Welcome to another inspiring episode of the ‪@runtrimag‬ Fireside Chat, part of the Everyday Athlete Podcast network! In this episode, hosts Jason Bahamundi and Aum Gandhi welcome back Joanne Bullard from Absolute Fitness Performance for a deep dive into the mental and physical strategies needed to thrive in endurance sports. Joanne, who previously appeared on Episode 37, brings invaluable insights on overcoming training obstacles, adapting goals, and fostering longevity in the sport.

🎙️ Facing the Elements: Training in Inclement Weather (02:51 - 12:52 )
Joanne shares her experience training in New Jersey’s freezing temperatures, highlighting the mental toughness required to push through. She offers actionable strategies for making indoor training more effective and enjoyable:

✅ Take it one day at a time—don’t get overwhelmed by the season ahead.
✅ Get creative with treadmill challenges to stay engaged.
✅ Set up rewards to maintain motivation.
✅ Focus on controllable factors instead of stressing over conditions.
✅ Respect your body’s need to adjust plans based on the weather.

🏆 Goal Setting & Perspective: The Rock Wall Analogy (12:53 - 25:01 )
Setting goals is crucial, but what happens when challenges arise? Joanne compares goal setting to climbing a rock wall, where progress isn’t always linear. She encourages athletes to:

💡 Regularly check in with their “why” and adjust as needed.
💡 Embrace self-reflection to maintain a strong mindset.
💡 View setbacks as part of the bigger journey, not as failures.

🧠 The Mental Game: Athletic Identity & Performance (25:02 - 35:04 )
One of the most thought-provoking discussions revolves around the impact of athletic identity on an athlete’s mindset and performance. Joanne discusses:

🔹 The pressure of being labeled as “the runner” or “the triathlete.”
🔹 The importance of giving yourself permission to change your goals.
🔹 How maintaining balance prevents burnout and mental fatigue.

⏳ Building Longevity in Endurance Sports (35:05 - 43:56 )
Joanne emphasizes that longevity in the sport isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about emotional resilience as well. She covers:

✔️ How to move past missed time goals without discouragement.
✔️ Why self-reflection is key to measuring progress beyond the clock.
✔️ The role of post-race emotions in long-term success.

🍕 Fun & Food: Getting to Know Joanne (43:57 - 57:14 )
In a lighthearted wrap-up, Jason and Aum take Joanne through a fun rapid-fire Q&A on food preferences. From comfort foods to Italian dishes, and even a debate over New York vs. Neapolitan pizza, this segment gives listeners a glimpse into Joanne’s personal side.

🔗 Join the Conversation!
🎧 Listen to the full episode to gain expert insights from Joanne Bullard!
💬 What’s your go-to mental strategy for tough training days? Drop a comment below!
📲 Follow Joanne for more mental skills advice: https://absolutefitnesspsychology.com
📚 Check out her article on post-race blues for more inspiration!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to keep up with the latest Fireside Chat episodes. Keep training, keep growing, and we’ll see you at the next start line! 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏊‍♂️