Episode
Stacked Days Add Up | Greg Schaefer
- Published
- Apr 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2655
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- https://share.transistor.fm/s/136d88a9
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Summary
Greg Schaefer is used to long races. Kona, Ironman, and years of knowing what his body could do. When that started to change, he noticed. In 2023, he was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s. He still trains and races, but the approach is different, and some days require more adjustment than others. He speaks openly about the days when he pulls back, when patience runs thin, and when the mental side is harder than anything physical. He also talks about what helps. Structure, training partners, and having someone waiting for you at 7 a.m. so you actually show up. Greg is clear about his “why.” Being present for his wife. Setting an example for his kids. Showing them what it looks like to keep going, even when things aren’t going well. What comes through is how he keeps showing up, and how those days, one at a time, still stack up. Key Takeaways: ➡️ You can’t rely on motivation to carry you. When someone’s expecting you at a set time, you show up. That structure matters more than how you feel that day. ➡️ Your reason has to be specific. For Greg, it’s his wife and his kids, and that’s who he shows up for every day. ➡️ Some days just aren’t there. Energy, movement, focus, they don’t always line up. Learning to recognize that without turning it into failure is part of it. ➡️ Adjusting is part of staying in it. The training is still there, but the expectations shift. Showing up and finishing start to matter more than performance. ➡️ Over time, those days stack. Not every day is strong, but the consistency builds when you keep showing up across all of them. Key Moments: 01:40 — Realizing something was off during Kona preparation 02:39 — Finishing Kona hours later than expected 05:38 — Diagnosis in March 2023 09:11 — Training changes and adjusting expectations 10:48 — First…