In Episode 29 of the Race Ready Podcast, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan reflect on the biggest lessons from this year’s training and racing season. From early-season takeaways at Soldier Hollow to insights drawn from World Cup athletes like Jessie Diggins, Julia Kern, Ben Ogden, and Campbell Wright, this episode dives deep into the mental and physical fundamentals that define elite endurance performance. The hosts explore the often-overlooked role of breathing as a trainable skill, discussing how purposeful exhales and focused respiration can enhance control, relaxation, and overall efficiency in both skiing and biathlon.

Brian and Andy also unpack common themes shared by top World Cup athletes, including a process-driven mindset, training with intent, and maintaining simplicity in a world full of performance trends. They emphasize the importance of tracking progress through training logs, knowing your body, and building fitness patiently—brick by brick. Listeners gain perspective on how the best in the world balance high-level preparation with grounded, consistent habits, while also learning how to apply these insights to their own training and coaching.

To close, the hosts touch on the importance of team cohesion and joy in sport. Drawing from FIS webinars and their own coaching experiences, they highlight how a supportive team culture and balanced mindset sustain long-term success. Whether you’re a coach, junior skier, or elite athlete, this episode offers practical strategies to stay motivated, focused, and connected as the season begins. Tune in to learn how intention, simplicity, and community can elevate both performance and passion in endurance sport.