Have you ever wondered whether that lingering ache is just soreness—or the beginning of a real injury?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew is joined by physical therapist, triathlon coach, bike fitter, and fellow endurance athlete Dr. Steph Peterson for an honest conversation about injuries, recovery, and staying healthy for the long haul.

Steph shares her personal journey through stress fractures, underfueling, ankle injuries, and balancing triathlon through every season of life—from junior elite racing to motherhood, coaching, and opening her own physical therapy practice.

Together, Jill and Steph discuss what endurance athletes can do to reduce their injury risk, recognize warning signs before they become major setbacks, and build a training routine that supports long-term success.

• Why injuries happen—even to experienced athletes
• The difference between soreness and pain that shouldn't be ignored
• Why underfueling is still one of the biggest mistakes endurance athletes make
• How strength training helps prevent common triathlon injuries
• The importance of proper bike fit and when it's time for a refit
• How HRV and other training metrics should (and shouldn't) guide training
• The mental side of recovering from injury and disappointing race performances
• Practical strategies to stay healthy while training for marathons, IRONMAN®, 70.3, and other endurance events

Whether you're training for your first sprint triathlon, your next marathon, the Dopey Challenge, or chasing a personal best at IRONMAN, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start applying immediately.

Dr. Steph Peterson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, endurance coach, professional bike fitter, and longtime triathlete. She works with endurance athletes to help them recover from injuries, optimize movement, and return to racing stronger than ever.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is returning to the United States in 2027—and specifically, to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

If you've spent any time in triathlon circles recently, you've probably seen the reactions online. Some athletes are thrilled. Others are wondering why Chattanooga was selected over more "exotic" destinations.

In this episode, I sit down with Triathlon Joe, one of the sport's most recognizable voices on social media and a Chattanooga local, to talk about what athletes can realistically expect from the return of Worlds to the Scenic City.

We discuss:

• Why Chattanooga was the worst-kept secret in triathlon
• Why the World Championship course likely won't be the same as the annual 70.3 course
• The legendary Chattanooga swim and the challenges of swimming upstream
• What the 2017 World Championship course looked like
• The brutal reality of racing in Tennessee heat and humidity in August
• Logistics, travel, and why Chattanooga may be one of the easiest World Championship venues to navigate
• Qualification roll-downs and whether demand for Chattanooga will be different than recent European championships
• The incredible triathlon community that makes Chattanooga a special place to race
• Why community, friendships, and connection keep so many of us coming back to this sport year after year

Whether you're hoping to qualify for Chattanooga, considering racing there, or simply love talking about the future of our sport, this episode offers an inside look at one of triathlon's most talked-about announcements.

Train with purpose. Race with confidence. And as always…

Be Fierce. Be You.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode:

• Why IRONMAN 70.3 has become a favorite distance for many athletes
• Travel, race-week preparation, and managing pre-race anxiety
• First impressions of the Happy Valley course and expo experience
• Swim conditions, wetsuit decisions, and navigating the long transition
• Funny race-day mishaps (including forgetting to remove a swim skin!)
• Breaking down the infamous Happy Valley bike course and its 4,200+ feet of climbing
• Spectator support and the unique atmosphere of racing through Amish country
• Fueling mistakes and the lessons learned from underfueling
• Mental challenges during the run and strategies for getting through dark moments
• Why difficult races can be the perfect preparation for IRONMAN Lake Placid
• The importance of community and how fellow athletes can help carry you to the finish line

✅ Tough courses reveal your strengths and weaknesses.
✅ Nutrition mistakes compound quickly and are difficult to recover from.
✅ Every athlete, regardless of pace, experiences dark moments during long-course racing.
✅ Community support can completely change your race experience.
✅ Hard races often provide the best preparation for future goals.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Sharon's first sprint triathlon race recap
• Navigating transition and race morning logistics
• Pool swim challenges and crowded swim lanes
• Managing race-day nerves and swim anxiety
• Bike course strategy, hills, and passing athletes
• Lessons learned from a first triathlon experience
• Garmin triathlon mode mistakes and race data mishaps
• The importance of proper triathlon gear and fit
• Why local sprint triathlons are great first events
• What surprised Sharon most on race day
• Comparing training expectations to race reality
• Planning upcoming sprint and Olympic-distance races
• Discussing future 70.3 goals
• Why community support matters for new triathletes

Learn more about coaching, bike fitting, training plans, and the Be Fierce community:

Website: befiercemultisport.com

Follow along as Sharon's "Baby Triathlete" journey continues in future episodes.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode:

• Lindsay's journey from Ironman and Kona to gravel racing
• Why she chose Unbound 200 as her first ultra-endurance gravel event
• What makes gravel racing so different from road cycling and triathlon
• Racing through thunderstorms, lightning, mud, and changing conditions
• How Unbound's support system and drop bags work
• The crash at mile 40 and continuing despite injuries
• Nutrition lessons learned over 200+ miles
• Mechanical skills every endurance athlete should learn
• Tubeless tires, chains, flat repairs, and race-day bike prep
• Training for a 200-mile gravel race
• The supportive culture of the gravel community
• Why more women should consider gravel racing
• The unforgettable finish line experience at Unbound
• Lessons in resilience, adaptability, and embracing new challenges

🌐 Long Game Endurance Coaching
longgameendurancecoaching.com

🌐 Be Fierce Multisport
befiercemultisport.com

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode:

• Sharon shares her experience completing her first-ever open water swim event
• The unexpected challenge of wearing a wetsuit for the first time
• Why open water swimming feels completely different from pool swimming
• Learning to sight and stay on course
• Race starts, swim anxiety, and building confidence in open water
• Pool swim triathlons versus open water triathlons
• Brick workouts and practicing transitions
• Choosing race-day gear and tri-suits
• Common mistakes first-time triathletes worry about
• Managing pre-race nerves and expectations
• The value of experience over perfection
• Looking ahead to Sharon's first sprint triathlon in just 11 days

Key Takeaway:

Confidence doesn't come from having all the answers. It comes from showing up, practicing, learning, and gaining experience one step at a time. Every experienced triathlete was once a beginner.

Connect with Be Fierce Multisport:

Website: https://befiercemultisport.com

Be Fierce. Be You.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode:

• Jim shares his stage 4 cancer diagnosis and treatment journey
• How he continued training through chemotherapy, surgeries, and setbacks
• Why he believes endurance sports prepared him for the toughest challenge of his life
• His philosophy of discipline, sacrifice, suffering, and pain
• The story behind his new book, Just Keep TRI-ing
• Raising funds for the Ironman Foundation
• Preparing for Kona 2026

📖 Jim Logan's Book: Just Keep TRI-ing
https://amzn.to/3RCJ6et

❤️ Support Jim's Ironman Foundation Fundraising Campaign
https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participants/4148

🌐 Learn More About the Ironman Foundation
https://www.ironmanfoundation.org

🏊‍♀️ Coaching with Be Fierce Multisport
https://befiercemultisport.com

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s it like to race the inaugural edition of a full-distance IRONMAN?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow athletes Dawn Edens and Belinda DeWitt to break down their experience racing IRONMAN Jacksonville 2026 — from the unusual tidal swim and windy bike course to the heat, logistics, nutrition struggles, and emotional finish-line moments.

Belinda shares the powerful story of losing more than 150 pounds and finally earning her first IRONMAN finish after multiple attempts, while Dawn discusses chasing Kona through the Legacy Program and what makes Jacksonville a surprisingly beginner-friendly full-distance race.

If you’re considering IRONMAN Jacksonville, preparing for your first full-distance triathlon, or just love hearing honest race-day stories from endurance athletes, this episode is for you.

Topics include:

• The inaugural IRONMAN Jacksonville course
• Swim conditions & tidal currents
• Wind and heat management on the bike
• Race nutrition adjustments
• Spectator experience & race logistics
• Mental toughness during an IRONMAN
• First-time finisher emotions
• Whether Jacksonville is a good beginner IRONMAN

Train with purpose. Execute with intention.

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.

We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!

Click here to schedule a consultation

Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!

Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.