiome podcast: https://www.tridocpodcast.com/episode/ep-124-the-microbiome-and-athletic-performance-tamara-jewett  This episode is sponsored by Open. To get one month free, use code ICONSOPEN30 o-p-e-n.com.

    1h 5m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Endurance Icons is a podcast hosted by Jessica and Mark Cullen that interviews the greats of endurance sports, ranging from triathlon, running and OCR to adventure racing, freestyle skiing and car racing. We also produce a special feature called Endurance Experts that dives into the experts that support these icons!

Information

  • Creator
    Mark and Jessica Cullen
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mark and Jessica Cullen
  • Show Website
    Endurance Icons

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