The first athlete I ever called across an IRONMAN World Championship finish line was Mark Allen, and that day still feels like a Hollywood script to both of us. The six-time IRONMAN World Champion joined me from Nice to talk about a wide-open men's race in Kona. We got into why the Norwegians train together like a think tank, what happens when you draw on your deepest reserves, and why the athlete who wins is usually the one who adapts when the day stops going to plan.

Then six-time IRONMAN champion Laura Siddall, who will cover the women's race from the back of a motorbike, walks me through the deepest women's field Kona has seen, with four former world champions on the start line. She also has advice for every age grouper heading to the island, and it works for any big moment in life. Stay to the end and you'll hear Mark explain why the hard things we earn stay with us for good.

In this episode, I sit down with Tommy Struzzieri, runner, triathlete, race director, and the driving force behind AlphaWin and the new Big Apple Triathlon. Tommy grew up around endurance events, walked onto the Syracuse running team through pure persistence, and is now taking on one of the biggest challenges in the event world: producing a triathlon in New York City.

We talk about staying focused when people doubt you, creating opportunities for first-time athletes, and why committing to a goal can change the direction of your life. Tommy’s story is a reminder that sometimes you have to put your blinders on, keep moving forward, and trust the work you’ve put in.

I sat down with registered dietitian and endurance nutrition coach Alex Larson to talk about one of the most important parts of endurance sports that so many athletes overlook: nutrition. From fueling workouts and recovery to balancing family, work, stress, and training, Alex shares practical advice that every age grouper can relate to. We also talked about body image, race day mistakes, supplements, and how nutrition impacts not just performance, but long term health and quality of life.

What I loved most about this conversation is how real and approachable Alex makes all of it feel. Whether you’re training for your first race or your fiftieth, this episode is full of insights that can help you feel stronger, healthier, and more confident when you head toward your next finish line.

Follow Alex:

https://alexlarsonnutrition.com

IG: @alexlarsonnutrition

FB: https://www.facebook.com/alexlarsonnutrition

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC91swSNifC4d52AdDzrKkzA