Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon describes the performance reset as a deliberate short break that helps restore energy, focus, and performance rather than taking time away from productivity. Drawing on the example of strategic walk breaks during an Ironman, he explains that brief recovery periods can help manage accumulated physical and mental stress and support stronger performance later in the day.

He outlines three reset options: meditation, which he presents as the most effective for processing stress; a short nap of around 7–15 minutes to re-energize; and walking or active mobility, an accessible way to refresh the brain and mobilize energy. A reset taken in the early or middle afternoon may support focus for the following hours and help reduce stress that can interfere with sleep.

Dixon emphasizes that a reset is one part of a broader set of performance habits. Combined with adequate hydration, nourishing food, regular movement, strength training, and good sleep, it can contribute to greater resilience and capacity at work, in sport, and at home.

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Book your needs assessment with Coach Max

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Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

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Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explains how Coaching is a partnership, not a service that magically solves performance challenges. The principles apply to athletes, business professionals, leaders, and managers alike. Purple Patch described its Tri-Squad program as combining customizable programming with coach support, email guidance, app resources, and on-demand consultations.

Effective coaching starts with clarity around standards, expectations, and goals. Coaches should simplify their message and prioritize the few changes most likely to improve performance. Small victories build confidence and demonstrate progress, while a focus on process behaviors gives individuals practical steps toward their goals. A coach also needs to be a consistent presence and understand the individual within the broader system.

Being coachable means taking ownership of the journey and defining a vision for development. It requires staying humble, hungry, and open to growth while actively contributing observations, questions, ideas, and feedback. Progress comes from applying lessons quickly rather than repeating conversations without changing behavior. Taking time to reflect on successes, failures, lessons, and next steps—and staying committed when development becomes uncomfortable—is essential to making the partnership work.

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Book your needs assessment with Coach Max

Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page

Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon

Check out our world-class coaching and training options:

Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad

1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached

Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad

Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1

Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike

Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin

https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch

Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, Lindsey is a personal trainer, endurance athlete, coach, and busy mom who believes there's always another level to chase. A six-time Ironman finisher, ultra-distance runner, 70.3 World Championship finisher, and *finally* a Kona qualifier, she has spent 20 years proving that big goals are built through consistency, courage, and refusing to give up. She brings that same passion to helping others become stronger, healthier, and more confident in what they're capable of.

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Hiring Purple Patch Coach: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/careers-page

Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon

Check out our world-class coaching and training options:

Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad

1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached

Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad

Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1

Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike

Get a free needs assessment and learn more about our programs: https://purplepatchfitness.simplybook.me/v2/#book/service/19

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin

https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch

Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

This is the final part of our series on Off-Season. We've reimagined the Off-Season to help you thrive and achieve success in the upcoming season. This week, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon discusses the Purple Patch Off-Season, focusing on a comprehensive 18-week training plan that extends into the initial 6 weeks of the following year. This period, which we refer to as Q4, starts in October for most athletes and continues through November and December, with the off-season mindset extending into the first six weeks of the next year.

Matt emphasizes the importance of structured training and smart Off-Season practices to prevent burnout and reduce the risk of injury. His approach covers swim, bike, run, strength, and supporting habits, and while our discussion will be centered around triathletes, the principles and approaches apply to all endurance athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Committing to a well-structured Off-Season offers several benefits, including long-term motivation and decreased risk of burnout and injury. By investing in a proper Off-Season, you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling season ahead.

If you have any thoughts or questions, or want to learn about our services, feel free to reach out to us at info@purplepatchfitness.com for a complimentary consultation.

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon explained how Purple Patch off-season training builds health, durability, and readiness for the next endurance season.

• Four topics were covered: strength training, body composition, run-injury resistance, and maintaining structure during the off-season.

• Off-season is intended to establish a foundation rather than pursue peak race fitness.

• Most endurance athletes should prioritize two 30–40-minute strength sessions weekly, using progressive heavy lifting with sound form; some mature athletes may benefit from three sessions.

• Nutrition should emphasize individualized assessment, hydration, fueling, and adequate protein rather than chasing race weight.

• Run durability should be developed through frequent easy running, optional walk breaks, short technical speed efforts, and patient progression.

• Off-season officially begins September 28, with athletes transitioning after later-season races.

• The off-season is a training phase within Tri Squad and one-to-one coaching, not a separate program.

• No unresolved questions or blockers were identified.

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Check out our world-class coaching and training options:

Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad

1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached

Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad

Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1

Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike

Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi

Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin

https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch

Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast. On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Coach Max discuss strategic approaches to the triathlon off-season through various athlete case studies.

Matt and Max analyze several athlete profiles to provide guidance on transitioning from race season to the off-season.

• Injury Prevention: For athletes like "Rachel" who struggle with run durability, Matt recommends a mindset shift toward building tissue resilience rather than chasing cardiovascular fitness. This involves high-frequency, low-intensity running and avoiding training under fatigue.
• Raising Performance Ceilings: For experienced Ironman athletes looking to improve bike power, Matt suggests using the Velocity platform for terrain management and performing high-intensity, short-duration intervals (VO2 max work) to increase engine size.
• Strategic Focus: For athletes feeling "cooked" or burned out, the coaches advise filtering out social media noise and focusing on a single strategic pillar—such as building a "platform of health"—to ensure long-term consistency.
• Multi-Sport Integration: Max emphasizes viewing triathlon as one sport with three components, using swimming and cycling to build an aero

The discussion highlights how Purple Patch applies performance principles to both athletic and professional environments via the Wind Cycle program.

• Team Culture: Matt shares insights from working with USA Triathlon, noting that high standards and coachability are essential for both world-class athletes and corporate leaders.
• Sustainable Growth: The coaches advocate for the "Sunday Special" method, where athletes plan their week by prioritizing life commitments (family, work) alongside training to manage variable workloads effectively.
• Holistic Approach: The off-season is framed not as a gap in training, but as a unique phase focused on joy, strength building (squats, deadlifts), and non-triathlon activities like tennis or skiing to prevent mental burnout.

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Check out our world-class coaching and training options:

Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad

1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached

Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad

Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1

Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike

Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi

Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin

https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch

Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon defines the off-season (or post-season) not as a gap between races, but as the foundational first step of the upcoming year. A successful period focuses on mental and physiological restoration while building a platform for future training.

• Avoid the "No-Break" Athlete: Continuous high-intensity training leads to mental exhaustion and physiological plateaus.

• Avoid the "Winter Warrior": Constant high-effort training causes burnout and prevents true recovery.

• Avoid the "Rogue/Random" Athlete: Complete cessation of training leads to detraining, injury, and difficulty ramping back up.

• The Goal: Achieve consistency over months and seasons rather than daily perfection, creating "compound interest" on fitness.

The off-season shifts focus from boosting functional thresholds or speed to preparatory work that builds a robust chassis for the next season.

• Reduced Volume: Athletes are encouraged to train fewer hours (e.g., dropping from 20 hours to 12–14) to reduce cognitive load and life competition.

• Strength Focus: This is the primary window to "double down" on strength training to increase durability and power.

• Technical Development: Without the pressure of race deadlines, athletes should focus on craft, such as swim hand entry, running posture, and cycling traction.

• Variety and Additive Activities: Incorporating activities like skiing, yoga, or mountain biking helps maintain vibrancy and prevents boredom.

• Physiological Ceiling: Utilizing short, high-intensity bouts to build the heart rate ceiling without the volume of a full race prep block.

Purple Patch will officially launch its off-season program on September 28th, though onboarding can begin around September 14th or 21st.

• Structure: The program emphasizes building an athletic base (multi-directional stability and power) rather than just a traditional Zone 2 base.

• Next Steps: A follow-up episode will feature a Q&A session to address specific training challenges and structural questions.

• Inquiries: Interested participants can contact info@purplepatchfitness.com regarding the Tri Squad off-season program or request a complimentary assessment call with Max.

How can athletes best integrate these principles if they are still actively racing through October?

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

Check out our world-class coaching and training options:

Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad

1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached

Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad

Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1

Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike

Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi

Ready to book a consultation with Purple patch? Sign up: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/coachingconsult

Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com

Everything you need to know about our methodology:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology

Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin

https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch

Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com