The TriDot Triathlon Podcast

Do you have an unconventional schedule and still want to train and race to your maximum potential? Do you struggle to fit in training with travel? Can you still prioritize nutrition while on the road? Coaches April Spilde and Julie McPhilomy join host Vanessa Ronksley to share how they balance training, racing, and their social life with their non-traditional work schedules. From April's service in the Air Force to Julie's life in ...

Triathletes come to the sport from all kinds of backgrounds. Some discover it from scratch, while others bring years of experience in another discipline. For Coach Chris Navin, that foundation was cycling. In this episode, Chris shares how he found triathlon and how his background as a cyclist shaped his journey across all three disciplines. He breaks down the advantages and challenges that come with a cycling background, including...

Triathletes come to the sport from all kinds of backgrounds. Some discover it from scratch, while others bring years of experience in another discipline. For Coach Matt Bach, that foundation was running. In this episode, Matt shares how he found triathlon and how his background as a runner shaped his journey across all three disciplines. He breaks down the advantages and challenges that come with a running background, including how...

You may know Flo as @desktotriathlete on Instagram, but her journey is about so much more than social media. In this special episode, Flo shares how she went from a complete beginner to qualifying for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, all while training with TriDot under the guidance of Coach Will Usher. Flo and Will join Andrew to talk about setting ambitious goals, what it took to achieve them, and how data-driven training and...

Triathletes come to the sport from all kinds of backgrounds. Some discover it from scratch, while others bring years of experience in another discipline. For Coach Will Usher, that foundation was swimming. In this episode, Will shares how his background as a swimmer shaped his journey across all three disciplines. He breaks down the advantages and challenges that come with a swimming background, including how those strengths transl...

Being a triathlete takes time. Being a parent takes even more. So can you really be both? Absolutely! Coaches and busy parents Katrine Trolle and Brady Hoover join the podcast to share their practical tips for balancing training with the demands of family life. From school, homework, and playdates to finding time for those important workouts, they share strategies for fitting triathlon into a busy family schedule without missing th...

Fresh off her personal-best performance at IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore, Emma Weiss joins Andrew alongside her coach, Katrine Trolle, to recap the race and the journey that led her there. Emma shares how consistent training, race-day experience, and mental strength came together for a breakthrough performance, while Katrine explains the role she played in Emma’s development and preparation. Together, they highlight just how importan...

There’s no age limit on triathlon and getting older doesn’t mean you have to stop getting faster. While many athletes discover triathlon when they’re younger, more and more athletes are finding success later in life. This week, coaches Kurt Madden and Kathy Hudson join the podcast to share practical tips for thriving as an older triathlete and continuing to train, race, and improve with age. They cover the key are...

As triathletes, many of us simply open TriDot, complete the workout, and move on. But what if your brain processes training differently? The good news is that neurodivergent athletes can not only succeed, they can thrive. This week, Coach Raya Usher joins the podcast to discuss what it's like to train and race as a neurodivergent athlete. Drawing from both her personal experience and her work as a coach, Raya shares the strategies ...

More and more athletes are asking ChatGPT to build their training plans, and what comes back looks professional, detailed, and personal. In this episode, Jeff Booher, founder and CEO of Predictive Fitness and creator of FitLogic, explains why a language model can produce a plan that sounds exactly right and still be wrong for the athlete running it. The catch is built into the situation: the reason you asked for help is the same re...

More is better. It is the most common belief in endurance sport, and it is quietly costing runners and triathletes their best results. In this joint TriDot and RunDot episode, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie for the follow-up to “Triathlon Training’s Biggest Lie.” If more isn’t the answer, what is? Jeff takes apart the volume-versus-intensity debate, explains why the popular 80/20 rule was never built fo...

You PLAY a sport, meaning that there should be an element of fun included! So how can you infuse more fun into swim, bike, and run? Host Vanessa Ronksley chats with TriDot Coaches Elizabeth James, Kurt Madden, and Matt Sommer about "15 Ways to Make Triathlon Training Fun." After listening to this episode, you'll be more excited to get after your upcoming training sessions, conquer your next assessment, whip-up a delicious post-trai...

Do you have big goals but aren't sure how to turn them into a clear plan? This episode is for you. Legendary running and triathlon coach Bobby McGee returns to the podcast to share his four-level goal-setting framework, helping endurance athletes move beyond outcome-based goals and focus on the daily habits and processes that drive long-term success. Bobby also explores the mental side of performance, including emotional regulation...

After months of dedicated training, it's easy to believe race day will go exactly as planned. But the reality is that setbacks happen. Whether it's an injury, a mechanical issue, nutrition problems, or simply a bad day, every athlete eventually faces adversity. In this episode, Coach Stephen Horan shares how the setbacks in his own athletic journey transformed not only his mindset, but also the way he coaches others through challen...

Whether you're completely confused by cassette numbers, never quite sure when to shift, or you've wondered why some rides feel effortless while others make every hill feel personal, this episode is for you. Vanessa Ronksley is joined by Petrina Tulissi who helps us break down the fundamentals of cycling efficiency from gearing and cadence to shifting and bike handling strategies that can make every ride smoother and more enjoyable....

We're back for another episode where our triathlon coaches answer YOUR questions! Coaches Ryan Tibball and Ken Presutti jump into the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! Learn why TriDot uses pace (not average pace), training for hills in a flat environment, and tips for pushing through when you want to stop. Listen in as the coaches teach us about how to maximize your training schedule so shorter distances won't nega...

Red light therapy (RLT) is everywhere right now, from recovery studios and wellness clinics to at-home panels and full-body beds. But does the science actually support the hype? In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Taryn Richardson, creator of the Red Light Therapy for Athletes Evidence-Based Masterclass, along with coach Elizabeth James, to unpack what endurance athletes really need to know about red light therapy. They break d...

With unprecedented access to professional triathletes through live race coverage, social media, and YouTube, it’s easier than ever to follow the training, racing, and recovery habits of the sport’s top athletes. But just because the pros are doing something doesn’t always mean it’s the right approach for age-group athletes. On this episode, former professional triathletes Mark Allen and Mirinda Carfrae break...