Lionel Sanders on Adversity and Setting No Limits

“When you toe the line in a race, and I truly feel this way.  I give my wife a kiss goodbye; this could be it; this could be the end because I’m going to give it all. And I may go too far..” - Lionel Sanders

 

In this episode, I sat down with Ironman Champion athlete Lionel Sanders. We compare our racing and training experiences, and Lionel shares his journey of adversity that has shaped who he is today. Lionel also shares about his recent injury and the lessons he’s learned through recovery. You will be inspired by the relevant topics including overcoming addiction, personal drive, motivation, characteristics of a champion and more.

 

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SHOW NOTES

Check out Lionel Sanders on his YouTube | Website | Instagram | Facebook

Watch Lionels YouTube Channel show and get the inside look into his training, racing, and life.

 

Questions Chris asks: 

• What was growing up like? (11:11)

• Who were your mentors? (13:52)

• When did your drive shift? (24:37)

• What motivates you to continue (27:20)

• What is your ultimate goal? (30:54)

• How many years do you think you have left in this sport? (37:28)

• What are three characteristics to being a champion? (38:33)

• Have you gotten to the point where you’ve let go of expectation? (44:28)

• When being present, are you aware of what is going on around you at the same time? (48:19)

• What was your greatest performance? (49:58)

• What is the thing you’ve been most afraid of? (51:24)

• What happened to give you an injury this past year? (57:12)

• How did you process your injury? (1:00:21)

• Did you learn a lot about recovery when healing from your injury? (1:02:09)

• Would you say rest and recovery is as equally as important as the training? (1:04:52)

• If you had a year left to live, what would you want to teach those around you? (1:08:16)

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Lionel talks about his hard lifestyle that eventually got him on track. (15:08)

• Lionel shares the beginning of his new life and triathlon career. (19:59)

• Lionel shares how Ironman makes changes in your life. (24:54)

• Lionel shares how he shifted a negative addiction for a positive addiction but the importance of keeping a healthy perspective. (27:49)

• Lionel shares three characteristics to being a champion (38:38)

• Lionel talks about full awareness. (48:15)

• Lionel talks about meditation as a noble pursuit (51:49)

• Lionel shares his fears (52:43)

• Lionel shares what he learned during recovery (1:02:27)

• Lionel shares his recovery tips. (1:07:18)

• Lionel shares what lessons he’d like to leave. (1:08:31)

 

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