The Be Fierce & Tri Podcast

Have you ever wondered whether that lingering ache is just soreness—or the beginning of a real injury? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast , Coach Jill Bartholomew is joined by physical therapist, triathlon coach, bike fitter, and fellow endurance athlete Dr. Steph Peterson for an honest conversation about injuries, recovery, and staying healthy for the long haul. Steph shares her perso...

The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is returning to the United States in 2027—and specifically, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. If you've spent any time in triathlon circles recently, you've probably seen the reactions online. Some athletes are thrilled. Others are wondering why Chattanooga was selected over more "exotic" destinations. In this episode, I sit down with Triathlon Joe, one of the sport's...

In this episode: Why IRONMAN 70.3 has become a favorite distance for many athletes Travel, race-week preparation, and managing pre-race anxiety First impressions of the Happy Valley course and expo experience Swim conditions, wetsuit decisions, and navigating the long transition Funny race-day mishaps (including forgetting to remove a swim skin!) Breaking down the infamous Happy Valley bike course...

In This Episode Sharon's first sprint triathlon race recap Navigating transition and race morning logistics Pool swim challenges and crowded swim lanes Managing race-day nerves and swim anxiety Bike course strategy, hills, and passing athletes Lessons learned from a first triathlon experience Garmin triathlon mode mistakes and race data mishaps The importance of proper triathlon gear and fit Why l...

In this episode: Lindsay's journey from Ironman and Kona to gravel racing Why she chose Unbound 200 as her first ultra-endurance gravel event What makes gravel racing so different from road cycling and triathlon Racing through thunderstorms, lightning, mud, and changing conditions How Unbound's support system and drop bags work The crash at mile 40 and continuing despite injuries Nutrition lessons...

In this episode: • Sharon shares her experience completing her first-ever open water swim event • The unexpected challenge of wearing a wetsuit for the first time • Why open water swimming feels completely different from pool swimming • Learning to sight and stay on course • Race starts, swim anxiety, and building confidence in open water • Pool swim triathlons versus open water triathlons • Brick...

In this episode: Jim shares his stage 4 cancer diagnosis and treatment journey How he continued training through chemotherapy, surgeries, and setbacks Why he believes endurance sports prepared him for the toughest challenge of his life His philosophy of discipline, sacrifice, suffering, and pain The story behind his new book, Just Keep TRI-ing Raising funds for the Ironman Foundation Preparing for...

What’s it like to race the inaugural edition of a full-distance IRONMAN? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow athletes Dawn Edens and Belinda DeWitt to break down their experience racing IRONMAN Jacksonville 2026 — from the unusual tidal swim and windy bike course to the heat, logistics, nutrition struggles, and emotional finish-line moments....

Have you ever had a race that didn’t go the way you imagined? Coach Jill Bartholomew welcomes fellow coach and athlete Erin Byrge to the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast for an honest conversation about what happens when months of preparation collide with unexpected setbacks on race day. After crashing at mile 60 during IRONMAN Texas, Erin still found a way to finish the race — battling physical pain, self...

Have you ever wondered what the IRONMAN Foundation actually does? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast , Coach Jill sits down with Shane Facteau (President) and Audra Tassone (Executive Director & VP) to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—but often overlooked—parts of the IRONMAN ecosystem. They dive into: How the Foundation has donated over $60 million globally The real...

Are you training for your first sprint triathlon—or getting back into the sport after some time away? In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast , Coach Jill Bartholomew walks through exactly what to focus on when you’re about 90 days out from race day. This episode is a repurposed live “Chat with the Coach” session, originally designed for athletes preparing for the Women’s Philadelphia Triat...

You’ve been consistent all winter — on the trainer, treadmill, and in the pool. So why does your first outdoor ride, run, or open water swim feel so much harder? In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why your fitness hasn’t disappeared — but your body has lost something else. From environmental changes to neuromuscular adaptation, this is the real reason outdoor training feels harder in...

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast , Coach Jill sits down with Julie and Tony from Team No Coasting to unpack one of the most talked-about races of the season — the inaugural Little Elm 70.3. What was supposed to be a fast early-season race quickly turned into a test of adaptability, resilience, and race-day decision making. Here’s what went down: A last-minute swim cancellation just m...

If you’ve ever looked at your training plan and wondered how you’re supposed to fit it all in, you’re not alone. In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew dives into one of the most common challenges endurance athletes face: balancing training with a busy, real-world schedule. Whether you’re training for your first sprint triathlon, a marathon, the Dopey Challenge, or an Ironman, the demands on your...

runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2026 Recap In this episode, Jill and friends break down their full experience from Princess Weekend at Walt Disney World. They discuss: The Princess Weekend Expo experience The runDisney gear phenomenon (and why Brooks shoes are everywhere) Race participation statistics and why Princess Weekend is one of the most female-dominated races in endurance sports R...

In Part 2 of our conversation with data analyst Brian Davis, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in endurance racing — corrals, course congestion, and what race data actually reveals about performance, safety, and race outcomes. How much does corral placement really affect your time? Is course cutting actually common — and how do race organizers detect it? What happens when pacing, cr...

What really happens at the back of a runDisney race? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Davis — physics professor, long-time runDisney athlete, and the unofficial statistician behind the Dead Last Start (DLS) movement — to unpack what most runners never see. We talk about: The origin story of Dead Last Start Why some fast runners voluntarily start with the balloon ladies How many runners actua...

The Disneyland RunDisney races may be gone (for now), so we’re breaking down the final race weekend — from expo madness and merch sell-outs to corral strategy, course experiences, and why this race feels completely different from Disney World. Today on the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill is joined by returning guests Sharon, Nancy, and Greg for a full recap of the recent Disneyland RunDisney r...

In this episode, Jill and Carolyn discuss: Carolyn’s path to earning her pro card and racing professionally The realities of competing at the pro level Managing expectations and race-day nerves Imposter syndrome in endurance sports How Carolyn defines success today Balancing training with a full-time job Social media growth, plateaus, and mental health Advice for beginner triathletes Gear recommen...

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just show up in the boardroom — it shows up at the starting line, in training cycles, and anytime we try something bigger than what we’ve done before. In this episode, Jill is joined by Sharon from Bib and Tiara to talk candidly about imposter syndrome in endurance sports, careers, and life. They explore how comparison, gatekeeping, and external validation can undermine c...

What one week post-Dopey recovery should feel like Why heavy legs, low motivation, and emotional dips are normal The difference between discomfort and pain Why movement helps recovery — and when it becomes too much How to safely reintroduce running, cycling, or cross-training Fueling and hydration for post-race healing Alcohol, recovery, and why timing matters Disney-specific recovery consideratio...

Recorded just hours after the final race concluded Panel includes experienced runDisney and Dopey Challenge athletes Covers all race distances from 5K through Marathon Honest discussion of expo flow, merch availability, and pre-orders Crowd management, corral sizing, and character stop dynamics Weather conditions and their impact on performance and safety Fueling preferences: gels, chews, real foo...

Race-day nerves and butterflies are normal The 5K is a warm-up, not a test Conditions may be humid, foggy, or unpredictable — adjust calmly Ignore comparison and other runners’ bravado If a mile feels hard, manage this mile only Adjust pace early if needed — pulling back is smart execution Stopping too long often makes restarting harder Run your race, in your body, at your effort Trust yourself —...

Shakeout runs should be very easy and optional Carb loading is complete — keep food light and familiar Avoid excessive hydration to reduce GI and electrolyte issues Stay off social media forums on race eve Lay out gear once and stop touching it Limit walking and standing as much as practical Expect imperfect sleep — it will not derail your race Set one execution intention (not a pace or time goal)...

Takeaways   Recovery is crucial between races in the Dopey Challenge. Hydration and nutrition play a key role in performance. Stretching before the race can alleviate soreness. Plan your race day routine to include familiar foods. Pacing should start easy to avoid early fatigue. Be mindful of cumulative fatigue from walking in the parks. Stick to your nutrition plan during the marathon. Listen to...