The Long Game - Fit for Life

Episode 14: Building a Life on Two Wheels with Andrew and Maribel

Mark Alfaro — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:45:00 GMT

In this episode of The Long Game, Mark sits down with San Diego cyclists Andrew and Maribel Gavin to explore how a surprise tandem bike has grown into the core of their shared lifestyle, marriage, and mindset. From nervous first rides and learning to communicate in sync, to century events, European adventure routes, and big climbing days across Poway and Rancho Santa Fe, they unpack what makes tandem cycling uniquely challenging and deeply rewarding. Along the way, they share how trust, patience, and real-time communication on the bike have strengthened their partnership off the bike, why they chase miles and adventures together, and how they keep pushing hard while still making the sport fun and sustainable for the long game.

Episode 13 - The Mental Game with Laura Collins

Mark Alfaro — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:15:00 GMT

The Long Game Episode 13 explores the mental side of aging in sport with psychotherapist and former elite gymnast Laura Collins, focusing on how changing bodies, injury, and life transitions reshape an athlete’s identity. Through Laura’s story—from 1980s elite gymnastics and career-ending injuries to her current work with high performers—we also dig into anxiety, comparison traps, and practical ways athletes can reframe self-worth, process old wounds, and “play the long game” in both performance and life

Episode 1 - Motivation and Perfect Weeks

Mark Alfaro — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This episode is sponsored by Elevation Culture.

Episode 1 of The Long Game challenges the idea that “perfect weeks” lead to long-term success, but instead, chasing perfection often makes consistency harder. Real and lasting progress is a compounding process built on sustainable effort, patience, and showing up even when conditions aren’t ideal.

Episode 7 - The Rent is due, it’s Time to Collect

Mark Alfaro — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:05:07 GMT

The Rent Is Due, It’s Time to Collect….

This is a race-day reflection from the Bedrock Valley Gravel Race, and we break down preparation, pacing, execution, and recovery—showing how race day simply reveals the work you’ve already put in.

Beyond the result, we dive into what it truly means to stay in the long game: finding your “why,” staying consistent through imperfect seasons, and understanding that the real payoff isn’t just performance—it’s showing up for life, for the long haul.

Episode 11: John Bermudez - Fitness is a Non-Negotiable…

Mark Alfaro — Fri, 15 May 2026 06:13:35 GMT

In this episode of The Long Game, Mark sits down with endurance coach and multi-time Boston Marathon qualifier John Bermudez to talk about fitness, purpose, and playing the long game in life. John shares his journey from growing up in Southeast San Diego, navigating corporate careers in music and entertainment, to building a coaching business centered around helping everyday athletes chase big goals. Together they dive into Boston dreams, balancing family and health, controlling the controllables, and why fitness isn’t just about race medals—it’s an investment in being around for the people who matter most. This conversation is a reminder that health isn’t optional, and the work you put in today determines the life you get to live tomorrow.

Episode 9 - Why You Keep Showing Up (Or Stop)

Mark Alfaro — Sun, 03 May 2026 03:28:44 GMT

In this episode, Mark explores how the people and spaces around our workouts quietly decide whether we stick with training for years or drift away. Drawing on Maya Angelou’s quote about how we remember feelings more than words or actions, he shares what it was like to be a nervous beginner in a boxing gym and a co-owner of Performance Strength Lab, where community mattered more than perfect programming. He reflects on the loss of those gyms, a recent conversation with coach Chad Christman of Ignite Fitness in Missouri, and the realization that he misses belonging to a training community as much as coaching one.

Episode 10 - Joe Beckerley on Health, Strength, and Racing for Life

Mark Alfaro — Sat, 09 May 2026 00:58:49 GMT

Mark sits down with longtime friend, former business partner, and endurance coach Joe Beckerley to revisit their shared history in triathlon, Performance Strength Lab, and the endurance community. Joe shares how a Crohn’s disease diagnosis pushed him out of an unhealthy corporate routine and into boxing, running, triathlon, and eventually coaching. The conversation explores the mental and physical power of endurance sports, the importance of strength training for athletes, and why community, patience, and consistency matter when building a lifestyle that lasts well beyond race day.

Episode 12 - Fire Your Scale: Let Sleep & HRV Call the Shots

Mark Alfaro — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:32:47 GMT

After seeing the scale go up despite doing everything right, Mark breaks down why weight is one of the most misleading health metrics. This episode dives into the power of sleep, HRV, and recovery data as true indicators of performance and long-term health. If you’ve ever let the scale dictate your mood, this conversation will help you shift from chasing outcomes to tracking what actually drives progress.

Episode 5 - Instagram Health vs. Real Life Health

Mark Alfaro — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:45:48 GMT

Instagram Health vs Real Life Health

This episode breaks down how social media can make you feel like something’s wrong—whether it’s your hormones, your golf swing, or your gear—when in reality, you’re probably closer than you think. Through a personal story about getting bloodwork done and realizing sleep—not supplements—was the real lever, the episode highlights a simple truth: real health isn’t built on hacks, it’s built on consistent basics that compound over time.

Episode 8 - Strong for Life with Coach Chad Chrisman

Mark Alfaro — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:52:19 GMT

This episode is about playing the long game with your body. Coach Chad Chrisman joins the podcast to share how to build real strength, stay consistent through busy seasons, and train in a way that supports your life—not burns you out.

Episode 6 - Shift, but Don’t Stop…(This one is for the parents)

Mark Alfaro — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:36:51 GMT

This episode dives into the reality of being both an athlete and a parent of young athletes—where your schedule is no longer your own and your priorities constantly shift. It explores the challenge of balancing your own health and fitness goals with practices, games, and family commitments, and how that often forces you to rethink when and how you train.

The core message: you don’t have to stop showing up for yourself—you just have to adapt. By shifting workouts, lowering the barrier to entry, and focusing on consistency over perfection, you stay in the long game while setting a powerful example for your kids.

Episode 4 - Staying in the Game (Even When Life Gets Busy)

Mark Alfaro — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:48:42 GMT

In this episode of The Long Game, Mark explores how to stay consistent through travel, heavy work seasons, and shifting priorities. Through personal stories—from a post-snowboarding slump to rediscovering the triathlon community after six years away—he shares how small actions, flexible structure, and a focus on enjoyment can keep you moving forward. Because in the long game, it’s not about perfect weeks—it’s about never fully stepping away.

The Long Game - Episode 0

Mark Alfaro — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:37:21 GMT

If you run, ride, swim, hike, lift, play golf — or you just want to be the type of person who still can at 60, 70, or 80!— you’re in the right place.

Episode 3 - Eric Chrisman…”I failed!”

Mark Alfaro — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:25:58 GMT

In this episode of The Long Game, Mark sits down with endurance athlete and owner/creator/race director of Elevation Cukture, Eric Chrisman to talk about resilience, patience, and what it really takes to keep moving forward when things get hard. Through the story of Eric’s experience pacing the final miles of the Tahoe 200, the conversation explores the mental side of endurance sports — the moments when progress slows, doubt creeps in, and the only way forward is to keep going.

Together we unpack the deeper meaning behind endurance sports and moved ng beyong personal accomplishment to building a platform for everyone to take part in the sport we love.

Episode 2 - Pole Pole, Keep Climbing

Mark Alfaro — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 04:58:54 GMT

This episode is for the grinders — the athletes balancing work, family, and real life while trying to stay consistent.

Mark sits down with a fellow endurance athlete who has run marathons and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Together, they unpack the “make-up workout spiral,” the pressure of perfection, and how adopting the mountain mindset of pole pole — slowly, steadily — can transform not just training, but longevity in the sport.

Because the Long Game isn’t about perfect weeks.

It’s about patience, consistency, and forward momentum.