Humans Of Triathlon (h.o.t) Podcast

For as much as we love Triathlon, there are some things that we might not particularly like about it. For some, it may be the logistics, for others, it may be the alpha/competitive nature of the sport. But I think we can agree that for a majority it’s the high cost of the sport. Today’s guest, Katie Godec, is on a personal quest to start a conversation on this topic. She believes Triathlon should be for everyone because it is first and foremost a representation of the blood, sweat and tears of humans. Live from California, the land of the unicorns of Silicon Valley, the glam and glitz of Hollywood, and the land of breakfast burrito; we are excited to have this USAT coach and the Managing Director of Destination TriLife on the show. - KATIE'S SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Website - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you enjoy the show and haven't left a review yet, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the podcast a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Would help us out a ton! - H.O.T SOCIAL MEDIA: In

This week we have the first short-course pro to come on the show - Kristian Blummenfelt from Norway. Tune in as we chat about how Kristian got into the sport; the Norway Triathlon scene; life as a professional triathlete; his 2019 season which included the first WTS win of his career (at the Grand Final in Lausanne) and a 4th place at the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Champs in Nice, France; and his prep for the upcoming Super League Triathlon and next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo. - KRISTIAN'S SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Facebook | Strava - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you enjoy the show and haven't left a review yet, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the podcast a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Would help us out a ton! - H.O.T SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Facebook | Strava | Website - HOSTS: Swapneel Chouhan, Sheila Treleaven, & Carlos (Charles) Galan - INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC: produced by Vasil Zguri at SoundPulse

This week we have our first guest from South Africa - Tasneem Patel. She's a fully covered athlete who has been called as "The Covered One". Tasneem was never the athletic type, but a vicious cycle of mental illness began her journey to be active. In 2016, she ran her first Comrades Ultra; a 89km run within SA. By late-2017, she did her first Olympic-distance. 2018 was the year to achieve a 70.3, but life had unexpected turns. With the loss of her dad, she lost her way in training. However, in late 2018, her love, mindset & passion returned - and she's determined to complete an Ironman. Tune in as we talk about all things South Africa and how Tasneem's story is yet another example that anyone can be a triathlete, regardless of religious beliefs...or anything else.   - TASNEEMS SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Facebook - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you enjoy the show and haven't left a review yet, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the podcast a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Would

There are moments in our life that stimulate us to make changes to our current situation. It might be an illness, the birth of a new baby, a new career, etc. Our guest today, Alfredo Allende decided to quit smoking and start Triathlon-ing with the birth of his first daughter. It all started with running - to help aid his depression & anxiety from nicotine withdrawal.  But he was always getting injured as his bones couldn’t handle the workload. Something was off. So, he started cross-training with swimming and biking. After dealing with pain, fatigue, etc. for a number of months, Alfredo was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease with no cure - where your body pretty much attacks itself, destroying your joints & organs. But that hasn't stopped him from pursuing this sport and everything it means to him. He doesn’t know what the future has in store or how long he will be able to continue Triathlon, but he’s okay with it because he's living every day as if there’s n

This week's Human of Triathlon started her endurance journey with running back in 1998, But when standing along the finishing chute during her husband's first IM at Lake Placid - cheering and crying for all the finishers she saw - Phaedra Kennedy had an incredibly emotional experience & one she knew she wanted to experience herself. 4yrs later, she did her first IM at LP with her husband. She now describes it as the 2nd best day of her life, second only to their wedding day. After racing together for 4yrs, they decided it was time to start a family. They tried for a long time with no luck & were later told that Phaedra had stage 4 endometriosis & would not be able to conceive without medical assistance. She felt like she had failed as a woman & hated her body for what it couldn’t do. But after 2years of riding an emotional roller coaster, she knew she had to hop off - to do so she went back to the community she had left behind and started tri'ing again - allowing her to shift her focus from wh

After getting into the world of 3D art and developing video games, Ryan Lastimosa was a very heavy drinker & smoker suffering from Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) & was in the red zone for a heart attack at 30 years old. He was tired of being tired. He was done with being unhealthy. The right combination of life-changing events drove him to Triathlon. He started training & it turned it all around. One of Ryan's uncle's, Uncle Rudy had always been a father figure to him, and he was wheelchair-bound from Parkinson's disease. One day, while watching the IM World Champs on TV with his uncle, Ryan gained his inspiration to want to race at the Big Island for both him and his uncle. Uncle Rudy passed away due to complications with Parkinson's Disease. Sadly, with his passing, he won't be able to see Ryan compete. But now with Ironman number 11 done, Ryan knows, through the Ironman Legacy Program, he will eventually get to Kona. And Uncle Rudy might not be there with him physically, but his spirit li

Born in Ohio & based in South Korea our Human of Triathlon this week, Lynn was addicted to attention as a teenager. Maybe not all that abnormal for someone that age, but it often brought drama & consequences. When she was 16, she found out that she was pregnant. After a whirlwind of a few months, Lynn gave birth to a perfect little girl and placed her for open adoption. In the last few years, they have reconnected with each other. Although the story is of love & redemption, there are still wounds that needed to heal. That's where Triathlon came into Lynn's life. It gave her an outlet for the emotion that she didn't know she needed - allowing her to sort through feelings of self-doubt and the need for over-achieving to make up for past mistakes. Channeling her addictive tendencies into Triathlon & taking her love for the sport, she recently created an organization to help grow the participation of women in Triathlon - Fund Her Tri, Inc. - LYNN'S SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram - FUND HER TRI'S SOCIAL

Being smaller than his peers, Allan Espina was the object of bullying growing up in the Philippines. He got heckled, called "limp-wristed", & vividly remembers seeing the word “Faggot” scribbled by his cousin on a wall. At 7y.o, this was torture. He excelled intellectually to make up for what he lacked physically. At 38, he immigrated to the US having just completed his 2nd Master's degree & working a great job. After a spark from a co-worker, Allan completed his first Sprint after 4 months of prep, not having competed in any sport before. The high from the event gave him a new goal - he wanted to hold a doctorate degree & be an Ironman before 50. He chose to pursue the IM goal first and achieved it before turning 43. He says that he wanted to show that he may have been “limp-wristed” growing up, but now, he's done something his bullies have only dreamt of. That maybe this was a way for him to prove that he was a man after all & an Ironman at that. Although he knows that sounds kinda shallow i

Robin started in Triathlon, back in 1987, when the sport was still in its infancy stage. Being a lover of the water, she had been swimming in college when her swim coach, an instrumental figure in her life, made the college swim team do a Triathlon. Running was her weak spot, and she wasn't sure she could even make the terrifying distance of 5k, but her coach took her out for a run one day and showed her that most of the barriers were only in her own mind and that she could accomplish far more than she believed she could. Now, 30+ years later, even after going through various life-events, Triathlon still remains a constant in Robin's life. The solitude and serenity of the long miles of training and racing along with the companionship of Triathlon where people support all of their fellow athletes is what keeps her coming back for more. Being in her fifties now she also appreciates that being a triathlete has kept her making healthy choices for many years. She hopes to follow her role models in the sport, like

Our guest this week, Jordan Graham beat cancer. After his recovery from surgery and chemotherapy, he wanted to prove to himself that he was better and stronger, he wanted to distance himself from just being 'the guy that had cancer'. He saw Triathlon as a way to do so. A year out from chemo, he completed 2 Triathlons in 2 weeks and was extremely proud. The following year, it started to go all wrong for him. In his rush to become "normal", back to work and training only 3 weeks out of chemo proved to be too much. In his second season of racing, he almost dropped out of one race and didn't even make it to another as his nerves for the better of him. He then decided to take a step away from Triathlon to work on his demons and come out a stronger and better person. He is now back to training and slowly but surely becoming a triathlete again. - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you've enjoyed the show, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the show a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It would help u

Rachel Wall came into this world with a rare genetic disease called Hereditary Angioedema that causes episodes of mass swelling which are intensely painful and interfere with kind of necessary stuff like breathing and digesting/absorbing food. She spends every day battling the body she was born into. Because of which she was told all throughout her life that she couldn't or shouldn't do things. Six years ago, with the support of her Mom, Rachel did a local Sprint Triathlon. Through the sport she found a new community where she was instead told “You can give it a try. We believe in you. We are proud of you.” Rachel has now done multiple short distance races, 4 70.3s, and a full marathon. Her next goal being the 140.6. In this conversation, we talk about ice-cream, hairstyles, bunnies, and how Rachel has grown to become comfortable in her own skin, not letting anyone else tell her what she can or can't do. - RACHEL'S SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram - H.O.T SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Facebook | Strava | Website - SUBSC

This episode marks 1-year since we started the Humans of Triathlon (H.o.T) Podcast. The co-hosts have a casual chat about the show, Humans of Triathlon, and what's been happening with them lately. It's been a blast hosting the show and being able to hear and share the stories of such incredible humans from the world of Triathlon. We've had stories of failures, of triumphs, and everything in between - from Athletes to Race Photographers & Announcers, from Newbies to Ironman World Champs, from Young-guns to Seasoned Veterans, from around 15 different countries/nationalities - all of whom are different in so many regards but united by the sport and the way it has helped them become better people and lead better lives. Thank you to all the guests who have taken the time to come on the show and share their journey's with us and have made the show what it is. And obviously, a big thank you to everyone for tuning in. You all are the big reason we do the show so we appreciate you tuning in. We look forward to con

After doing his first Triathlon after an impromptu signup while on vacation in Hawaii in 2014, while riding one day, Robert Sainsbury suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after colliding with another cyclist. He remembers very little of late 2014 & most of 2015. And his symptoms included cognitive fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, depression, mood swings, difficulty reading & writing, etc. - making basic daily tasks exhausting. In addition to his career & a relationship, he also lost his independence. With his condition getting progressively worse, he turned to Triathlon as it offered him a way to stay active and learn a new skill - both of which would aid his recovery. Little by little he started to improve. In 2016 he was a TriBC Provincial Champ. In 2017 and he raced the ITU Sprint Grand Final in Rotterdam as a member of Team Canada. He says his TBI rehab and Triathlon progress are linked. Some days are better than others, but by understanding and embracing consistent healthy effort & marg

In 2009, Ling Choo was hit by a car and broke her left femur and right leg while training for her very first 70.3 World Championship. Fast forward to 2019, she is a full-time triathlete, the only South East Asian who has qualified for Kona 6 times and is the current Singapore Record holder for Ironman in 9:38hours. Having lived in Singapore all her life and competing in such a male dominant sport of Triathlon, she has had her fair share of critics and naysayers on the island. But with the support of her husband and by surrounding herself with a positive and genuine circle of people, she hasn't allowed anyone to be the ceiling of her dreams and has progressed well in the sport - training and aiming to turn pro in the next few years. - SPONSOR: check out the Triathlon training series with the Pros at https://www.humansoftriathlon.com/protri - use code 'humansoftriathlon' for 20% off! - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you've enjoyed the show, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the show a positive re

To those familiar with Ironman Triathlon, this man doesn't need much of an introduction. Mike Reilly, the "Voice of IRONMAN" worldwide, the only person to have been inducted into the 3 Hall of Fames of Ironman, USA Triathlon, and Running USA. He's called over 180 IRONMAN races around the world and his iconic call of "You are an IRONMAN!" has been heard by over 350,000 finishers. Was a pleasure chatting with him about his journey to becoming and being the "Voice of IRONMAN" and his newly released book 'Mike Reilly - Finding My Voice'. You can find the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or his Website -  https://mikereilly.net  - SPONSOR: check out the Triathlon training series with the Pros at https://www.humansoftriathlon.com/protri - use code 'humansoftriathlon' for 20% off! - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you've enjoyed the show, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the show a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It would help the show out a ton! - FEEDBACK: to help us improve

Being a shy little girl, Amber was held back to repeat Kindergarten for an extra year. That summer, she remembers her mom encouraging her to sign up for the summer track & field program. She shook her head & stomped her feet all summer until she was finally convinced to just go & watch. Well, she ended up participating in the 100-yard dash. Her nervous little 5-year-old body toed the line nearly in tears. But something funny happened when the gun went off. All the nerves vanished. She crossed the finish line & they gave her a 'Thanks For Participating' ribbon. That day instilled in her a confidence and spark which led to her running track for Northeastern U. She's now a pro-triathlete with more than 60 Ironman events under her name with multiple wins and podium finishes. Given her pure love for racing, she also does a whole range of other races, especially during the winters - snowshoe racing, ultras, speed skating, skiing, Winter triathlons, etc! She also faces the challenges of juggling her

Fabio Spiteri is a 44-year old ultra-endurance triathlete from the small country of Malta. Fabio's love for sport started at the age of 22, after he became a young dad wanting to leave his unhealthy past behind him. He started off as an 800m track runner then transitioning into Triathlons. In his years as a triathlete, he has completed 19 70.3s (PB of 4:24) 9 Ironmans (PB of 9:35), a Double-Ironman (in 26+hours), a Triple Ironman (in 45+hours), and is now eyeing his first Quintuple (5x) and Deca (10x) Ironman events. Tune in to this conversation to hear what pushes and motivates Fabio to keep going for these ultra distances, how he prepares for such demanding events (with Ironmans being just another training day/workout!), the Triathlon scene in Malta, and more! - SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: if you've enjoyed the show, it would mean a lot to us if you could leave the show a positive review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It would help the show out a ton! - FEEDBACK: to help us improve the show going forward, pl

Our guest this week - Alisha Woodroof went from an All-American tennis player to a trashcan junkie addicted to cocaine, crack, heroin, & alcohol to a super-sprint finisher to, now, a 6x Ironman. During a time in her life wherein she was living a, kind of, double-life - as a personal trainer preaching fitness and health on one side and doing drugs on the other - she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She used the diagnosis as an excuse to continue with the drugs, but a year later, on June 30th, 2006, became the last time she used. She told herself that she was going to put as much effort into staying clean as she did into getting money & doing everything to get high. One day at a time, it’s been working for her ever since then. With the help of Triathlon, she now says that she's experiencing life for what it is rather than just existing and being numbed out from all the emotions and connections. - SHOW NOTES / WEBSITE: https://www.humansoftriathlon.com/hotpodcast-alisha - FEEDBACK: to help u

Growing up as a country boy along the coastal mountains of Oregon, it only seems natural that this week's guest gravitated towards the sport of mountain biking. Honing his bike-handling skills by watching and then trying all the stunts in the New World Disorders videos, at the age of 19, he started his career as an elite mountain-bike and cyclocross athlete - a career where he didn't live up to his full potential. One day, as a last minute decision, he entered the Duathlon National Champs, without training for the run - performing alright. After moving overseas with his wife (who's active-duty), he decided to leave behind the burnout of the past and pursue a new passion and face the challenges of Off-Road Triathlon. With each success or failure in Triathlon - he learns and discovers new things about himself; he shares these learnings and his passion for sport with the kids he volunteer coaches, helping them fuel their own growth and passion. He's a Pro Xterra Triathlete, a husband, volunteer, he works, and is

Introducing the new H.o.T Podcast Co-host - Sheila Treleaven [@sheilatreleaven]! Born in Canada, Sheila's journey started as a competitive swimmer from the young age of 8. Soon, she was breathing, eating, sleeping and living swimming - making the Canadian National Team and earning an NCAA Div 1 Scholarship. After her 4 years at college, without being 'Sheila the Swimmer' - she didn't really know who she was or what she could do. For the next 13 years, she shifted her focus on her career as a pharmaceutical sales rep and her family, without any real time spent on exercise or sport. But years later, she was pulled back into swimming by her brother. This eventually led to her first Triathlon at the age of 40. With great progress and results right from the get, at 42 - she decided to get her Pro card. Now 44, she recognizes that she's not the fastest Pro out there. But that's not why she does the sport anyways. She aims to show her girls that regardless of age & responsibilities there is always time for yours