Endurance Matters Hosted by BigMetz

In this episode of Endurance Matters,  @bigjmetz11 (Justin Metzler) sits down with  @ECFITStrength (Erin Carson) is a leading voice in strength endurance training, to explore how endurance athletes can get stronger, more resilient, and perform better without sacrificing endurance 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♂️
Erin breaks down what strength endurance really means for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and hybrid athletes and why traditional strength training often misses the mark for endurance performance 🧠⚡
We dive into:
💪 What strength endurance actually looks like in practice
❌ Common gym mistakes endurance athletes make
🏋️ How to build strength that transfers to race day
🧘‍♂️ Durability, movement quality, and staying injury-free
You’ll also hear Erin’s insights on:
⚖️ Balancing strength work with high-volume endurance training
📆 Integrating strength training year-round
🧠 Long-term athlete development and performance longevity
Whether you’re an age-group athlete or a competitive endurance racer, this conversation will help you train smarter, stay healthier, and perform at a higher level 🚀
🎧 Listen now and start building strength that supports your endurance and be sure to tune in EVERY Monday at 6:45MT to Monday Morning Mobility  @ECFITStrength !
#EnduranceSports #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #strengthtraining #strength #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman
✌🏼 - BigMetz
Follow Erin on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ecfit_strength/
Erin's Website:
https://www.ecfitstrength.com/

In this episode of Endurance Matters, world-record ocean swimmer Andy Donaldson opens up with BigMetz about the raw, unfiltered side of ultra-endurance: the night swims, the panic, the doubt, the logistics behind swimming 200 km across seven oceans in one year and the quiet moments where he nearly quit 🧠💥.

He shares how open-water swimming saved his mental health, how a 19 km Rottnest crossing rebuilt his confidence, what it’s like to be pushed off course for hours in Molokai, and the calm thinking that got him through his first shark encounter 🦈😨. We also dive deep into his training secrets: cold exposure, ice baths, mobility work, smarter gym sessions, and the tiny 1% habits that fueled a world record.
On this Episode, Andy Donaldson breaks down everything:
• The moment Molokai nearly broke him mentally 🧠💥
• How open-water swimming saved his mental health
• His first shark encounter and how he stayed calm 🦈
• Training for freezing water + 1% habits that matter ❄️🔥
• Why gym durability beats endless miles
• How he became the fastest to complete the Ocean Seven 🌍⚡
• The life lessons only the ocean can teach

Raw. Honest. Inspiring.
 
If you’re rebuilding, dreaming big, or pushing past your limits — this one is for you 💛🔥.

#EnduranceSports #OpenWaterSwimming #UltraEndurance #OceanSeven #ChannelSwimming #MentalHealthJourney #AdventureAthlete #ExtremeSports #SwimLife #ColdWaterTraining #MindsetMatters #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #MotivationDaily #PodcastClips #Podcast #Triathlon #Ironman
✌🏼 - BigMetz

A breakthrough month of training. A crash that changed everything. An infection that spiraled into emergency surgery. In this episode of Endurance Matters, we sit down with Pro Triathlete and Host Justin "BigMetz" Metzler to unpack the wild swing from “best shape in years” to multiple hospital visits 🏥.

From podium-ready to hospital-bound in a flash 😳🏥. In this episode, Justin shares the full story: the crash, the infection, the surgery, and the heartbreaking moment the Ironman Arizona/Kona dream slipped away.

We talk:
 • The Achilles injury that wrecked his confidence 🦵💔
 • Sponsors pulling out + the mental spiral that followed
 • Why forced rest made him faster 🧘‍♂️⚡
• The emotional trap of hiding injuries
• His 365-day rebuild after surgery
• And how his dad turned a non-swimmer into a pro at 12 👏🏊‍♂️

Plus the family Ironman relay prediction you won’t believe (yes, it might beat his solo PR) 🚴‍♂️💨
Raw. Honest. Relatable.
If you’re chasing a comeback, this one is for you 💛🔥.
#ComebackYear #AchillesSurgery #TriathlonRecovery #EnduranceJourney #ProTriathlete #RoadBack #KeepShowingUp #Running #Ironman #Cycling #Swimming
✌🏼 - BigMetz

Social Accounts:
BigMetz Instagram
BigMetz Coaching Instagram

We're back! In this motivating episode of the Endurance Matters Podcast, host BigMetz sits down with Jelle Geens - Defending Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Olympic triathlete, World Triathlon Championship Series medalist, and one of the most technically precise middle-distance racers in the sport today. Known for his calm confidence and meticulous attention to detail, Jelle shares how he’s honed his craft through patience, process, and belief in long-term development.
Jelle opens up about the highs and lows of elite racing, from representing Belgium on the world stage to navigating setbacks and building back stronger. He offers a rare look into the mindset and daily systems that fuel consistency at the top level.
We discuss:
- The art of pacing and executing under pressure
- Lessons from Olympic-level preparation and world-class coaching
- Training smarter: quality vs. quantity in middle-distance racing
- Managing injury, recovery, and mental resilience
- The value of patience and trust in long-term performance
- Staying grounded and motivated through the sport’s ups and downs
Whether you’re training for your next triathlon or seeking to master the mental side of competition, Jelle’s story is a powerful reminder that endurance is built as much in the mind as in the miles.
✌🏼 - BigMetz

Social Accounts:
Jelle Geens Instagram

In this inspiring episode of the Endurance Matters Podcast, BigMetz welcomes Eric Hinman—entrepreneur, 5x Ironman, and influential voice in the fitness and wellness space. Known for blending high-performance endurance training with a vibrant personal brand, Eric shares how he’s built a lifestyle centered around movement, recovery, and community.
Eric opens up about his evolution from startup founder to full-time fitness content creator, offering insights into how he stays motivated, structures his day, and maintains authenticity in an often filtered social media world.
We discuss:
Eric’s daily routine and non-negotiables for peak performance
The power of building a “training tribe” and community
Balancing fitness, entrepreneurship, and content creation
Recovery practices and biohacks that actually work
The mental side of endurance sport and staying consistent
Creating meaningful influence in the fitness space
Whether you're chasing your next Ironman or building your personal brand, Eric’s story will motivate you to take ownership of your lifestyle, health, and impact.
✌🏼 - BigMetz

This Episode Is Brought to You By:
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Social Accounts:
Eric Hinman Instagram

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