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The Breaking Normal PodcastAuthor: Daniel Eisenman
Breaking Normal: Exploration of memetics, language, & mystery, and applying it to an everyday lifestyle Language: en-us Genres: Philosophy, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Peak Performance to a Heart Attack: Fitnessing for Life with Tim O’Donnell
Wednesday, 21 January, 2026
In this deeply inspiring episode of the Breaking Normal Podcast, I sit down with Timothy O’Donnell—world-class triathlete, coach, speaker, and father of three—who has been living and training in Boulder, Colorado for the past 17 years.At the pinnacle of his professional fitness career, Tim suffered a heart attack during a race in Miami—yet still finished the race, missing the Top 10 by just one place. Later that night, he found himself in the hospital, a moment that would permanently change his relationship with training, recovery, and life itself.Before undergoing a life-saving stent procedure, Tim made a pivotal phone call to previous Breaking Normal guest David Tusek. With the support of cutting-edge diagnostics, elite cardiology care, and deep self-reflection, Tim was eventually cleared to return to training—but with an entirely new philosophy.This conversation explores:• What it means to “fitness for life” instead of chasing peak performance at all costs• How a heart attack reshaped Tim’s identity as an athlete, husband, and father• The quiet cost of being world-class—and the freedom found in doing less, better• Longevity, recovery, fatherhood, and redefining what winning really meansWe also touch on the powerful role Tim’s wife plays in the endurance racing world, the importance of community, and how elite athletes evolve when performance is no longer the only metric that matters.Before we wrapped, I shared what many of our top performing athletes personally love using from Tribe Vitamins—including elk velvet antler, bison testicles, and tallow balm to support recovery, resilience, and skin health in harsh conditions.👉 Get the hunt on: https://tribevitamins.com⸻🔗 Connect with Tim O’Donnell• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tointri?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-o-donnell-15515b8?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_co...
