This week on The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we head to New Zealand to catch up with Murray Drinnan — proof that it's never too late to become an endurance athlete. Murray didn't lace up his running shoes until age 57, and since then he's built a résumé most lifelong athletes would envy.

Murray takes us back to his first Ironman, complete with the rookie mishaps every first-timer can relate to, and walks us through how that race sparked a full-blown obsession with endurance sport — one that's since evolved into brutal, awe-inspiring ultra trail races. And if that's not impressive enough, Murray is doing all of this as a father of 8.

Whether you're just starting out, feeling like you're "too old" to begin, or looking for the next big challenge, Murray's story is a masterclass in showing up and going further than you thought possible.

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Ashley’s favorite Instagram personality, Mary Brown, joins Mike and Ashley for a fun conversation about her journey from basketball courts in France to the world of endurance sports! 🇫🇷🏀🏃‍♀️

Mary started running during business school, completed the LA Marathon in 2016, and discovered triathlon in 2025 after tackling an ultramarathon. After completing Ironman 70.3 La Quinta in December 2025, she set her sights on a full-distance Ironman—specifically Ironman California. There was just one problem: it sold out before she could register.

Then, thanks to her role as a SHOKZ ambassador, Mary won an Ironman entry and secured her spot at this year’s Ironman California! 🎟️🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

She also shares her current training for a century ride, while Mike and Ashley offer advice as she prepares for 140.6 miles. Plus, Mike drops his unpopular opinion about riding on roads with speed limits of 40 mph or more! 🚴‍♂️💨

#TheEverydayIronman #Ironman #Triathlon #AgeGroupTriathlete #IronmanTraining #TriathlonTraining #EnduranceAthlete #IronmanCalifornia #SHOKZ #Cycling #CenturyRide

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This week on The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we sit down with Damon Watson for a conversation you won't forget. Damon's story defies every stereotype about who gets to call themselves an endurance athlete. A Princeton grad with a Harvard law degree, Damon's path took a dramatic turn — time served in LA County, years living on Skid Row, and a return trip to San Bernardino County jail, but it was in the wreckage of that chapter that Damon found triathlon.

Today, Damon is a full Ironman finisher and an Aqua Bike champion, proof that redemption isn't just possible — it's trainable, one workout at a time. We talk about rock bottom, rebuilding identity through sport, and what it really takes to become a champion after starting from nothing.

If you need a reminder that it's never too late to rewrite your story, this episode is for you.

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This week on The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Lori Elliott joins us for an incredible conversation about how endurance sports have transformed her life. With previous guest Brian Weyenberg filling in as co-host for Mike, Lori shares the story of a childhood accident that threatened her ability to run—and how that setback ultimately led her to triathlon after getting bored with just running.

Her endurance journey began in the late 1990s/early 2000s and has taken her around the globe. Lori has completed a half marathon, full marathon, and triathlon on all seven continents! 🌎🏃‍♀️🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️ She shares memorable experiences from racing and traveling, a helpful tip for staying warm during cold-water swims, and what’s next—including racing the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France later this year.

Suffering from FOMO? Lori also shares how you can race in Antarctica in January 2027!

Learn more or book your own adventure: https://marathon-adventures.com/

#EverydayIronman #Triathlon #AgeGroupTriathlete #Ironman703 #SevenContinents #EnduranceSports #TriathlonLife #AntarcticaRace

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What does it take to run one of the most legendary ultra race series in the world? Ryan Cooper knows. 🏔️

Ryan joins The Everyday Ironman Podcast straight from the operational heart of UTMB North America, where he oversees logistics for half of their North American race series. But before the behind-the-scenes work, there was a personal journey into endurance sports that will resonate deeply with every age group athlete listening. 🎙️💪

Ryan pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to execute world-class trail and ultra running events, shares his passion for the trails, and gives fascinating insight into what separates ultra distances from everything else in endurance sport. 🌲🏃

Whether you're a triathlete curious about trail running or an endurance junkie chasing your next big goal, Ryan's perspective will light a fire under you. 🔥

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Ready to take your triathlon adventures off the beaten path? In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we welcome Paul Gigliotti and Nathan King, the race directors of XTERRA Branson, to answer all the questions first-time off-road triathletes are asking.

After recently purchasing her first full-suspension mountain bike, Ashley reached out to Paul and Nathan to learn what it takes to make the leap from road racing to XTERRA. The conversation covers the history of XTERRA Branson, trail etiquette, mountain bike and shoe recommendations, course insights, and what athletes can expect on race day. They also officially announce the 2027 race dates, making this the perfect time to start planning your next adventure.

Whether you're XTERRA-curious or already love dirt, this episode is packed with practical advice to help Age Group Athletes confidently tackle their first off-road triathlon.

#EverydayIronman #XTERRA #XTERRABranson #OffRoadTriathlon #MountainBiking #Triathlon #AgeGroupAthlete #SwimBikeRun #TrailRacing #EnduranceSports

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Want to level up your training? Coach Josh Venis has you covered. 🎯

Josh joins The Everyday Ironman Podcast to deliver a masterclass for age group athletes at every level. Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting started, Josh's coaching insight is practical, actionable, and immediately applicable to your next training block. 💪

Fresh off completing Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley, Josh digs into some of the most talked-about training topics in triathlon — the role of music in your workouts, how to structure a smart marathon training plan, and his top five tips for training in the heat. 🎵🏃☀️

Josh brings the kind of coaching wisdom that is worth a pretty penny — but he's giving our listeners some great insight right here.

Grab your headphones, hit play, and take notes. This one's a keeper. 🎙️📝

You can find him at https://www.veniscoaching.com.

#EverydayIronman #Triathlon #AgeGroupAthlete #TriathlonCoach #TriathlonTraining #HeatTraining #MarathonTraining #Ironman703 #IronmanHappyValley #TriathlonTips

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At 85 years young, Australia's Alf Lakin proves that age is no barrier to chasing finish lines.

In this inspiring episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Alf shares his remarkable journey from a track and field athlete to becoming a seven-time World Championship competitor in triathlon and duathlon after discovering the sport in 2016. We laugh about Ashley's pre-show technology coaching session before diving into Alf's incredible mindset, including his personal motto: "If I can start a race, I want to finish it."

Alf explains the standard Super Sprint triathlon distances, why Sprint and Super Sprint racing remain his favorites, and offers valuable advice on longevity, including trusting your body while maintaining a strong relationship with your doctor. We also discuss whether age-adjusted swim cut-off times should exist, making for a thoughtful conversation every age-group athlete will appreciate.

#EverydayIronman #Triathlon #AgeGroupAthlete #SuperSprint #SprintTriathlon #WorldChampionships #TriathlonPodcast #EnduranceSports #HealthyAging #NeverStopRacing

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