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The PhD Journey Unplugged

by Dr. Sarah L. Gordon

Dr. Sarah Gordon is the founder and host of The PhD Journey Unplugged, a platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of health, human performance, and the lived experience of pursuing excellence. Through reflective, evidence-informed conversations, her work focuses on sustainable performance, personal growth, and caring for the whole person along the journey toward success. The podcast brings together researchers, clinicians, athletes, coaches, and leaders to share perspectives that bridge science, experience, and meaningful human development.

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Episodes

  1. LONGEVITY WITH PURPOSE: A CONVERSATION WITH TONY MEDRANO, CEO, LONGEVITY AI (EPISODE 89)

    Episode 89 | Longevity With Purpose: What Are We Living Longer For? A Conversation with Tony Medrano, Co-Founder & CEO, Longevity AIWhat if longevity isn't simply about adding more years to our lives—but about creating more healthy, meaningful years in which we can continue doing what we love?In...

  2. FROM SETBACK TO SOLUTION: RESILIENCE, INNOVATION & THE STORY BEHIND XLEG (EPISODE 88)

    Episode 88 | FROM SETBACK TO SOLUTION: Resilience, Innovation & the Story Behind XLEG What happens when one of the hardest chapters of your life becomes the beginning of something you never imagined? In Episode 88 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Reid Robinson…

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  3. THE STRENGTH TO ADAPT: WOMEN, AGING & SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE (EPISODE 87)

    Episode 87 | THE STRENGTH TO ADAPT: Women, Aging & Sustainable Performance What does it mean to perform well when the body we are training is changing? In Episode 87 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Brandy R. Parsley, FNP, IFMCP, for an honest and educational...

  4. TRAIN. RECOVER. PERFORM. THE POWER OF SLEEP. A CONVERSATION WITH DR. KIRK PARSLEY, M.D., FORMER NAVY SEAL, PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT PHYSICIAN

    Episode 86: Train. Recover. Perform. The Power of Sleep | A Conversation with Dr. Kirk “Doc” Parsley, M.D. Former Navy SEAL, Performance Enhancement Physician What if the key to better performance, greater resilience, and long-term health isn't training harder—but sleeping better? In this episode...

  5. DESIGNING A NEW PATH TO HEALTH: ONE CHOICE AT A TIME (EPISODE 85)

    Episode 85 | Designing a New Path to Health: One Choice at a TimeWhat if changing our health doesn’t require changing everything at once?In Episode 85 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes Cherie Calbom, MS, CN, an internationally recognized nutritionist, author, and longtime...

  6. BEYOND THE A1C: BLOOD SUGAR, METABOLIC HEALTH AND ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE (EPISODE 84)

    Episode 84 | BEYOND THE A1C: Blood Sugar, Metabolic Health & Endurance Performance What if understanding your blood sugar is about much more than simply knowing your A1C? In Episode 84 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Dr. Jason Shumard, DC, a functional medicine...

  7. STRONG AT EVERY AGE: EMPOWERING WOMEN TO DISCOVER WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING

    Episode 83 — Strong at Every Age: Empowering Women to Discover What They Are Capable of Doing What happens when we stop thinking about strength simply as something physical—and begin to see it as a pathway toward confidence, courage, connection, and possibility? In Episode 83 of The PhD Journey...

  8. LIFE LESSONS FROM TRADITIONAL HAWAIIN OUTRIGGER CANOE PADDLING (EPISODE 82)

    Episode 82 | Life Lessons from Traditional Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling: A conversation with David Schofield, Head Coach and Founder of New Hope Canoe Club Ministry AtlanticWhat can six paddlers, one canoe, and the changing conditions of the water teach us about how to live? In Episode 82 of...

  9. WE'RE TRAINING TO GET BETTER: FIVE YEARS ON THE PHD JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH DR. MARC HEINECKE

    Episode 81 | We’re Training to Get Better: Five Years on the PhD Journey Together with Dr. Marc Heinecke What are we training for? It is a question I ask often on The PhD Journey Unplugged—and in this episode, my longtime friend and former doctoral classmate Dr. Marc Heinecke offers a beautifully...

  10. RESILIENCE ISN'T GRIT ALONE, IT'S RECOVERY TOO! (EPISODE 80)

    Episode 80: Resilience Isn’t Grit Alone, It’s Recovery Too! | A Conversation with Arwen Elaine What if resilience isn’t simply about how much we can endure—but also how well we recover? In milestone Episode 80 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes back friend and returning guest...

  11. Episode 79: Rebuilding with Passion & Purpose: A Conversation with Photographer Scott Proposki

    Episode 79: Rebuilding with Passion and Purpose — A Conversation with Renowned Photographer Scott Proposki What happens when the life and career you spent decades building suddenly disappear? In Episode 79 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with renowned photographer,...

  12. Episode 78: Backwards Is a Pace: Making History with Open Water Swimmer, Adina O’Neill

    Episode 78 | Backwards Is a Pace: Making History with Adina O’Neill On July 20, 2026, Adina O’Neill did something no one had ever done before: she completed an eight-mile swim across Boston Harbor entirely on her back. In Episode 78 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Adina returns to the podcast after...

  13. Episode 77: Hope and Passion are Stronger than Diagnosis: A Conversation with Nicholas Kelly, MS, RD

    Episode 77: Hope and Passion are Stronger than Diagnosis | A Conversation with Nicholas Kelly, MS, RD What happens when a diagnosis becomes the beginning of a mission instead of the end of a dream? In Episode 77 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, I sit down with Nicholas Kelly, MS, RD—Registered...

  14. Episode 76: "LIMITLESS: TRAINING FOR THE PERSON YOU'RE BECOMING" GUEST: KERI MANDELL

    Limitless: Training for the Person You're Becoming | Episode 76 with Keri Mandell, "The Iron Yogi" What if the only thing standing between you and the life you want...is the story you've been telling yourself? In Episode 76 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes endurance…

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  15. Episode 75: STRENGTH. LONGEVITY. PURPOSE. Guest: Leading Fitness Expert, Chris Ryan, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

    In Episode 75 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Leading Fitness Expert, Chris Ryan, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really means to train for life. This episode explores the connection between physical fitness, longevity, healthy aging, strength, mindset,...

  16. Episode 74: WHAT ARE WE TRAINING FOR? TRAINING TO FLOURISH: THE JOURNEY OF HEALTHY AGING

    Episode 74: What Are We Training For? | Training to Flourish: The Journey of Healthy Aging with the Founder of The Endurance Edge, Chris Newport, MS, RDN What are we really training for? A faster race? A longer life? Better health? Or something much deeper? In Episode 74 of The PhD Journey...

  17. Episode 73: SOMETIMES THE JOURNEY CHANGES

    Episode 73: Sometimes the Journey Changes What happens when you finally reach the mountain you've spent years climbing? After completing her PhD at 58, presenting her dissertation research at an international conference in Geneva, Switzerland, launching The PhD Journey Unplugged podcast, and...

  18. Episode 72: WAKE UP TO DIE AGAIN – BREAKING WHO YOU BECOME SO YOU CAN BE WHO YOU'RE MEANT TO BE

    Episode 72: Wake Up to Die Again – Breaking Who You Became So You Can Be Who You're Meant To Be In this powerful conversation, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with author, Army veteran, Ironman finisher, inventor, business leader, and transformational speaker Scott Lackey to explore what it truly…

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  19. Episode 71: FORWARD IS A PACE

    Episode 71: In Episode 71 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with endurance athlete, coach, author, and founder of Team B*REAL, Adina O'Neill. Adina's story is one of perseverance, inclusion, and the unwavering belief that movement belongs to everyone. After beginning her...

  20. Episode 70: THE TRIBE: ONE MAN'S LIFELONG SEARCH FOR HIS KIND OF WEIRD BY JERRY DUNN

    Episode 70: What if life isn't about finding one tribe—but about discovering the many communities that shape us along the way? In this special episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon shares a reading of The Tribe, a thoughtful and deeply personal essay written by Jerry Dunn.…

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  21. Episode 69: WHO AM I BECOMING? THE IDENTITY SHIFT AND THE COURAGE TO BEGIN AGAIN

    Episode 69: What if the person you are becoming requires you to let go of who you once were? In Episode 69 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes fitness, performance, and wellness coach, entrepreneur, lifelong athlete, and founder of AE Fitness & Performance Coaching, Arwen...

  22. Episode 68: BELIEVE BEFORE YOU ACHIEVE - BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH TRAINING CAMPS

    Episode 68: "There are no shortcuts in the endurance journey." Maria Simone, Founder & Head Coach, No Limits Endurance. What happens when athletes step outside their comfort zones and immerse themselves in an environment designed for growth, connection, and performance? In Episode 68 of The PhD...

  23. Episode 67: FINDING FAST AGAIN WITH WORLD CHAMPION TRIATHLETE JENNIFER HOBAN

    Episode 67: In Episode 67 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with World Champion endurance athlete, Team USA triathlete, and coach Jennifer Hoban, Founder of Finding Fast Again Coaching. Jennifer’s journey through sport spans more than three decades and reflects a life...

  24. Episode 66: HUNGER FOR MORE IN LIFE - USING FAILURE AS FUEL WITH JD TREMBLAY

    Episode 66: What does it truly mean to use failure as fuel? In Episode 66 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with ultra-endurance triathlete, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and author JD Tremblay for a powerful conversation on resilience, discipline, faith, human...

  25. Episode 65: THE HILL NEVER LIES

    Episode 65: In this powerful spoken reflection, “America’s Marathon Man,” Jerry Dunn shares a deeply philosophical meditation on endurance, truth, and the lessons learned through long effort. Read by Dr. Sarah Gordon on The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, "The Hill Never Lies" explores the…

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  26. Episode 64: There is Always Another Race! Dr. Steven Jonas on Triathlon, Longevity, and Aging

    At nearly 90 years old, Dr. Steven Jonas continues to embody the principles of lifelong movement, resilience, and healthy aging. In this deeply meaningful episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Dr. Steven Jonas, whose remarkable life journey has carried him through...

  27. Episode 63: From Competition to Connection - Respecting Culture in a Global Sport

    What does it truly mean to compete on a global stage? In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with professional triathlete Amy Vantassel for a genuine and thought-provoking conversation about the responsibility athletes carry when traveling the world to...

  28. Episode 62: ENFLYTE - A Mindset for Human Performance

    What does it truly mean to perform—not just in a single moment, but across the span of a lifetime? In Episode 62 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with endurance athlete and performance coach Christina Candio, founder of ENFLYTE, to explore a powerful mindset for...

  29. Episode 61: Energy, Healing & Longevity Through the Foods We Eat

    What if the trajectory of our health is not something we passively accept—but something we actively shape? In Episode 61 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Axay Shah—67-year-young marathoner, entrepreneur, and author of "In Nature We Trust: A Raw Food Manifesto...

  30. Episode 60: Cultivating a Continuous Growth Mindset in "Pushing Boundaries of Excellence"

    What does it mean to pursue excellence—not just for a moment, but across an entire lifetime? In Episode 60 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes distinguished guest Kurt Madden ("Coach K")—legendary coach, IRONMAN triathlete, CEO of KM Coaching & Consulting, and Director of...

  31. Episode 59: Bonus Content

    My guest, Trevor Roe, and I decided to record this additional bonus content as an extended cut to our original podcast Episode 59. Trevor continues to share incredibly insightful information about "Thinking in a Complex World of Human Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, and the impact on human...

  32. Episode 59: Thinking in a Complex World - Intelligence, AI and the Future of Human Performance

    What does it really mean to be intelligent in today’s world? In Episode 59 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Trevor Roe, an IT Specialist and Network Engineer, to explore intelligence not as a fixed trait, but as a trainable system—one that shapes how we think, learn,...

  33. Episode 58: Training for Real Life - Sustainable Performance, Coaching, and Confidence

    What does it really mean to train for performance—while still honoring the realities of everyday life? In Episode 58 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with endurance coach and founder of Capuzzo Multisport Coaching, Paul Capuzzo, to explore how training plans can move…

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  34. Episode 57: Make Kindness Our Default

    Welcome to The PhD Journey Unplugged. In this solo episode, Dr. Sarah Gordon explores a powerful and often-overlooked idea: what if kindness were not random but something we practiced with the same discipline and consistency we apply to performance, training, and personal growth? Drawing from the...

  35. Episode 56: Elevated Through Change - Mentorship, Mindset, and Cycles of Performance

    What does it mean to stay committed to sport when life changes, priorities shift, and constant progress is no longer realistic? In Episode 56 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, competitive runner and triathlon coach Brady Hoover shares his passion for helping athletes unlock their potential through...

  36. Episode 55: Unlocking Triathlon - Resilience Warriors

    What does it mean to keep going—when things get hard? In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Alison Freeman, co-founder of NYX Endurance, USA Triathlon Certified Coach (Level III, May 2026), and contributing writer for Triathlete Magazine, to explore the...

  37. Episode 54: Aging in Motion – Identity, Adaptation, and the Lifelong Pursuit of Health

    Episode 54: Aging in Motion – Identity, Adaptation, and the Lifelong Pursuit of Health with Guest: Vanessa Brown. What does it mean to stay physically active—not just in youth, but across an entire lifetime? In Episode 54 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Vanessa Brown...

  38. Episode 53: The Courage to Show Up – Identity and Belonging in Athletic Spaces

    Episode 53: The Courage to Show Up – Identity and Belonging in Athletic Spaces with Guest: Kyla Lupo, Founder of Go Big Triathlon Coaching What if the biggest barrier to sport isn’t physical — but the belief that you don’t belong? In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon…

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  39. Episode 52: The Ironman Lifestyle - The Courage to Keep Moving Forward

    Episode 52: The Ironman Lifestyle – The Courage to Keep Moving ForwardGuest: Darrell Myrick, 15+ Ironman Finisher, Triathlon Coach, Retired Police Officer What happens when the identity you’ve built through sport is suddenly challenged by your health? In this powerful episode of The PhD Journey...

  40. Episode 51: The Academic Marathon – Resilience, Identity, and the Long Game of Scholarship

    Episode 51: The Academic Marathon – Resilience, Identity, and the Long Game of ScholarshipGuest: Dr. Abby Crew When we think about human performance, we often picture athletes pushing the limits of physical endurance. But there are other arenas where endurance is required—not of the ody, but of…

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  41. Episode 50: Trusting the Effort - Confidence, Consistency, and the Endurance Mindset

    Episode 50: Trusting the Effort - Confidence, Consistency, and the Endurance Mindset. Guest: Skye Johnson, Owner, Tri with SkyeIn endurance sport, it’s easy to become consumed by numbers — pace, power, heart rate, splits. But sustainable performance is built on something deeper: trust in the...

  42. Episode 49: Identity in Motion - Who We Become Through Health and Human Performance

    What if lasting health isn’t about discipline — but about identity?In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Host, Dr. Sarah Gordon, and Guest, Andrew Schubauer of Mountain Wisdom, LLC, explore the powerful role identity plays in health, growth, and human performance.Health promotion is often...

  43. Episode 48: Identity, Motivation and Purpose - Insights from Dr. Sarah Gordon's Research

    In this educational segment, Dr. Gordon steps back into the heart of her doctoral research — “Exploring Exercise Motivations and Perspectives of Successful Aging with Older Triathletes.” Framed within Self-Determination Theory, this work examined how the basic psychological needs of autonomy,...

  44. Episode 47: The Courage to Grow - Accepting Uncertainty in a Growth Mindset

    Growth sounds inspiring — but in real life, stepping outside your comfort zone can feel unsettling. In Episode 47 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon and Dr. Rehan Tahir explore the psychology of growth, the anxiety that often accompanies new beginnings, and how to develop a true…

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  45. Episode 46: Cultivating a Path Toward Enjoyment - From Performance to Presence

    Is enjoyment just a bonus — or is it the foundation of sustainable performance? Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to stay consistent with something you actually enjoy? In Episode 46 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Sarah Gordon and Andrew Schubauer explore why enjoyment is not the opposite...

  46. Episode 45: The Philosophical Pause - A Space Between Motion and Return

    In this solo episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon introduces The Philosophical Pause — a reflective space to step away from performance and reconnect with meaning. Inspired by a simple park bench and her poem “The Bench,” this episode explores the power of stillness in a...

  47. Episode 44: Building Health Equity - The Long Game of Human Performance

    In Episode 44 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Dr. Gregory Gibbons, MD, PhD — physician, emergency medicine specialist, human performance expert and researcher, 16-time Ironman finisher, Kona World Championship Finisher, and overall endurance athlete — to explore...

  48. Episode 43: The Power of Enjoyment - Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters

    "What if fulfillment came from doing things that felt true to yourself, where you felt more aligned, and when your motivation came from within - not imposed on you by others? What if finding confidence came from moving your life forward towards autonomy, competence, and relatedness - despite...

  49. Episode 42: When Belief Fuels Change - The Power of Self-Efficacy

    In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Sarah and Andrew explore the power of self-efficacy—our belief in our ability to take action and follow through on what matters to us. Self-efficacy isn’t about being perfect or fearless; it’s about believing, even on hard days, that you can take the...

  50. Episode 41: New Beginning

    Welcome to Episode 41 and the launch of a new season of The PhD Journey Unplugged. As we step into 2026, this episode marks more than just a new year—it marks a moment of reflection, growth, and intentional living shaped by the lessons of the PhD journey. In this episode, Dr. Sarah L. Gordon…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Dr. Sarah Gordon is the founder and host of The PhD Journey Unplugged, a platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of health, human performance, and the lived experience of pursuing excellence. Through reflective, evidence-informed conversations, her work focuses on sustainable performance, personal growth, and caring for the whole person along the journey toward success. The podcast brings together researchers, clinicians, athletes, coaches, and leaders to share perspectives that bridge science, experience, and meaningful human development.

HOSTED BY

Dr. Sarah L. Gordon

CATEGORIES

health fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The PhD Journey Unplugged have?

The PhD Journey Unplugged currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The PhD Journey Unplugged about?

Dr. Sarah Gordon is the founder and host of The PhD Journey Unplugged, a platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of health, human performance, and the lived experience of pursuing excellence. Through reflective, evidence-informed conversations, her work focuses on sustainable performance,...

How often does The PhD Journey Unplugged release new episodes?

The PhD Journey Unplugged has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The PhD Journey Unplugged?

You can listen to The PhD Journey Unplugged on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The PhD Journey Unplugged?

The PhD Journey Unplugged is created and hosted by Dr. Sarah L. Gordon.
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