Tri Beginner‘s Luck

We're back! Time flies when you're having fun, and after a short break, we're recharged and ready to dive into a new season of inspiration and connection. This season, we're going back to basics. Before we Tri'ed, we swam, biked, or ran – maybe you're a seasoned athlete, maybe you just woke up one day and decided to tri, or maybe you're new to the sport and exploring what it means to tri. However...

Happy Holidays everyone! We're wrapping up 2024 with a special episode that's less of an interview and more of an intimate conversation. Join Michanda and Noel Mulkey as they dive deep into life, triathlon, and the complexities of social media. Noel opens up about his incredible journey from overcoming heroin addiction at just 20 years old to becoming a triathlon sensation and Ironman World Champi...

This episode takes us into the world of triathlon through the unique lens of sisterhood. Layla Doman, a late-blooming triathlete who conquered her first triathlon at 44, shares her inspiring journey from learning to swim just nine years ago to crossing her first Ironman finish line this year. Her sister, Libya, provides a captivating counterpoint, revealing the often-overlooked perspective of the...

The Tribe Within the Tribe: Building Community in Triathlon with Ray Lake and Zan Larsen   Ever wonder how elite athletes stay motivated, overcome setbacks, and achieve long-term success? This week, we have Ray Lake and Zan Larsen, accomplished triathletes and members of Team USA. Hear their incredible journeys—from unique first races to representing their country on the world stage! Ray and Zan s...

What do perseverance, resilience, and determination look like in action? Look no further than Ian Williams. This week, we're joined by the Ironman triathlete who faced life-threatening health issues, including heart problems and a kidney donation, forcing him to step away from the sport for 7 years. Now, he's back to share his incredible comeback story. He shares his incredible journey back to the...

What do perseverance, resilience, and determination look like in action? Look no further than Ian Williams. This week, we're joined by the Ironman triathlete who faced life-threatening health issues, including heart problems and a kidney donation, forcing him to step away from the sport for 7 years. Now, he's back to share his incredible comeback story. He shares his incredible journey back to the...

After 17 years away from triathlons, Koryn High,  a dedicated runner rediscovers her love for triathlon. She is the definition of resilient, determined, and focused.  From her first triathlon experience in Japan to her recent sprint triathlon triumph, Koryn provides valuable insights into training, race preparation, and balancing multiple athletic pursuits. She opens up about the mental challenges...

This week's episode brings a heartfelt and encouraging exploration of the intersection between faith and endurance. Pastor Steve Mayo and his son Stephen share how triathlon became a powerful tool for transformation in their lives and community. Pastor Steve's journey is one of resilience, overcoming health issues to complete his first sprint triathlon and then using the sport to empower at-risk y...

*First Timer Alert!*   It’s no secret triathlon is contagious. In this unique first-timer edition, Fernanda “Fer” Ruiz and Patrick McHenry share their unique journeys into the world of triathlon. Hear how Fer went from newbie to  Age Group National Championships while Patrick tackles his first triathlon.   Together, they discuss their contrasting training approaches, emphasizing the importance of...

From sprint triathlons to Ironman glory, Chris Nikic's journey is a testament to relentless determination and incredible achievement. In this inspiring episode of Tri Beginner's Luck, Chris and his father, Nick, share the secrets to his success. Gain valuable insights into the importance of recovery, the power of positive thinking, and the unique challenges faced by athletes with Down syndrome. Di...

Mari Ruddy, is not just a triathlete; she's also a writer, blogger, educator, LinkedIn coach, and author of the powerful book "Extreme Healing." She is a remarkable woman facing her third bout of breast cancer with incredible positivity and determination. Mari shares how she manages the side effects of her treatment, including fatigue and training limitations, by prioritizing sleep, avoiding negat...

Ever wondered what it takes to become a 35-time national champion triathlete? In this inspiring episode, Leslie Battle, an Athena triathlete and a true inspiration, shares her remarkable journey. From overcoming adversity to representing Team USA on the international stage, Leslie proves it's never too late to chase your dreams, even if you start after 40. We delve into the world of Athena and Cly...

WE ARE BACK!!!!!  It feels good to start the season with none other than Olympic triathlete and World Champion, Katie Zaferes!   From her first race with her dad on Father’s Day to standing on the world stage, Katie’s journey is as inspiring as it is real. She shares the highs and lows of pursuing a professional triathlon career, balancing the demands of elite sport with motherhood, and making tou...

​​In our last episode before our summer break, we were honored to have Megan Zablock as our final guest. Megan is the new Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) at USA Triathlon. She shared her experience participating in her first triathlon in Lake Geneva and then we delved into the important work she does as the DEIA Manager.   Megan outlined some key initiatives she is curre...

Are you seeking a dose of inspiration to ignite your passion and perseverance? Look no further. Tune into the remarkable journey of Hector L. Torres on the 120th Episode of Tri Beginner’s Luck, and prepare to be truly moved. With an extraordinary tale of transformation, Hector’s venture from facing a life-threatening health warning at just 18, to becoming a celebrated coach and a beacon of hope, e...

In this week’s episode, we chat with Kim Zest, a beacon of strength and inclusivity in the triathlon community. As the dedicated race director for the YWCA Women's Triathlon, Kim narrates her remarkable transformation from an outsider to a pivotal figure championing diversity and empowering underrepresented athletes.   This stirring dialogue seamlessly weaves into Kim's passionate endeavor to cult...

In this special Father's Day edition of Tri Beginner’s Luck, we welcome Mike and Bella Buenting, a father-daughter duo. Bella talks about how her father introduced her to triathlons at a young age, her early experiences in the sport including participating in Iron Kids races, her progression to collegiate competitions, and how triathlon has now become a family tradition. Mike shares his journey fr...

In this heartwarming episode, we learn more about the extraordinary journey of Caleb Prewitt, a 17-year-old triathlete with Down Syndrome, and his mother, Karen Prewitt. Witness how Caleb, with his mother's unwavering support, defies the odds by completing over 33 triathlons and one where he conquers crossing the finish line independently. This story is a celebration of determination, love, and th...

Join us on this episode as we explore the journey of Sarah Hays, co-founder of She Tris, and her remarkable influence on the women's triathlon community. From her initial hurdles in the triathlon world, including a daunting first ocean swim and a challenging flat tire incident, to her triumphant return after focusing on her family, Sarah's story is one of resilience and passion. Under her leadersh...

Sibling admiration is beautiful to witness. In this episode, Andrew and Jamie Fink show us exactly what it looks like. From their spirited upbringing in athletics to conquering their first triathlon races, follow their journey of perseverance, passion, and sibling unity.   Andrew reveals his leap into triathlon with no prior endurance experience and  Jamie shares her transition from competitive so...

Merle Mc Donald Aaron takes us on a journey where she recounts this iconic event, from its humble beginnings over 40 years ago to its vibrant present-day community, The RJA Memorial Mighty Montauk Triathlon.    Listen in as Merle reflects on the past, present, and future of her triathlon race, revealing the secrets behind its success and the unwavering commitment to honoring her late husband's mem...

Happy  Early Mother’s Day to all the Moms and Mother Figures. Join us this week as Mother/Daughter duo Angela and Sedona Decint take us on an exhilarating journey through the highs and lows of their mother-daughter bond in the world of triathlon. From Angela's humble beginnings in 2007 to Sedona's collegiate club racing career, their story is one of resilience, community, and unwavering support. A...

Jamal Davis shares his story, which is one of determination, growth, and the lessons he learned about structured training and recovery. He covers his experiences from basketball and team sports and how that brought him to triathlon. He also shares how he found community with Coffee Posse on Instagram live.  Jamal shares mental strategies for overcoming challenges during solo races, his approach to...

Join us for the latest episode of the Tri Beginner's Luck podcast! You won't want to miss this one as we sit down with the incredible Marguerite Madden, a tri  force to be reckoned with.  Marguerite transforms from a non-athletic individual to a fierce triathlete. We’ll dive into her training, including how she overcame her fear of swimming with the help of her supportive husband. We'll also explo...

It’s time to swim in the waves with Casey Arendt on the Tri Beginner's Luck podcast! From her competitive swimming background to her journey into triathlon, Casey shares her experiences, including her first triathlon, her thrilling qualification for Worlds in the Aquabike event, and her unexpected challenges.   Tune in with us and learn about Casey’s coaching expertise in swim form and how she has...