Colorado’s Ride has become one of the most respected multi‑day cycling events in the country—and preparation is everything. In Episode #540 of the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast, Coaches Rich Soares and Kristen Overton welcome Bill Plock, director of Colorado’s Ride, to break down what makes this event special and how athletes can prepare more intelligently.

We dive into course demands, elevation realities, pacing discipline, and why virtual, coach‑led pre‑rides are a game‑changer for confidence and execution. Plus, we introduce Velocity for Colorado’s Ride, a 12‑week virtual training experience built specifically for the five days of riding.

If Colorado’s Ride is on your calendar—or your bucket list—this episode will help you show up prepared, calm, and ready to ride strong.

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#540 Colorado’s Ride: Train Smarter with Virtual Pre‑Rides & Velocity

In this episode of the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast, we dive into one of the toughest challenges endurance athletes face: the mental game of injury. When training is limited and timelines are uncertain, fear, frustration, and identity struggles can take over. Using real coaching examples, we break down practical mental skills to help athletes stay engaged, grounded, and purpose‑driven while their body heals. We also share Grit2Greatness announcements, an Ask A Coach segment, and wrap up with a fun Buy, Sell, or Hold discussion.

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#539 Training the Mind While the Body Heals

Feature interview with Melissa Forziat, exploring the powerful “Take the Doughnut” mindset and how endurance athletes can recognize opportunity, prepare intentionally, and act before they feel ready. Melissa shares insights from working inside elite international sport and now spotlighting athletes chasing long‑term dreams. The episode also includes Grit2Greatness announcements, a Get Gritty Tip, Workout of the Week, and the fun segment Glazed & Confused. Show Sponsor: Vespa Power Endurance. Ask A Coach Sponsor: Vespa Power Endurance.

THE JOURNEY TO LA series:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjb4Csi9PhI5ahAFZ9NCFCzB58qJau2oW

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takethedoughnut

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaforz/

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Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching – your path to smarter training and better results.

Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching [https://grit2greatnessendurance.com/]

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#538 Take the Doughnut — Going After Opportunity in Sport and Life with Melissa Forziat

Lindsay Holmes joins the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast on the eve of IRONMAN Texas, the first U.S. IRONMAN of the season and the North American Championships, to share her powerful triathlon journey, lessons from 14 IRONMAN finishes, and what keeps her motivated through setbacks, DNFs, and big goals. Coaches Rich Soares and Kristin Overton also cover announcements, a Get Gritty mindset moment, race‑week reflections, and a fun “Would You Rather… IRONMAN Texas Edition” segment. This episode is fueled by Vespa Power, helping endurance athletes unlock steady energy and stronger performance.

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#537 Lindsay Holmes IMTX: What 14 IRONMANs Teach You About Grit

USA Cycling Paracycling Nationals takes center stage as Coaches Rich Soares and Lauren Brown go inside championship weekend in Bentonville, Arkansas with nationally accomplished paracyclists Mike Murphy and Justin Mathers. This episode explores what makes paracycling racing unique, how athletes prepare for national-level competition, and why success goes far beyond podium results. You’ll also hear Grit2Greatness announcements, an expert Get Gritty Tip, championship mindset insights, and practical takeaways for endurance athletes and coaches alike. Show Sponsor: Vespa Power Endurance. Ask A Coach Sponsor: Vespa Power Endurance.

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#536 Championship Mindset, Strategy, and Resilience

Victory After the Cutoff centers on a powerful feature interview with age‑group triathlete Chris Sjothun, whose race at IRONMAN 70.3 Texas ended at the swim cutoff—but sparked a much bigger conversation about resilience, mindset, and redefining success. Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde unpack what it means to show up fully when things don’t go as planned, alongside Grit2Greatness announcements, a Get Gritty Tip woven through the mindset discussion, Workout of the Week themes around consistency, and a fun April Fools–themed segment that separates endurance myths from real performance science. Show Sponsor: Vespa Power Endurance. Ask A Coach Sponsor: Not featured in this episode.

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#535 Victory After the Cutoff with Chris Sjothun

Get to Know Coach KO as we welcome Kristin “KO” Overton to the Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast. In this feature interview, KO shares her journey as a TriDot‑certified coach and orthopedic Physician Assistant, breaking down how durability, smart data use, and athlete‑centered coaching help endurance athletes stay healthy and perform at their best. We also cover Grit2Greatness announcements, race‑day shoutouts, a Get Gritty mindset takeaway, and a fun knockout‑style segment that digs into the mental battles athletes face. Show Sponsor: Vespa Power. Ask A Coach Sponsor: Vespa Power.

#534 - Get to Know Coach KO | Training Smart, Staying Durable, Getting Gritty

Indoor Builds the Athlete. Outdoor Reveals It dives into this week’s Ask A Coach topic: how indoor training truly transfers to outdoor performance—especially for mountain bikers and XTERRA athletes. Coaches April and Lauren break down what fitness you build indoors, what skills require outdoor practice, and how to bridge both for peak performance. Plus: Grit2Greatness announcements, the Get Gritty Tip on interdependence, the Workout of the Week woven into Velocity sessions, and our St. Paddy’s “Luck of the Tri‑ish” fun segment. This episode is supported by our show sponsor Vespa Power, and the Ask A Coach segment is presented by Velocity by Grit2Greatness.

#Grit2Greatness #CoachingTips #Ask A Coach #TriathlonCoach #TriathlonPodcast #303Endurance #TriDot #EnduranceAthlete #SwimBikeRun #GetGritty #TriathlonTraining #CyclingLife #RunningCommunity

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#533 Indoor Training Builds the Athlete. The Outdoor Reveals It!

This week we’re diving into a powerful and inspiring conversation with Kate Watt Kuo, the creator behind Every Body Tri. We talk about inclusive storytelling, breaking through triathlon stereotypes, partnering with Team Zoot, and helping athletes of all shapes and abilities find their place in the sport. We also share upcoming Grit2Greatness events, our hydration & nutrition webinar, and a fun emotional twist with “Every Body Cry.”

#Grit2Greatness #CoachingTips #Ask A Coach #TriathlonCoach #TriathlonPodcast #303Endurance #TriDot #EnduranceAthlete #SwimBikeRun #GetGritty #TriathlonTraining #CyclingLife #RunningCommunity

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Get Gritty Sponsor: Vespa Power

Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate.

Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery.

Home of Vespa Power Products | Optimizing Your Fat Metabolism

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#532 — Every Body Tri with Kate Watt Kuo

In this week’s feature interview, we sit down with Kate Watt Kuo, founder of Every Body Tri, to explore how true inclusion, representation, and authentic storytelling are reshaping the future of endurance sports. We also cover upcoming Grit2Greatness events, including Velocity Live and our free March 24th hydration & nutrition webinar, plus a gritty Ask‑A‑Coach segment and a lighthearted round of “Every Body Cry.” Powered by our show sponsor Vespa Endurance and supported by our Ask‑A‑Coach sponsor.

#Grit2Greatness #EveryBodyTri #CoachingTips #Ask A Coach #TriathlonCoach #TriathlonPodcast #303Endurance #TriDot #EnduranceAthlete #SwimBikeRun #GetGritty #TriathlonTraining #CyclingLife #RunningCommunity

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Get Gritty Sponsor: Vespa Power

Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate.

Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery.

Home of Vespa Power Products | Optimizing Your Fat Metabolism

Use discount code - 303endurance20

#532 - Every Body Tri with Kate Watt Kuo — Inclusion, Representation & the Future of Triathlon

The Grit2Greatness Podcast mission is to is to create a global community of endurance athletes. To inspire participation in endurance sports by connecting you to coaches, experts and fellow athletes.