Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Marathon Special program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount on the first month. The program includes live education, race strategy support, and on-site coaching. Dixon emphasizes the importance of balancing pressure with support to enhance performance, using examples like Sami Inkinen's success in IRONMAN and business leadership. He explains that pressu...
Aug 13, 2025•36 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Marathon Special Program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount for new subscribers. He also promotes the Win Cycle leadership program, designed to enhance team performance and adaptability. Dixon emphasizes the benefits of taking on challenges mid-year, whether in sports or professional life, to foster growth, resilience, and high performance. He encourage...
Aug 06, 2025•34 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the Purple Patch Run Squad program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount for the first month. He highlights the success of Pasquale Romano, a 60-year-old athlete who achieved a half IRONMAN PR and first age group win. Dixon breaks down running performance into five components: cardiovascular conditioning, muscular resilience, tissue durability, economy of movement, and biom...
Jul 30, 2025•58 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss a case study on Gwen, a 43-year-old triathlete who has been dealing with recurring lower-body injuries. Gwen's training followed a fixed three-week high-load cycle, leading to frequent injuries. The intervention focused on a three-week cycle with intentional recovery, shifting from a swim-bike-run routine to a more varied approach. Swimming emphasized cardiovasc...
Jul 23, 2025•30 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss how the midpoint of any racing season is more than just a milestone—it's a vital opportunity to pause, assess, and intentionally adjust one's course. Dixon talks about the power of midseason reflection and how to leverage it for sustained high performance. Racing reveals more than just physical fitness—it reflects your mindset, habits, preparation, and resilience. This ...
Jul 16, 2025•57 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses a unique marathon training approach, emphasizing five unconventional principles. He argues against overvaluing the long run, suggesting instead a cluster-running strategy to build muscular resilience. Dixon advocates for multi-sport training to reduce injury risk and enhance cardiovascular conditioning. He highlights the importance of walk breaks for better pacing and form preservation. Strength train...
Jul 09, 2025•51 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of one-to-one coaching in athletic success. They emphasize the need for flexible training plans that adapt to life's changes, key sessions, and understanding session intent. They highlight the significance of support, accountability, and education on fundamentals like sleep, recovery, and nutrition. The conversation also covers the importance of c...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min
On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon from Purple Patch Fitness discusses strategies for balancing summer training for IRONMAN races with personal life. He emphasizes the importance of a flexible optimization mindset, weekly clarity through the "Sunday special," and intentional recovery. Dixon advises athletes to integrate training into life, plan around travel and family vacations, and perform specific IRONMAN simulators. He emphasizes the importance of habits such as sleep, fueling,...
Jun 25, 2025•53 min
In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the Purple Patch coaching program, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, personalization, and community in achieving long-term athletic success. They highlight the success of their tri-squad program, which has helped over 1,500 athletes qualify for World Championships and boasts an average athlete duration of 29 months. Key elements include adaptable training plans, regular check-ins, and coac...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min
On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts a re-airing of a fireside chat with Vincent Luis and Paula Findlay, two top Professional Triathletes, at the Purple Patch Performance Center in San Francisco. The Night of Champions event supports the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides opportunities for individuals with physical challenges. Vincent and Paula discuss their journeys, handling pressure, and adversity. Vincent shares his experiences at the Olympics, including his str...
Jun 11, 2025•56 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss the case of David, a 52-year-old father and IRONMAN aspirant with limited training time. David's initial marathon training was rigid and stressful, affecting his family life. The team at Purple Patch adapted his training to a dynamic, flexible schedule, focusing on hydration, sleep, and post-workout fueling. They deferred his Ironman to five months later, allowi...
Jun 04, 2025•46 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the importance of Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) in endurance sports, emphasizing its role in training and racing. He explains that RPE, influenced by factors like muscle fatigue and psychological stress, is a subjective rating of effort that complements metrics. Dixon highlights common mistakes, such as over-reliance on data, and advocates for developing self-awareness through regular self-assessment...
May 28, 2025•39 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Coach Max Gering discuss lessons from Purple Patch Pros for racing success. They emphasize tailored training programs and the importance of mental resilience. Key stories include Sam Appleton's overcoming illness to achieve a top-six finish, Sarah Piampiano's resilience after a poor swim, and Meredith Kessler's improved bike performance through terrain management. They highlight the imp...
May 21, 2025•59 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On today’s episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, host of the Purple Patch Podcast, discusses a special episode featuring a re-screening of the Triathlon Therapy Podcast with former Pro Triathletes Tim Reed and Sam Appleton. Dixon reflects on his coaching journey with Reed and Appleton, emphasizing the importance of health, mindset, and adaptability. He highlights the significance of integrating training into daily life, the value of perceived exertion ove...
May 14, 2025•52 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses strategies for performing well in hot and humid conditions. He emphasizes the importance of heat training, which increases plasma volume and sweat rates, enhancing the body's cooling mechanisms. Key strategies include avoiding pre-race fatigue, adapting pacing plans, and using hydration and cooling techniques. Dixon recommends sauna or steam room sessions post-workout to boost plasma volume and sugges...
May 07, 2025•44 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts a roundtable discussion with three Purple Patch coaches—Brad Hunter, Nancy Clarke, and Max Gering—on race preparation. They discuss the importance of taper, emphasizing energy conservation and maintaining some intensity. They highlight the need for a structured approach to race week, including planning and reducing cognitive load. The conversation also covers mindset, the significance of defining success beyond just time,...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, host of the Purple Patch Podcast, discusses the Win Cycle program, designed to help leaders and teams achieve consistent performance. He emphasizes the importance of "nailing the basics" for high performance, drawing from his experience coaching elite triathletes. Dixon highlights key habits, such as the "Sunday Special" for reflection and planning, consistent fueling after training, adequate sleep, and regula...
Apr 23, 2025•38 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! In this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon Interviews Scot Davis, a Purple Patch Athlete and Chief Operating Officer at Crow Holdings, who completed the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days across seven continents. His journey began after caring for his mother with pancreatic cancer. Initially training with a previous coach, he transitioned to Purple Patch Fitness Coach Will Turner, who reduced his running volume and introduce...
Apr 16, 2025•48 min
Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Stephanie Go, a busy Doctor and Mother, shares her journey as a Purple Patch Athlete, emphasizing the importance of consistency and efficiency in training. Despite a demanding schedule, she achieved significant success in 2024, including qualifying for the Hawaii IRONMAN and the World Championship in New Zealand. Stephanie's training averaged just over six hours per week, with only two weeks exceeding 10 hours. She h...
Apr 02, 2025•58 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts Gwendolyn Bounds, author of "Not Too Late," on the Purple Patch podcast as part of the Win Cycle series, which focuses on performance in various aspects of life. Alongside Purple Patch Fitness Co-Founder Kelli McMaster, Gwendolyn shares her journey from an unathletic childhood to becoming a competitive Spartan racer in her 40s. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, commitment, and breaking routines. Gwendolyn discusses the transformative power of obstacl...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 1 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the ARC process: Assess, Reflect, and Check-in. This methodology is integral to the Purple Patch coaching model, emphasizing reflection to drive action and improve performance. They highlight the importance of understanding one's "why" and assessing progress objectively, both in training and life. The conversation underscores the need for intentionality in training, avoiding the "more is better" mindset, and the value of c...
Mar 19, 2025•53 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon hosts the Purple Patch Podcast, focusing on integrating sport into busy lives and overcoming performance anxiety. He introduces a free webinar on preparing for triathlons with limited time, emphasizing the importance of mindset. Dixon shares a case study of an athlete named Kate, who experienced self-doubt and underperformance due to outcome anxiety. He outlines five strategies to manage fear and self-doubt: reframing fear as a challenge, focusing on the process r...
Mar 12, 2025•35 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of strategic training for IRONMAN and half IRONMAN races, emphasizing that 8-12 hours of training per week can be optimized for performance. They highlight common mistakes athletes make, such as neglecting strength training, ramping up training too quickly, and failing to increase calorie intake as training volume increases. They stress the importance of maintaining a balanced approach, including proper nutr...
Mar 05, 2025•58 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces a new direction for the Purple Patch podcast, focusing on performance in life and work rather than just triathlon. He emphasizes the value of getting out of one's comfort zone, termed "win cycle," and how it applies to both athletes and professionals. Dixon shares stories of clients like Ben Cooper and Carmel Galvin who improved their lives and leadership skills through physical challenges. He outlines ten reasons why business leaders should take on phy...
Feb 26, 2025•43 min
Matt Dixon hosts the Purple Patch Podcast from the Hawaii IRONMAN training camp, featuring Susie Orcutt, a busy Mother and Physician's Assistant from Atlanta. Susie discusses her journey with Purple Patch, highlighting her coaching relationship with Nancy Clark and the challenges they faced initially. Susie emphasizes the importance of communication and trust in coaching, noting her significant improvements in performance, including winning her age group in an IRONMAN 70.3 and improving her rank...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr
A fresh new format featuring a coaching conversation with Host Matt Dixon and Co-Host Max Gering. This Valentine’s Day, we explore how athletes can integrate sport into life in a way that strengthens relationships rather than strains them—because true performance isn’t just about results, it’s about the bigger picture. IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of integrating sport into life sustainably, especially for athletes with busy schedules. T...
Feb 12, 2025•50 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Panos Kakoullis, a long-time Purple Patch athlete, at the Hawaii IRONMAN training camp. From Boardroom to Finish Line—Listen to Panos Kakoullis on Balancing High-Stakes Leadership with Elite-Level Endurance Performance. Panos shares his Greek Cypriot background, growing up above a fish and chip shop, and his journey from becoming an accountant, later Senior Partner at Deloitte to CFO at Rolls Royce. He discusses his transition from powerlifting to endur...
Feb 05, 2025•57 min
IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon concludes a four-part series on winning at triathlon in 2025, emphasizing the importance of defining success, embracing the journey, and adopting a high-flex integration mindset. He highlights key strategies such as choosing races that align with strengths and weaknesses, avoiding common pitfalls like under-fueling and over-reliance on FTP, and prioritizing sleep and consistent strength training. Dixon also shares insights from a Purple Patch athlete, Dave Pray, w...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 347
In Part 3 of Beyond the Finish Line: Winning as a Triathlete in 2025, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon from Purple Patch Fitness discusses his high-performance coaching approach, emphasizing a team-based methodology that has helped over 1,500 athletes qualify for world championships. Their coaching includes remote sessions with real-time feedback and ongoing education. Dixon outlines five principles for success: focusing on daily actions rather than outcomes, keeping things simple, responding pro...
Jan 22, 2025•47 min
In part two of a four-part series on winning at triathlon in 2025 IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon outlines Purple Patch's coaching offerings, including individual coaching and the tri squad program. He discusses the Purple Patch coaching model for triathletes, emphasizing a smart mindset and practical strategies for performance improvement. He outlines the training phases: off-season (October-December), pre-season (January-March), build phase (April-June), and race-specific (July-December). Dixo...
Jan 15, 2025•42 min
