Purple Patch Podcast

Matt Dixon

Author and Triathlon Coach, Matt Dixon, will empower and educate you to integrate sport into life in order to reach your athletic potential because, it is through the lens of athletic potential, that you reach your human potential. In addition to topics such as planning your fitness into a time-starved life, the show will provide in-depth interviews, advice, and insight into optimizing your health, work, and life performance, along with the critical habits and approaches that facilitate the success of some of the world's top performers across many disciplines.

  1. 3d ago

    The Proof Is in the PRs: Racing an Ironman on 10–12 Hours a Week

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Coach Max Gering reviewed Purple Patch athletes' Ironman California performances and the training principles behind their results. Nearly 30 athletes competed across age groups 18–24 through 65–69; outcomes included two Kona qualifications, three top-10 age-group finishes, eight sub-11-hour finishes, several personal records, and at least five first-time finishes. Average training time was 10.13 hours per week. Athletes achieved strong results across a wide range of training loads, including some averaging under seven hours. Matt and Max emphasized sustainable consistency over high weekly volume: training should fit life, avoid large gaps, and be distributed according to each athlete's circumstances. Success reflects habits built over months and years, not just a short Ironman training block. Coaching, confidence, and a healthy perspective helped athletes manage expectations. On the hot, flat course, athletes benefited from pacing patiently, managing effort by feel, walking aid stations, and maintaining hydration and fueling rather than chasing pace. Purple Patch and Episode Resources Book your needs assessment with Coach Max Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page  Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19  Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com  Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  2. Oct 22

    The Counterintuitive Daily Habit That Boosts Performance, Energy and Sleep

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon describes the performance reset as a deliberate short break that helps restore energy, focus, and performance rather than taking time away from productivity. Drawing on the example of strategic walk breaks during an Ironman, he explains that brief recovery periods can help manage accumulated physical and mental stress and support stronger performance later in the day. He outlines three reset options: meditation, which he presents as the most effective for processing stress; a short nap of around 7–15 minutes to re-energize; and walking or active mobility, an accessible way to refresh the brain and mobilize energy. A reset taken in the early or middle afternoon may support focus for the following hours and help reduce stress that can interfere with sleep. Dixon emphasizes that a reset is one part of a broader set of performance habits. Combined with adequate hydration, nourishing food, regular movement, strength training, and good sleep, it can contribute to greater resilience and capacity at work, in sport, and at home. Purple Patch and Episode Resources Book your needs assessment with Coach Max Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page  Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19  Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com  Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  3. Oct 14

    The Two Sides of Great Coaching: How to Lead Better and Be More Coachable

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explains how Coaching is a partnership, not a service that magically solves performance challenges. The principles apply to athletes, business professionals, leaders, and managers alike. Purple Patch described its Tri-Squad program as combining customizable programming with coach support, email guidance, app resources, and on-demand consultations. Effective coaching starts with clarity around standards, expectations, and goals. Coaches should simplify their message and prioritize the few changes most likely to improve performance. Small victories build confidence and demonstrate progress, while a focus on process behaviors gives individuals practical steps toward their goals. A coach also needs to be a consistent presence and understand the individual within the broader system. Being coachable means taking ownership of the journey and defining a vision for development. It requires staying humble, hungry, and open to growth while actively contributing observations, questions, ideas, and feedback. Progress comes from applying lessons quickly rather than repeating conversations without changing behavior. Taking time to reflect on successes, failures, lessons, and next steps—and staying committed when development becomes uncomfortable—is essential to making the partnership work. Purple Patch and Episode Resources Book your needs assessment with Coach Max Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page  Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19 Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  4. Oct 7

    90 Minutes Faster at 40: How Lindsey Stopped Grinding and Qualified for Kona

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, Lindsey is a personal trainer, endurance athlete, coach, and busy mom who believes there's always another level to chase. A six-time Ironman finisher, ultra-distance runner, 70.3 World Championship finisher, and *finally* a Kona qualifier, she has spent 20 years proving that big goals are built through consistency, courage, and refusing to give up. She brings that same passion to helping others become stronger, healthier, and more confident in what they're capable of.   Purple Patch and Episode Resources  Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page  Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19  Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com  Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  5. Sep 30

    Win Cycle: Lessons From Inside Three High-Growth Companies on Performing Under Pressure

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon shared lessons from three WinCycle performance workshops and identified practices for sustaining high performance amid rapid change. Current Headwinds High-growth organizations are operating without a stable playbook as AI accelerates innovation, changes priorities, and outpaces existing processes. New demands are being added to teams that were already operating near capacity. Leaders increasingly value people with a coaching mindset who can filter noise, apply judgment, and focus teams on what matters. Performance Approach Teams should prepare, think, and act like professional athletes: maintain high standards, build systems, and prioritize recovery. Sustainable performance depends on expanding human capacity rather than simply adding workload. Core Practices The performance foundation combines hydration, nutrition, movement, strength training, brief daily resets, and sleep. These practices work as an integrated system to support stress processing, focus, stable energy, resilience, and adaptability. Open question: How can leaders embed these practices into daily work so they become performance requirements rather than optional wellness benefits? li>ol]:list-[lower-alpha] [&_ol>li>ol>li>ol]:list-[lower-roman] [&_ol>li>ol>li>ol>li>ol]:list-[list-decimal] [&_[data-user]]:text-primary [&_:is(pre)]:overflow-auto [&_:is(table)]:w-full [&_:is(table,th,td)]:border [&_:is(table,th,td)]:border-collapse [&_:is(table,th,td)]:border-gray-300 [&_:is(table,th,td)]:p-2 [&_:is(strong,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:font-semibold [&_:is(h1)]:text-2xl [&_:is(h2)]:text-lg [&_:is(h3)]:text-md [&_h1:not(:first-child)]:mt-8 [&_h1:not(:last-child)]:mb-6 [&_h2:not(:first-child)]:mt-6 [&_h2:not(:last-child)]:mb-4 [&_h3:not(:first-child)]:mt-4 [&_pre]:bg-palette-gray-200 [&_pre>code]:bg-transparent [&_pre>code]:px-0 [&_pre>code]:py-0 [&_pre]:px-[6px] [&_pre]:py-[2px] [&_pre]:m-0 [&_pre]:rounded-[4px] [&_code]:bg-palette-gray-200 [&_code]:px-[6px] [&_code]:py-[2px] [&_code]:m-0 [&_code]:rounded-[4px] [&_blockquote]:m-0 [&_blockquote]:px-[16px] [&_blockquote]:py-0 [&_blockquote]:text-subtle [&_blockquote]:border-l-[4px] [&_blockquote]:border-palette-gray-200 overflow-x-auto [&_ol]:pl-5 [&_li]:my-2 [&_:is(p,ul,ol):not(:first-child)]:mt-3 [&_:is(p,ul,ol):not(:last-child)]:mb-3" data-testid="render-markdown"> WinCycle Context WinCycle was presented as a leadership and team performance program based on lessons from endurance sports. Three workshops were delivered for technology, legal, and private equity organizations. Participant feedback averaged 4.7 out of 5 for the experience and 4.9 out of 5 for likelihood to recommend. Organizational Headwinds Organizations are moving faster because of AI, with work timelines compressed from months to days or hours. Existing processes, priorities, and decision cycles are struggling to keep pace. Teams face increasing demands without equivalent increases in capacity. Athlete-Based Model High performers need disciplined preparation, consistent systems, recovery, and the ability to perform under pressure. Leadership should shift from management toward coaching to help teams navigate uncertainty and focus energy. Performance Foundation Six practices were emphasized: hydration, nutrition, movement, strength, strategic daily resets, and sleep. Together, they support capacity, cognitive performance, energy, physical resilience, and sustainable high performance. Purple Patch and Episode Resources Mike Moritz's Book Ausländer: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Auslander/Michael-Moritz/9798897101924 Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  6. Sep 16

    Off-Season: Strength, Body Comp, Durability

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explained how Purple Patch off-season training builds health, durability, and readiness for the next endurance season. Core Focus Four topics were covered: strength training, body composition, run-injury resistance, and maintaining structure during the off-season. Off-season is intended to establish a foundation rather than pursue peak race fitness. Training Guidance Most endurance athletes should prioritize two 30–40-minute strength sessions weekly, using progressive heavy lifting with sound form; some mature athletes may benefit from three sessions. Nutrition should emphasize individualized assessment, hydration, fueling, and adequate protein rather than chasing race weight. Run durability should be developed through frequent easy running, optional walk breaks, short technical speed efforts, and patient progression. Program Structure Off-season officially begins September 28, with athletes transitioning after later-season races. The off-season is a training phase within Tri Squad and one-to-one coaching, not a separate program. No unresolved questions or blockers were identified. Purple Patch and Episode Resources  Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com  Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology  Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch  Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

  7. Sep 9

    How to Build Your Ironman Off-Season

    Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Coach Max discuss strategic approaches to the triathlon off-season through various athlete case studies. Matt and Max analyze several athlete profiles to provide guidance on transitioning from race season to the off-season. Injury Prevention: For athletes like "Rachel" who struggle with run durability, Matt recommends a mindset shift toward building tissue resilience rather than chasing cardiovascular fitness. This involves high-frequency, low-intensity running and avoiding training under fatigue. Raising Performance Ceilings: For experienced Ironman athletes looking to improve bike power, Matt suggests using the Velocity platform for terrain management and performing high-intensity, short-duration intervals (VO2 max work) to increase engine size. Strategic Focus: For athletes feeling "cooked" or burned out, the coaches advise filtering out social media noise and focusing on a single strategic pillar—such as building a "platform of health"—to ensure long-term consistency. Multi-Sport Integration: Max emphasizes viewing triathlon as one sport with three components, using swimming and cycling to build an aero The discussion highlights how Purple Patch applies performance principles to both athletic and professional environments via the Wind Cycle program. Team Culture: Matt shares insights from working with USA Triathlon, noting that high standards and coachability are essential for both world-class athletes and corporate leaders. Sustainable Growth: The coaches advocate for the "Sunday Special" method, where athletes plan their week by prioritizing life commitments (family, work) alongside training to manage variable workloads effectively. Holistic Approach: The off-season is framed not as a gap in training, but as a unique phase focused on joy, strength building (squats, deadlifts), and non-triathlon activities like tennis or skiing to prevent mental burnout. Purple Patch and Episode Resources  Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com  Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology  Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch  Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

4.9
out of 5
561 Ratings

About

Author and Triathlon Coach, Matt Dixon, will empower and educate you to integrate sport into life in order to reach your athletic potential because, it is through the lens of athletic potential, that you reach your human potential. In addition to topics such as planning your fitness into a time-starved life, the show will provide in-depth interviews, advice, and insight into optimizing your health, work, and life performance, along with the critical habits and approaches that facilitate the success of some of the world's top performers across many disciplines.

You Might Also Like