Episode #160 From selling her bike to an Ironman podium: Mandy’s story

Three years ago, Mandy sold everything she owned, including her bike, walked away from triathlon, and put on 30 pounds. This September she set a personal best and stood on the podium at Ironman Maryland.

In this episode of The 99%, Jesse and Marilyn sit down with Mandy, an elementary PE and health teacher from Connecticut, a lifelong swimmer, and a 10-year triathlete, to talk about the climb back. She shares the promise she made to her dad, what rock bottom looked like, and her first run back at a 13-minute mile. She also explains why changing her nutrition, sleep and recovery did more for her than any single workout.

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode # 161 Should YOU heat train??

In this Episode Marilyn and Jesse are joined by Top Step Training coach Zack Benedict to discuss all things heat training. Zack helps us deep dive into the science of heat training. We roll through the benefits and the risks associated with heat training, what a fun topic.. I think we needed about four more hours to cover it all! Lots of benefits but the cost is high!

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode #158 The Kona Debrief

A fun chat as we dive into the day that Reid Allen and Conrad Sanders had on course. Reid successfully completed his first Kona ending up beating over half his age group. Conrad was 3rd overall amateur and 34th overall, what a day out there!

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode #158 Kona Athletes Reid and Conrad

In this Episode Jesse and Marilyn preview the paths of the two Top Step athletes headed to the big island. They both have their own jorney to get here, and both have different execution approaches for the race. Tune in to hear their race thoughts and we will debrief with them after the race!

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode # 157 Ultra trail run learnings

In this episode Marilyn leads Jesse in a debrief of his recent ultra — a brutal 55K in the Alps with 10,000 feet of climbing. He and Marilyn break down what went wrong in his 4-week comeback and Marilyn provides some great feedback and things Jesse can implement moving forward. We also chat about the UTMB's lottery "stones" system, and that feeling of being hungry to race again.

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode #156 Ryan Bolton on Communication

Ryan has been on the sideline of almost every single WTCS triathlon in the last decade. He has coached athletes in the last three Olympics, and been to one himself. I had the great fortune to sit down with Ryan and chat about how to effectively communicate with athletes at the absolute highest level in sport. This was an amazing deep dive into how the best coaches in the world communicate with athletes at the top of sport.

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Ryan Bolton

https://boltonendurance.com/

Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode #155 Meet Top Step Training new coach - Zack!

In this Episode Jesse chats with his new assistant coach, listen on to hear about Zack!

Zack Benedict has been immersed in long-distance triathlon since 2019, building a competitive racing resume that includes more than a dozen IRONMAN 70.3 races, five full IRONMAN events, and qualifying for both the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and the IRONMAN World Championship.

As a coach, Zack is passionate about helping athletes achieve breakthrough performances while enjoying the process along the way. He combines data-driven training principles with the latest research to create individualized programs that fit each athlete’s goals, experience level, and lifestyle. By fostering strong coach-athlete relationships and emphasizing balance, consistency, and long-term development, Zack helps athletes reach their highest potential both on race day and beyond.

contact Zack through topsteptraining.com to set up an intro call!

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Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/

Episode # 154 Are your numbers holding you back?

Intensity control. A very important aspect of training. But, sometimes you need to reach beyond. When to push? When to stay in the lines? Listen to Marilyn and Jesse as they discuss is fun topic!

Also - sign up for Tucson Camp!

Enjoyed the show? Subscribe and leave a review — it really helps!

Jesse’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mr.jessev/

Learn More About Top Step Training

https://topsteptraining.com/

Marilyn’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/

Learn More About Marilyn Chychota Coaching

https://mcc.coach/

Tucson Triathlon Camp

https://tucsoncamp.com/