The Weathered Athlete Podcast

Today’s Sprint interval session is led marathon and Ultra Runner Gene Dykes.  We spend time discussing his start into running and how he made the transition to marathon and Ultrarunning.  How he views his time off for any injuries.  His credo of having fun with all activities, no matter the length and how a "Just Run" mindset provides the foundation for his training and race plan.  He is quick to admit that his attitude and the addition of a coach has helped him reaching a goal to shatter all conventional wisdom.   I hope you enjoy.   For more details on Gene's amazing accomplishments! www.ultrageezer.com  

Pat Okker began her athletic journey at the age of 51. She now competes in three admittedly unconnected sports: powerlifting, Olympic style weightlifting, and running (with an emphasis on the marathon). She’s completed nine marathons, including seven consecutive Boston Marathons (with a PR of 3:37). She holds two world records in powerlifting for her age and weight class with the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and numerous American and national records with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. She has also competed in regional and international weightlifting competitions, including the Pan American Weightlifting Competition. When she isn’t training, she serves as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia. 

Pat Okker began her athletic journey at the age of 51. She now competes in three admittedly unconnected sports: powerlifting, Olympic style weightlifting, and running (with an emphasis on the marathon). She’s completed nine marathons, including seven consecutive Boston Marathons (with a PR of 3:37). She holds two world records in powerlifting for her age and weight class with the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and numerous American and national records with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. She has also competed in regional and international weightlifting competitions, including the Pan American Weightlifting Competition. When she isn’t training, she serves as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Coach Matthew Clancy is the Director of Endurance Performance at E3 Endurance. Having been a professional endurance sports coach since 2002, it was his dream to put all his knowledge, abilities, and services under one roof. At E3 Endurance, he develops and facilitates the training, testing, and coaching of endurance sports athletes from ages 5 to 75 within a state of the art training center that includes an Olympic-sized pool, CompuTrainer multi-rider cycle studio, a Retul innovative Fit Studio, VO2 & Metabolic Testing Lab and other equipment designed to make any athlete better.   At E3 Endurance, Coach Matt will determine your current fitness levels through physiological testing of VO2, Lactate, Body Composition, and Resting Metabolic Rate. Then he will determine baseline sport-specific abilities before designing personalized training protocols to help athletes achieve their desired outcome, whether that is to complete their first triathlon, qualify for the Boston Marathon, make a UCI cycling team, or improve swimming efficiency. His mission is to help all endurance athletes reach their goals by providing them with the best coaching, training, products, and equipment the endurance sport industry has to offer.   coachmatt@E3endure.com

Today’s Sprint interval session is led triathlete, Triathlon coach and owner of E3 Endurance Matt Clancy. http://www.e3endure.com/ We spend time discussing his decision to enter a 10k race while in college and how that helped him reignite something inside him.  We take a deep dive into his journey over the years including the things that made him a better athlete as he worked towards getting his Pro card and how his sports psychology degree provides a foundation for self growth and as he works to assist those athletes he trains.    I hope you enjoy.

Andy Leighton, 73, of Arlington Virginia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 10 years ago and continues to play competitive pickleball in nationwide tournaments.  He has a coast-to-coast group of supporter’s called “Andy’s Army.”  You can follow his progress on the website www.pickleballoverparkinsons.com.   Andy retired from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Organization Development) in 2016.  He continues to volunteer as a mediator in Arlington General District Court. For local pickleball court locations, go here: www.usapa.org.  Scroll down to the red box on the right and click on “Find a Place to Play.”  At the next screen, click “Places to Play,” then enter your zip code.  You’re on your way!  Let me know if you have questions.

Today’s Sprint interval session is led 73 year old pickleball player Andy Leighton.   For those unfamiliar with Andy he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago and is the leader of Andy’s Army, which continues to grow and provide support with his mission of Pickleball over Parkinson’s.  We discuss how his decision to choose movement and playing pickleball has positively impacted his life and disease process.  He provides great insight into how pickleball challenges everything that Parkinson’s is trying to take away from him.  He describes the role that music plays in his life including his time playing French horn at National Airport in DC His attitude towards life and competition is inspiring and can be a lesson for anyone going through any challenges.  I hope you enjoy.

Sam is an award-winning TV/FIlm writer from Denver, CO. He is repped by Audrey Knox from The Cartel -- a full service management & production company (www.cartelhq.com). His work has been featured in NYC Union Station, nationwide commercial campaigns, Sports magazines, and radio & television spots featured during the Super Bowl & Olympics. Currently, Sam has a feature film project in development and a TV pilot being shopped around Hollywood.    As an athlete, Sam has competed as a professional golfer, a rugby player/coach and a triathlete. He is the founder of the Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association (www.smjga.com) - a competitive junior golf circuit, Honor Graduate of the Dismounted Armor Scout Course, as well as a former Army Athlete of the Year.   When not writing, Sam likes to spend his time with his wife & three kids; mostly in the form of travelling & snowboarding.   My portfolio: www.samtahhan.carbonmade.com My management company: www.cartelhq.com My old boys club: www.boulderrugby.com The club I coached & played for: www.springfieldrugby.com The competitive junior golf circuit I created: www.smjga.com  

Sam is an award-winning TV/FIlm writer from Denver, CO. He is repped by Audrey Knox from The Cartel -- a full service management & production company (www.cartelhq.com). His work has been featured in NYC Union Station, nationwide commercial campaigns, Sports magazines, and radio & television spots featured during the Super Bowl & Olympics. Currently, Sam has a feature film project in development and a TV pilot being shopped around Hollywood.    As an athlete, Sam has competed as a professional golfer, a rugby player/coach and a triathlete. He is the founder of the Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association (www.smjga.com) - a competitive junior golf circuit, Honor Graduate of the Dismounted Armor Scout Course, as well as a former Army Athlete of the Year.   When not writing, Sam likes to spend his time with his wife & three kids; mostly in the form of travelling & snowboarding.   My portfolio: www.samtahhan.carbonmade.com My management company: www.cartelhq.com My old boys club: www.boulderrugby.com The club I coached & played for: www.springfieldrugby.com The competitive junior golf circuit I created: www.smjga.com  

Wife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66, Dierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite--and in The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story, she shares her intimate journey, revealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and persistence.Dierdre grew up under the watchful eyes of a domineering mother and realized early on that her parents’ plans for her future weren’t what she wanted for herself. Later, what seemed like a storybook romance brought escape, with new experiences and eye-opening travel, but she quickly discovered that her husband was not the happy-go-lucky man he had first appeared. Adapting as best she could, Dierdre juggled work and raising two young children, encouraging them to be fearlessly confident. She noted with delight how her “little lady” Stasia took it upon herself to look out for her baby brother, and watched in amazement as Alex (Honnold of "Free Solo" fame) started climbing practically before he could crawl.After years of struggle in her marriage and her ultimate divorce, Dierdre found inspiration in her now-adult children’s passions, as well as new depths within herself. At Stasia’s urging, she took up running at age 54 and soon completed several marathons. Then at age 58, Alex led her on her first rock climbs. A world of friendship and support suddenly opened up to her within the climbing “tribe,” culminating in her record-setting ascent of El Cap with her son.From confused young wife and busy but lonely mother to confident middle-aged athlete, Dierdre brings the reader along as she finds new strength, happiness, and community in the outdoors--and a life of learning, acceptance, and spirit. She can be found on facebook and Instagram and upcoming Blog on La Sportiva Stasia  www.carfreerambles.org