September 26, 2025 • 53 mins
The 500 Cats crew takes the show to Chattanooga, Tennessee, during IRONMAN Chattanooga. Joined by race director Brian Myrick, volunteer director Alex High, regional director Ryan Richards, and athlete-turned-staffer Daniel Allemond, this episode dives into the heart of what makes the event business special: community, dedication, and the people behind the scenes. From stories of leadership and high expectations to inspiring tales of perseverance through cancer, the conversations capture the passion, grit, and friendships that fuel endurance events.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_03 (00:02):
Bam, bow, bow, bow.
Episode 29 of 500 Cats.
And this is gonna be a littlebit and just to be clear, we got
the episode number right.
And so, and not a guest, but a500 cats member, but doesn't
live in Boulder, so he's not onthe show very often.
We have Eddie Burgess today.
SPEAKER_07 (00:22):
Yeah, man.
I I love this town.
SPEAKER_03 (00:24):
Chat is just So, yeah, and that's what's
different today is we're we'regonna do our 500 Cats podcast
from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
We're here in town for Iron ManChattanooga, and the big
difference today is we're gonnapull in a bunch of the staff and
maybe a couple athletes and getsome sound bites from them.
(00:45):
As we've talked about, it's apodcast about the event
business, and the people we workwith I think are the best people
in the world, and I there's someof them are truly dear friends,
and all of them are hardworkers.
SPEAKER_07 (01:00):
Especially at this race.
I mean, it seems like this raceis the one people pick and want
to come to.
SPEAKER_03 (01:06):
Yeah, it it's uh it's a mixture of um the local
team, which includes our racedirector, Brian Meyrick, and
it's got a good volunteer force,which makes it easier on the
staff.
And then Chattanooga's fun.
Like, I mean, this is gonnasound a little bit lushy, but
(01:26):
they have IPA on tap everywhere.
SPEAKER_07 (01:30):
You know, I was talking, I was in the volunteer
tent uh stealing us a couplesodas just now, and you know,
the ladies have both been hereseven years, and I'm like, why
do you do it?
What are you doing?
She's like, This is the best.
It's my hometown.
Why wouldn't I do it?
SPEAKER_03 (01:44):
Yeah, and I I think that's like what most volunteers
why is is just they want tohelp.
They want to they want to makeit a better day for the actors.
SPEAKER_07 (01:57):
Make a difference.
Make a difference, I think, isthe big thing.
SPEAKER_03 (02:01):
It is Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is the
volunteer state.
SPEAKER_07 (02:07):
So exactly, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (02:10):
Awesome.
Well, let's bring our firstguest in.
We're gonna start at the top.
All the way.
I won't say we'll work our waydown, but we're gonna start at
the top, and we're gonna startwith uh not just a friend, um, a
coworker, he's definitely ourleader.
He I'll bet if there was likeathlete choice awards for who's
(02:31):
their favorite race director,I'll bet he would win.
He's very approachable to theathletes, less approachable to
the new staff.
Right, he's one of the goats,though.
He's one of the goats.
Brian Meyrick, he's our racedirector of Iron Man
Chattanooga.
And I'm not just saying this, Ithink you know this because we
work for you at other eventsoutside of Iron Man.
(02:52):
Brian's one of my favorites.
Brian, tell us how'd you get it?
Like you used to own the MuncieEndurathon.
Like you've been in triathlon along time.
How long have you been intriathlon?
SPEAKER_05 (03:05):
Yeah, I think uh I took over Muncie when I was 18,
you know, which in and of itselfis a pretty crazy experience to
stand up in front of what was atthe time and still is the oldest
half Iron Man in the world.
So uh that was 24 years ago.
A couple years into that, youknow, we sold Muncy to Iron Man.
But uh, you know, I got lucky.
My mom was involved on theadministrative side just by
(03:26):
luck.
She she took over registrationwhen I was a kid, and then at 18
I had the opportunity to acquireit, and I started race directing
at 18.
SPEAKER_03 (03:35):
Wow, and Muncie and Durathon, one of the longest
running uh it wasn't called 70.3when it started, but one of the
longest running half distance,which is now Iron Man 70.3
Muncy.
And then you stayed and racedirected for that for several
years.
SPEAKER_05 (03:51):
Yeah, I mean, I stayed in Muncy until what was
Iron Man Indiana?
Was that 2020, 2021?
Post-COVID, right?
So 2020.
So yeah, I mean, so I think thatwas you know, almost it was over
20 years of doing Muncy.
SPEAKER_03 (04:04):
Why are your races rated the highest?
I know we do customer surveysand stuff, and your races
literally come out Iron ManIndiana, Muncie come out as like
the athlete's favorite.
Why?
SPEAKER_05 (04:17):
You know, I mean, I think one, I try to pick venues
that work.
You know, you look at a Muncy,for example.
I didn't I didn't start it, butit made sense.
That venue, Prairie Creek,unbelievable venue for a
triathlon, and I think it justmakes sense.
Athletes appreciate that.
You know, and then when I movedaround for Iron Man producing
new events, you know, some werecertainly easier than others,
but Chattanooga, you know, I'vebeen fortunate to call this
place home for 11 years now.
(04:38):
It uh it works, it makes sense,but I have high expectations for
myself.
You know, I think I push thoseonto staff, and I I think the
athletes see at the end of theday.
Um, I I hope we put on greatraces.
We want to put on a greatexperience, and I think that's
the goal.
We I spent a lot of sleeplessnights trying to figure out how
to do that.
SPEAKER_03 (04:54):
Yeah, and then this is gonna be kind of a tough
question, but you're one of ourfavorite race directors, you
have high expectations for thestaff.
The staff chooses to come tothis race, but you have a
reputation as being a gruff,like being I don't even know how
to describe it because you'renot.
We wouldn't come here for otherraces outside of Iron Man, but
(05:16):
uh grumpy or whatever you wantto call it.
How come you think there's thatreputation, but you're literally
the nicest, most caring guy?
You've hey, I can tell it's notgoing well for you today.
You've asked me before, what doyou need?
Like, where do you get thatreputation when you're like the
best guy in the event business?
SPEAKER_05 (05:33):
I mean, I think you're you're being polite.
I mean, I think it's there's agood number of people that think
I'm an asshole, you know, and Ithink that it again it comes
back to high expectations.
You know, I have highexpectations for myself, and I
and we have a job to do here,you know, and I I pride myself
in putting on one heck of anexperience for our athletes.
That comes first, before the thepartying, the having fun, before
the goofing off.
(05:53):
I want to have fun.
And I think sometimes that'smistaken that uh, you know, I'm
just being a dick when inreality I just want to get done,
put on a phenomenal experience,and let's go have a good time.
SPEAKER_03 (06:04):
Yeah, and but at the same time, there's people like
myself and Eddie here who chooseto come to this race because of
you.
And oh yeah, we've remember theyear you got all the air
conditioners, and I found themat like 10 p.m.
And and I remember you justsaid, do your job, dude.
SPEAKER_05 (06:19):
I think and and I think it is that simple.
I think and I've had thisconversation a lot, you know,
and people are often come hereand I look around at our staff,
right?
We have a ton of young staffthis week in particular, and
there's like a reputation, like,oh my god, I gotta go work with
My Rick.
And uh I think that again, it'stough for me because uh I do
expect a lot, and if you don'tdo your job, I'm probably gonna
tell you that.
And it's that simple for me.
(06:40):
If you do your job, we're gonnaget along just fine.
And I think the people thatappreciate it, you guys come in,
you do your job, and and youdon't hear from me.
I'm not riding your ass.
But if you don't, then Iprobably do.
And so I think that's astruggle.
And I'm not saying it's perfect,but I have high expectations.
You don't do your you don't doyour job, I'm probably gonna
tell you you're not doing yourjob.
SPEAKER_03 (06:57):
And then, and maybe I I'm not with you 24 hours a
day, but I don't think theathletes have ever seen the
grumpy side of you or whateveryou want to call it.
I don't personally, I knowthere's athletes that get so far
out of line there's no other wayto deal with them.
But in general, the athleteslove you and they know you.
How come so many athletes knowyou?
(07:18):
Like you're not exactly goingout on Twitter every day and hey
guys, it's Brian here.
But every athlete knows who youare.
SPEAKER_05 (07:25):
Well, I mean, I think you know, one, there's
just timeline, right?
24 years of doing this and andputting on hundreds of races.
So I think there's some of that,but I do try to be present.
Uh, I do want athletes to knowthat you know, Iron Man is not a
machine that just happens.
There are people.
Uh the the three of us sittinghere are responsible for for
doing this, and I, you know, Iam the face of the local event.
(07:46):
And so, you know, when I seeathletes, I want just like I ask
you if you need anything, I askthem.
I want them to have a greatexperience.
If we can help with that, uh, Imean it.
You know, I do anything I couldto give somebody a better race
week experience, a better race.
Um, but I do try to uh to bepersonable and make sure that
I'm engaged with that community.
And and by the time you get tome, if you have a problem,
there's you're probably firedup.
And and I'm I'm normally prettyready to go.
(08:09):
Uh, you know, I'll giveeverybody a shot, but by the
time you get to me, a lot ofpeople have told you no, and I'm
probably just the last one totell you no.
SPEAKER_03 (08:16):
Is there any experience either here or in
Muncie that stand out to you aslike the best moment or the best
day?
Oh man, I don't I don't know.
I mean, I think that's it.
SPEAKER_05 (08:30):
There's so many, it's hard.
I have one for your race,though.
I think that I mean it's toughbecause for me it's people,
right?
I mean, it's us, and and wedon't do this for this long and
put the hours in that we do forthe pay or whatever.
I mean, it's a pretty thanklessjob at the end of the day.
We're we're out here to to havesome intrinsic, you know,
feeling that we did somethingcool and help people sort of do
something that was uhlife-changing for some, uh
(08:52):
rewarding for others.
And so I don't know if I have amoment.
I think for me, the the momentis just the people, is the
relationships.
We do this, you know.
I mean, we're on the road.
I'm not as much anymore with youguys, but back in the day, 300
nights a year on the road, Imean, it's a it's a family.
And I think, you know, it's it'santics and kona that we've all
been through when we get done atthe bar, and it's just like I
wake up in the back of a pickuptruck, I know, on my way out to
(09:15):
Queen K and don't know where I'mat, type stuff.
Like, there's plenty of fun oneslike that, but I think for me
it's it's stories.
You know, you were a part of theuh the event here when we lost
Chris Bean.
You know, I mean that's themoment I was gonna say Steve
Bean.
Steve is one of them, and so Italked to Steve uh a week ago.
Can you recap that story?
Yeah, so so years ago, it wasone of our first couple years
(09:36):
here.
We race week early in the week.
Cameron Bean um was hit by a caron a training run.
He's a professional athlete,professional runner, just across
from where we are now at Mox andBend, he was struck by a car
running and killed.
Uh don't quote me on this, butMonday or Tuesday of race week,
and and I got a call the nextday from his father, Steve, um,
(09:58):
and said, I want to race inhonor of my son.
And Steve had not trained, youknow, and so we brought Steve
and his other son Chris.
Uh, we brought him in and youguys uh helped me as I have a
few things going on.
You guys sort of took him in andhelped show him around and give
him the Iron Man experience.
And I mean, I'll never forgetthat Steve finished that Iron
(10:19):
Man, you know, with his familyhere and in honor of his son who
just passed, if I rememberright.
I think the funeral was Friday,you know, and and we you know we
buried his son and came andraced because his son would have
wanted it.
And uh I I think here in chatthat's probably one of the at
least the most profound momentsthat I have.
SPEAKER_03 (10:36):
For me, easily, like that stands out.
I we we bring it up every yearthat a guy like off the couch
finishes an Iron Man in hisson's name.
And then the paper did a coolwrite-up the next day, and I
mean they showed him it didn'tshow who won the race, it showed
him finishing at like 11:30 atnight, which was super cool.
Brian, you're one of the specialones.
(10:57):
Um, you also write race directthe Chattanooga Marathon, so
it's a half marathon andmarathon or just half marathon.
SPEAKER_05 (11:04):
Yeah, we've got marathon, half marathon, 5K, and
kids fun run.
So for uh end of March this uhcoming up in 2026.
SPEAKER_03 (11:10):
And if you're anywhere in the area or travel
for these kind of events, Ithink that's a great one.
Um it's well produced, just likethe Iron Man Chattanooga is.
We love you, man.
You you make it fun, that's whywe're here this year.
We could be in Augusta, you knowthat.
SPEAKER_05 (11:24):
Yeah, I know, but it but it's but it's Augusta.
I mean, we're in chat.
Look at this.
I mean, you guys can't see whereat, but we're sitting on the
banks of the Tennessee Riverhaving a good time.
So I appreciate the the you knowpartnership that we've had and
friendship because uh this iswhat makes us do this, right?
I mean, who wants to work 30hours over the next uh two days
uh if we're not having a goodtime?
So let's have a good time, let'sdo our jobs, put on a great
show, and uh then we'll go havesome beer.
SPEAKER_03 (11:45):
Sweet.
Love you, man.
Thanks, boys.
SPEAKER_07 (11:48):
Man, Myrick's the best.
What what a great guy, and man,it it's just like how he is with
athletes is amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (11:57):
He's a friend.
Yeah, yeah, he's a friend.
Like there's a lot of peoplehere that are just friends, and
if we aren't working for IronMan someday, we're still gonna
be friends and we're still gonnakeep in touch.
SPEAKER_07 (12:07):
It's like a small town, it's a moving small town,
and and everybody knowseverybody's business.
It's like there's my brother,there's my sister, and uh, you
know, and it's it's crazy thatway.
SPEAKER_03 (12:16):
Speaking of like the Iron Man family, we'll introduce
the Iron Man family, but I wouldsay the most important person at
the event is the race director.
I think that's why they'recalled the race director.
There's a few races where theremight be somebody else that is
equal, but the second most, andin some races the most important
(12:37):
is the volunteer director.
SPEAKER_07 (12:39):
100%, because we can't do it without volunteers.
SPEAKER_03 (12:42):
This race and every race like it is not possible
without the help of thevolunteers.
But from the Iron Man family offive, right?
Five.
I think we have two introduceher here in a second.
Alex High.
Her son works for her brother,sorry, her brother works for BCC
(13:04):
Live in Boulder, Colorado.
Ryan, he's on the podcastregularly.
Her dad does Calm for Iron Man.
Yep.
Yep.
Her mom is here working, butretired from Iron Man, but is
here working.
So she says.
Everybody kind of retired.
And then your husband is thebrother of one of my best
friends, um, John Christin, whois the brother of my good friend
(13:27):
Dave Christon.
And so we've been talking aboutwhat a cool small world it is.
But Alex is here with us.
Hang on.
Hello.
How's it going?
So you are we said this aboutRyan Richards.
I don't really ever see youcranky.
Never.
You always have that greatsmile, you're always happy.
(13:49):
How many volunteers do you havethis weekend?
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
So total over the course of the entire race
weekend, I have just over 2,000.
SPEAKER_03 (13:56):
How do you get 2,000 people to come out here on their
own time and support a race?
SPEAKER_00 (14:03):
Honestly, it's it's triplefold.
So I have great captains, whichare my group leaders.
So these are nonprofit leaders,they're school group leaders
such as team captains, um, bandleaders, uh, club leaders.
They recruit a ton of ourvolunteers uh to come out into
the race to support ourathletes, to earn volunteer
hours for their kids, as well asgive out grant we give out grant
(14:26):
money for these volunteer groupsto come in.
Um, our community is supersupportive.
So Chattanooga loves this racecoming in.
Our community gets very excited.
We're called the volunteer statefor a reason.
So we have a lot of locals comeout to volunteer.
As well as athletes and theirsupporters are eager to help out
on race day.
They know how important it is tohave volunteers at each race,
(14:49):
essentially.
So we have a lot of athletes andsupporters helping us out
pre-race.
So yeah, that's a it's a great,great community.
SPEAKER_03 (14:57):
Is the responsibility of you know no no
no volunteers, no race.
Correct.
Is the responsibility of finding2,000 people daunting like when
when does it start?
I assume it starts like Monday.
SPEAKER_00 (15:09):
Right, right.
It does, yeah.
So I give myself maybe a littlebit of a little bit of a break,
so about a week to to decompressafter this race, and then we're
we're back to the races.
So um pretty much for the so wehave the two races, so we have
the 70.3 in May, and then thisone in in September.
Um I start for the 70.3 inNovember of this year, pretty
(15:30):
much.
Um, and then shortly after,honestly, for the full, I start
in January, February, starttalking to different groups in
the area, seeing their interestin coming and and volunteering
with us.
SPEAKER_03 (15:39):
So and I think one of the things that surprises me
about a lot of the volunteerdirectors, they have no idea
what they're getting into.
It sounds good, but you did.
Like you had worked other rolesat Iron Man, you knew exactly
what you were getting into andstill did it.
Why?
SPEAKER_00 (15:56):
Honestly, it was it was a great way to get to know
my community.
Um, so I got this job, shoot, Ithink four months after I moved
into into Chattanooga.
So it was a great way for me tojust kind of kick start my my
introduction into theChattanooga community.
And honestly, I love workingwith people.
I love seeing how inspired ourvolunteers get by watching the
(16:19):
race.
I love seeing them inspireathletes.
So honestly, I love working withthe with the community and with
the athletes and with thevolunteers and just making races
great.
So honestly, it was a very easyyes to Brian when he asked.
SPEAKER_03 (16:32):
So Yeah, and we had just talked with Brian and what
a great person he is, but um,that he attracts people like
you.
I mean, that's what it is, is hecan get the best people to come
work for him.
Is there a moment at Iron ManChattanooga that stands out for
you?
Is there any one volunteer orone finisher or one person you
(16:54):
help that stands out?
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
I would say it's it's I look toward our our last
athletes.
So it's the last athletes thatare coming out of the water, the
last athletes that are comingoff the bike onto the run, and
the last athletes over thefinish line.
They've fought all day for fortheir race, and they have they
have volunteers out there untilthe wee hours in the morning
helping them out.
And we have aid stations keepingthe energy from you know seven
(17:19):
in the morning until one in onein the morning, and they are so
enthusiastic, enthusiastic andexcited to help these last
athletes cross the finish line.
It's it's truly the mostinspirational part of the of the
race, and seeing the the partyat the finish line for the last
athlete coming across, themusic, the the hype, and seeing
again the volunteers at thefinish line ready to greet them
(17:40):
with their metal, theirhard-earned medal, it's just
it's amazing to see.
SPEAKER_03 (17:43):
So oh man, that gets me excited.
SPEAKER_00 (17:46):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (17:46):
Well, you are nothing short of a gym, like you
I've watched you transform thisrace.
You do you did inherit some ofthe best volunteers, like the
LaFeuse, and there's a lot ofpeople here at this race that I
go, oh yeah, I remember you, andI see, and they they have the
same role every year.
Um and we'll see them tomorrowat the Iron Kids.
(18:09):
And um you've built a greatteam.
Congratulations on what a greatjob you've done.
SPEAKER_00 (18:14):
Oh, thank you very much.
Yeah, no, I could not do itwithout my volunteers.
I tell them every email andevery time I get to talk to them
in person, I could not do thisjob without them.
And like you said, I inherited agreat group.
I've recruited great volunteersthat keep the keep the legacy of
Chattanooga going.
So it's it's it's veryrewarding.
SPEAKER_03 (18:31):
This race and every race like it is not possible
without the help of thevolunteers.
And Alex High.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate it.
Yeah, of course.
Thank you.
I think like just for me, AlexHigh is such a rock, and she has
a lot of snacks.
SPEAKER_07 (18:50):
You know, that's the main part is you know, you go
over there and the volunteersare like, wait, hang on, are you
volunteers?
And I've learned if you take awarm drink and take a cold
drink, you can substitute drinksand stuff like that.
And they then they startlaughing, and then they start,
you're good, you're in theyou're in the game.
SPEAKER_03 (19:10):
They do take care of us here.
I remember um the volunteer foodtent has saved me many a time
that sometimes the staff doeshave to dig in only when there's
some available, but she's great.
Um like I said, the wholefamily, like her her dad, Ken
has given me some really goodadvice before, like business
(19:31):
advice.
And I was going through a afalling out with a coworker, and
he gave me some really goodsupportive advice, and I'll
never forget that.
Um their mom, Sarah, is thenicest person ever.
Oh my gosh, and it's alwayshappy.
And we saw her the other day,and we forgot that we don't see
her every day, and she's like,no hug, and I was like, I saw
(19:53):
you last week, and she's like,You haven't seen me in months
because I haven't been on tour,and I kind of felt bad.
SPEAKER_07 (19:58):
Yeah.
But you know, we give Ryan ahard time because he doesn't
believe we went to the moon, butI try to tell him we went, you
know, and he fights.
SPEAKER_03 (20:09):
It's right.
So he'll surely hear thisepisode.
Uh, one thing we shouldn't haveasked, we should have asked, is
how do you get involved involunteering?
Right.
And I know you can emailvolunteers at
ironmanchattnooga.com or atironman.com.
It's pretty easy.
You can go to the Iron Manwebsite.
Um, or you can reach out to usat 500Cats and we can point you
(20:32):
in the right direction.
SPEAKER_07 (20:33):
And there are some awesome And it's amazing to talk
to these people that arevolunteers.
And you uh yeah, I talked to acouple earlier, and uh, they've
been doing it for seven years.
I was like, why do you do it?
We love it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:43):
The registration captain goes to like bluegrass
festivals his spare time, and wefound out yesterday we have a
ton of music in common and stufflike that.
And he's the one that sent me umseveral years ago I was getting
into trail running, and he sentme across the river to some
great trail runs.
It is, yeah, you get to know thevolunteers, and you get away.
SPEAKER_07 (21:03):
I'll tell you who I like.
One of my favorites, and andhe's since come over to our
side.
Bill from Wisconsin.
Yes, finish line captain.
SPEAKER_03 (21:13):
Yes, oh my gosh, who used to be the hardest person to
work with, and now the peoplethat get in our shot are
regretted because of him.
SPEAKER_07 (21:22):
He takes care of them.
It's like, hey guys, back here,and he's like, Where should I
put the line?
SPEAKER_03 (21:27):
Yeah.
So, well, you know, one of thethemes of the podcast today is
it's it's obviously Iron ManChattanooga, but is all the
amazing people that we get towork with.
And one of them we're gonnabring on here is Ryan Richards.
Oh, wow.
And he used to be the racedirector at Iron Man Wisconsin,
he's now a regional director.
I'll let him explain, blah,blah, blah, blah, blah.
(21:48):
But another guy who might be thebest human being alive.
Yes.
If you needed help, you needed akidney.
He would give it up.
Yes.
Ryan, tell us a little bit aboutyourself.
You're wearing a 70.3 Omahashirt.
Is that in your region nextyear?
SPEAKER_06 (22:05):
It is.
It is.
Uh, yeah.
So I transitioned uh late springover to be the Midwest regional
director for Iron Man.
It's uh it's been it's been avery interesting summer for me.
Um doing a lot of differentthings that I normally didn't do
as the race director, but uhdoing doing as the regional
director.
But it's uh it's been a lot offun.
(22:27):
I still get to go to all theraces, I still get to see all
the people I love.
BCC, you know, get to see themat the races, and that's what
means the most to me is beingable to see everybody still.
SPEAKER_03 (22:36):
And we've worked together for over 20 years.
I know my first year inWisconsin was 2006, and you were
the race director.
We've been through a lottogether, but tell me a little
bit about the like camaraderiewe have amongst obviously not
just me and you, but uheverybody.
SPEAKER_06 (22:55):
Yeah, I mean it it you know there's there's there's
a lot of great Iron Man staff,but what a lot of people don't
realize is all of the the teamsthat are supporting this the the
event that don't get seen, don'tget heard necessarily.
Um, you know, we've gottremendous partnership with
Lakeshore Athletic Services, atremendous partnership with
sports stats, BCC Live.
(23:16):
I mean, it the you know the listis the list is big, and that
doesn't, you know, of coursethat includes all of the
communities and the and the lawenforcement and the public works
departments that we work withthat that you know they're
they're the unsung heroes,they're the ones that that do a
lot um behind the scenes thatreally make this a special event
for the athletes and thespectators.
SPEAKER_03 (23:36):
What draws you to it?
Like you've been doing it a longtime, uh not just you've been
just doing events.
Used to work for LAS, which isuh they do Lakeshore athletic
services, they do tents andbarricades and road closures,
and you used to work for them,and then you gravitated and did
some Iron Man stuff and someother we used to do milkman.
Like, what is it that you likeabout events that it's hard
(23:59):
work, it's not really fun.
I mean, you know, it's like it'shard work.
We have fun doing it, right?
But it's not like a rollercoaster.
SPEAKER_06 (24:07):
It's the people that make it fun, right?
I mean, it you're right, it'snot necessarily fun work.
You tell people what you'redoing, and they're like, ugh,
you know, and then you know,sometimes you tell people what
you do and they don't understandreally what it is, and like, oh
my god, you get to do that everyweekend, that must be so fun.
And then you're out picking upgoo wrappers at 2:30 in the
morning in the pouring rain tomake sure that the city is clean
after an event.
(24:28):
But um, you know, I think whatwhat makes it fun for me, and
and you touched on it, and we'vetalked a little bit about it,
but it it's it's truly therelationships.
I am not an endurance athlete.
I've done a couple of 5K races,I've done a couple of you know,
canoe bike run triathlons andstuff, but I've I've never done
an Iron Man, I've never done a70.3, I have really no desire
(24:49):
to, but I love being able toproduce them for people, and I
love being able to see theathletes' sense of
accomplishment.
I love being able to see thefamilies and the pride and the
energy and the um you knowdevotion that everybody put in,
and then get to see the finishedproduct of them crossing the
finish line.
Like for me, like that's thecool thing of uh of being a part
(25:11):
of these events.
SPEAKER_03 (25:12):
What do you think gives you like you of all people
have the most balanced demeanorand your relationship with the
athletes is second to none.
The way you talk to theathletes, the way you treat the
athletes, and even when theydon't treat you well, which
isn't often, but it happens.
Somebody's uh disgruntled aboutsomething, and the way you
(25:33):
listen and respond calmly, wheredo you get that from?
What is that?
It's it's just you're one of themost unique people I work with
because of how you're alwayscalm.
SPEAKER_06 (25:44):
I I mean that's that's something I hang my hat
on.
I I try to maintain, you know,being calm.
I also like I think just beingable to listen to people and
give them a straight answer backas much as I can is is the key,
right?
Like a lot of times they justwant to talk, they want to vent,
they want to complain, theywant, they want to be heard, and
(26:04):
I'm happy to open my ears and beand listen to them and then and
then give them the best answerback that I can.
And it may not always be whatthey want to hear, but at least
they know that they were heardand and listened to and and and
got an answer back.
SPEAKER_03 (26:18):
This is a tough question.
I should have mentioned itbefore so I had a chance to
think about it, but what's thebest day in the event business?
Like what is there one day thatstands out as that was the day?
SPEAKER_06 (26:30):
Um I mean, ra race day is always fun.
Um for for me when I was when Iwas the race director, I always
loved Friday afternoon andSaturday um before the race
because by then your yourmeetings with the cities, this
the government offices haveclosed, there's not a lot of
change that's gonna happen,things are pretty well set, and
(26:52):
you really just kind of get toenjoy the experience of of the
expo, of the energy, of thebuild-out, and seeing the people
who are moving around andfiguring stuff out for
themselves.
Like a lot of the people thatmay not have done a race, when
they finally get to see wherethe change tents are, how
they're gonna flow throughtransition, where the finish
(27:13):
line actually is, so they cantalk to their family about it.
Like this is where it's gonnabe.
So I I I really do like the daybefore the event, but I mean,
there obviously it's it'ssomething special about race
day.
Um, if I could take it a stepfurther and say the day I like
the least, it's the Tuesdayafter because it's a it's a
complete letdown.
Monday, Monday, you're stillreally busy, you're doing things
(27:36):
for after a after an Iron Manrace, you've got the awards
banquet, a lot of places we'vegot a volunteer party to go to,
and Tuesday's just kind of thatletdown.
You're like, well, it's over,you know.
SPEAKER_03 (27:47):
Yeah, yeah, that's it.
I I agree to me, it's the dayafter.
There's still stuff going on,but you're so you're so tired.
Okay, I want to just tell onequick story.
I've only seen you mad once, orI've only seen you mad at us
once.
And this goes back to like, I'mjust gonna guess 2010 Iron Man
Wisconsin, and we are guilty ofsometimes playing the music too
(28:11):
loud, and you had come over andsaid, Hey, when it's midnight
and the athletes are in, goahead and kill it and let's get
done.
And we did, and we went aheadand killed it and got done, but
we knew there was this guy outon the course, and so we kind of
just cleaned up around the PA,and Mike Riley had left, but
then Mike Riley was coming back,he went to the Great Dane, of
(28:35):
course, and so he's coming, he'scoming back from the Great Dane,
and we're like, Hey Mike,there's a finisher coming in,
and he grabs the microphone andhe goes, Crank it up, and this
is at 1 a.m.
And we turned it up really loud,and all of a sudden our tent,
the sidewell just flew off, andyou ripped it off, and you
started spitting cuss words, andand like we were scared, like
(28:57):
you were pissed.
SPEAKER_06 (29:00):
I I promise you it was probably very short-lived.
SPEAKER_03 (29:03):
It was and it was well deserved.
But the the story takes even afunnier turn that then Mike
Riley like fell on the sword andsaid, I made him do it, and he
didn't.
He left and went to the GreatDane, right, and then was
walking back to his hotel,happened to see it happening, so
we gave him the mic and turnedit back up.
(29:23):
And then it took even another.
So Mike fell on the sword andtold you it was his idea, and
that kind of calmed you down andstuff.
But then the next day thatdoesn't change anything.
SPEAKER_06 (29:33):
No, no, no.
I'm not but it calmed you downat us.
It's just much to blame.
It calmed you down at us.
SPEAKER_03 (29:38):
But then the next day, the president of Iron Man
at the time his name was BenFurtick, sent an email to the
staff and said, Class act,waiting for my friend that came
in at 1 a.m.
I really appreciate it.
And we went to Mike and said,You're gonna tell him, right?
And he's like, Nope.
He's like, I fell on the sword,I'm taking this one.
(29:59):
But I Always remind Ryan of thatbecause it was just kind of
funny.
I wish I could say the words,but it was UMFers, and yeah, he
was pissed.
It's the only time I've seen youmad in 20 years of all the
things that have happened at theevents.
And it was rightfully so.
SPEAKER_06 (30:16):
I, you know, I mean, it was rightfully so.
Like I said, it was veryshort-lived.
It was one.
It just comes, it comes likeobviously when we move into a
community and produce theseevents, it's not for everybody.
I mean, we'd we're we'rehyper-focused on the athletes
and the spectators and thepeople directly involved in the
race.
But we, you know, it's veryimportant for me to remember
that there are other residents,there are other community
(30:37):
members that want to move about,want to go to bed.
You know, they don't always wantto hear you are an Iron Man till
all hours of the night.
So I understand it.
It's one of the things I've goneback and forth with the city of
Madison.
They've they've started to leaveme alone now.
But like that particular year,it was it was a hot button
issue.
And you know, we had talkedabout decibel levels and things
like that.
(30:57):
And after 10 p.m., it wassupposed to go down to I don't
remember what it was, 85 orsomething like that.
And you know, and we did it.
We were we were accomplishingwhat we went set out to do until
the last minute, 1 a.m.
And uh yeah, it became a itbecame a party for a couple more
minutes, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (31:16):
In all seriousness, I do apologize.
Um, but I always remind him ofit because it was funny.
We've been through a lot ofother things than helping people
and ties and lows and stuff likethat.
But um, I know you know this,you're a true friend, and it's a
privilege to get to work withyou.
And I miss you as the racedirector of Iron Man Wisconsin,
(31:38):
but then having you at all ofthe races, like in in general,
the Midwest region, althoughthis is the South, right?
But in the Midwest we region isawesome because you bring uh you
bring a calmness to the race,and like you mentioned to me
earlier, what do you let peopledo?
SPEAKER_06 (31:55):
You let people I let I just let and like this is kind
of what I was gonna, you know,the feeling is very mutual.
When I when I see the the thestaff chart of the people that
are coming, like there's like ohI know we're in really good
shape.
And when you know BCC Live isalways on that list as well, and
I it's just like I'm gonna letpeople do what they do.
(32:17):
I'm I'm not a micromanager atall.
Like if there's if there'ssomething that maybe I should
you know think that should bechanged, we're gonna have a
discussion.
I'm not gonna tell you what todo, I'm gonna find out why you
think it should be like thisbecause it might be a better
idea than what I have, but we'regonna have a quick discussion
about it and then we're gonnawe're gonna move on with a you
know with a good answer.
(32:37):
But I've uh I feel like it'sbest to just let people do their
thing, and we're allprofessionals, we all know what
the end result needs to be, andjust let people do it.
SPEAKER_03 (32:46):
Yeah, let people do their job, is what you said
earlier today.
Yeah, well, we appreciate you.
We appreciate you coming on the500 cats.
You're one of the 500 cats.
I love it.
So we appreciate you, and it'sgonna be a great weekend here in
Chattanooga.
Thank you, Ryan Richards fromMadison, Wisconsin.
Thank you, appreciate you guys.
All right, so I I actually knowthis next guy, Daniel.
(33:08):
I actually know him from beforewe met via the internet.
I met him and his wife, and hehappened to have a Springer
Spaniel, too.
So that's what got you.
SPEAKER_07 (33:20):
That's what got you right there.
SPEAKER_03 (33:22):
Um, yeah, so it and then he was looking to get a job
with Iron Man, and then startingthis year, I guess he got in
touch with um Zucchini and isgot a job.
So, Daniel, welcome to the show.
Yeah, welcome, Daniel.
unknown (33:37):
Thanks.
SPEAKER_03 (33:39):
So tell us who you are and where you're from.
I'm Daniel Alamon fromLafayette, Louisiana.
I don't want to tell your story,so I want you to tell your
story, but you were an athletefirst.
That's a big red flag for staff.
That's a big red flagsoft-heard.
Yeah, it's what and we talkedabout this earlier.
(34:00):
It's it's it's called watchingthe band.
And when we did live shows, someof the staff would want to watch
the band, but you're there towork, and so with athletes, a
lot of times they're like, Mybuddy's coming in, I gotta go
see my friend on the run course.
And so and I get it, becausewhen you have friends that are
racing, it's a big deal.
But why did you want to comework for Iron Man?
(34:21):
You had a good job, we'll talkabout that in a minute.
SPEAKER_08 (34:24):
I think it's it's full circle right now.
Um I think there's moreopportunity maybe to go, but
just it's all about my story.
And to to go, I think to go backin detail.
I had cancer 2015.
I was one week away from doingmy first Iron Man uh or half
(34:47):
Iron Man in Augusta.
Got diagnosed with leukemia,fought, fought four years later.
I went to Augusta.
Same year I did in Arizona.
Um soon after I did get incontact with you.
And I mean, you say why IronMan.
I remember being ball headedgoing through chemo on my
trainer, watching Kona videos.
(35:08):
So why Iron Man?
It it got me through.
It was special to me.
It for the first round ofleukemia, it it provided a way
for me to keep going.
Um was able to do another race.
I did co um Cosumel.
Then that was during COVID.
(35:29):
That was crazy times.
I I did have a pretty good job.
I did physical therapy.
Um I then I relapsed withleukemia.
I had a stem cell transplant.
I have pictures in my hospitalroom.
They have a just a regular bike,and I have a video that said I'm
(35:50):
getting ready for my next armin.
While I'm in the hospital, Iasked the doctor, can I do a
race next year?
One year from and she was like,I'm not sure.
So I signed up while I was inthe hospital for Gulf Coast.
So a year later I went to GulfCoast.
A year and a half later, I meanKona.
I just told somebody earliertoday, I'm one of the most
persistent people you'll everknow.
(36:11):
You can ask my wife, you'llprobably know that as well,
David.
You can probably ask Audra aswell.
I'm persistent when I wantsomething.
If I have a vision, I want to doit.
Um, so I just kept going.
And that time I raised$30,000for the foundation, Iron Man
Foundation, and that way I gotto go to Kona.
(36:32):
I lived out my dream.
My wife said, You said you weregonna go to Kona, and you did.
Um a different way than somepeople go, but hey, whatever.
SPEAKER_03 (36:42):
Yeah, you did it.
Like that.
I don't think I don't thinkanybody that's in the sport or
loves the sport cares how youget to Kona, and a great way is
racing for the foundation.
But if anybody deserved it, it'syou.
But let's go back just a littlebit.
Like how many people survivedleukemia?
SPEAKER_08 (37:02):
The numbers are better now.
Um, I I was older, it it's moreof a pediatric cancer.
When I got diagnosed the firsttime, I was under a pediatric
oncologist.
Um, I thought it was great.
I was around a lot of kids, itwas the environment was happy.
The second round, I was around alot of adults.
It was not as happy.
(37:23):
Um, and it was fearful goingthrough a transplant.
There was a lot of risk.
But I I was scared at first, butkind of made my faith and said,
I want to keep going.
The crazy story about the secondround of of cancer, my wife and
I were going through trying toget pregnant.
(37:44):
Um, I'll leave some of thedetails out, but we were trying
to get pregnant.
When I found out I was about togo in the hospital to start
everything with stem celltransplant, she left me a onesie
in the back of my truck.
Iron Man World Championship.
Future Iron Man World ChampionUmesie.
Like a little baby outfit thatshe got out of one of these
(38:05):
merch stores.
And that that was the firstpicture I found out I was gonna
have a baby.
So, what more to fight for mylife to to know my future son?
SPEAKER_03 (38:18):
Um, one of the things you said to me that still
has really stood out is we didthis interview with him, and it
lasted a couple hours.
It was really long because he'sreally good at telling a story.
And I remember I asked you thisquestion, and this has stuck
with me.
Um, I don't know why.
And I said, Wow, going throughthis, it must really help you
(38:42):
with your patience and andpeople that you are helping.
And you said something to theeffect of like not everybody
wants help, and I don't know whythat stuck with me so much.
I've learned that since then.
But can you elaborate a littlebit on that?
That you said something to theeffect that like not everybody
wants to get better like youdid.
SPEAKER_08 (39:00):
Uh I mean, some people would give up, some
people don't have that drive.
That it's I I worked in ahospital a long time and doing
home health therapy, and somepeople just didn't have that
want.
Um, they didn't have thatself-motivation, and it's I
always related Iron Man tocancer.
(39:22):
It was how far can you push yourmind and your body?
And it was true for both.
I mean, I've been on the coursefor Iron Man for five Iron Man.
Sometimes I I'm like, I don'thave to do this anymore.
Just like somebody maybe goingthrough an illness, it doesn't
have to be cancer, it could besomething else.
Um I I tell people all the time,I I remember the video in
(39:46):
Florida that y'all y'all followme.
I said, somebody will go throughsomething, it's how you respond.
So it's just like being on thecourse.
You're not gonna have a perfectday.
Something will go wrong, andwhat will how you respond?
That race in Florida, y'allvideoed me at a flat.
I could have sucked it up andjust said, hey, I'm out.
(40:07):
Well, it took me about 12minutes and I fixed my flat and
I kept going.
That might have cost me mysub-12 that I wanted to go, but
oh well, I finished.
That's fast.
SPEAKER_03 (40:19):
What last thing, two more things.
What do you say to people likeif they are going through
something like leukemia, andlike you said, it doesn't have
to be that?
Like we're you never give up, weknow that.
But what do you say to people,like what advice do you have to
people about if they're goingthrough tough times about not
giving up?
SPEAKER_08 (40:41):
Somebody asked me a similar question this week.
They knew somebody, a friend, uhgoing through something tough.
I believe it was cancer.
And I always said I'm the type Ihave to see long term.
I have to see a a goal.
Like Iron Man, you train formonths, months, months.
(41:03):
Um cancer for me, it was a longdrawn out.
So I I had to see the end.
And my doctor said, You justlet's get to today.
I'm like, Yes, but I have tohave a goal.
So maybe that's part of it.
Have a long-term plan.
I I got I wanted to see a kidbeing born.
I wanted to do Iron Man again, Iwanted to live, but also at the
(41:28):
same time, in a way is day byday, I always said, I have to
win the day.
Just today.
I'll worry about there's ascripture, I I won't quote it
because I'll get it wrong.
But don't worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow have their ownproblems.
Let's worry about today.
So win the day.
And for cancer, it was I had towin more days than it won.
(41:50):
Because it was gonna beat mesome days.
And just like right now, Ididn't know I was gonna be doing
this, and I hope sharing mystory uh like always, my story
helps somebody else.
Um you inspire me every day.
SPEAKER_03 (42:06):
You do you do.
I mean, I've I've known you fora while now.
We keep a little bit in touch,not a whole bunch, but not we
don't just see each other atevents.
SPEAKER_08 (42:17):
I tell people I I make a slight joke.
I said, I truly think Godeverybody has their beliefs, but
this is mine.
God saved my life.
I think prayer saved my life.
Um, I make a joke, I said, I Ithink there were so many people
praying for me.
God got tired of them and said,Look, I'm gonna take care of it,
(42:37):
just leave me alone.
Um, but I I think it's a no-giveup, and I never had to face
there there was a a few timeshere and there, I I did have to
face that is this the end?
Is will this kill me?
And that's maybe morbid, but itis the truth, it's life.
We're all gonna go.
But I had to just self-motivatea lot.
(43:01):
Um and somebody asked me whatmotivated what motivated me
during that time, and my wifesaid just sometimes just being
around people, doing things,going places, um, just being a
normal person, even though it'sbald headed, no eyebrows, no
hair, whatever.
Um it was Daniel Strong, andthen Daniel Strong 2.0.
SPEAKER_03 (43:26):
Yeah, yeah, you are that, that is for sure.
So now you're working at IronMan, you're doing sight, sights,
setting up, tearing down,setting up, tearing down,
setting up, tearing down, movingthree feet.
Do you like it?
I do.
SPEAKER_08 (43:43):
Um I get to see out of, I mean, it's been almost 10
years I I I've been racing, Ihave a much more appreciation
for Iron Man, everyone, everyonea part of Iron Man.
Just as y'all, uh anybody thatanybody that works for Iron Man,
(44:05):
which is if it's theregistration girls, anyone,
because there's so many details,and people that race and maybe
bad mouth certain things withIron Man, I wish they could come
work one race or one day and seehow much goes into it from what
you just said, move it threefeet or take this whole fencing
(44:27):
down and let's change it.
It is is the appreciation andthen also being at certain
points as an athlete and I knowwhat it is.
Uh I at finish line or intransition, I get to joke around
with the athletes.
At swim start, I get to makepeople laugh, smile, relax, get
(44:49):
in the water.
Hey, just joke with him.
Like, hey, it's just it's openwater.
Don't be scared.
Just have fun.
And it's going different places,seeing different people, and
especially, I mean it's thefinish line.
SPEAKER_03 (45:06):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_08 (45:07):
See not just the athlete, is the families, wife,
husband, kids, mothers,daughters, whoever, seeing them
watch their loved one, whatever.
Every one of those peopleprobably have a story why they
come why they wanted to do 140miles.
And I don't think it's it's badfor me to take a little time and
(45:31):
take a picture of them together,or wait and take a video of them
together.
I think that is why what makesit special.
Um some people it doesn't it'snot like that.
SPEAKER_03 (45:45):
Well, it's cool, you know, getting to hear your story
during COVID, like we didn't getto meet, then we got to meet at
a race, and we featured him in avideo at Iron Man Florida, which
was pretty cool because it cameout really good, in my opinion,
and it told your story, and thennow seeing you here working for
Iron Man, and then we're gonnasee you again at Iron Man
(46:07):
Florida as an athlete, butyou're taking it up a notch.
SPEAKER_08 (46:11):
I am.
This was uh somebody asked methe other day, so what what
next?
I said, Well, I still love torace, I still love Iron Man, um,
I still want to go sub-12.
But they like they said, Well,you've done Kona, you've done
five, now what?
So I was in Muncie, I met anathlete, and she had a guide.
(46:35):
She was autistic, she was partof Nick Nick's his team, one
percent.
And I told myself, Wow, maybethat's next.
What a great opportunity, and tosomething so gratifying um to
do.
So I actually met Chris and Nickand Kona.
We actually stayed at the sameresort, and it was awesome to
(46:56):
meet him.
What an inspiration he is, andand what he's done to win two
SBs to the all the marathons,everything he's done.
But I reached out to Nick andsaid, Hey, I can race.
Put put me with somebody, let mehelp somebody else cross the
finish line.
(47:17):
If it's uh for the first time,second time, whatever, let me
help somebody else.
And he said, Okay.
So actually last night we had acall with 17 out of 20 guides
that we're gonna have in Floridaum to try to grow their their
team.
And it's anybody from Downs toAutistic to Dyslexic to just any
(47:41):
any needs.
Um, I'm not sure who's myathlete just yet, but it really
doesn't matter as long as I canhelp somebody else cross the
finish line.
SPEAKER_03 (47:52):
Man, you're the real deal, man.
We appreciate you coming on.
Um, we'll obviously be inFlorida.
I kind of sense we might bemaking another feature video.
We'll cross that.
Don't do it for me.
Yeah, do it for that.
That's just a good story.
Like it's a good, it's that'swhat it's for.
Like it's it's a good story forthe team and your progression of
(48:14):
finally getting a 70.3 done,finally getting a full done,
going to Kona, and then comingand taking a job, like it's a
hard job, and it doesn't seemlike it's hard for you.
SPEAKER_08 (48:25):
I I don't think look, are there days where it's
raining, raining, it's muddy, itmaybe it's hot.
I don't look at as it I want toknow something funny.
I I don't even know when I'mgetting paid.
Seriously, I don't know what dayI I get paid.
When it shows up, I'm like,okay, great, I got paid.
(48:48):
I don't think of it as a job,it's something I love to do.
I maybe not sight all the time,but it's it's Iron Man.
If I can help any part of thissport, I'm here.
SPEAKER_03 (49:00):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_08 (49:01):
Super cool.
SPEAKER_03 (49:03):
Well, Daniel, thank you.
Um we'll see you in Iron ManFlorida.
Well, we'll see it tomorrow.
Probably at the swim start.
And so it's Friday.
Uh, we're hoping to release thisSaturday, but it might be next
week.
So it's Friday.
Saturday's the day before therace, then Sunday's race day,
then Monday's the hardest day ofthe week of breaking everything
(49:24):
down, and so but I was superglad to see you.
I haven't I know you've beenworking at Iron Man all summer,
but I haven't been at any of theraces you've been at.
SPEAKER_08 (49:32):
It's been fun.
Your team has all been verywelcoming.
I mean, I've known that foryears, meeting them.
Um they've they've helped me alot.
I won't go into detail.
They've helped me a lot atfinish line with with my wife
and kids, so that's veryappreciative.
SPEAKER_03 (49:51):
Yeah, the the uh and not to just go into a whole
nother story, but one of thethings you guys is was your
dream was to have your wife andand child meddle you.
And I remember I said somethingthat I did not have the clout to
back up, like, yeah, we'll makethat happen.
And well, because you had tohave a kid first.
Yes, and so you did that part,and then sure enough, it all
(50:12):
came together.
And uh I remember I also waslike, Told you so.
And it was well, you did most ofit, so pretty cool.
Daniel, thank you.
We love you, man.
We're we're proud to know you,you inspire, and it's cool that
we get to work together now.
I think that's something that Ijust a couple times I watched
you just doing your job today,and I was like, Yeah, that's
(50:34):
pretty awesome.
So thank you.
Congratulations for making it onthe team and be obviously being
a bright spot in the wholeorganization.
Thank you.
So, did you you know you knewDaniel, right?
SPEAKER_07 (50:46):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Um, part of the making thevideo.
I mean, he's amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (50:50):
Yeah, I figured you did that you were in Florida.
Amazing guy.
I got I got a little choked upthere, though.
SPEAKER_07 (50:56):
I'm not gonna lie.
There was a couple times Ireached up to just wipe, you
know, wipe some sweat off myface.
SPEAKER_03 (51:01):
I still am shocked that he used to have an Iron
Man's a great job.
I'm not trying to say it isn't agreat job.
Right.
Because obviously that's whatwe're here doing, but it's a
hard job, and not a lot ofpeople want to leave like
corporate life or their safejob, and move sandbags and fence
(51:24):
and set up tents and roll outcarpet and stuff like that.
But like I said to him, I waswatching him this week.
He doesn't complain, and heseems like he's really enjoying
it, and he seems super positive,and then the fact that he's
gonna go guide somebody.
I mean, that's that'sincredible.
I agree that's all about.
I still don't think athletesmake good staff.
SPEAKER_07 (51:45):
No, they don't, and and it's they try.
He might prove us wrong.
SPEAKER_03 (51:49):
I would love to be proved wrong.
I think he's gonna prove uswrong.
Uh they're lucky to have him.
I think he's only going up.
So we got a big day tomorrow.
Um tomorrow's probably the firstreal busy day of the week.
We've kind of eased into theweek.
We kind of feel a littleoverstaffed.
And starting tomorrow, we'regonna feel understaffed.
(52:10):
Well, we've got the exciting twoo'clock welcome.
The welcome ceremony is twoo'clock on Saturday.
It's usually a Friday nightthing.
Right.
And it's funny, somebody broughtthat up to me and they're like,
What are you doing tonight?
And I was like, Yeah, I don'tknow.
Every Iron Man I've ever beento, I have to work Friday night.
SPEAKER_07 (52:26):
I think it was both a shock on us when we both
looked at each other when theysaid two o'clock on Saturday.
And I was like, Well, was thatbecause of the hurricane last
year?
SPEAKER_03 (52:35):
And it was because of the hurricane last year, and
we'll just leave it at that.
Yes, yes.
So uh it's getting towards theend of our day here, so we're
getting ready to wrap it up forthe day and then hopefully have
a successful race, and we'llrecap that on our next one.
And we gotta make some kind ofAI song.
Yes, definitely.
(52:56):
So definitely I don't know whatthe AI song is.
We'll make an AI song aboutChattanooga whiskey.
I think we could do it.
All right, here we go.
Chattanooga whiskey.
SPEAKER_01 (53:12):
The sun dips along the Tennessee Hills.
Chattanooga's calling, I canfeel the thrill.
Ryan's on the porch drummingthat tune.
Wow, rhyme porn's whiskeybeneath the rising moon.
(53:34):
Chattanooga whiskey sweet, justrhyme at you off your feet.
We'll dance to the side.
Bam, bow, bow, bow.
Episode 29 of 500 Cats.
And this is gonna be a littlebit and just to be clear, we got
the episode number right.
And so, and not a guest, but a500 cats member, but doesn't
live in Boulder, so he's not onthe show very often.
We have Eddie Burgess today.
SPEAKER_07 (00:22):
Yeah, man.
I I love this town.
SPEAKER_03 (00:24):
Chat is just So, yeah, and that's what's
different today is we're we'regonna do our 500 Cats podcast
from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
We're here in town for Iron ManChattanooga, and the big
difference today is we're gonnapull in a bunch of the staff and
maybe a couple athletes and getsome sound bites from them.
(00:45):
As we've talked about, it's apodcast about the event
business, and the people we workwith I think are the best people
in the world, and I there's someof them are truly dear friends,
and all of them are hardworkers.
SPEAKER_07 (01:00):
Especially at this race.
I mean, it seems like this raceis the one people pick and want
to come to.
SPEAKER_03 (01:06):
Yeah, it it's uh it's a mixture of um the local
team, which includes our racedirector, Brian Meyrick, and
it's got a good volunteer force,which makes it easier on the
staff.
And then Chattanooga's fun.
Like, I mean, this is gonnasound a little bit lushy, but
(01:26):
they have IPA on tap everywhere.
SPEAKER_07 (01:30):
You know, I was talking, I was in the volunteer
tent uh stealing us a couplesodas just now, and you know,
the ladies have both been hereseven years, and I'm like, why
do you do it?
What are you doing?
She's like, This is the best.
It's my hometown.
Why wouldn't I do it?
SPEAKER_03 (01:44):
Yeah, and I I think that's like what most volunteers
why is is just they want tohelp.
They want to they want to makeit a better day for the actors.
SPEAKER_07 (01:57):
Make a difference.
Make a difference, I think, isthe big thing.
SPEAKER_03 (02:01):
It is Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is the
volunteer state.
SPEAKER_07 (02:07):
So exactly, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (02:10):
Awesome.
Well, let's bring our firstguest in.
We're gonna start at the top.
All the way.
I won't say we'll work our waydown, but we're gonna start at
the top, and we're gonna startwith uh not just a friend, um, a
coworker, he's definitely ourleader.
He I'll bet if there was likeathlete choice awards for who's
(02:31):
their favorite race director,I'll bet he would win.
He's very approachable to theathletes, less approachable to
the new staff.
Right, he's one of the goats,though.
He's one of the goats.
Brian Meyrick, he's our racedirector of Iron Man
Chattanooga.
And I'm not just saying this, Ithink you know this because we
work for you at other eventsoutside of Iron Man.
(02:52):
Brian's one of my favorites.
Brian, tell us how'd you get it?
Like you used to own the MuncieEndurathon.
Like you've been in triathlon along time.
How long have you been intriathlon?
SPEAKER_05 (03:05):
Yeah, I think uh I took over Muncie when I was 18,
you know, which in and of itselfis a pretty crazy experience to
stand up in front of what was atthe time and still is the oldest
half Iron Man in the world.
So uh that was 24 years ago.
A couple years into that, youknow, we sold Muncy to Iron Man.
But uh, you know, I got lucky.
My mom was involved on theadministrative side just by
(03:26):
luck.
She she took over registrationwhen I was a kid, and then at 18
I had the opportunity to acquireit, and I started race directing
at 18.
SPEAKER_03 (03:35):
Wow, and Muncie and Durathon, one of the longest
running uh it wasn't called 70.3when it started, but one of the
longest running half distance,which is now Iron Man 70.3
Muncy.
And then you stayed and racedirected for that for several
years.
SPEAKER_05 (03:51):
Yeah, I mean, I stayed in Muncy until what was
Iron Man Indiana?
Was that 2020, 2021?
Post-COVID, right?
So 2020.
So yeah, I mean, so I think thatwas you know, almost it was over
20 years of doing Muncy.
SPEAKER_03 (04:04):
Why are your races rated the highest?
I know we do customer surveysand stuff, and your races
literally come out Iron ManIndiana, Muncie come out as like
the athlete's favorite.
Why?
SPEAKER_05 (04:17):
You know, I mean, I think one, I try to pick venues
that work.
You know, you look at a Muncy,for example.
I didn't I didn't start it, butit made sense.
That venue, Prairie Creek,unbelievable venue for a
triathlon, and I think it justmakes sense.
Athletes appreciate that.
You know, and then when I movedaround for Iron Man producing
new events, you know, some werecertainly easier than others,
but Chattanooga, you know, I'vebeen fortunate to call this
place home for 11 years now.
(04:38):
It uh it works, it makes sense,but I have high expectations for
myself.
You know, I think I push thoseonto staff, and I I think the
athletes see at the end of theday.
Um, I I hope we put on greatraces.
We want to put on a greatexperience, and I think that's
the goal.
We I spent a lot of sleeplessnights trying to figure out how
to do that.
SPEAKER_03 (04:54):
Yeah, and then this is gonna be kind of a tough
question, but you're one of ourfavorite race directors, you
have high expectations for thestaff.
The staff chooses to come tothis race, but you have a
reputation as being a gruff,like being I don't even know how
to describe it because you'renot.
We wouldn't come here for otherraces outside of Iron Man, but
(05:16):
uh grumpy or whatever you wantto call it.
How come you think there's thatreputation, but you're literally
the nicest, most caring guy?
You've hey, I can tell it's notgoing well for you today.
You've asked me before, what doyou need?
Like, where do you get thatreputation when you're like the
best guy in the event business?
SPEAKER_05 (05:33):
I mean, I think you're you're being polite.
I mean, I think it's there's agood number of people that think
I'm an asshole, you know, and Ithink that it again it comes
back to high expectations.
You know, I have highexpectations for myself, and I
and we have a job to do here,you know, and I I pride myself
in putting on one heck of anexperience for our athletes.
That comes first, before the thepartying, the having fun, before
the goofing off.
(05:53):
I want to have fun.
And I think sometimes that'smistaken that uh, you know, I'm
just being a dick when inreality I just want to get done,
put on a phenomenal experience,and let's go have a good time.
SPEAKER_03 (06:04):
Yeah, and but at the same time, there's people like
myself and Eddie here who chooseto come to this race because of
you.
And oh yeah, we've remember theyear you got all the air
conditioners, and I found themat like 10 p.m.
And and I remember you justsaid, do your job, dude.
SPEAKER_05 (06:19):
I think and and I think it is that simple.
I think and I've had thisconversation a lot, you know,
and people are often come hereand I look around at our staff,
right?
We have a ton of young staffthis week in particular, and
there's like a reputation, like,oh my god, I gotta go work with
My Rick.
And uh I think that again, it'stough for me because uh I do
expect a lot, and if you don'tdo your job, I'm probably gonna
tell you that.
And it's that simple for me.
(06:40):
If you do your job, we're gonnaget along just fine.
And I think the people thatappreciate it, you guys come in,
you do your job, and and youdon't hear from me.
I'm not riding your ass.
But if you don't, then Iprobably do.
And so I think that's astruggle.
And I'm not saying it's perfect,but I have high expectations.
You don't do your you don't doyour job, I'm probably gonna
tell you you're not doing yourjob.
SPEAKER_03 (06:57):
And then, and maybe I I'm not with you 24 hours a
day, but I don't think theathletes have ever seen the
grumpy side of you or whateveryou want to call it.
I don't personally, I knowthere's athletes that get so far
out of line there's no other wayto deal with them.
But in general, the athleteslove you and they know you.
How come so many athletes knowyou?
(07:18):
Like you're not exactly goingout on Twitter every day and hey
guys, it's Brian here.
But every athlete knows who youare.
SPEAKER_05 (07:25):
Well, I mean, I think you know, one, there's
just timeline, right?
24 years of doing this and andputting on hundreds of races.
So I think there's some of that,but I do try to be present.
Uh, I do want athletes to knowthat you know, Iron Man is not a
machine that just happens.
There are people.
Uh the the three of us sittinghere are responsible for for
doing this, and I, you know, Iam the face of the local event.
(07:46):
And so, you know, when I seeathletes, I want just like I ask
you if you need anything, I askthem.
I want them to have a greatexperience.
If we can help with that, uh, Imean it.
You know, I do anything I couldto give somebody a better race
week experience, a better race.
Um, but I do try to uh to bepersonable and make sure that
I'm engaged with that community.
And and by the time you get tome, if you have a problem,
there's you're probably firedup.
And and I'm I'm normally prettyready to go.
(08:09):
Uh, you know, I'll giveeverybody a shot, but by the
time you get to me, a lot ofpeople have told you no, and I'm
probably just the last one totell you no.
SPEAKER_03 (08:16):
Is there any experience either here or in
Muncie that stand out to you aslike the best moment or the best
day?
Oh man, I don't I don't know.
I mean, I think that's it.
SPEAKER_05 (08:30):
There's so many, it's hard.
I have one for your race,though.
I think that I mean it's toughbecause for me it's people,
right?
I mean, it's us, and and wedon't do this for this long and
put the hours in that we do forthe pay or whatever.
I mean, it's a pretty thanklessjob at the end of the day.
We're we're out here to to havesome intrinsic, you know,
feeling that we did somethingcool and help people sort of do
something that was uhlife-changing for some, uh
(08:52):
rewarding for others.
And so I don't know if I have amoment.
I think for me, the the momentis just the people, is the
relationships.
We do this, you know.
I mean, we're on the road.
I'm not as much anymore with youguys, but back in the day, 300
nights a year on the road, Imean, it's a it's a family.
And I think, you know, it's it'santics and kona that we've all
been through when we get done atthe bar, and it's just like I
wake up in the back of a pickuptruck, I know, on my way out to
(09:15):
Queen K and don't know where I'mat, type stuff.
Like, there's plenty of fun oneslike that, but I think for me
it's it's stories.
You know, you were a part of theuh the event here when we lost
Chris Bean.
You know, I mean that's themoment I was gonna say Steve
Bean.
Steve is one of them, and so Italked to Steve uh a week ago.
Can you recap that story?
Yeah, so so years ago, it wasone of our first couple years
(09:36):
here.
We race week early in the week.
Cameron Bean um was hit by a caron a training run.
He's a professional athlete,professional runner, just across
from where we are now at Mox andBend, he was struck by a car
running and killed.
Uh don't quote me on this, butMonday or Tuesday of race week,
and and I got a call the nextday from his father, Steve, um,
(09:58):
and said, I want to race inhonor of my son.
And Steve had not trained, youknow, and so we brought Steve
and his other son Chris.
Uh, we brought him in and youguys uh helped me as I have a
few things going on.
You guys sort of took him in andhelped show him around and give
him the Iron Man experience.
And I mean, I'll never forgetthat Steve finished that Iron
(10:19):
Man, you know, with his familyhere and in honor of his son who
just passed, if I rememberright.
I think the funeral was Friday,you know, and and we you know we
buried his son and came andraced because his son would have
wanted it.
And uh I I think here in chatthat's probably one of the at
least the most profound momentsthat I have.
SPEAKER_03 (10:36):
For me, easily, like that stands out.
I we we bring it up every yearthat a guy like off the couch
finishes an Iron Man in hisson's name.
And then the paper did a coolwrite-up the next day, and I
mean they showed him it didn'tshow who won the race, it showed
him finishing at like 11:30 atnight, which was super cool.
Brian, you're one of the specialones.
(10:57):
Um, you also write race directthe Chattanooga Marathon, so
it's a half marathon andmarathon or just half marathon.
SPEAKER_05 (11:04):
Yeah, we've got marathon, half marathon, 5K, and
kids fun run.
So for uh end of March this uhcoming up in 2026.
SPEAKER_03 (11:10):
And if you're anywhere in the area or travel
for these kind of events, Ithink that's a great one.
Um it's well produced, just likethe Iron Man Chattanooga is.
We love you, man.
You you make it fun, that's whywe're here this year.
We could be in Augusta, you knowthat.
SPEAKER_05 (11:24):
Yeah, I know, but it but it's but it's Augusta.
I mean, we're in chat.
Look at this.
I mean, you guys can't see whereat, but we're sitting on the
banks of the Tennessee Riverhaving a good time.
So I appreciate the the you knowpartnership that we've had and
friendship because uh this iswhat makes us do this, right?
I mean, who wants to work 30hours over the next uh two days
uh if we're not having a goodtime?
So let's have a good time, let'sdo our jobs, put on a great
show, and uh then we'll go havesome beer.
SPEAKER_03 (11:45):
Sweet.
Love you, man.
Thanks, boys.
SPEAKER_07 (11:48):
Man, Myrick's the best.
What what a great guy, and man,it it's just like how he is with
athletes is amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (11:57):
He's a friend.
Yeah, yeah, he's a friend.
Like there's a lot of peoplehere that are just friends, and
if we aren't working for IronMan someday, we're still gonna
be friends and we're still gonnakeep in touch.
SPEAKER_07 (12:07):
It's like a small town, it's a moving small town,
and and everybody knowseverybody's business.
It's like there's my brother,there's my sister, and uh, you
know, and it's it's crazy thatway.
SPEAKER_03 (12:16):
Speaking of like the Iron Man family, we'll introduce
the Iron Man family, but I wouldsay the most important person at
the event is the race director.
I think that's why they'recalled the race director.
There's a few races where theremight be somebody else that is
equal, but the second most, andin some races the most important
(12:37):
is the volunteer director.
SPEAKER_07 (12:39):
100%, because we can't do it without volunteers.
SPEAKER_03 (12:42):
This race and every race like it is not possible
without the help of thevolunteers.
But from the Iron Man family offive, right?
Five.
I think we have two introduceher here in a second.
Alex High.
Her son works for her brother,sorry, her brother works for BCC
(13:04):
Live in Boulder, Colorado.
Ryan, he's on the podcastregularly.
Her dad does Calm for Iron Man.
Yep.
Yep.
Her mom is here working, butretired from Iron Man, but is
here working.
So she says.
Everybody kind of retired.
And then your husband is thebrother of one of my best
friends, um, John Christin, whois the brother of my good friend
(13:27):
Dave Christon.
And so we've been talking aboutwhat a cool small world it is.
But Alex is here with us.
Hang on.
Hello.
How's it going?
So you are we said this aboutRyan Richards.
I don't really ever see youcranky.
Never.
You always have that greatsmile, you're always happy.
(13:49):
How many volunteers do you havethis weekend?
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
So total over the course of the entire race
weekend, I have just over 2,000.
SPEAKER_03 (13:56):
How do you get 2,000 people to come out here on their
own time and support a race?
SPEAKER_00 (14:03):
Honestly, it's it's triplefold.
So I have great captains, whichare my group leaders.
So these are nonprofit leaders,they're school group leaders
such as team captains, um, bandleaders, uh, club leaders.
They recruit a ton of ourvolunteers uh to come out into
the race to support ourathletes, to earn volunteer
hours for their kids, as well asgive out grant we give out grant
(14:26):
money for these volunteer groupsto come in.
Um, our community is supersupportive.
So Chattanooga loves this racecoming in.
Our community gets very excited.
We're called the volunteer statefor a reason.
So we have a lot of locals comeout to volunteer.
As well as athletes and theirsupporters are eager to help out
on race day.
They know how important it is tohave volunteers at each race,
(14:49):
essentially.
So we have a lot of athletes andsupporters helping us out
pre-race.
So yeah, that's a it's a great,great community.
SPEAKER_03 (14:57):
Is the responsibility of you know no no
no volunteers, no race.
Correct.
Is the responsibility of finding2,000 people daunting like when
when does it start?
I assume it starts like Monday.
SPEAKER_00 (15:09):
Right, right.
It does, yeah.
So I give myself maybe a littlebit of a little bit of a break,
so about a week to to decompressafter this race, and then we're
we're back to the races.
So um pretty much for the so wehave the two races, so we have
the 70.3 in May, and then thisone in in September.
Um I start for the 70.3 inNovember of this year, pretty
(15:30):
much.
Um, and then shortly after,honestly, for the full, I start
in January, February, starttalking to different groups in
the area, seeing their interestin coming and and volunteering
with us.
SPEAKER_03 (15:39):
So and I think one of the things that surprises me
about a lot of the volunteerdirectors, they have no idea
what they're getting into.
It sounds good, but you did.
Like you had worked other rolesat Iron Man, you knew exactly
what you were getting into andstill did it.
Why?
SPEAKER_00 (15:56):
Honestly, it was it was a great way to get to know
my community.
Um, so I got this job, shoot, Ithink four months after I moved
into into Chattanooga.
So it was a great way for me tojust kind of kick start my my
introduction into theChattanooga community.
And honestly, I love workingwith people.
I love seeing how inspired ourvolunteers get by watching the
(16:19):
race.
I love seeing them inspireathletes.
So honestly, I love working withthe with the community and with
the athletes and with thevolunteers and just making races
great.
So honestly, it was a very easyyes to Brian when he asked.
SPEAKER_03 (16:32):
So Yeah, and we had just talked with Brian and what
a great person he is, but um,that he attracts people like
you.
I mean, that's what it is, is hecan get the best people to come
work for him.
Is there a moment at Iron ManChattanooga that stands out for
you?
Is there any one volunteer orone finisher or one person you
(16:54):
help that stands out?
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
I would say it's it's I look toward our our last
athletes.
So it's the last athletes thatare coming out of the water, the
last athletes that are comingoff the bike onto the run, and
the last athletes over thefinish line.
They've fought all day for fortheir race, and they have they
have volunteers out there untilthe wee hours in the morning
helping them out.
And we have aid stations keepingthe energy from you know seven
(17:19):
in the morning until one in onein the morning, and they are so
enthusiastic, enthusiastic andexcited to help these last
athletes cross the finish line.
It's it's truly the mostinspirational part of the of the
race, and seeing the the partyat the finish line for the last
athlete coming across, themusic, the the hype, and seeing
again the volunteers at thefinish line ready to greet them
(17:40):
with their metal, theirhard-earned medal, it's just
it's amazing to see.
SPEAKER_03 (17:43):
So oh man, that gets me excited.
SPEAKER_00 (17:46):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (17:46):
Well, you are nothing short of a gym, like you
I've watched you transform thisrace.
You do you did inherit some ofthe best volunteers, like the
LaFeuse, and there's a lot ofpeople here at this race that I
go, oh yeah, I remember you, andI see, and they they have the
same role every year.
Um and we'll see them tomorrowat the Iron Kids.
(18:09):
And um you've built a greatteam.
Congratulations on what a greatjob you've done.
SPEAKER_00 (18:14):
Oh, thank you very much.
Yeah, no, I could not do itwithout my volunteers.
I tell them every email andevery time I get to talk to them
in person, I could not do thisjob without them.
And like you said, I inherited agreat group.
I've recruited great volunteersthat keep the keep the legacy of
Chattanooga going.
So it's it's it's veryrewarding.
SPEAKER_03 (18:31):
This race and every race like it is not possible
without the help of thevolunteers.
And Alex High.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate it.
Yeah, of course.
Thank you.
I think like just for me, AlexHigh is such a rock, and she has
a lot of snacks.
SPEAKER_07 (18:50):
You know, that's the main part is you know, you go
over there and the volunteersare like, wait, hang on, are you
volunteers?
And I've learned if you take awarm drink and take a cold
drink, you can substitute drinksand stuff like that.
And they then they startlaughing, and then they start,
you're good, you're in theyou're in the game.
SPEAKER_03 (19:10):
They do take care of us here.
I remember um the volunteer foodtent has saved me many a time
that sometimes the staff doeshave to dig in only when there's
some available, but she's great.
Um like I said, the wholefamily, like her her dad, Ken
has given me some really goodadvice before, like business
(19:31):
advice.
And I was going through a afalling out with a coworker, and
he gave me some really goodsupportive advice, and I'll
never forget that.
Um their mom, Sarah, is thenicest person ever.
Oh my gosh, and it's alwayshappy.
And we saw her the other day,and we forgot that we don't see
her every day, and she's like,no hug, and I was like, I saw
(19:53):
you last week, and she's like,You haven't seen me in months
because I haven't been on tour,and I kind of felt bad.
SPEAKER_07 (19:58):
Yeah.
But you know, we give Ryan ahard time because he doesn't
believe we went to the moon, butI try to tell him we went, you
know, and he fights.
SPEAKER_03 (20:09):
It's right.
So he'll surely hear thisepisode.
Uh, one thing we shouldn't haveasked, we should have asked, is
how do you get involved involunteering?
Right.
And I know you can emailvolunteers at
ironmanchattnooga.com or atironman.com.
It's pretty easy.
You can go to the Iron Manwebsite.
Um, or you can reach out to usat 500Cats and we can point you
(20:32):
in the right direction.
SPEAKER_07 (20:33):
And there are some awesome And it's amazing to talk
to these people that arevolunteers.
And you uh yeah, I talked to acouple earlier, and uh, they've
been doing it for seven years.
I was like, why do you do it?
We love it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:43):
The registration captain goes to like bluegrass
festivals his spare time, and wefound out yesterday we have a
ton of music in common and stufflike that.
And he's the one that sent me umseveral years ago I was getting
into trail running, and he sentme across the river to some
great trail runs.
It is, yeah, you get to know thevolunteers, and you get away.
SPEAKER_07 (21:03):
I'll tell you who I like.
One of my favorites, and andhe's since come over to our
side.
Bill from Wisconsin.
Yes, finish line captain.
SPEAKER_03 (21:13):
Yes, oh my gosh, who used to be the hardest person to
work with, and now the peoplethat get in our shot are
regretted because of him.
SPEAKER_07 (21:22):
He takes care of them.
It's like, hey guys, back here,and he's like, Where should I
put the line?
SPEAKER_03 (21:27):
Yeah.
So, well, you know, one of thethemes of the podcast today is
it's it's obviously Iron ManChattanooga, but is all the
amazing people that we get towork with.
And one of them we're gonnabring on here is Ryan Richards.
Oh, wow.
And he used to be the racedirector at Iron Man Wisconsin,
he's now a regional director.
I'll let him explain, blah,blah, blah, blah, blah.
(21:48):
But another guy who might be thebest human being alive.
Yes.
If you needed help, you needed akidney.
He would give it up.
Yes.
Ryan, tell us a little bit aboutyourself.
You're wearing a 70.3 Omahashirt.
Is that in your region nextyear?
SPEAKER_06 (22:05):
It is.
It is.
Uh, yeah.
So I transitioned uh late springover to be the Midwest regional
director for Iron Man.
It's uh it's been it's been avery interesting summer for me.
Um doing a lot of differentthings that I normally didn't do
as the race director, but uhdoing doing as the regional
director.
But it's uh it's been a lot offun.
(22:27):
I still get to go to all theraces, I still get to see all
the people I love.
BCC, you know, get to see themat the races, and that's what
means the most to me is beingable to see everybody still.
SPEAKER_03 (22:36):
And we've worked together for over 20 years.
I know my first year inWisconsin was 2006, and you were
the race director.
We've been through a lottogether, but tell me a little
bit about the like camaraderiewe have amongst obviously not
just me and you, but uheverybody.
SPEAKER_06 (22:55):
Yeah, I mean it it you know there's there's there's
a lot of great Iron Man staff,but what a lot of people don't
realize is all of the the teamsthat are supporting this the the
event that don't get seen, don'tget heard necessarily.
Um, you know, we've gottremendous partnership with
Lakeshore Athletic Services, atremendous partnership with
sports stats, BCC Live.
(23:16):
I mean, it the you know the listis the list is big, and that
doesn't, you know, of coursethat includes all of the
communities and the and the lawenforcement and the public works
departments that we work withthat that you know they're
they're the unsung heroes,they're the ones that that do a
lot um behind the scenes thatreally make this a special event
for the athletes and thespectators.
SPEAKER_03 (23:36):
What draws you to it?
Like you've been doing it a longtime, uh not just you've been
just doing events.
Used to work for LAS, which isuh they do Lakeshore athletic
services, they do tents andbarricades and road closures,
and you used to work for them,and then you gravitated and did
some Iron Man stuff and someother we used to do milkman.
Like, what is it that you likeabout events that it's hard
(23:59):
work, it's not really fun.
I mean, you know, it's like it'shard work.
We have fun doing it, right?
But it's not like a rollercoaster.
SPEAKER_06 (24:07):
It's the people that make it fun, right?
I mean, it you're right, it'snot necessarily fun work.
You tell people what you'redoing, and they're like, ugh,
you know, and then you know,sometimes you tell people what
you do and they don't understandreally what it is, and like, oh
my god, you get to do that everyweekend, that must be so fun.
And then you're out picking upgoo wrappers at 2:30 in the
morning in the pouring rain tomake sure that the city is clean
after an event.
(24:28):
But um, you know, I think whatwhat makes it fun for me, and
and you touched on it, and we'vetalked a little bit about it,
but it it's it's truly therelationships.
I am not an endurance athlete.
I've done a couple of 5K races,I've done a couple of you know,
canoe bike run triathlons andstuff, but I've I've never done
an Iron Man, I've never done a70.3, I have really no desire
(24:49):
to, but I love being able toproduce them for people, and I
love being able to see theathletes' sense of
accomplishment.
I love being able to see thefamilies and the pride and the
energy and the um you knowdevotion that everybody put in,
and then get to see the finishedproduct of them crossing the
finish line.
Like for me, like that's thecool thing of uh of being a part
(25:11):
of these events.
SPEAKER_03 (25:12):
What do you think gives you like you of all people
have the most balanced demeanorand your relationship with the
athletes is second to none.
The way you talk to theathletes, the way you treat the
athletes, and even when theydon't treat you well, which
isn't often, but it happens.
Somebody's uh disgruntled aboutsomething, and the way you
(25:33):
listen and respond calmly, wheredo you get that from?
What is that?
It's it's just you're one of themost unique people I work with
because of how you're alwayscalm.
SPEAKER_06 (25:44):
I I mean that's that's something I hang my hat
on.
I I try to maintain, you know,being calm.
I also like I think just beingable to listen to people and
give them a straight answer backas much as I can is is the key,
right?
Like a lot of times they justwant to talk, they want to vent,
they want to complain, theywant, they want to be heard, and
(26:04):
I'm happy to open my ears and beand listen to them and then and
then give them the best answerback that I can.
And it may not always be whatthey want to hear, but at least
they know that they were heardand and listened to and and and
got an answer back.
SPEAKER_03 (26:18):
This is a tough question.
I should have mentioned itbefore so I had a chance to
think about it, but what's thebest day in the event business?
Like what is there one day thatstands out as that was the day?
SPEAKER_06 (26:30):
Um I mean, ra race day is always fun.
Um for for me when I was when Iwas the race director, I always
loved Friday afternoon andSaturday um before the race
because by then your yourmeetings with the cities, this
the government offices haveclosed, there's not a lot of
change that's gonna happen,things are pretty well set, and
(26:52):
you really just kind of get toenjoy the experience of of the
expo, of the energy, of thebuild-out, and seeing the people
who are moving around andfiguring stuff out for
themselves.
Like a lot of the people thatmay not have done a race, when
they finally get to see wherethe change tents are, how
they're gonna flow throughtransition, where the finish
(27:13):
line actually is, so they cantalk to their family about it.
Like this is where it's gonnabe.
So I I I really do like the daybefore the event, but I mean,
there obviously it's it'ssomething special about race
day.
Um, if I could take it a stepfurther and say the day I like
the least, it's the Tuesdayafter because it's a it's a
complete letdown.
Monday, Monday, you're stillreally busy, you're doing things
(27:36):
for after a after an Iron Manrace, you've got the awards
banquet, a lot of places we'vegot a volunteer party to go to,
and Tuesday's just kind of thatletdown.
You're like, well, it's over,you know.
SPEAKER_03 (27:47):
Yeah, yeah, that's it.
I I agree to me, it's the dayafter.
There's still stuff going on,but you're so you're so tired.
Okay, I want to just tell onequick story.
I've only seen you mad once, orI've only seen you mad at us
once.
And this goes back to like, I'mjust gonna guess 2010 Iron Man
Wisconsin, and we are guilty ofsometimes playing the music too
(28:11):
loud, and you had come over andsaid, Hey, when it's midnight
and the athletes are in, goahead and kill it and let's get
done.
And we did, and we went aheadand killed it and got done, but
we knew there was this guy outon the course, and so we kind of
just cleaned up around the PA,and Mike Riley had left, but
then Mike Riley was coming back,he went to the Great Dane, of
(28:35):
course, and so he's coming, he'scoming back from the Great Dane,
and we're like, Hey Mike,there's a finisher coming in,
and he grabs the microphone andhe goes, Crank it up, and this
is at 1 a.m.
And we turned it up really loud,and all of a sudden our tent,
the sidewell just flew off, andyou ripped it off, and you
started spitting cuss words, andand like we were scared, like
(28:57):
you were pissed.
SPEAKER_06 (29:00):
I I promise you it was probably very short-lived.
SPEAKER_03 (29:03):
It was and it was well deserved.
But the the story takes even afunnier turn that then Mike
Riley like fell on the sword andsaid, I made him do it, and he
didn't.
He left and went to the GreatDane, right, and then was
walking back to his hotel,happened to see it happening, so
we gave him the mic and turnedit back up.
(29:23):
And then it took even another.
So Mike fell on the sword andtold you it was his idea, and
that kind of calmed you down andstuff.
But then the next day thatdoesn't change anything.
SPEAKER_06 (29:33):
No, no, no.
I'm not but it calmed you downat us.
It's just much to blame.
It calmed you down at us.
SPEAKER_03 (29:38):
But then the next day, the president of Iron Man
at the time his name was BenFurtick, sent an email to the
staff and said, Class act,waiting for my friend that came
in at 1 a.m.
I really appreciate it.
And we went to Mike and said,You're gonna tell him, right?
And he's like, Nope.
He's like, I fell on the sword,I'm taking this one.
(29:59):
But I Always remind Ryan of thatbecause it was just kind of
funny.
I wish I could say the words,but it was UMFers, and yeah, he
was pissed.
It's the only time I've seen youmad in 20 years of all the
things that have happened at theevents.
And it was rightfully so.
SPEAKER_06 (30:16):
I, you know, I mean, it was rightfully so.
Like I said, it was veryshort-lived.
It was one.
It just comes, it comes likeobviously when we move into a
community and produce theseevents, it's not for everybody.
I mean, we'd we're we'rehyper-focused on the athletes
and the spectators and thepeople directly involved in the
race.
But we, you know, it's veryimportant for me to remember
that there are other residents,there are other community
(30:37):
members that want to move about,want to go to bed.
You know, they don't always wantto hear you are an Iron Man till
all hours of the night.
So I understand it.
It's one of the things I've goneback and forth with the city of
Madison.
They've they've started to leaveme alone now.
But like that particular year,it was it was a hot button
issue.
And you know, we had talkedabout decibel levels and things
like that.
(30:57):
And after 10 p.m., it wassupposed to go down to I don't
remember what it was, 85 orsomething like that.
And you know, and we did it.
We were we were accomplishingwhat we went set out to do until
the last minute, 1 a.m.
And uh yeah, it became a itbecame a party for a couple more
minutes, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (31:16):
In all seriousness, I do apologize.
Um, but I always remind him ofit because it was funny.
We've been through a lot ofother things than helping people
and ties and lows and stuff likethat.
But um, I know you know this,you're a true friend, and it's a
privilege to get to work withyou.
And I miss you as the racedirector of Iron Man Wisconsin,
(31:38):
but then having you at all ofthe races, like in in general,
the Midwest region, althoughthis is the South, right?
But in the Midwest we region isawesome because you bring uh you
bring a calmness to the race,and like you mentioned to me
earlier, what do you let peopledo?
SPEAKER_06 (31:55):
You let people I let I just let and like this is kind
of what I was gonna, you know,the feeling is very mutual.
When I when I see the the thestaff chart of the people that
are coming, like there's like ohI know we're in really good
shape.
And when you know BCC Live isalways on that list as well, and
I it's just like I'm gonna letpeople do what they do.
(32:17):
I'm I'm not a micromanager atall.
Like if there's if there'ssomething that maybe I should
you know think that should bechanged, we're gonna have a
discussion.
I'm not gonna tell you what todo, I'm gonna find out why you
think it should be like thisbecause it might be a better
idea than what I have, but we'regonna have a quick discussion
about it and then we're gonnawe're gonna move on with a you
know with a good answer.
(32:37):
But I've uh I feel like it'sbest to just let people do their
thing, and we're allprofessionals, we all know what
the end result needs to be, andjust let people do it.
SPEAKER_03 (32:46):
Yeah, let people do their job, is what you said
earlier today.
Yeah, well, we appreciate you.
We appreciate you coming on the500 cats.
You're one of the 500 cats.
I love it.
So we appreciate you, and it'sgonna be a great weekend here in
Chattanooga.
Thank you, Ryan Richards fromMadison, Wisconsin.
Thank you, appreciate you guys.
All right, so I I actually knowthis next guy, Daniel.
(33:08):
I actually know him from beforewe met via the internet.
I met him and his wife, and hehappened to have a Springer
Spaniel, too.
So that's what got you.
SPEAKER_07 (33:20):
That's what got you right there.
SPEAKER_03 (33:22):
Um, yeah, so it and then he was looking to get a job
with Iron Man, and then startingthis year, I guess he got in
touch with um Zucchini and isgot a job.
So, Daniel, welcome to the show.
Yeah, welcome, Daniel.
unknown (33:37):
Thanks.
SPEAKER_03 (33:39):
So tell us who you are and where you're from.
I'm Daniel Alamon fromLafayette, Louisiana.
I don't want to tell your story,so I want you to tell your
story, but you were an athletefirst.
That's a big red flag for staff.
That's a big red flagsoft-heard.
Yeah, it's what and we talkedabout this earlier.
(34:00):
It's it's it's called watchingthe band.
And when we did live shows, someof the staff would want to watch
the band, but you're there towork, and so with athletes, a
lot of times they're like, Mybuddy's coming in, I gotta go
see my friend on the run course.
And so and I get it, becausewhen you have friends that are
racing, it's a big deal.
But why did you want to comework for Iron Man?
(34:21):
You had a good job, we'll talkabout that in a minute.
SPEAKER_08 (34:24):
I think it's it's full circle right now.
Um I think there's moreopportunity maybe to go, but
just it's all about my story.
And to to go, I think to go backin detail.
I had cancer 2015.
I was one week away from doingmy first Iron Man uh or half
(34:47):
Iron Man in Augusta.
Got diagnosed with leukemia,fought, fought four years later.
I went to Augusta.
Same year I did in Arizona.
Um soon after I did get incontact with you.
And I mean, you say why IronMan.
I remember being ball headedgoing through chemo on my
trainer, watching Kona videos.
(35:08):
So why Iron Man?
It it got me through.
It was special to me.
It for the first round ofleukemia, it it provided a way
for me to keep going.
Um was able to do another race.
I did co um Cosumel.
Then that was during COVID.
(35:29):
That was crazy times.
I I did have a pretty good job.
I did physical therapy.
Um I then I relapsed withleukemia.
I had a stem cell transplant.
I have pictures in my hospitalroom.
They have a just a regular bike,and I have a video that said I'm
(35:50):
getting ready for my next armin.
While I'm in the hospital, Iasked the doctor, can I do a
race next year?
One year from and she was like,I'm not sure.
So I signed up while I was inthe hospital for Gulf Coast.
So a year later I went to GulfCoast.
A year and a half later, I meanKona.
I just told somebody earliertoday, I'm one of the most
persistent people you'll everknow.
(36:11):
You can ask my wife, you'llprobably know that as well,
David.
You can probably ask Audra aswell.
I'm persistent when I wantsomething.
If I have a vision, I want to doit.
Um, so I just kept going.
And that time I raised$30,000for the foundation, Iron Man
Foundation, and that way I gotto go to Kona.
(36:32):
I lived out my dream.
My wife said, You said you weregonna go to Kona, and you did.
Um a different way than somepeople go, but hey, whatever.
SPEAKER_03 (36:42):
Yeah, you did it.
Like that.
I don't think I don't thinkanybody that's in the sport or
loves the sport cares how youget to Kona, and a great way is
racing for the foundation.
But if anybody deserved it, it'syou.
But let's go back just a littlebit.
Like how many people survivedleukemia?
SPEAKER_08 (37:02):
The numbers are better now.
Um, I I was older, it it's moreof a pediatric cancer.
When I got diagnosed the firsttime, I was under a pediatric
oncologist.
Um, I thought it was great.
I was around a lot of kids, itwas the environment was happy.
The second round, I was around alot of adults.
It was not as happy.
(37:23):
Um, and it was fearful goingthrough a transplant.
There was a lot of risk.
But I I was scared at first, butkind of made my faith and said,
I want to keep going.
The crazy story about the secondround of of cancer, my wife and
I were going through trying toget pregnant.
(37:44):
Um, I'll leave some of thedetails out, but we were trying
to get pregnant.
When I found out I was about togo in the hospital to start
everything with stem celltransplant, she left me a onesie
in the back of my truck.
Iron Man World Championship.
Future Iron Man World ChampionUmesie.
Like a little baby outfit thatshe got out of one of these
(38:05):
merch stores.
And that that was the firstpicture I found out I was gonna
have a baby.
So, what more to fight for mylife to to know my future son?
SPEAKER_03 (38:18):
Um, one of the things you said to me that still
has really stood out is we didthis interview with him, and it
lasted a couple hours.
It was really long because he'sreally good at telling a story.
And I remember I asked you thisquestion, and this has stuck
with me.
Um, I don't know why.
And I said, Wow, going throughthis, it must really help you
(38:42):
with your patience and andpeople that you are helping.
And you said something to theeffect of like not everybody
wants help, and I don't know whythat stuck with me so much.
I've learned that since then.
But can you elaborate a littlebit on that?
That you said something to theeffect that like not everybody
wants to get better like youdid.
SPEAKER_08 (39:00):
Uh I mean, some people would give up, some
people don't have that drive.
That it's I I worked in ahospital a long time and doing
home health therapy, and somepeople just didn't have that
want.
Um, they didn't have thatself-motivation, and it's I
always related Iron Man tocancer.
(39:22):
It was how far can you push yourmind and your body?
And it was true for both.
I mean, I've been on the coursefor Iron Man for five Iron Man.
Sometimes I I'm like, I don'thave to do this anymore.
Just like somebody maybe goingthrough an illness, it doesn't
have to be cancer, it could besomething else.
Um I I tell people all the time,I I remember the video in
(39:46):
Florida that y'all y'all followme.
I said, somebody will go throughsomething, it's how you respond.
So it's just like being on thecourse.
You're not gonna have a perfectday.
Something will go wrong, andwhat will how you respond?
That race in Florida, y'allvideoed me at a flat.
I could have sucked it up andjust said, hey, I'm out.
(40:07):
Well, it took me about 12minutes and I fixed my flat and
I kept going.
That might have cost me mysub-12 that I wanted to go, but
oh well, I finished.
That's fast.
SPEAKER_03 (40:19):
What last thing, two more things.
What do you say to people likeif they are going through
something like leukemia, andlike you said, it doesn't have
to be that?
Like we're you never give up, weknow that.
But what do you say to people,like what advice do you have to
people about if they're goingthrough tough times about not
giving up?
SPEAKER_08 (40:41):
Somebody asked me a similar question this week.
They knew somebody, a friend, uhgoing through something tough.
I believe it was cancer.
And I always said I'm the type Ihave to see long term.
I have to see a a goal.
Like Iron Man, you train formonths, months, months.
(41:03):
Um cancer for me, it was a longdrawn out.
So I I had to see the end.
And my doctor said, You justlet's get to today.
I'm like, Yes, but I have tohave a goal.
So maybe that's part of it.
Have a long-term plan.
I I got I wanted to see a kidbeing born.
I wanted to do Iron Man again, Iwanted to live, but also at the
(41:28):
same time, in a way is day byday, I always said, I have to
win the day.
Just today.
I'll worry about there's ascripture, I I won't quote it
because I'll get it wrong.
But don't worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow have their ownproblems.
Let's worry about today.
So win the day.
And for cancer, it was I had towin more days than it won.
(41:50):
Because it was gonna beat mesome days.
And just like right now, Ididn't know I was gonna be doing
this, and I hope sharing mystory uh like always, my story
helps somebody else.
Um you inspire me every day.
SPEAKER_03 (42:06):
You do you do.
I mean, I've I've known you fora while now.
We keep a little bit in touch,not a whole bunch, but not we
don't just see each other atevents.
SPEAKER_08 (42:17):
I tell people I I make a slight joke.
I said, I truly think Godeverybody has their beliefs, but
this is mine.
God saved my life.
I think prayer saved my life.
Um, I make a joke, I said, I Ithink there were so many people
praying for me.
God got tired of them and said,Look, I'm gonna take care of it,
(42:37):
just leave me alone.
Um, but I I think it's a no-giveup, and I never had to face
there there was a a few timeshere and there, I I did have to
face that is this the end?
Is will this kill me?
And that's maybe morbid, but itis the truth, it's life.
We're all gonna go.
But I had to just self-motivatea lot.
(43:01):
Um and somebody asked me whatmotivated what motivated me
during that time, and my wifesaid just sometimes just being
around people, doing things,going places, um, just being a
normal person, even though it'sbald headed, no eyebrows, no
hair, whatever.
Um it was Daniel Strong, andthen Daniel Strong 2.0.
SPEAKER_03 (43:26):
Yeah, yeah, you are that, that is for sure.
So now you're working at IronMan, you're doing sight, sights,
setting up, tearing down,setting up, tearing down,
setting up, tearing down, movingthree feet.
Do you like it?
I do.
SPEAKER_08 (43:43):
Um I get to see out of, I mean, it's been almost 10
years I I I've been racing, Ihave a much more appreciation
for Iron Man, everyone, everyonea part of Iron Man.
Just as y'all, uh anybody thatanybody that works for Iron Man,
(44:05):
which is if it's theregistration girls, anyone,
because there's so many details,and people that race and maybe
bad mouth certain things withIron Man, I wish they could come
work one race or one day and seehow much goes into it from what
you just said, move it threefeet or take this whole fencing
(44:27):
down and let's change it.
It is is the appreciation andthen also being at certain
points as an athlete and I knowwhat it is.
Uh I at finish line or intransition, I get to joke around
with the athletes.
At swim start, I get to makepeople laugh, smile, relax, get
(44:49):
in the water.
Hey, just joke with him.
Like, hey, it's just it's openwater.
Don't be scared.
Just have fun.
And it's going different places,seeing different people, and
especially, I mean it's thefinish line.
SPEAKER_03 (45:06):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_08 (45:07):
See not just the athlete, is the families, wife,
husband, kids, mothers,daughters, whoever, seeing them
watch their loved one, whatever.
Every one of those peopleprobably have a story why they
come why they wanted to do 140miles.
And I don't think it's it's badfor me to take a little time and
(45:31):
take a picture of them together,or wait and take a video of them
together.
I think that is why what makesit special.
Um some people it doesn't it'snot like that.
SPEAKER_03 (45:45):
Well, it's cool, you know, getting to hear your story
during COVID, like we didn't getto meet, then we got to meet at
a race, and we featured him in avideo at Iron Man Florida, which
was pretty cool because it cameout really good, in my opinion,
and it told your story, and thennow seeing you here working for
Iron Man, and then we're gonnasee you again at Iron Man
(46:07):
Florida as an athlete, butyou're taking it up a notch.
SPEAKER_08 (46:11):
I am.
This was uh somebody asked methe other day, so what what
next?
I said, Well, I still love torace, I still love Iron Man, um,
I still want to go sub-12.
But they like they said, Well,you've done Kona, you've done
five, now what?
So I was in Muncie, I met anathlete, and she had a guide.
(46:35):
She was autistic, she was partof Nick Nick's his team, one
percent.
And I told myself, Wow, maybethat's next.
What a great opportunity, and tosomething so gratifying um to
do.
So I actually met Chris and Nickand Kona.
We actually stayed at the sameresort, and it was awesome to
(46:56):
meet him.
What an inspiration he is, andand what he's done to win two
SBs to the all the marathons,everything he's done.
But I reached out to Nick andsaid, Hey, I can race.
Put put me with somebody, let mehelp somebody else cross the
finish line.
(47:17):
If it's uh for the first time,second time, whatever, let me
help somebody else.
And he said, Okay.
So actually last night we had acall with 17 out of 20 guides
that we're gonna have in Floridaum to try to grow their their
team.
And it's anybody from Downs toAutistic to Dyslexic to just any
(47:41):
any needs.
Um, I'm not sure who's myathlete just yet, but it really
doesn't matter as long as I canhelp somebody else cross the
finish line.
SPEAKER_03 (47:52):
Man, you're the real deal, man.
We appreciate you coming on.
Um, we'll obviously be inFlorida.
I kind of sense we might bemaking another feature video.
We'll cross that.
Don't do it for me.
Yeah, do it for that.
That's just a good story.
Like it's a good, it's that'swhat it's for.
Like it's it's a good story forthe team and your progression of
(48:14):
finally getting a 70.3 done,finally getting a full done,
going to Kona, and then comingand taking a job, like it's a
hard job, and it doesn't seemlike it's hard for you.
SPEAKER_08 (48:25):
I I don't think look, are there days where it's
raining, raining, it's muddy, itmaybe it's hot.
I don't look at as it I want toknow something funny.
I I don't even know when I'mgetting paid.
Seriously, I don't know what dayI I get paid.
When it shows up, I'm like,okay, great, I got paid.
(48:48):
I don't think of it as a job,it's something I love to do.
I maybe not sight all the time,but it's it's Iron Man.
If I can help any part of thissport, I'm here.
SPEAKER_03 (49:00):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_08 (49:01):
Super cool.
SPEAKER_03 (49:03):
Well, Daniel, thank you.
Um we'll see you in Iron ManFlorida.
Well, we'll see it tomorrow.
Probably at the swim start.
And so it's Friday.
Uh, we're hoping to release thisSaturday, but it might be next
week.
So it's Friday.
Saturday's the day before therace, then Sunday's race day,
then Monday's the hardest day ofthe week of breaking everything
(49:24):
down, and so but I was superglad to see you.
I haven't I know you've beenworking at Iron Man all summer,
but I haven't been at any of theraces you've been at.
SPEAKER_08 (49:32):
It's been fun.
Your team has all been verywelcoming.
I mean, I've known that foryears, meeting them.
Um they've they've helped me alot.
I won't go into detail.
They've helped me a lot atfinish line with with my wife
and kids, so that's veryappreciative.
SPEAKER_03 (49:51):
Yeah, the the uh and not to just go into a whole
nother story, but one of thethings you guys is was your
dream was to have your wife andand child meddle you.
And I remember I said somethingthat I did not have the clout to
back up, like, yeah, we'll makethat happen.
And well, because you had tohave a kid first.
Yes, and so you did that part,and then sure enough, it all
(50:12):
came together.
And uh I remember I also waslike, Told you so.
And it was well, you did most ofit, so pretty cool.
Daniel, thank you.
We love you, man.
We're we're proud to know you,you inspire, and it's cool that
we get to work together now.
I think that's something that Ijust a couple times I watched
you just doing your job today,and I was like, Yeah, that's
(50:34):
pretty awesome.
So thank you.
Congratulations for making it onthe team and be obviously being
a bright spot in the wholeorganization.
Thank you.
So, did you you know you knewDaniel, right?
SPEAKER_07 (50:46):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Um, part of the making thevideo.
I mean, he's amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (50:50):
Yeah, I figured you did that you were in Florida.
Amazing guy.
I got I got a little choked upthere, though.
SPEAKER_07 (50:56):
I'm not gonna lie.
There was a couple times Ireached up to just wipe, you
know, wipe some sweat off myface.
SPEAKER_03 (51:01):
I still am shocked that he used to have an Iron
Man's a great job.
I'm not trying to say it isn't agreat job.
Right.
Because obviously that's whatwe're here doing, but it's a
hard job, and not a lot ofpeople want to leave like
corporate life or their safejob, and move sandbags and fence
(51:24):
and set up tents and roll outcarpet and stuff like that.
But like I said to him, I waswatching him this week.
He doesn't complain, and heseems like he's really enjoying
it, and he seems super positive,and then the fact that he's
gonna go guide somebody.
I mean, that's that'sincredible.
I agree that's all about.
I still don't think athletesmake good staff.
SPEAKER_07 (51:45):
No, they don't, and and it's they try.
He might prove us wrong.
SPEAKER_03 (51:49):
I would love to be proved wrong.
I think he's gonna prove uswrong.
Uh they're lucky to have him.
I think he's only going up.
So we got a big day tomorrow.
Um tomorrow's probably the firstreal busy day of the week.
We've kind of eased into theweek.
We kind of feel a littleoverstaffed.
And starting tomorrow, we'regonna feel understaffed.
(52:10):
Well, we've got the exciting twoo'clock welcome.
The welcome ceremony is twoo'clock on Saturday.
It's usually a Friday nightthing.
Right.
And it's funny, somebody broughtthat up to me and they're like,
What are you doing tonight?
And I was like, Yeah, I don'tknow.
Every Iron Man I've ever beento, I have to work Friday night.
SPEAKER_07 (52:26):
I think it was both a shock on us when we both
looked at each other when theysaid two o'clock on Saturday.
And I was like, Well, was thatbecause of the hurricane last
year?
SPEAKER_03 (52:35):
And it was because of the hurricane last year, and
we'll just leave it at that.
Yes, yes.
So uh it's getting towards theend of our day here, so we're
getting ready to wrap it up forthe day and then hopefully have
a successful race, and we'llrecap that on our next one.
And we gotta make some kind ofAI song.
Yes, definitely.
(52:56):
So definitely I don't know whatthe AI song is.
We'll make an AI song aboutChattanooga whiskey.
I think we could do it.
All right, here we go.
Chattanooga whiskey.
SPEAKER_01 (53:12):
The sun dips along the Tennessee Hills.
Chattanooga's calling, I canfeel the thrill.
Ryan's on the porch drummingthat tune.
Wow, rhyme porn's whiskeybeneath the rising moon.
(53:34):
Chattanooga whiskey sweet, justrhyme at you off your feet.
We'll dance to the side.
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