Episode 349: Love, Sport, and the Art of Integration: A Purple Patch Valentine’s Special

02/12/25 • 50 min

A fresh new format featuring a coaching conversation with Host Matt Dixon and Co-Host Max Gering. This Valentine’s Day, we explore how athletes can integrate sport into life in a way that strengthens relationships rather than strains them—because true performance isn’t just about results, it’s about the bigger picture. IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon, founder of Purple Patch, discusses the evolution of his coaching philosophy with Purple Patch Coach Max Goering. Dixon, a former swimming coach and professional triathlete, emphasizes the importance of recovery, strength training, and nutrition in athletic performance. He recounts early successes with athletes like Tyler Stewart and Chris Leiferman, highlighting the shift from individual to team-based coaching. Dixon also discusses the application of these principles to time-starved executives, stressing the benefits of a performance-driven lifestyle. The conversation underscores the value of simplicity, commitment, and community in achieving high performance.

If you have any questions about the Purple Patch program, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

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

If you have any questions about the Purple Patch program, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

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

Previous Episode

Episode 348: Mastering Performance with Panos Kakoullis on Endurance, Leadership, and Growth

IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon interviews Panos Kakoullis, a long-time Purple Patch athlete, at the Hawaii IRONMAN training camp. From Boardroom to Finish Line—Listen to Panos Kakoullis on Balancing High-Stakes Leadership with Elite-Level Endurance Performance. Panos shares his Greek Cypriot background, growing up above a fish and chip shop, and his journey from becoming an accountant, later Senior Partner at Deloitte to CFO at Rolls Royce. He discusses his transition from powerlifting to endurance sports, influenced by his wife, and his 16 IRONMAN completions. Panos emphasizes the importance of consistency, recovery, and integrating sport into life. He highlights the role of curiosity, growth mindset, and releasing mental weight in his success. Looking ahead, he plans more marathons and a cycling trip across Italy.

Panos reflects on the challenges and successes in his professional life, including the importance of integrating sport into his busy schedule. Panos recounts how he and his wife decided to do a marathon and then a triathlon, despite initially swearing never to do an IRONMAN. He emphasizes the importance of consistency over heroism and the need to prioritize recovery and nutrition. Matt and Panos wrap up the conversation, with Matt expressing his admiration for Panos' journey and achievements

If you have any questions about the Purple Patch program, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

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

Next Episode

Episode 349: Love, Sport, and the Art of Integration: A Purple Patch Valentine’s Special

A fresh new format featuring a coaching conversation with Host Matt Dixon and Co-Host Max Gering. This Valentine’s Day, we explore how athletes can integrate sport into life in a way that strengthens relationships rather than strains them—because true performance isn’t just about results, it’s about the bigger picture. IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Coach Max Gering discuss the importance of integrating sport into life sustainably, especially for athletes with busy schedules. They emphasize the need for effective training that fits within one's life, rather than overloading with long rides every weekend. They highlight the significance of communication with partners and family, planning together, and ensuring sport enhances life rather than compromising it. Practical tips include the "Sunday special" for reflection and planning, and making training a family activity. They stress that consistent, effective training over time leads to better performance and overall well-being, rather than focusing solely on training hours.

If you have any questions about the Purple Patch program, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

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: