Unstoppable With Shangrila Rendon

Shangrila Rendon
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

What if you could train smarter, race stronger, and still have energy for your family, career, and dreams while staying injury free? This show is for working parents, busy triathletes, marathoners, and endurance athletes who are chasing big goals and want to push past their limits and inspire others by how they show up in sport and life. Whether you're a first-timer, a comeback athlete, or someone who’s been stuck in burnout or injury, you belong here.  No matter your age, past injuries, time off, or current limitations, this podcast will help you go farther than you thought possible. Inside every episode, you’ll get: - Proven strategies from the Smart Training Method™  covering training, nutrition, injury prevention/body maintenance, mindset, and race prep - Inspiring interviews with everyday athletes and elite performers - High-impact lessons from experts in endurance, mental fitness, and performance - Raw stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation in the world of triathlon and running I’m Shangrila Rendon, 2x Guinness World Record holder, 48-time Ironman distance finisher, Ultraman and IM Kona finisher, keynote speaker, author, creator of Smart Training Method and Founder of Feisty Fox Coaching. But I didn’t start this way. At 24, I couldn’t swim, didn’t own a bike, and could barely run for 15 minutes. I battled depression, PTSD, addiction, eating disorder and the lasting scars of childhood abuse, sexual assault.  Endurance sport became the path I used to rebuild myself. I trained hard, failed often, and never gave up. And now I help others do the same. I created this podcast to help you go farther, inspire others, and become unstoppable. Subscribe now and join our community of athletes who are learning to be Unstoppable

  1. 1d ago

    Why Your Swim Training Isn't Translating to Race Day?

    You know how to swim. So why does race day make it feel like you don’t? You trained for months, completed the pool workouts and practiced in open water. Yet when the race begins, your stroke changes. Manuel, Heather, Amaar and many other athletes we have helped came to us with the same frustration: “I can’t translate the swim work I put in during training to race day.” They’re dedicated and doing the right things. Some had already worked on technique, completed swim analyses, or joined Masters swimming. Yet when race day arrived, their stroke changed. Some felt their legs sinking and forgot how to use their kick. Others started spinning their arms faster. Their glide disappeared, heart rate climbed or breathing became harder to control. The harder they fought the water, the more the water seemed to fight back. The answer was not simply to become mentally tougher. It was not just doing more open-water swimming. The problem was that nobody had connected what they were feeling and experiencing on race day with what was physically happening to their stroke. To change the result, we had to connect several parts of their training. - Technique - Pacing - Endurance - Open-water execution And the ability to recognize and correct what was breaking before it turned into panic. The result looked different for each athlete. Manuel, a multi-time 70.3 World Championship finisher, had struggled with anxiety and losing his stroke under pressure. After one month in the program, he earned a swim PR at Ironman 70.3 Australia and finished the race in nearly five hours. Heather had panicked during a 70.3 swim just a few weeks earlier. After three weeks in the program, she completed her next race swim calmly, without stopping, and won her age group. Amaar had previously finished only five minutes to spare before the 70.3 swim cutoff. One month later, at age 60, he completed the Ironman Lake Placid swim in under two hours, confidently and without panic. Different athletes and experience levels but the same underlying problem. They did not suddenly become tougher. They learned how to recognize what was breaking and access their technique when pressure appeared. That is what I am teaching in this episode: 📍 Race day does not create a completely new swim problem. It exposes the part of your stroke that has not yet been trained to hold under pressure. During this episode, I’ll show you: - Why a stroke that feels fine in the pool can collapse under pressure - How breathing, pacing, and technique create the race-day panic loop - How to identify the first part of your stroke that breaks - How to create a technical reset that helps you regain control while swimming - How to use the Race-Day Swim Stress Test before your next triathlon This is not about splashing around, swimming harder, or forcing yourself to “get comfortable” in open water. It is about intentionally testing whether your technique is still available when your breathing, heart rate, effort, and environment change.

    Why Your Swim Training Isn't Translating to Race Day?

  2. Aug 28

    From Zero to 1st Full Ironman in Just 9 Months with 10 Hrs Training a Week

    Is it possible to go from barely swimming a lap to finishing a Full Ironman in just 9 months?  Meet Gaye, an athlete from California, who transformed from a beginner triathlete to an Ironman finisher while balancing a busy life and staying injury-free! Gaye’s Incredible Journey: - April: Completed her 1st Sprint Triathlon - June: First Olympic Triathlon – Placed 2nd in AG (45-49) - September: First Half Ironman (70.3 Santa Cruz – Ocean Swim!) - Two Marathon PRs:   1. NY Marathon: 4:56 ⏩ London: 4:38 ⏩ Berlin: 4:16    2. October: Finished 1st Full Ironman (California) in 13:30:08 just 4 weeks after Berlin Marathon! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Starting from Scratch – How to go from struggling to swim a lap to feeling Ironman-ready - Training Smart with Limited Time – Completing Ironman on 10 hours a week while traveling - Injury Prevention & Body Maintenance – How Gaye finished strong without injuries - Balancing Ironman & Marathon Training – Racing both Ironman & marathons within months - Open Water Swim Confidence – Prepping for your first endurance open water swim Listen to Gaye’s journey and apply these powerful strategies to your own Ironman training!

    From Zero to 1st Full Ironman in Just 9 Months with 10 Hrs Training a Week

  3. Aug 20

    From 20-Year Wait to 70.3 & Marathon Comeback at 50+

    Ever dreamed of doing a triathlon but felt overwhelmed, doubted your ability, or feared being the last one on the course? In this episode, we share how Sarah broke past 20 years of hesitation, completed her first 70.3, and made a marathon comeback, stronger than ever at 50+ 💬 “I didn’t want to be seen in a tri-suit or be the last one waddling, but I was tired of putting it off.” - Sarah Sarah put off her 70.3 dream for two decades, held back by doubt and the overwhelming amount of things to learn. But once she committed to the right coaching and plan, she not only crossed the triathlon finish line but also returned to marathons injury-free, something she never thought possible! Sarah’s Race Achievements: - Santa Cruz 70.3 Finisher  - Half Marathon PR: 2:39:53 @ 11:41 min/mile - Full Marathon Comeback (2nd in 5 years!) 5:32:10 💬 “This time, I wasn’t injured or sore. I could actually walk the stairs the next day!” What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How to train smarter, stay injury-free, and overcome self-doubt. - Nutrition strategies to fuel your race, avoid hitting the wall, and achieve weight loss as a bonus. - The mindset shift that helped Sarah achieve her 70.3 and marathon comebacks. - How to build a structured plan for consistent progress and lasting results. - Proven techniques to conquer fear and take action toward your dream finish line. If you've ever doubted your ability to finish a triathlon or return to a sport you love, this episode is for YOU!

    From 20-Year Wait to 70.3 & Marathon Comeback at 50+

  4. Aug 13

    Run Comeback After Knee Pain

    Most runners and triathletes think pain means “stop” or “just rest.” But what if that’s not the real fix? In this episode, you’ll hear how Ronnie, who juggled two jobs and struggled with chronic knee pain, made an incredible comeback. Just 3 months after feeling stuck, he finished 2 half marathons, 1 full marathon, and a 28-mile birthday run… pain-free. This is for runners, triathletes, beginners or experienced, who feel stuck. Stuck in pain. Stuck with slow progress. Stuck not knowing what to adjust. If you’re chasing a comeback or just want to finish strong without injury, we’ll show you what’s actually missing in your training. You’ll learn: - How to build mileage without breaking down - What to do when rest and gait analysis don’t work - The biggest mistakes runners make with pacing and intensity - Why body maintenance & nutrition matter more than ever - How to stay consistent even with a full-time schedule

    Run Comeback After Knee Pain

  5. Aug 7

    Why Do My Legs Sink No Matter How Hard I Kick?

    I used to kick a lot but I was just getting exhausted. Then I was told: “Don’t kick. Save your legs.” So I stopped kicking… and my legs still sank. I also heard: - “Kick like you're kicking a soccer ball” - “Save your legs for the bike & run” - “Kick from your glutes” (but no one told me how) I followed it all. Still slow and my legs continued to sink like a rock. Next came the gear: - “Just use a pull buoy.” - “Get buoyant pants.” - “You’ll wear a wetsuit on race day anyway.” So I did. For a while, I survived & finished swims, covered the distance. But eventually… finishing wasn’t enough. I wanted to get faster. Stronger and be confident in the water. And I plateaued. That’s when I realized that my kick was holding me back. It’s insane. A never-ending loop so many triathletes get stuck in. If you’ve heard the same advice and still feel stuck, this episode is for you.

    Why Do My Legs Sink No Matter How Hard I Kick?

  6. Aug 4

    Get Sub-6hr on Your First Half Ironman at 40+

    Wondering if it’s possible to train for a Half Ironman (70.3) with a busy schedule, minimal experience, and limited time? In this episode, we break down how Tito, a busy dad and business owner in his 40s, went from completing a few sprint triathlons to finishing Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico in under 6 hours in just 13 weeks. He had: - A full-time job + ran a business - Zero experience beyond sprint triathlons - Piriformis pain and low swim/bike confidence - Travel obligations including his daughter's wedding - The flu just days before race day Yet he crossed the finish line strong, injury-free and smiling. This episode walks you through exactly how he did it, using a smart, structured method designed for real-life schedules and real athletes like you. Whether you're training for your first 70.3, feeling overwhelmed by time constraints, or stuck thinking "I'll just try to finish"... this is for YOU. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  - Training for a 70.3 with limited time - What to prioritize when juggling work, life, and training - Going from Sprint to Half Ironman safely - Avoiding injury and burnout as a busy triathlete - Training smarter and gaining race-day confidence - Real-life tips on pacing, nutrition, and transitions Listen if you’re a beginner or age-group triathlete who wants a faster 70.3 race time while avoiding common beginner mistakes. Don’t wing your race. Follow what works.

    Get Sub-6hr on Your First Half Ironman at 40+

  7. Jul 30

    Finish Your 1st Olympic Tri Sub-3 Hours

    Ambitious athletes rarely back off training, stop chasing big goals or hard things because life gets busy.  If anything, that’s usually the hardest thing for them to do. It’s simply not in their DNA. The problem is this:  Many keep pushing long after the body has started waving red flags.  Their mind still believes & ambition is still there. But the body starts saying “no.” - “I used to be a strong runner. Even an ultra runner.” - “Now I can’t even run consistently.” - “I love swimming but my shoulder hurts.” - “My hamstring keeps tightening up.” - “I’m exhausted all the time.” This is where many go-getter parents get stuck. Trying to fit triathlon into an already overloaded life by stacking more intensity onto an already stressed body. More mileage & workouts.  More "catch-up" training. And honestly, getting the work done isn’t the problem.  The real challenge is learning how to keep progressing without constantly breaking the body down in the process. Because the goal isn’t to train less. The goal is to train intentionally. - To recover & move better.  - To swim faster. - Run stronger - Bike w/ confidence.  - And make training fit real life without ending up constantly injured or exhausted. Inside this episode, we’ll break down: - How busy parents train for a sub-3 Olympic triathlon without constantly getting injured - Why many adults plateau in swimming, running, and endurance despite training hard - How to maximize limited training time without burning out - The biggest mistakes ambitious athletes make balancing work, family, and triathlon Using Christine's story as an example: Christine is a mom of 2 from Australia, who wanted to break 3 hours in her FIRST Olympic triathlon while juggling being a mom of 2, work, a body that kept flaring up, camping, Japan travel, soccer ... all in less than 3 months. Back in January, running was painful. Heel pain. Hamstring tightness. Knee pain. Fatigue. The kind of stop-start training block that makes athletes question everything. Christine even said: “My brain can't keep up with everything that's going on, I'm juggling too many balls right now.” Instead of forcing harder training, we simplified and became more strategic. - CSS swim pace: 2:03 → 1:43/100yd - Open-water endurance: 1000m → 2550m nonstop  - Running rebuilt gradually instead of constantly breaking down Then race day came. - 2:53:37 - Sub-3 in a FIRST Olympic triathlon And she achieved this while balancing motherhood, work, travel, soccer, camping, and still learning triathlon - all within 3 months through remote coaching. This episode isn’t just about Christine.  It’s about learning how to pursue big goals without destroying the body in the process.

    Finish Your 1st Olympic Tri Sub-3 Hours

  8. Jul 28

    Why Your Knee Still Hurts, Even When You’re Training 'Right'

    Let’s be honest, you're disciplined and you're showing up. But your knee still hurts. You’ve done strength training, maybe even physical therapy. Yet the pain keeps coming back. And you’re starting to wonder... “Is this just how it is for athletes in their 40s, 50s, 60s?” - It’s not your age. - It’s not just overuse. - It’s not just your genetics. - It’s not just that you have a "bad knee" Let’s stop using those as reasons. Because when we do that, we give up control. And when you give up control, you stop looking for the fix. But the fix exists. And it starts with finally understanding the real cause and shifting from reactive to proactive training. It’s a system problem.  Inside this epsiode, you’ll learn: - The 10-part whole system that finally helped me and my athletes run and ride pain-free - The real root causes behind stubborn knee pain (it’s not where you think) - The 3 most common mistakes triathletes make when trying to “fix” knee pain - And what to do today to start feeling better even if you’ve worn a brace for years Get clarity, strategy, and simple wins you can use right away. If you want free access to the Knee Fix Scorecard, type #KneeFixScorecard in the comments

    Why Your Knee Still Hurts, Even When You’re Training 'Right'
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About

What if you could train smarter, race stronger, and still have energy for your family, career, and dreams while staying injury free? This show is for working parents, busy triathletes, marathoners, and endurance athletes who are chasing big goals and want to push past their limits and inspire others by how they show up in sport and life. Whether you're a first-timer, a comeback athlete, or someone who’s been stuck in burnout or injury, you belong here.  No matter your age, past injuries, time off, or current limitations, this podcast will help you go farther than you thought possible. Inside every episode, you’ll get: - Proven strategies from the Smart Training Method™  covering training, nutrition, injury prevention/body maintenance, mindset, and race prep - Inspiring interviews with everyday athletes and elite performers - High-impact lessons from experts in endurance, mental fitness, and performance - Raw stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation in the world of triathlon and running I’m Shangrila Rendon, 2x Guinness World Record holder, 48-time Ironman distance finisher, Ultraman and IM Kona finisher, keynote speaker, author, creator of Smart Training Method and Founder of Feisty Fox Coaching. But I didn’t start this way. At 24, I couldn’t swim, didn’t own a bike, and could barely run for 15 minutes. I battled depression, PTSD, addiction, eating disorder and the lasting scars of childhood abuse, sexual assault.  Endurance sport became the path I used to rebuild myself. I trained hard, failed often, and never gave up. And now I help others do the same. I created this podcast to help you go farther, inspire others, and become unstoppable. Subscribe now and join our community of athletes who are learning to be Unstoppable

Information

  • Creator
    Shangrila Rendon
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Feisty Fox Coaching. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable With Shangrila Rendon