Kyle and Brent Pease have completed more than 100 races together — including two IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii — and in 2024 they broke the push-assist course record with a finish time of 14 hours, 8 minutes, and 3 seconds.

Kyle, born with cerebral palsy, is the coach, the motivator, and the athlete who has to be the most positive force in the world for 15 hours straight while his brother, Brent, pushes him across 140.6 miles. What looks like a sports story from the outside is something much harder to categorize: a 15-year study in resilience, gratitude, and what it actually means to show up when both of you want to quit.

In Part 1 of their conversation:

How Brent and Kyle broke the push-assist course record at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii — and what 15 years of racing together has taught them
Why Brent says true balance is an illusion — and how he and Kyle define "all in" as the real unit of energy management, shifting fully between Ironman training, family, and the foundation depending on the season
Kyle's framework for getting out of dark moments: prayer, music, visualization, and the discipline of reducing the time between a hard moment and a shift in perspective
What the foundation's inclusive employment program looks like on the ground
How racing together has taught both brothers to say "I'm not okay" — and why that vulnerability has become one of their greatest competitive and leadership advantages

Support the Kyle Pease Foundation Dwayne is matching donations — up to $5,000 total. Every dollar counts twice right now - Donate here 👉 https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/events/99987-the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Get Out Your Own Way

00:39 - Podcast Welcome

02:29 - Meet Kyle and Brent

04:00 - Ironman Explained

05:50 - Why They Race - Mindset

08:45 - Kyle Positivity Tools

10:12 - Show Up Anyway

13:29 - Dark Days Tools

17:34 - Brent One Step Focus

21:25 - Gratitude in the Body

24:36 - Process Over Outcome

27:44 - Kyle Coaching Brent

31:32 - Brotherhood and Empathy

34:02 - Vulnerability and Faith

41:13 - Business vs Ironman

44:26 - Closing and Subscribe

Resources mentioned:

Beyond the Finish — Kyle and Brent Pease's book
The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) — kylepeasefoundation.org
IRONMAN World Championship
Kennesaw State University — Kyle's alma mater
Florida State University — Brent's alma mater
Tony Robbins — referenced by Dwayne in context of emotional states and the "figure eight"

Quotes:

“ Although you don't know what I go through on a daily basis, it is a struggle, right? I choose to look at my life as I get to do this, I don’t have to do this.” - Kyle Pease

“ I would say the hardest thing is that real balance is an illusion. You know, people talk about balance all the time. True balance is knowing when to be all in and what to be all in on.” - Brent Pease

“Ironman isn't for everybody. I mean, less than 1% of triathletes set foot on the Ironman in Hawaii. Kyle's done it twice.” - Brent Pease

"I look at it as an opportunity to showcase my ability rather than my disability." - Kyle Pease

“ I’ve gotten better and better over the years to say, I'm not okay. This doesn't feel good. You know, this is hard.” - Brent Pease

“The mind leaves the relationship before, you know, the physical body leaves the relationship.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

“ Can you get in the water and just start swimming? Can you do that much? Because you might feel better if you start.” - Brent Pease

About Kyle and Brent Pease: Kyle Pease is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and co-founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), born with cerebral palsy and widely regarded as one of the most compelling voices on disability inclusion in the country. Brent Pease is an endurance athlete, coach, and Executive Director of KPF, who has raced alongside Kyle in over 100 events including six IRONMAN triathlons.

Together they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2018, and have since helped raise well over $10 million in support of athletes with disabilities.

Connect with the Kyle Pease Foundation: https://kylepeasefoundation.org/

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Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.