Oct 4, 2021
Lance Armstrong is a legendary
figure in professional cycling having won seven consecutive Tour de
France titles but also a controversial figure facing scrutiny for
the use of performance enhancing drugs. In this episode, Lance
takes us through his meteoric rise to one of the most famous
athletes in the world and his equally accelerated fall from grace.
Lance describes how he persevered through his brutal diagnosis of
testicular cancer before rattling off a historic run of seven
consecutive Tour de France titles all while facing tremendous
scrutiny for his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs such as
EPO and cortisone. Lance opens up about his decision to come clean
about his use of performance enhancing drugs, the remorse for how
he treated other people during that time in his life, and the
personal growth that’s helped him emerge on the other end of that.
Finally, Lance recounts some of favorite stories from his cycling
career, reflects on his legacy, and explains how he stays fit at
age 50.
We discuss:
- What everyone wants to know—yes
and no questions [2:15];
- Lance’s childhood and beginnings
of a great athlete [4:15];
- Lance’s realization that he had a
knack for racing after his first pro race at age 15
[13:00];
- The move to cycling full time and
a desire to compete in the Olympics [16:30];
- Metrics tracked early in Lance’s
career and his time with Motorola team [20:00];
- The grueling nature of the Tour
de France and the beginnings of serious drug usage in cycling
[27:00];
- The impact of EPO on cycling
performance [35:15];
- Testicular cancer
diagnosis—denial, torturous symptoms, and treatment
[38:15]
- Livestrong is born
[50:45];
- Return to cycling post-cancer and
a crossroad in Lance’s career [53:45]
- Lance’s rise to prominence in the
late 90s and the growing use of EPO in the sport
[1:00:00];
- Racing in the early 2000’s, blood
transfusions, and rivalry with Jan Ulrich
[1:12:00];
- Retirement in 2005 and a comeback
in 2009 [1:22:45];
- Lance’s decision to come clean
and tell the truth [1:27:30];
- Growth through downfall: learning
from his mistakes and helping others after their own fall from
grace [1:33:00];
- Moving forward: Living his life,
reflecting on his legacy, the state of Livestrong
[1:42:30];
- Turning back the clock: Advice
Lance would give to his 15 year-old self [1:46:45];
- Keeping fit at age 50
[1:51:00];
- More.
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