In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, author, and former professional musician Gary Trosclair to explore what it really means to have a driven personality and how to take the wheel instead of letting it drive you. Gary’s work, The Healthy Compulsive Project, sheds light on obsessive-compulsive personality traits (OCPD) and how the same tendencies that push us to achieve can also cause stress, rigidity, and disconnection if left unchecked.

We dig into how perfectionism, control, and urgency show up in endurance sports, work, and family life and how to transform those patterns into strengths through awareness, mindfulness, and compassion. Gary shares insights from Jungian psychology, personal stories from his journey as a musician turned therapist, and practical ways to move from “proving yourself” to simply being yourself.

We also talk about the mental side of endurance how athletes can find balance between excellence and ease, the role of meditation and body awareness in releasing tension, and how learning to “hold the pen more loosely” can actually improve both performance and happiness.

If you’ve ever felt like your ambition is both your greatest gift and your toughest challenge, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Gary: thehealthycompulsive.com | garytrosclair.com

skimo gold, endurance and life coaching with brief testimonials

I'm honored to be joined again by Dr. Stacy Sims, exercise physiologist, nutrition scientist, athlete, and author of ROAR and Next Level. Stacy is a leading voice in women’s performance, and her groundbreaking work has reshaped how we think about training and fueling across the female lifespan.

We dig into the science behind why “women are not small men,” covering everything from the menstrual cycle to perimenopause and menopause, and how those changes impact hydration, recovery, and performance. Stacy shares practical strategies for fueling, training, and strength work that help women harness their physiology instead of fighting it. We also talk about breaking down taboos, the importance of lifting heavy, and why female athletes, and the coaches and partners who support them, need to reframe how success is measured over time.

This conversation is packed with research-backed wisdom, actionable tools, and empowering reminders for women (and men!) who want to thrive in sport and life .

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A big thanks to our sponsors:

RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Go to www.neuroreserve.com/travismacy and code TRAVISMACY for 15% off RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Core Dietary Nutrients for Lifelong Brain Health

Hagan Ski Mountaineering

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Purchase A Mile at A Time: A Father and Son’s Inspiring Alzheimer’s Journey of Love, Adventure, and Hope

Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Spotify
Check us out: Instagram | Twitter | Website | YouTube

The show is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co

Life Coaching with Travis Macy

Are you a middle-aged man looking for a wise and powerful teammate to support your expansive journey in work, family, athletics, and life? Are you ready to finally learn about yourself: what really makes you tick, what holds you back, and what personalized systems will optimize your performance and wellness? Let's work together!

travismacy.com/coaching

For our 200th episode, I’m honored to welcome two legends of the endurance world: Lazarus Lake, the mastermind behind the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra and author Jared Beasley, whose new book The Endurance Artist dives deep into Laz’s life and legacy. We talk about what it really means to chase the impossible, how pain and discomfort shape us, and why the “Danny’s” of the sport (everyday athletes who rise beyond expectation) are so inspiring.

Laz shares lessons from a lifetime of running, coaching, and creating races that break people down and build them back up, while Jared gives us a writer’s view into the grit, humor, and heart of these iconic events. From dogs as life coaches to the team dynamics hidden in solo suffering, this conversation is a raw and memorable celebration of endurance, resilience, and living life to its fullest.

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A big thanks to our sponsors:

RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Go to www.neuroreserve.com/travismacy and code TRAVISMACY for 15% off RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Core Dietary Nutrients for Lifelong Brain Health

Hagan Ski Mountaineering

- - - - - - - - - - -
Purchase A Mile at A Time: A Father and Son’s Inspiring Alzheimer’s Journey of Love, Adventure, and Hope

Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Spotify
Check us out: Instagram | Twitter | Website | YouTube

The show is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co

Life Coaching with Travis Macy

Are you a middle-aged man looking for a wise and powerful teammate to support your expansive journey in work, family, athletics, and life? Are you ready to finally learn about yourself: what really makes you tick, what holds you back, and what personalized systems will optimize your performance and wellness? Let's work together!

travismacy.com/coaching