The Athletic Philosopher Podcast

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 13 How to properly choose races based on values: My 2025 Race Calendar

In this episode I dive deep into my decision making process and the direction I've aimed when selecting all of my races for 2025. There are so many variables at play when choosing how many and which specific races to sign up for. Too often, people pick races based on the wrong aims and it ends up ruining the potential value of that race. Sometimes, the pick is so bad that it's the final race for good! 
I want to be in this game for decades, so it's important that I establish the proper aim in deciding races next year to ensure that 2026 is even smoother! Come along as I outline the 3 guiding values that helped me easily select this years races. Importantly, each of these variables sets me up for success in the long term.
Ultimately, we want to select races that improve our ability to meet our responsibilities outside of the arena. I don't want to race if it makes me a worse husband, father, coach, and entrepreneur. By using deep values to orient sports as a guiding activity in our lives to enhance our characters in all situations, I'm able to recognize which races make me a better person, not just a better athlete. Afterall, that's my entire aim with physical activity and sports, to become my best self! 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast: Episode 12 3 Lessons from a 3 year old learning to skate

In this episode I look into the first organized sporting experience for my little 3 year old son. He's learning to play ice hockey and the growing pains of learning to skate have been incredible to watch. The progress he's made in just 3 sessions opened up to opportunity to talk about what's changed from his first time on the ice this year to the one last weekend which saw him smiling ear to ear the entire time. 
There's such a deep wisdom in the experiences of children, and I've got 3 important lessons for adults to take from his trials on the ice so far. I outline what I've learned and connect it to how adults need to approach physical activity and sport in their own lives.
Ultimately, it all comes down to having the right aim, utilizing fun and love, and finding the determination to press forward instead of quitting. All things we are focused on teaching our kids through sports. Sage wisdom for us grown-ups too! 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 11 My daughter's Terry Fox run from the heart

In this episode, I get to play the proud Dad and talk about what I saw transpire in my daughter for her 3rd Terry Fox Day at her school. I also moonlight as a Canadian sport historian, with a short description of Terry Fox, his Marathon of Hope, and why he stands as the paragon of Canadian sport heroism. 
It was truly inspirational to watch my daughter embody all of the great sporting virtues that I'm hoping to teach her through her own physical activity but also through important cultural heroes and community celebrations. She showed up and brought her heart.
I close by challenging everyone to take a bit of Terry Fox's indomitable spirit into their own lives. What are you settling in? Why don't you bring your full heart to your life? Why don't you aim to make the biggest positive impact you can imagine? What's holding you back. What would make you believe you CAN DO IT? Terry's legacy ultimately informs us to live life by our own terms to will about a better future we desire. 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 10 Exploring Sport Philosophy with Patrick Flynn

Very excited to welcome Patrick Flynn to the podcast to have an open conversation on the nexus between philosophy and sport and how we can incorporate them into living 'the good life.' Patrick is a kettlebell trainer who's currently working towards a philosophy PhD and has personal and intellectual ideas on the value of sport.
 
We discuss Aristotelian virtue ethics, the importance of sacrifice and truth, the degradation of 'sports,' how individuals can acquire virtue through sport, and why creativity and expression are crucial ingredients to a 'good life' through sports. 
 
I know you'll enjoy this conversation as much for the wisdom we hit upon but also as a prime example of a philosophical discussion unfolding in real time between two open, curious, and exploratory philosophers. 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 9 2024 Backyard Ultra Race Recap 2 My Race Experience

In this episode I delve deeper into my own race experience as an athlete, the physical performance of the race, and the lessons I learned about competing in this specific race format and adult competition in sports in general.
I go into how I felt during the race, my race day strategy, how I executed, when things started to get tough, how I battled through adversity, what did me in by the end, and how I plan on going further next time.
Importantly, I learned the proper harmony I need to bring to competition after being WAY TOO competitive as a youth playing sports, needing to win to find any satisfaction at all, and how I need to show up in races where I aim at performance.

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 8 2024 Backyard Ultra Recap 1 Run to Become

This is the first of a few race recap podcasts from my 2024 Prairie on Fire Backyard Ultra Experience.
 
A backyard ultra is a race format where runners complete a 4 1/6th mile loop every hour on the hour until there is only one runner left. Last year I ran 15 laps, 100km, and wanted to bring a whole crew of guys because of this specific format. It's a race where we are always together, in camp, and on the course, and one that allows beginner and novice runners to smash distance PRs.
 
In this episode I talk about my journey as a coach to this moment and the athletic transcendence I witnessed in 4 dudes I recruited and coached to the race. They all hit PRs but more importantly, realized the truth about themselves in deeply powerful ways. This is their story as much as mine! 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 7 How to use love as your fitness foundation

In this episode I get deep into my coaching philosophy on how to find consistency in fitness, physical activity, and sport as an adult. I outline my 3 step process on aim and execution that's been successful for many of my coaching clients.
Learn why this simple process is the unlock you need to finally defeat the same old excuses and overcome the same external limits you feel you can't defeat. 
1. Love
2. Consistency
3. Performance 
I go through ideas on motivation and discipline to provide you concrete action to keep moving towards your goals when you feel like quitting.
This is how I apply philosophy in my life, and I know it will work for you! 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 6 How I philosophically prepare for competition

In this episode of the Athletic Philosopher Podcast I take you inside my mind as I apply it to my specific race training. Using Aristotle as my inspiration, I know that if you aim at the nature of the activity it's full potential opens up to you. When I begin training for any competition I don't start with physical preparedness, I try to uncover that center. Then I aim the physical training towards it.
For the Backyard Ultra that means I've focused on two key ideals that help me prepare for a Last Man Standing Race where we run a 4 1/6th mile loop on the hour every hour. 
Listen and hear what they are and how you can better understand whatever competition you're training for from a philosophic angle to improve your training. 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 5 All about honesty in sport

Episode 5 dives deep into the importance of honesty in sport in outcomes, effort, and identity.
In a world of posturing, signaling, lies, manipulation, and self delusions, sports provide us honest feedback about ourselves that no other activity can match.
The honest effort of our bodies in motion, through training and competing, gives us truthful information about who we are and what we value. 
You've never explored the truth through sports like this before, and it will have you wanting to train and compete as the best ways to 'know yourself.' And that's where wisdom comes from afterall! 

The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 4 Living Your Authentic Athletic Identity as an Adult

This episode was inspired by a Tribal Cafe podcast conversation on assuming our athletic identities (link below).
There are so many youth athletes who we told to give up their athletic dreams and they drift without meaning as adults. I explore why this matters and how people can rediscover that identity and let it reemerge authentically.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/79-tribal-cafe-feel-like-an-athlete-around-the-clock/id1556189673?i=1000665170333