Fight to the Finish

About Fight to the Finish

Fight to the Finish is about more than just victories — it's about the battles that shape them. Each episode uncovers the raw, unfiltered stories of people pushing their limits, facing down setbacks, and finding a way forward when the odds said stop. From endurance athletes and entrepreneurs to everyday warriors, we dive deep into the obstacles they faced and the grit it took to reach their version of the finish line. This podcast isn’t just about success — it’s about the fight it takes to get there. New episodes every week. Hosted by Geoff McDonald.

Publisher

gemcdonald83

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

14 Dec 2023

Latest episode

4 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Aug 2026

   One Extra Tablet Cost Me the Race | Maine 70.3 Recap

   I'm back after a long break, with a season update and a race recap I didn't expect to be giving. The left leg atrophy is finally closed out. Black Diamond Olympic went well — sixth overall, first in my age group, in a downpour from start to finish. Then Maine 70.3, where I added an extra 1,000mg of sodium to each bike bottle and spent the next 55 miles unable to keep anything down. No nutrition from mile 15 to the finish. Walked much of the run. Still finished in 5:06. The takeaway: you can carry extra nutrition, but never change the nutrition you trained with. That, plus what I'm fixing on the bike between now and Worlds in September. Guests return in the next few weeks.

2. 

   12 May 2026

   The Shocking Atrophy in My Leg After a Concussion—And the Comeback That Followed

   Surviving a life-altering accident and coming back stronger than ever — that's the story in this episode. Geoff McDonald shares a raw, inspiring journey of resilience, revealing how he rebuilds not just his body but his entire approach to training after nearly losing his ability to walk. If you've ever faced setbacks that felt insurmountable, this is your blueprint for turning adversity into advantage.More than a year since being hit by a car during a tough training cycle, Geoff reflects on the unexpected lessons from his recovery. He dives into the startling atrophy in his left leg, the breakthrough of rediscovering muscle in ways he never thought possible, and how this process transformed his training philosophy. You'll discover the specific rehab techniques that reignited his strength, the innovative use of data analysis to optimize recovery, and the mindset shift that’s fueling his comeback.This episode breaks down: The surprising neurological effects of a severe concussion and how they impact muscle activation. The meticulous step-by-step rehab strategy that increased his left leg strength from 15 pounds to over 50. How real-time data, from lactate levels to power metrics, guides his tailored training adjustments. The role of strength training in maximizing performance and preventing injury in endurance sports. His ambitious race schedule, including a 70.3 Ironman in Maine and a bid to qualify for the 2027 World Championships in Nice, France. Why does this matter? Because most endurance athletes push through pain or ignore subtle signs of injury, risking long-term damage. Geoff’s story shows that patience, precise targeted training, and leveraging technology can turn setbacks into comebacks. His journey highlights how a focus on strength — not just miles — reshapes what’s possible at any age and stage.Perfect for endurance athletes, coaches, or anyone facing a challenge that seems to threaten their dreams, this episode offers practical insights and motivation to rediscover your resilience. Whether you're recovering from injury or just seeking to optimize your performance, you’ll find actionable strategies and a powerful reminder: your comeback story is still being written.Join us to get inspired, learn the science of recovery, and see how one man’s unwavering determination is rewriting the rules of endurance — one step at a time.Why this works: The opening hook immediately appeals to listeners facing setbacks or challenges, creating curiosity about Geoff’s recovery story. The detailed insights into neurological effects, data-driven training, and the emotional journey engage endurance athletes and motivated individuals alike. It balances storytelling with practical takeaways, encouraging all to see setbacks as opportunities for growth.

3. 

   14 Apr 2026

   The $600 Billion Gap Nobody Closed — Until Now | Bill Herling, Co-Founder of Humming

   Bill Herling co-founded Humming, a programmatic advertising DSP, in 2018. He grew it to 30+ employees and raised over $5 million. Last week, Ambassador acquired Humming's operating assets — our fourth acquisition and the ninth engine in our closed-loop customer intelligence platform. In this conversation, Bill and I go deep on what's actually broken in ad tech, why P&G cut $200 million in search spend and saw zero revenue impact, and why most companies are 70-80% over-indexed on search. We talk about the Rodriguez List — Robert Rodriguez making a $7,000 movie by writing down what he had access to for free — and how that mindset applies to building startups with less capital than you think you need. Bill shares his "One Take Effect" philosophy — why your first instinct is usually right, even when the market, your board, and your own doubt try to pull you in a different direction. We both realized we'd gone through the exact same journey of doubting our original vision and coming back to it three years later. We get into why consumption pricing is coming to programmatic advertising, why the AI shakeout is creating acquisition opportunities for companies sitting on real data, and why the gap between paid acquisition and customer outcomes is the biggest unsolved problem in enterprise software. Bill closes with two words of advice that I can't stop thinking about. Topics covered: Why programmatic advertising has never been connected to customer outcomes The P&G and eBay data on search spend waste Robert Rodriguez and the art of building from what you have The One Take Effect — trusting your original thesis Consumption pricing for ad tech The AI startup shakeout and what comes next Why Ambassador acquired Humming The best two-word advice for founders

Podcast Authority Score: 5 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

10

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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