In this deeply personal and unexpectedly vulnerable episode, I sit down with Lisa Burgoyne, CEO of The Landing—a Houston-based nonprofit serving survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation through trauma-informed, Christ-centered care. Lisa’s decades of experience in child advocacy, counseling, and frontline anti-trafficking work give her a perspective that is both sobering and full of hope.
What begins as a conversation about her life and mission becomes something more. As Lisa opens up about the realities survivors face—trauma, homelessness, addiction, broken family systems—I find myself drawn into sharing parts of my own story, wrestling aloud with trust, childhood wounds, and the long, messy process of healing. Together, we talk through why sexual abuse persists, how pornography and unchecked appetites fuel exploitation, why so many victims go unseen, and what it takes to rebuild a life after trauma.
Lisa brings clarity, compassion, and wisdom to an issue most people avoid because it feels too dark to face. She also offers practical insight into recognizing secondary trauma, the cost of leading in this space, and how faith and community make this work sustainable.
Whether you’ve experienced trauma, love someone who has, or simply want to understand the world more honestly, this conversation will likely hit deeper than expected. And if you feel moved to support Lisa’s work, visit thelanding.org—even a small act can make a real impact.
Lisa’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/lisabourgoyne/
The Landing: https://thelanding.org
The Landing IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelanding_hou/
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In this episode, I sit down with South African-born athlete, coach, and entrepreneur Natasha van der Merwe—a woman whose life has spanned pro tennis, professional triathlon, coaching at the highest level, and now leading a 23-coach organization at NVDM Coaching.
We go deep into the stories behind her leadership, her faith, and the experiences that shaped her—including losing her father at 15, navigating the pressures of elite sport, rebuilding her confidence through motherhood, and learning to show vulnerability without losing strength.
Natasha opens up about what it means to steward a calling, how she balances ambition with faith, why relationships are the core of great coaching, and the challenges of raising a daughter while running a rapidly expanding business.
This conversation is layered, emotional, and rich with perspective—from identity and grief, to entrepreneurship, to parenting and the future of triathlon. Whether you're an athlete, a leader, a parent, or someone figuring out who you’re becoming, Natasha’s story will leave you thinking long after it's over.
Natasha’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/natashavdm81/
NVDM Coaching IG: https://www.instagram.com/nvdmcoaching/
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After 20 years as a professional triathlete, Josh Amberger is stepping up to the start line one last time—PatagonMan XTri—his final race as a pro and maybe ever. In this round-two conversation, I get to hear Josh open up in a way he never has publicly about what it means for him to close the chapter on the only life he’s known since he was a teenager.
We talk about the emotion of letting go, why he chose Patagonia Man as his farewell, the relief and grief wrapped up in retirement, the changing landscape of elite sport, the beauty of racing for experience rather than results, and what life after triathlon might look like for him—from gravel racing to rediscovering creativity to supporting Ash as she chases her own career.
It’s a raw, honest conversation about transition, identity, and what happens when you stop just doing the thing…and finally let yourself feel it.
Josh’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/josh_amberger/
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In this episode, I sit down with Josh Vernon, the North American Partnerships Manager for SuperTri and a co-host of Another Triathlon Podcast. From the moment we hit record, Josh’s calm presence and grounded perspective pulled me in.
Josh talks openly about the two versions of himself: the man he was before the hurricanes hit the Virgin Islands, and the man he became afterwards—a father fighting for custody, a husband learning how to show up, and a person choosing sobriety, purpose, and a totally new way of living.
Josh’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshmvernon/
ATP Pod: https://www.instagram.com/anothertriathlonpodcast/
Nothing Novel: https://nothingnovel.life
Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
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I sit down with Trevor Witt—USAT Project Podium’s social media manager and the creative mind behind so many of their films. We talk about how a kid from Oregon who grew up around triathlon walked away from the sport, went to photography trade school, and stumbled into his dream job after a trip to Xterra Worlds. Trevor shares about his parents’ influence, his faith, his inner critic, and what it’s like to log 70 flights a year while trying to “smell the roses” and not get numb to it all. We get into perfectionism, stress, storytelling, and why he believes so fiercely that someone from this team will win Olympic gold. It’s a surprisingly honest conversation with a 23-year-old who’s already thinking deeply about who he is, what he’s building, and how to stay grateful along the way.
Trevor’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/trev_itt/
Trevor’s 2025 racap video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbJFm3kaNWE
Nothing Novel: https://nothingnovel.life
Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
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I sit down with singer-songwriter and Dadville co-host John McLaughlin to talk about how a borrowed bike pulled him into triathlon, what really went down during his first Ironman, and how music, fatherhood, faith, and discipline shape the way he moves through life. From his mid-race flat tire to the quiet grind behind becoming a better artist, John opens up about ambition, identity, parenting, and the power of simply listening—reminding me why growth usually shows up in the places we least expect.
Jon’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonmclaughlin/
Jon’s new Album: https://open.spotify.com/album/4wotNEGiymduDcFVvAmE1R?si=PIjtccRRSlSn_wEVwhbwiQ
Jon’s Tour: https://www.jonmcl.com/tour
Nothing Novel: https://nothingnovel.life
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I sit down with Jenna Caer — triathlete, Ironman age-group champion, coach, mom, and co-host of Another Triathlon Podcast. We unpack her unlikely path into sport, going from a shy, book-obsessed kid to someone who now thrives in community, coaching, and even acting and modeling. Jenna talks openly about weight loss, ADHD, building confidence, learning balance, motherhood, and what she’s learned from over a decade inside endurance sports. A grounded, honest conversation about growth, identity, and why this sport keeps pulling us back in.
Nothing Novel: https://nothingnovel.life
SQ Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
Jenna’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/jennacaer/
Another Triathlon Pod: https://open.spotify.com/show/2FdC2xn8igfMIU6RwIvgJc?si=61f46576d3a94397
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I sit down with professional cyclist and soon-to-be plumber Eamon Lucas—a guy whose story blends world-class racing, community roots, personal faith, and the kind of self-reflection most people never talk about publicly.
Eamon and I dive into what shaped him—growing up in Pacific Grove, the influence of his father, and the untraditional path that took him from local riding to battling in the Belgian Kermesse scene. We talk about what “making it” really means, why so many endurance athletes struggle with identity, and how rare it is to walk away from a sport feeling complete.
We explore faith, what it means to actually enjoy your own company, and the uncomfortable emotional work required to truly like yourself. Eamon talks about transitioning from pro cycling into plumbing, surfing as therapy, building a life with his partner, and embracing the next season with humility and purpose.
Nothing Novel: https://nothingnovel.life
SQ Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
Lucas Training Systems: https://l.instagram.com/
Lucas’ IG: https://www.instagram.com/eamon_lucas/
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In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Bolton — Olympian, founder of Bolton Endurance Sports Training, and USA Triathlon’s Director of High Performance. Ryan has coached some of America’s top athletes, including Morgan Pearson and John Reed, but today we go deeper than splits and training blocks.
We talk about the three-part framework that drives his coaching philosophy — physiology, head, and heart — and why world-class athletes need all three in balance. Ryan shares candid stories from his early days as a high-energy kid in Wyoming, how mentors like Joe Friel shaped him, and why the best performers are often the most grounded people.
We also dive into athlete identity, emotional resilience, the danger of false confidence, mentorship, traveling the world on the elite triathlon circuit, and what it really takes to develop young athletes for LA 2028 and beyond.
B.E.S.T: https://boltonendurance.com
Ryan’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachryanbolton/
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In this episode I sit down with Anders Johnson — professional track cyclist, former pro mountain biker and Xterra triathlete, and Stanford researcher – to talk about what happens when a physics brain falls in love with going fast in circles. Anders grew up in a tiny Utah valley surrounded by ski resorts, found his way onto some of the best development teams in mountain biking, and now splits his time between chasing LA 2028 and working on cutting-edge research at Stanford, including the ELITE VO₂ max genetics study and a large-scale cardiovascular health app.
We get into how his physics and math background shapes the way he trains, races, and thinks about numbers without becoming a prisoner to them, why he races so little and cares so much about the day-to-day process, and how surfing, campfires, and getting back on the mountain bike refill his mental tank. Anders also opens up about a year marked by deep personal loss, what that’s done to his sense of meaning and success, his views on religion and spirituality, and why he’s trying to stay playful and bring joy into every room he walks into—even while aiming at the biggest goal in sport.
Anders’ Studies: https://elite.stanford.edu/people/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Anders’ IG: https://www.instagram.com/andersjohnson35/
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In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Askew — a former IndyCar and Formula E driver who’s lived at 200 mph and still somehow found peace in the slow moments. We talk about growing up homeschooled in Florida, chasing adrenaline through motorsport, and the lessons that come from burnout, belief, and beginning again.
Oliver opens up about the mental demands of racing without power steering, the pursuit of flow state, and what it’s like to carry both pressure and purpose inside the cockpit. He also shares how faith, friendship, and reflection have reshaped his definition of success beyond the track.
It’s a rare, honest look at what happens when the helmet comes off — a conversation about drive, discipline, and discovering who you are when the race ends.
Oliver’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/oliveraskew/
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In this episode, I sit down with Lucas Bourgoyne, the 24-year-old U.S. Pro Criterium Champion who’s redefining what American cycling can look like. Lucas is raw, driven, and refreshingly honest — a kid from Texas who’s gone all-in on his dream and somehow still finds room for humor, faith, and a little cowboy swagger.
We talk about what it takes to grind for ten years for one perfect lap, how discipline and freedom coexist, and why stepping away from the bike can be just as important as the training itself. Lucas opens up about his parents’ influence, leadership, and the pressure that comes with newfound attention. This one’s not just about watts or wins — it’s about belief, burnout, and learning to stay grounded when the world finally starts paying attention.
Lucas’ IG: https://www.instagram.com/lucas_bourgoyne/
Team Cadence Cyclery: https://www.instagram.com/teamcadencecyclery/
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Lance talking about Lucas: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/79x4UsyjMXs
In this round-two conversation, I sit back down with retired Navy Master Chief Mark Evans — a man who’s led submarine crews around the world, survived life-changing trauma, and still finds humor in it all.
We go deep on leadership, fatherhood, faith, and the strange pull between fear and perspective — from Ironman finish lines to moments of real loss. Mark shares what it means to stay calm when everyone else is panicking, how to raise strong kids without losing your own humility, and why he believes love is ultimately an act of service.
We also wander into the big stuff: God, AI, trauma, politics, and what it means to stay human in a world that often forgets how. It’s raw, grounded, and full of truth bombs that only come from a life fully lived.
Mark’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/frumpycob/
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Bible Verses Referenced:
In this round-two conversation, I sit back down with Brenton Ford — the man behind Effortless Swimming — to catch up on everything that’s changed since our first talk a few years ago. We start with my own Ironman California story before diving deep into swimming, coaching, and how letting go can actually make you faster.
Brenton shares what he’s learned running global swim camps, launching anti-fog goggles, and working alongside Olympic champions. We talk about the mindset behind great coaching, what it means to truly “feel the water,” and how self-awareness can change the way you move — in the pool and in life.
He also opens up about leadership, family, and learning to slow down as a dad. It’s a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation about mastery, patience, and building something that lasts — whether that’s a business, a team, or a life you actually enjoy living.
Effortless Swimming IG: https://www.instagram.com/effortlessswimming/
HydroClear Goggles: https://shop.effortlessswimming.com?utm_source=Instagram-bio&utm_medium=Instagram-bio&utm_campaign=Linktree
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I sat down with Luke Fetzer, a 5-time national champion who’s already carving out his place in American criterium racing at just 19 years old. What stood out to me most wasn’t just his results—it was how grounded and self-aware he is for someone still figuring life out.
We talked about what it was like growing up in his parents’ bike shop, watching them close it after nearly 30 years, and how that shaped his perspective on work, risk, and legacy. Luke shared why he left one of the biggest teams in the country to bet on himself, what “champions do everything right” really means to him, and how he’s learning to balance ambition, gratitude, and patience.
It’s an honest, down-to-earth conversation about identity, drive, and becoming the kind of man you want to be—on and off the bike. By the time this episode airs, Luke will have just turned 20, so go wish him a happy birthday and check out his journey in the show notes.
Luke’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sendy_mcgee/
Episode #200 Survey: https://forms.gle/s72MemFFdHuL7g8DA
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Former professional triathlete Collin Chartier sits down with me for a raw, unguarded conversation about identity, faith, and healing after public failure.
We talk through his upbringing in a nomadic Navy family, the identity collapse that followed his doping suspension, and the five-month bikepacking trip that became a turning point toward grace, breathwork, and self-understanding.
Collin opens up about learning to sit in silence, reconnecting with God, and finding empathy for himself and others. We dive deep into topics like “toxic vs. rocket fuel,” body-stored trauma, somatic healing, fear as a projection of the future, and the red flags that athletes miss when their drive turns into self-destruction.
This isn’t a conversation about excuses — it’s about awareness, humility, and the long road toward being of service again.
Collin’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/collinchartier/
The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748
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I sit down with Dirk Friel—former pro cyclist and co-founder of TrainingPeaks—to trace how a scrappy, late-’90s idea between friends became the platform so many of us use to plan, track, and analyze training.
We talk about his entrepreneurial roots (yes, Joe Friel is his dad), racing in Belgium in the pre-internet era, and the “sweat-equity” nights that led to the first place you could view heart-rate and power files in a web browser. I ask Dirk what TrainingPeaks isn’t (spoiler: there’s no one-true method), how to treat TSS/CTL/PMC as tools—not gospel—and why most athletes overdo intensity more than volume.
Dirk shares why human coaches still beat AI (“there are more unknowns than knowns”), why good coaching often feels “too easy” at first, and how accountability—sometimes the tough kind—creates breakthroughs. We also get into TrainingPeaks Virtual and its physics-first approach (drafting, wind, and cornering actually matter), plus what he’s learned about leadership, hiring beyond your friend circle, and the purpose that drives him: helping others reach their potential.
Dirk’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/dirkfriel/
TrainingPeaks: https://app.trainingpeaks.com
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Professional operatic soprano Martha Eason joins me for a crossover conversation on music, endurance sport, and the mindset that powers both. We go from Appalachia bluegrass roots to Germany’s “fest” system, where the same resident cast performs night after night—often on tired vocal cords and tighter schedules. Martha breaks down why opera is an athletic event, how recovery, breath work, and nervous-system regulation protect those “two tiny muscles,” and what her Garmin reveals during rehearsals.
We talk technique vs. emotion (and why clear text and intention beat perfect high notes), naming the inner critic (“Hi, Brenda”), and practical ways singers taper, avoid burnout, and come back from overuse injuries. Martha shares role milestones—from Violetta in La Traviata to Missy Mazzoli’s gritty Breaking the Waves—and how faith, doubt, and real life feed performance without derailing it. Plus: the Via Francigena run, why second performances often outshine premieres, Germany’s public funding for opera, and how her “Rehearsal Notes” newsletter blends vocal pedagogy with athlete habits.
Martha’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/marthaeasonsoprano/
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In his round three on the show, TriRig founder and gear wizard Nick Salazar returns… as a filmmaker. We dive into his debut feature, The Game of Life—a two-year, DIY passion project shot largely inside his home with a tiny crew (and a big family cheering and helping behind the scenes). Nick opens up about writing, directing, acting, and scoring the film, why he designed distinct color palettes for each act, and how switching from clean spherical glass to wild anamorphic lenses created those dreamy, in-camera flares around a mysterious “skeleton key.”
We get into the story’s themes—mental health, unreliable narration, radical acceptance, and the “I am” moment—plus the nuts and bolts: 24 shoot days in three blocks, proof-of-concept scenes to win buy-in, private screenings, and what “success” looks like for a first feature. We also wander into consciousness, AI, and why imperfect human art still hits hardest.
The Game of Life (Preview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyRZ5jH0CSY
Nick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nick_salazar
TriRig: https://tririg.com/
Episode #200 Survey: https://forms.gle/s72MemFFdHuL7g8DA
SQ Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
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In another deeply human conversation, I sit down once again with my friend and musician Nick Goldston for what might be our most honest talk yet. We cover everything from the emotional aftermath of racing an Ironman to the evolving relationship between creativity, music, and meaning—and what happens when AI starts imitating the human soul.
Nick opens up about the quiet transformation he’s experienced through music, how he teaches emotional authenticity to his students, and why empathy may be the last frontier of human connection. We go deep on religion, truth, AI, and consciousness, asking: what makes something real? What makes it human?
This one is raw, philosophical, and full of heart—from creative process to heartbreak, forgiveness, and the beauty of just dancing again.
Episode #200 Survey: https://forms.gle/s72MemFFdHuL7g8DA
Nick’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/nickgoldston/
SQ Socks: https://stupidquestions.show/pages/sq-merch
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