The PhD Journey Unplugged

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 performance, and the mindset required to pursue excellence.JD Tremblay is one of only three people in the world to complete the Epic Deca — 10 Ironman-distance triathlons in 10 days across six Hawaiian Islands. A former member of the Canadian military and Director of High Performance and Mental Resilience at Hungry Warrior Academy, JD has built his life around pushing beyond perceived limits while helping others transform their mindset and reclaim purpose.But this episode goes far beyond sport.Together, Sarah and JD explore:- The difference between structure and true discipline.- Why failure is often the closest point to success.- How adversity can become fuel for growth.- The dangers of tying self-worth to outcomes.- The meaning behind the “Hungry Warrior” mentality.- Faith, resilience, and living with intention.- The role of rest, recovery, and balance in sustainable performance.- Why discipline without purpose can become unhealthy.- The importance of serving others and building lasting impact.JD also shares the philosophy behind Hungry Warrior Academy and the organization’s work supporting youth and underserved communities in Africa through mentorship, sport, mindset development, and leadership.Throughout the conversation, listeners are challenged to ask themselves:What is my non-negotiable?What am I truly capable of?And am I living up to my full potential?This episode is not simply about ultra-endurance racing. It is about identity, growth, courage, and learning how to transform struggle into purpose.Guest:JD TremblayUltra-Endurance Triathlete | Philanthropist | Author | EntrepreneurAuthor of Hunger For More in LifeHosted by:Dr. Sarah GordonFounder, The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast#HumanPerformance #Resilience #Mindset #Discipline #FailureAsFuel #UltraEndurance #Triathlon #MentalResilience #Faith #GrowthMindset #ThePhDJourneyUnplugged

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 striking parallels between a child racing a gravity car downhill and a distance runner navigating the long road of endurance sport.Through the lens of physics, motion, resistance, and human performance, Jerry challenges us to rethink how we approach struggle, failure, and progress. In a world that often explains away discomfort and negotiates with reality, this piece reminds us that the hill, the road, and the body respond honestly. They do not judge us — they simply reflect our preparation, alignment, and willingness to adapt.At its core, this reflection is not about pushing harder. It is about removing what interferes. Whether in sport, life, leadership, or personal growth, The Hill Never Lies invites listeners to consider that meaningful progress may come less from force and more from awareness, patience, and refinement.This is a moving reflection for runners, triathletes, endurance athletes, coaches, and anyone navigating the long game of human performance and self-discovery.Written by Jerry DunnRead by Dr. Sarah GordonThe PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast

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 medicine as a physician, academia as a professor emeritus, accomplished author, public health pioneer, ski instructor, triathlete, and triathlon historian.What makes Dr. Jonas’s story especially powerful is that he did not grow up as an athlete. As a child, he struggled with traditional sports and never viewed himself as athletic. Everything changed during medical school when a spontaneous ski trip with two friends introduced him to alpine skiing — a sport that would completely transform his relationship with movement and physical activity.Through skiing, Dr. Jonas discovered confidence, balance, joy, and belonging. His passion for the sport eventually led him to become a certified ski instructor, teaching in Breckenridge, Colorado, and spending decades immersed in a sport he deeply loved.Years later, after recognizing his own declining fitness while working in public health and preventive medicine, Dr. Jonas began running in his 40s. What started as short training runs evolved into local road races, marathons, triathlons, duathlons, and Ironman competitions. Over the next four decades, he completed an astonishing 257 triathlon and duathlon races, in addition to hundreds of road races ranging from 5Ks to marathons.Together, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Jonas explore:- The life-changing power of discovering movement later in life.- Skiing, balance, and finding a sport that fits your abilities.- The origins and early history of triathlon and duathlon.- The evolution of the wellness and health promotion movement.- Why triathlon became “a sport for everybody.”- Exercise as medicine and healthy aging.- Consistency, longevity, and purpose across the lifespan.- The emotional meaning of crossing finish lines.- Lessons from nearly 90 years of living with vitality, resilience, and purpose.Dr. Jonas also reflects on his work with and contributions to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) “Exercise Is Medicine” initiative, the foundational years of the preventive health and wellness movement, and the friendships and identity he built through decades of endurance sport participation.Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that human performance is not solely about speed or competition — it is about participation, joy, resilience, community, and continuing to move forward through every season of life. “There’s always another race,” as Dr. Jonas shares with the audience.This is an unforgettable conversation about movement, meaning, longevity, and the enduring spirit of a man who helped shape the modern wellness movement while continuing to live its message every single day.As the host, Dr. Gordon expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Jonas for joining the show, recognizing him as a true pioneer in health promotion and the triathlon community. His contributions across medicine, academia, athletics, and public health have impacted generations and continue to inspire others to pursue healthier, more active, and meaningful lives.It was an absolute honor to welcome Dr. Steven Jonas to The PhD Journey Unplugged. A friend, mentor, visionary, and leader.Disclaimer: All information shared on The PhD Journey Unplugged is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical or health advice.

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 race.Triathlon is more than performance—it is an opportunity to engage with diverse cultures, communities, and environments. Amy shares her personal experiences competing internationally, including a moment of public backlash that led to reflection, accountability, and growth. Through honesty and humility, she opens up about what it means to make a mistake, take ownership, and learn from it.Together, Sarah and Amy explore:The importance of understanding cultural norms, customs, and expectations before travelingHow athletes can show respect to the communities that host global competitionsThe role of humility, awareness, and education in international sportWays to give back to underserved and remote communities along the racing journeyWhy being an athlete is not just about personal achievement—but about the impact we have on othersThis episode is a powerful reminder that human performance extends beyond the physical. It is about how we show up in the world—with awareness, respect, and intention.🎧 Whether you are an athlete, coach, or global traveler, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond the finish line."Go fast. Stay humble. Respect the culture."Disclaimer: All information in The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be deemed as professional advice.

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 navigating the long game of human performance.Drawing from her background in sports psychology, endurance coaching, and mindful performance, Christina introduces ENFLYTE as more than a coaching service—it’s a philosophy grounded in the idea that performance is not a fixed state, but a dynamic, ever-evolving journey.Using the metaphor of being “in flight,” this conversation reframes how we think about growth, resilience, and success. Just like a plane’s journey includes takeoff, turbulence, cruising, and landing, human performance requires constant adjustment, recalibration, and trust in the process.Together, they explore:The difference between time-based and performance-based goalsHow to break through the “I can’t do it” mindset and build lasting confidenceThe foundational role of sleep and recovery in long-term performanceGuiding people on their journey and meeting them where they are at - towards optimal performanceStrategies towards greater mindfulness and intentionChristina’s journey as an 8-time marathoner, Ironman 70.3 finisher, ultrarunner, and full Ironman athlete brings real-world credibility to a conversation that extends far beyond sport.This episode is a powerful reminder that the goal is not just to reach the destination, but to learn how to navigate the flight.Dr. Gordon expresses her gratitude to Christina for joining her on "The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast" and looks forward to continued conversations together.All information on "The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast" is for general informational purposes only and should not be deemed as professional advice.