Today we’d like to introduce you to BJ Gumkowski.
Hi BJ, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Endurance sport has been a thread in my life for over two decades, but the path to where I am today hasn’t been linear. Like many athletes, I was first drawn in by the challenge — the physical test, the structure, the pursuit of improvement. Triathlon became a proving ground. Over time, I found success, racing at a high level, qualifying for and competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, and eventually breaking the 10-hour barrier in an Ironman — a milestone that represented years of consistent work, patience, and belief.
But alongside those results came setbacks — injury, burnout, and moments where I questioned what it was all for. One of the most defining chapters came after a bike crash leading into Kona, leaving me on crutches just weeks before the race. I still showed up to the start line and finished, recording my slowest Ironman time making it under the 17-hour cutoff, but one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. That race shifted something deeper in me.
What began to change everything was discovering yoga and meditation. At first, it was simply a way to support recovery and mobility, but it quickly became something much more powerful. It gave me tools to work with the mind — to navigate fear, doubt, and the constant noise that comes with chasing big goals. Instead of just training the body, I began training awareness.
That integration became the foundation of YogiTriathlete, which I co-founded with my wife, Jess. What started as a personal evolution turned into a shared mission: to help athletes train not just harder, but smarter and more consciously. We saw that so many athletes were stuck in cycles of overtraining, comparison, and self-doubt. We wanted to offer a different path — one that blends endurance training with mindfulness, breathwork, and intentional living.
Today, YogiTriathlete is a global community of athletes committed to growth both on and off the racecourse. Through our coaching, the Endurance Squad, retreats, and our podcast, we guide athletes to become what we call “Awake and Ready” — Awake to the moments when change is possible, and Ready with the tools to make that change.
Personally, I continue to race and evolve. In my 50s, I’m still chasing performance — setting personal bests, recording the fastest bike splits of my career, and continuing to test what’s possible. But the definition of success has changed. It’s no longer just about finishing times or podiums — it’s about how I show up, how I respond under pressure, and how I carry the practice into everyday life.
That’s really what this journey has become about: using sport as a vehicle for self-discovery, and helping others do the same.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and in many ways, that’s been the point.
Like most endurance athletes, I’ve faced my share of physical setbacks. Injuries have forced me to slow down when I didn’t want to, including periods where I couldn’t run or train the way I was used to. There have been races that didn’t go to plan, and moments where the body simply didn’t respond despite doing everything “right.” One of the biggest challenges came leading into Kona, when I crashed on the bike and was on crutches just weeks before the race. That experience tested not just my physical resilience, but my mindset and willingness to adapt. I finished Kona that year walking an 8-hour marathon and finishing just before the 17-hour time limit. I am forever changed from that day.
But the deeper struggles have been internal. Early on, I was driven by performance, outcomes, and external validation. That mindset can take you far, but it can also lead to burnout, comparison, and a constant feeling of not enough. There were times I questioned my path, my purpose in the sport, and even my identity outside of it.
Building a business alongside this journey has brought its own challenges. Growing YogiTriathlete hasn’t been linear either. There have been financial pressures, uncertainty, and moments where we had to trust the vision without immediate results. Coaching athletes also brings a level of responsibility that goes beyond training plans. You’re supporting people through their own struggles, and that requires presence, patience, and continual self-work.
What’s helped me navigate all of this is the integration of mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork. Those practices gave me a way to meet challenges with awareness instead of resistance. Instead of seeing obstacles as something to push through, I’ve learned to work with them, to listen more closely, and to grow through the experience.
Looking back, the struggles weren’t detours, they were the path. They shaped not only the athlete I’ve become, but the coach and person I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of my work, I’m an endurance coach, athlete, and teacher focused on helping people unlock their potential through a more conscious approach to training and life.
Through YogiTriathlete, my wife Jess and I coach athletes around the world, ranging from first-time triathletes to those chasing podiums and World Championship qualifications. We specialize in integrating endurance training with mindfulness, breathwork, and yoga, developing not just stronger athletes, but more aware and resilient humans. Our programs, including the Endurance Squad, combine structured training with practices that support mental clarity, emotional stability, and long-term sustainability in sport.
What we’ve become known for is this blend of performance and presence. We don’t separate the physical from the mental. We teach athletes how to work with the mind under pressure, how to stay steady in discomfort, and how to approach training and racing with intention rather than reaction. It’s a method that helps athletes not only perform better, but enjoy the process more and stay in the sport longer.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. YogiTriathlete isn’t just a coaching business, it’s a global collective of people committed to growth. We see athletes overcoming self-doubt, navigating life challenges, and achieving things they once didn’t think were possible. Watching that transformation, both on and off the racecourse, is the most meaningful part of the work.
What sets us apart is that everything we teach is lived. I’m still racing, still testing limits, still working through the same challenges our athletes face. The tools we share, whether it’s a breath practice before a race or a mindset shift during a tough training block, come from direct experience. It’s not theory. It’s practice.
Ultimately, our work is about more than performance. It’s about helping people become “Awake and Ready” for whatever shows up — in sport and in life.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is how I show up… in my work, in my relationships, and in the quiet moments no one else sees. Presence, honesty, and unconditional love.
Because at the end of the day, results fade, races end, and goals evolve. But the way you live, the way you treat people, and the awareness you bring to each moment, that’s what stays. That’s what shapes your life.
If I can continue to live with intention and help others do the same, that’s everything.
Pricing:
- $99 for Endurance Squad is our global coaching community where athletes train with purpose — combining structured swim, bike, run training with mindset, breathwork, and support to become stronger, more aware, and “Awake and Ready” for race day and life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogitriathlete.com/squad
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogitriathlete
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogitriathlete
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogitriathlete
