Coaches Chat: Listener Q&A

Most protein bars are built for the wrong athlete. In this episode, Sean welcomes Matt Schuster, co-founder of ADRA, about the overlooked gap in sports nutrition that led them to build a bar for long-course athletes, triathletes, and anyone who needs real fuel without gut drama. What started as a casual run turned into a deep partnership grounded in product science, endurance performance, and a very specific mission: make nutrition that actually works when your body is under load. You’ll discover why the market’s obsession with ultra-high protein, ultra-low calorie snacks misses the mark for endurance athletes, how protein oxidation during long training sessions changes the recovery equation, and why leucine matters more than most people realize. If you care about endurance, recovery, or just finding nutrition that doesn’t wreck your stomach, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Buying a staffing business at the start of COVID sounds like a bold bet. For Aracely Melendez, it became the beginning of a journey shaped by resilience, purpose, and a commitment to her community. In this episode Michael welcomes Aracely Melendez, an El Paso native and franchise owner who left a 16-year career in education to acquire a staffing agency in April 2020—just as the world shut down. She shares how she navigated uncertainty, kept pursuing clients when doors were closed, and built a business that helps people find work and support their families. Aracely also reflects on the lessons she’s learned about entrepreneurship, from preparing for the hard work of wearing every hat to staying focused on what she can control. She discusses community engagement, supporting and developing her team, and making space for family while building a business. Whether you’re considering a career change, thinking about starting a business, or looking for a more people-centered approach to leadership, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to keep going—and why purpose can make the hard work worthwhile.

In this episode, Drew Shellenberger shares his journey from a pro triathlete to a coach, emphasizing the importance of mindset, balanced training, and long-term planning in achieving high performance in triathlon.

In this episode, Chris Skogen shares his journey from the bike industry to driving a Zamboni, emphasizing the importance of happiness, discipline, and making intentional life choices. We explore how small decisions and perspective shifts can lead to a more fulfilling life.

In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome coach Ryan Kohler for a practical conversation about endurance coaching, recovery, and long-term athlete development. Ryan brings more than 20 years of experience translating sports science into coaching for cyclists of all ages. They discuss how to balance drive with rest, why recovery and detraining are part of progress, and how to keep high achievers engaged without burning them out. Enjoy!

In this episode, Holly sits down with Abigail Michelini to explore the relationship between performance, failure, creativity, and embodied living. Abby shares how poetry, teaching, and long-distance running have shaped her identity, and why learning to “suck at something” can be a powerful path to growth. https://www.abigailmichelini.com/ Deena Kastor: Let Your Mind Run https://a.co/d/0dtOlVgC

It’s okay if it sucks at first. In this episode, Kim Griffith joins Sean and Holly and shares the mindset that helped her grow from a CrossFit athlete into a full Ironman competitor: keep showing up, stay patient, and trust the process. Progress doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from doing the hard thing long enough to get better. We hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, Holly Benner, Sean Luitjens, and Michael Seiler answer questions from our listeners. In this coaches chat, we discuss strategies for managing nerves, mental preparation, and the lessons endurance sports teach us about life and leadership. We share practical tips for athletes facing challenges and how to apply these insights beyond sports. Enjoy!

How do athletes stop self-sabotage, manage performance anxiety, and build confidence that holds up under pressure? In this episode, Michael and Holly welcome certified mental performance consultant Carrie Jackson to explore the psychology behind sustainable performance. Together, they break mental performance training into practical, repeatable skills that athletes and coaches can apply in sport, work, and life. The conversation explores why the brain naturally focuses on threat, how self-talk shapes confidence and performance, why dwelling on uncontrollable factors drains valuable energy, and how to prepare mentally for difficult moments before they happen. You’ll also learn practical strategies for strengthening confidence, improving focus, navigating pressure, and making your mindset an asset rather than a barrier. Learn more about Carrie here: https://carriejackson.com/

How do leaders sustain high performance without losing the human side of work? In this episode, Michael welcomes Jason Fonder to explore how consistent coaching, smart use of data and AI, curiosity, resilience, and a people-first culture create stronger performance over time. This conversation also examines why leaders should invest in high performers, how to learn from failure without using data as punishment, why company values must be simple enough to live every day, and how the right mentors and support system can help you move through a career crossroads. Enjoy!