A conversation with Dirk Friel. He is a co-founder and Chief Evangelist of TrainingPeaks, a web-based training and coaching software company. He holds a bachelor’s from Colorado State University and a former professional cyclist. Dirk hosts the TrainingPeaks CoachCast, an endurance sports podcast highlighting the value of excellent coaching and effective training. He and the guests explore topics ranging from advancements in the science of endurance training to inspirational racing moments and successful coach-athlete relationships. 

We talk about Dirk’s origin story in cycling and the also with the launch of TrainingPeaks as well as the vision behind it.

We talk about artificial intelligence and how it may impact the training and coaching business. Dirk gives his perspective on how TrainingPeaks will keep up with AI and competitor use of AI.

We discuss optimal training and recovery principles given the increase competitive landscape in triathlon, cycling and marathon training. 

Finally, we discuss the wearable technology evolution and who might emerge victorious from the wearable technology war and why.

Dirk Friel Instagram
https://instagram.com/dirkfriel

Dirk Friel Bio
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/partners/dirk-friel/

CoachCast
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/podcasts/

TrainingPeaks
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/


Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv

Support Us:
https://Patreon.com/Endurance
https://paypal.me/EnduranceExperience

EP. 59: AI and The Future of Training and Coaching w/Dirk Friel

A conversation with coach Chris Morgan, a former varsity swim coach with Harvard and Stanford and Olympic swim coach. 

We talk about the big stories from the Paris Olympic games and some of the memorable swimming performance. Notable topics included:
•	Caleb Dressel's Paris performance vs. Tokyo.
•	Katie Ladecky's performance overall and rivalry/friendship with Ariarne Titmus.
•	Bobby Finke's breaking of Sun Yang's 1,500 meter world record for the U.S. only individual medal.
•	Michael Phelps critique of American swimming performance and could he return?
•	Léon Marchand's performance, support and future.
•	China's Pan Zhanle's 46.4 100 meter world record, and is it beatable.

We also revisit KAATSU, an exercise method based on blood flow and involving compression of the vasculature proximal to the exercising muscles and its benefits to swimmers.

EP. 60: Paris Olympics Swimming Review w/Coach Chris Morgan

A conversation with coach Kerry McGawley, PhD. She is a Professor at Mid Sweden University with a broad research agenda in the female athlete, and menstruation effects on training, and racing performance. She is a coach and 2x age group world champion in triathlon. Professor McGawley engages in a science centered conversation around the protected women’s category in sport and explanation and implications of athletes with DSD.

We talk about the paper she co-authored with other scientists and unpacks the evidence and critique of the IOC’s 2021 framework aimed at providing governing bodies with guidelines for fairness and inclusion.

Professor McGawley gives her dissemination of a common rebuttal regarding performance advantage (i.e., Phelps advantages).

Finally, Professor McGawley provides listeners with the key considerations that athletes/coaches should be aware of regarding the menstrual cycle, and the impact on female athlete training, racing and performance. She also comments on contraception influences.


About Kerry McGawley, PhD
https://www.miun.se/en/personnel/m/kerrymcgawley/

Kerry McGawley, PhD Instagram:
https://instagram.com/kerrymcgawley

Kerry McGawley, PhD Twitter/X:
https://x.com/KerryMcGawley

Kerry McGawley, PhD  co-authored paper: The International Olympic Committee framework on fairness, inclusion and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations does not protect fairness for female athletes
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/sms.14581


Follow Us:
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv

Support Us:
https://Patreon.com/Endurance
https://paypal.me/EnduranceExperience

EP. 61: The Female Athlete: Fairness, Inclusion and Performance w/Kerry McGawley, PhD

Taking a look back at clips from 5 of the most downloaded episodes in Season 6 with updated commentary.

5:38: Nichole Andrews, RDN – Sugar Does Not Feed Cancer | @oncology.nutrition.rd | Full Podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-54-sugar-does-not-feed-cancer-w-nichole-andrews-rdn/id1462408148?i=1000630494329

19:35: Andrew Jones, PhD – Super Shoes, Marathon Record Performances and Training Strategies | @andybeetroot | Full Podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-55-super-shoes-marathon-record-performances-and/id1462408148?i=1000635497352

39:07: Tanya Halliday, PhD – Adiposity, Health, GLP-1, Nutrition and Exercise | @NutritionNerd | Full Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-58-adiposity-health-glp-1-nutrition-and-exercise-w/id1462408148?i=1000660597582

57:18: Dirk Friel – AI and The Future of Training and Coaching | @dirkfriel | Full Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-59-ai-and-the-future-of-training-and-coaching-w-dirk-friel/id1462408148?i=1000664357248

1:15:30: Kerry McGawley, PhD  – The Female Athlete: Fairness, Inclusion and Performance| @kerrymcgawley | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-61-the-female-athlete-fairness-inclusion/id1462408148?i=1000670323899


Follow Us:
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv

Support Us:

https://Patreon.com/Endurance
https://paypal.me/EnduranceExperience


EP. 62: Best of The Endurance Experience Podcast Vol. 6

A brief New Year's message from Coach Tony, host of the Endurance Experience Podcast.

Looking Back and Forward
The World Marathon Challenge.
3 Words of coaching wisdom. 

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv

Support Us:
https://Patreon.com/Endurance
https://paypal.me/EnduranceExperience

EP. 63: A Brief New Years Message from Coach Tony

A conversation with coach Patrick Smith, PhD. Coach Smith’s passion for sports was paralleled by a desire to revolutionize how we approach mental performance. With an undergraduate degree in marketing and a doctorate under the mentorship of Dr. Steven C. Hayes, a pioneering figure in psychology, he has dedicated his career to merging the most advanced behavioral science with the world of sports.

We talk about everything from mental skills, the benefits of meditation to athletes and even touch on concepts of the efficacy of hypnotism. Coach Smith gives his perspectives on balancing social influence with athletes and the impact of AI.


About Coach Patrick Smith, PhD:
https://www.coachpatricksmith.com/patrick-smith-phd

Coach Patrick Smith’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/patrick_smith_aware/

Follow Us:
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv

Support Us:
https://Patreon.com/Endurance


EP. 64: Athlete Psychology and Mental Skills w/Coach Patrick Smith, PhD

A conversation with coach Paul Holborn. He is a former boxer and winner of the 2025 World Marathon Challenge which is running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. Paul Holborn didn’t go into the event to win, but after about 5 days Paul emerged as the men’s winner, completing the 777 in an average time of 3:22:36.

We talk about his background as a boxer and the inspiring story of what eventually drove him to consider attempting the World Marathon Challenge, and the support he received from his family after taking the physical and financial leap.

We discuss Paul’s training approaching leading up to the 777 and the amount of training volume he peaked at to prepare, including his level of confidence going into Antarctica.

We talk about Paul’s fueling and sleep protocol going into the event and how well it worked. Paul discusses what he believes it was that helped him in the end.

Paul talks through each leg of the event, some of the high points and lower points and where along the way did the possibility he could win come into mind.

Finally Paul talks about what the future holds for his athletic pursuits.


About the World Marathon Challenge
https://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/

Paul Holborn Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pauly_holborn 

Paul Holborn BBC Article
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp43emvd0o.amp

Paul Holborn NYT Article
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6164653/2025/03/01/seven-marathons-seven-days-seven-continents/

Follow Us:
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.Tv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tv
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTv


Support Us:
https://Patreon.com/Endurance


EP. 65: Rise of the Fighter: Paul Holborn Winner of the 2025 World Marathon Challenge

EP. 66: A Conversation with Marathon Legend Amby Burfoot

EP. 67: The Enhanced Games w/Aron D'Souza, PhD

A conversation with Dean Karnazes, ultra-marathon runner, and author. Among many accomplishments he holds the record for the longest continuous run of 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep, and winner of the Badwater 135 milre run in Death Valley California. His first book, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, details his ultra endurance running origins and accomplishments. He's since written 4 more books including 50/50 which details the secrets he's learned in running 50 marathons in 50 states, in 50 days.

We talk about his origin story and the books he's written about running. We discuss his running accomplishments including the 350 mile consecutive run, Badwater and the 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.

We have an exhange about the boom we've seen in marathon running over the last 5-10 years and I get Dean's perspective on what's fueling it.

We talk about the often oversold adverse effects of running and whether or not he's experienced any of them in the 30 years of running long distance.

We talk about what he's doing now, what he's doing next, and what he's doing with Greek Running Tours.

Finally I ask Dean about his legacy and whether or not he thinks about his place in the annals of ultra marathon running.

About Dean Karnazes 
https://ultramarathonman.com/

Dean Karnazes Books:

Ultra-Marathon Man
https://a.co/d/cPlCxAa


Run!
https://a.co/d/4CCSguM

Runners High
https://a.co/d/gsb1Elz

50/50
https://a.co/d/5lUa0ar

The Road to Sparta
https://a.co/d/aOfOZhg

Greek Running Tours
https://www.greekrunningtours.com/

Dean on Instagram
https://instagram.com/ultramarathon

UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons • 50 States • 50 Days Documentary
https://youtu.be/bpjRFkqTIkY?si=_R5lAQ5teaCk0kNN

EP. 68: Ultra Marathon Legend Dean Karnazes

Certified Coach, Guinness World Record Holder, and finisher of over 100 marathons including the World Marathon Challenge (7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 days).

EP. 64: Athlete Psychology and Mental Skills w/Coach Patrick Smith, PhD

Tony Rich

Related tracks