The Giddy Up Edge: Conversations on Getting Faster

In this episode of The Giddy Edge, Conversations on Getting Faster, we sit down with professional triathlete Lotte Wilms after her standout 6th-place finish at the IRONMAN European Championship in Hamburg. Lotte breaks down her race, including her front-end swim tactics, the challenges of the bike, and what it took to run a sub-3-hour marathon against one of the deepest professional women’s fields...

Most athletes dream of that moment—standing on the start line of their first pro race. For Megan Grant, that dream came at 42, and her journey from nurse to pro triathlete is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Megan reveals the emotional rollercoaster of her first pro race at Ironman Chattanooga, sharing how she conquered imposter syndrome and embraced the power of community. Discover ho...

At 42 years old, Meghan Grant is proving that potential does not expire. In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Michellie Jones sits down with Meghan to talk about her journey from age-group triathlon to earning her pro card, including the years of steady progress, setbacks, belief, and consistency that made it possible. Meghan shares how she balanced training with a demanding full-time career as...

In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Michellie Jones sits down with pro triathlete Matt Hanson fresh off his podium finish at IRONMAN New Zealand , where he once again showed why he remains one of the most dangerous runners in long-course triathlon. The conversation goes far beyond race results, diving into what it really takes to stay competitive into your 40s, how Matt thinks about durability,...

What do you do when motivation drops and training suddenly feels harder? In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda unpack one of the most common challenges endurance athletes face: losing motivation. But instead of assuming something is wrong with your fitness, they explore a smarter framework for understanding what may actually be driving the dip. Is it physical fatigu...

In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge Podcast , Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda sit down with Wayne Attwell , founder of FastTT , to talk about the real meaning of “free speed” on the bike. Wayne shares how a personal fit problem turned into one of triathlon’s most innovative cockpit brands — built around comfort, adjustability, and sustainable aerodynamics. They dive into wind tunnel testing, athle...

Three-time IRONMAN World Champion and two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander joins Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda for a masterclass in racing with patience, intelligence, and grit. We rewind to how Crowie got started, the moments that defined his career, and what it really felt like when everything clicked on the biggest stages in the sport. From the human side of elite raci...

In this episode of the Giddy Up Edge podcast, host McKeeley Jones and co-host Evan Gruda welcome Ben Cawood, founder of Cayden Cycling, to discuss the science of speed in cycling. They explore the importance of wind tunnel testing, the impact of tire choices, the debate between tubeless and clincher tires, and the significance of wheel depth and weight in performance. Ben shares insights on the ve...

In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Evan Gruda and 8x World Champion coach Michellie Jones break down the ultimate concept every triathlete loves: free speed —the performance you unlock without adding more training hours. We look back on the biggest needle-movers from 2025 (and the mistakes worth leaving behind), starting with the foundations: sleep as a non-negotiable, smarter recovery, better...

Join us for a thrilling double feature on the Giddy Up Edge! In the first segment, we dive into Evan's incredible journey as he conquers his first Ironman in Chattanooga, sharing insights, challenges, and triumphs along the way. In the second segment, we shift gears to preview the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Kona, discussing the mystique, the contenders, and what it takes to excel...

From Rio gold to Wollongong glory — this episode dives deep into the rise of para triathlon and the excitement of hosting the World Championships on Australian soil. Michellie and Evan sit down with Paralympic champion Katie Kelly , para triathlon star Anu Francis , and Bec Burns from AusTriathlon to explore what makes Wollongong such a special host city. From personal reflections and groundbreaki...

Your inner dialogue can make or break your race. In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , World Champion Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda dive into the mental strategies that give athletes their true competitive edge. From reframing negative self-talk to visualization, mantras, breathing techniques, and the “18-second reset rule,” they unpack practical tools you can apply in training and on race day....

In this episode of "The Giddy Up Edge," hosts Michellie and Evan dive into the world of triathlon gear, exploring the innovative equipment choices that can give athletes a competitive edge. From optimizing bike fit for comfort and aerodynamics to the latest in aero bar extensions and water bottle placements, they discuss how these choices can lead to significant watt savings. Discover th...

From Kona to the Olympics, from Iron War to Ironman Nice—this episode is all about the men who changed the game. Mike Reilly, the Voice of IRONMAN , joins Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda for a deep dive into triathlon’s most iconic male athletes. From Dave Scott and Mark Allen to Gustav Iden and Hayden Wilde, we explore the performances, rivalries, and mindsets that left a permanent mark on the spo...

In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda sit down with a true icon of endurance sport— Cameron Brown , 12x IRONMAN New Zealand Champion and 4x Kona podium finisher. From his early days in the sport to racing against legends, Cam shares the secrets behind his remarkable longevity , bulletproof mindset , and relentless consistency . We explore the “Kiwi mindset,” how to...

This week on The Giddy Up Edge , we bring you a tribute to the fearless pioneers, champions, and changemakers who’ve shaped women’s triathlon and Ironman racing into what it is today. Hosted by Evan Gruda and Michellie Jones, this episode is a full-throttle celebration of grit, glory, and legacy. We’re joined by the powerhouse voice of triathlon, Joanne Murphy — the first-ever female lead announce...

If you're racing IRONMAN 70.3 St. George, this episode is your blueprint for success. Pro triathlete Danielle Lewis joins Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda to break down how to prepare for one of the most technical and demanding courses on the circuit. From swim strategy and transition setup to pacing the climbs and dialing in race-day nutrition, Danielle shares what’s worked for her on the St. Georg...

Ever feel flat in training or race day without knowing why? In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Evan and Michellie are joined by Robby Wade from Rhythm Health to talk about the real performance game-changer: blood work. We dive into why tracking your internal metrics matters just as much as watts and pace, the key biomarkers every athlete should monitor, and how regular testing can keep you pro...

In this episode of Giddy Up Edge Conversations , Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda are breaking down how to prep smart for one of the season’s earliest and fastest full-distance races — Ironman Texas . Whether it’s your first Ironman or your tenth, Texas brings its own unique challenges: flat roads, unpredictable weather, and the mental toughness needed to go the distance. We’re also joined by badass...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into short course triathlon, Evan Gruda, Michellie Jones, and Bob Babbitt continue the conversation on the races, athletes, and cultural shifts that shaped the sport. They discuss the pivotal role of the Danskin series in empowering women in triathlon, the legendary USTS series that attracted top professionals, and the long-awaited comeback of classic events like Wildflo...

Oceanside is calling! In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge , Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda break down everything you need to know to race smarter and go faster at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. The conversation covers the unique challenges of the course—cold water swims, rolling bike terrain, and a fast but exposed run—while offering expert tips to help athletes execute a strong race. From wetsuit misha...

In this engaging episode of The Giddy Up Edge, Evan Gruda and Michellie Jones sit down with triathlon historian and media legend Bob Babbitt to explore the rich history of short course racing. From the iconic St. Anthony’s and Chicago Triathlon to the rise of sponsorships and technological advancements, they discuss the races, athletes, and moments that shaped the sport. Bob shares personal anecdo...

In this episode of The Giddy Up Edge, Michellie Jones and Evan Gruda tackle some of the biggest myths in triathlon training. Should you train like a bodybuilder to get stronger? Are carbon-plated shoes only beneficial on race day? And does electrolyte-loading before a race actually make a difference? We break down the science, share real-world insights, and give you practical tips to optimize your...

Planning your race season can feel overwhelming—how do you balance fun, challenge, and peak performance? In this episode, Evan and Michellie break down how to structure your season, prioritize races, and set goals that align with your personal ambitions. From A/B/C race planning to avoiding burnout and making strategic choices, they dive into real-world coaching insights and personal experiences t...

In this episode, we kick off the podcast with a full review of last season. Starting with preseason training and base building, we’ll break down the highs and lows of each phase—covering the build to 70.3 Chattanooga, summer racing (including Nationals), and the final push to 70.3 Worlds. We’ll highlight key takeaways in swimming, cycling, running, and racing, focusing on what worked, what didn’t,...