Three-time Olympian Justin Wadsworth has spent a lifetime in cross-country skiing and biathlon, first as an athlete and later as a coach helping some of North America's best skiers reach the podium. Now he's bringing that experience to U.S. Biathlon as head physiology coach. On this episode of Heartbeat, Wadsworth joins host Tom Kelly to explore his journey through the sport, the evolving technology of ski technique, and an innovative altitude training program in Utah designed to help American biathletes ski faster.

Wadsworth's path to the Olympics was hardly conventional. Born in La Jolla, California, he discovered cross-country skiing while attending school in Redmond, Wash. After high school, he spent a year training in Sweden before skiing collegiately at the University of Utah. He went on to compete in three Olympics, retiring after the 2003 season.

His coaching career began with the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, followed by seven years with Canada's national team, where he helped guide athletes to international success. A temporary assignment with Canadian Biathlon turned into six years and a new passion for a sport combining endurance and precision.

Now with U.S. Biathlon, Wadsworth works alongside head coaches Mike Gibson and Emil Bormetti, focusing on training plans, skiing technique and performance analysis. He describes how modern video technology allows him to provide detailed technical feedback to athletes even while working remotely from his home in Canmore, Alberta.

A centerpiece of the conversation is U.S. Biathlon's recent altitude camp in Utah. Wadsworth explains the science behind living high in Deer Valley, while training at varying elevations from Salt Lake City to Soldier Hollow and the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.

The conversation also returns to the 2002 Olympics, where Wadsworth helped the American relay team finish fifth at Soldier Hollow. It's a venue with special family meaning. His wife, Canadian Olympic champion Beckie Scott, won gold there. Now the couple dreams of potentially watching their children race on those same trails when the Olympics return to Utah in 2034.

Read U.S. Biathlon's announcement of Justin Wadsworth's appointment.