#17 – Mike Trevino: life-lessons from ultra-endurance, mindset, hard work, and removing limitations
Summary

In this episode of the Peter Atia Drive podcast, Peter Atia interviews his close friend Mike Trevino, an accomplished amateur endurance athlete. The conversation covers various topics such as ultra-endurance events, personal experiences, crew dynamics, sleep engineering, and nutrition. Mike shares his experience of running 43 miles on his 43rd birthday without consuming any calories. They also discuss the principles of physical performance and how they can be applied to everyday life.

Mike talks about his transition from being a football player and wrestler in Iowa to a trail runner in Germany, and eventually to an ultra-endurance cyclist. He set world records for 24-hour runs and won the Badwater race, which starts in Death Valley in California. The conversation covers various races and events that the individuals participated in, including the Race Across America and the Western States 100.

They discuss the importance of crew dynamics in preparing for such events, including bike and crew equipment, food, and power supply. Personal experiences include climbing Mount Whitney, swimming across Lake Tahoe, and getting stuck in a desert sandstorm while cycling. The training and mental preparation required for these events are crucial and can be demoralizing, but also provide memorable stories.

Mike also discusses his daily routine, including running and biking before work and consuming a high-calorie smoothie for recovery. He mentions the importance of being fat adapted for endurance activities and how he learned about this through experimentation and research, including insights from mountaineering.

The conversation touches on the negative effects of sugar during long events and the importance of timing it correctly. Mike shares his personal experience with parasites and how he discovered the benefits of fasting and being in ketosis for optimal performance. They also mention the risks of cycling and the importance of safety measures.

The conversation ends with a mention of a great beer that one friend introduced to the other, which they both enjoy. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and advice for those looking to push their physical limits and optimize their training and performance.