32 Ed Baker -Purpose, Patience, and Performance Lead to IRONMAN Victory

Published: July 24, 2018, 12:05 p.m.

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Article about Ed\\u2019s IRONMAN Lake Placid Victory

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This week, we revisit a former guest with a playback of Episode 9 with Ed Baker. Ed is an accomplished and impressive business executive, serving as Head of International Growth at Facebook and then VP of Growth and Product at Uber until the Spring of 2017.

In addition to his business accolades, he is the father of three children (with another one on the way this Fall) and, over the last two years, he has taken a leap of faith into triathlon under the leadership of Matt Dixon.

On July 22, 2018, Ed Baker put his months of training and education to the test at IRONMAN Lake Placid and HE WON - OVERALL. \\xa0

This episode, recorded in February 2018, \\xa0takes place while Ed was at the Purple Patch Pro Camp in Scottsdale. \\xa0Yes, Dixon threw this triathlon newbie to the professional wolves and they had a feast, but it gives you a glimpse into the journey and progression of Ed that would lead to his first IRONMAN victory.

Throughout the conversation, you\\u2019ll hear them discuss Ed\\u2019s journey from athlete-to-executive, and then back to an athlete. They also came away with many insights and lessons for any high-performing individual, and these are the nuggets that Matt and Ed discuss so thoroughly in this episode, including the:

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  • Benefits of maintaining an exercise or training routine even as a busy executive
  • Value of having a coach to help you define goals and realize your full potential
  • Similarities between sport and business - setting small goals and having the ability to check in frequently, embracing baby steps
  • Many parallels between professional athletes and executives, including an insatiable thirst for personal evolution and growth
  • Importance of nailing the basics both in work and life since that makes up 95% of performance success
  • Qualities of successful people - humility, friendliness and a good sense of humor

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How did he go from triathlon newbie to IRONMAN champion?

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Talent Management: With an athlete like Ed, the coach better be equipped to say no as much as yes -- as talent requires management. \\xa0To manage Ed\\u2019s progression, Matt had to be very careful with load and progression, ensuring that he didn\\u2019t just dump swimming and cycling onto an already comprehensive running background, and didn\\u2019t just mimic old training habits. \\xa0The key has been patience and careful progression.

A Race Plan for Performance: Ed\\u2019s race plan this weekend was simple. \\xa0Go and train all day. \\xa0\\xa0He \\u2018loves\\u2019 to race, but this would be an event to train. \\xa0This approach means a humble mindset, a cautious and patient approach, and a complete avoidance of thinking about places, times or qualification.

Create a Positive Race Experience: This humble approach, with the focus on the occasion and joy of it, was the gateway to future performance. \\xa0


Yes, Ed won the race and had a magical day, but the key is how he got there. \\xa0He listened, was patient, and despite his natural racing instincts, he had the courage to hold back to allow the magic to happen. \\xa0Now he can learn, evolve and improve.\\xa0

Article about Ed\\u2019s Victory

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Follow Purple Patch Fitness and learn more about our Coaching Services, Training Camps, Promotions and Matt\'s Latest Book,\\xa0Fast Track Triathlete:


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