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Get ready to be inspired! On today's show, we're diving deep with Shane Kent, the 2021 UM Australia champion, who's about to take on a challenge often called 'The toughest triathlon in the world': Arch to Arc. You'll hear how Shane's triathlon career began with a bike found on the side of the road and propelled him through the 515 distance, all leading up to this monumental endeavor. 

We break down Arch to Arc's incredible stages: an 87-mile / 140 km run from London to Dover, a 21-mile / 34 km swim across the English Channel, and a 181-mile / 291 km bike from Calais to Paris. Shane also gives us an exclusive look into his intense training and tells us exactly how we can track his progress when his official challenge window kicks off between August 15th and August 24th, 2025.

Follow the Arch to Arc live tracker : https://enduroman.com/live-tracking

Shane’s Instagram : @shane_rockss

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UM Australia
• Arch to Arc
• IM Melbourne
• Sufferfest
• Canadaman 
• Kiwiman
• Celtman
• Norseman
• IM Taupo
• Aid Station

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Tim Franklin (S7E4)
• Shane Murphy
• Chris Manteit 
• Angela Manteit 
• Daniel Thompson
• Cath Spencer
• Neill Williamson 
• Jen Williamson 
• Luke Keddie 
• Doug Kent 
• Tris Lahey
• Michael Durrington
• Steven Walker
• Claire Smith
• Melissa Kent
• Paul Robinson

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

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Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Mary and Randy Latza! Hailing from Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, this power couple has an astonishing 32 Ultraman events under their belts either racing or crewing. 

They'll share invaluable lessons and heartwarming stories of the friendships they've built as part of "Rat Pack 2.0." But their racing doesn't stop there—Mary and Randy are also gearing up for the Ironman World Championships in Nice and Kona. 

Plus, Mary sheds light on Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare condition impacting her family, and how she's used events to raise awareness and funds. You can find more information and donation links at this website.  

515 is Now on YouTube.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• DeSales University 
• IM Ottawa
• IM Lake Placid
• IM St. George 
• Ultraman Florida
• IM New York City
• IM Mont-Tremblant
• IM Louisville
• IM Switzerland
• IM Waco
• Stiff Person Syndrome
• Ultraman World Championships
• IM Nice
• IM Wisconsin
• FulGaz 
• Spartan
• Death Race
• Winter Death

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Julie Moss
• Eric Suro
• Simon Shurey
• Sheryl Cobb (S2E6)
• Mark Jones
• Tom Regal
• Billy Rickards (S7E1)
• Joan Kim
• Dede Greisbauer (S3E13) 
• Leanda Cave  (S1E8)
• Billy Edwards
• Chris McCormack 
• Cynthia Bartus 
• Ryan Toner
• Jeremy Howard (S2E8)
• Chuck Kemeny
• Steven Keller (S2E10)
• Jamie Harris  (S2E11)
• Jen Annett (S6E9)
• Armando Armelli  (S4E9)

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with John Domandl, whose triathlon career spans over 40 years and includes more than 150 events, along with four World Championships. In 1988, John proudly represented Australia at the Seoul Paralympics. 

We caught up with him right after his second time competing at Ultraman Australia 2025, where he experienced quite the adventure in Noosa! Hear all about the ups and downs of those three days for John and his dedicated team. 

John, who lives with retinitis pigmentosa, is also an ambassador for Cure Blindness Australia. You can learn more about their important work on their website.

Find the Live Stream links for 2025 UM Australia on YouTube.  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UM Australia
• 1988 Seoul Paralympics 
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Foster Ironman
• Calfee designs 
• Stages cycles
• World Para Triathlon London
• World  Mulitsport Long Course Championships
• Challenge Roth 
• Ultra 355 Australia
• IM Hobart 70.3
• Bellview Parkrun
• IM Western Australia
• New York Marathon
• Cure Blindness Australia

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Kim Jenkins
• Dee Fuller  (S4E12)
• Alister Trendell
• Paul McGlynn
• Steve King (S1E1)
• Leone McGlynn
• Dan Merange
• Jason Clarke
• Ben Gaffey
• Andrew Trout
• Dan Casey
• Duncan Adams
• Paul  McGlyn
• Jay Gaffey
• Craig Percival
• Ailie Payne
• Simon Cochrane (S4E8)
• Shane Duffy (S4E5)
• Kirsty Sheehan (S7E5)
• Kellie Ridges
• Peter Lee
• Michael Wakeman
• Rebecca Goodwin
• Tiff Dahl
• Erica Riley
• Tamara  Lee
• Peter Wheatley
• Catherine Wheatley      
• Jeff Morris (S7E4)
• Beñat Oliveira (S7E6)
• Tim Belstead (S7E5)
• Reece Byrne
• Ben Yates  
• Gail Laux
• Michael Laux
• Sam Cooke
• Nicola Mattheus 
• Hanno Mattheus

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

The 2025 UM Australia created a star in the man who was behind the camera for the Live stream.  Beñat Oliveira is a former competitor from 2023 who returned to help out the Dream Team make more dreams come true.  

He joins me to talk about that experience and why he has returned to the Basque region from Sydney. Spoiler: Triathlon.  His current job has him advising the New South Wales Department of Health in Artificial Intelligence, so we also delve into that.  

You can find the full, unedited, conversation with Beñat on YouTube.  

515 is Now on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast

Also find the LiveStream links for 2025 UM Australia.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UM Australia
• IM Vitoria-Gasteiz 
• Benat Youtube video about UM Australia 2023
• Euskara 
• Sydney Basque Club
• Txokos (basque kitchen)
• UM New Zealand
• UM Australia Day 2 final hours 

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Steve King (S1E3)
• Jeff Morris (S4E8)
• Gerard Estivil 
• Fernando Durango
• Mario Vincent
• Gotzon 
• Iñigo Muñoa
• John Domandl
• Dee Fuller  (S4E12)
• Kirsty Sheehan (S7E5)

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

UM Australia 2025 celebrated the 10th anniversary of the event this year.  We were a part of it by creating a Live Stream of all 36 hours.  In this episode we speak to the champions of 2025, Tim Belstead and Kirsty Sheehan to hear about how the race unfolded for each of them.

In the final segment, Jeff Morris, the UM race director shares his experiences from this year and a little information about a new race UM New Zealand.

Check out the Alex Gadomski Foundation here.

UM Australia 2026 applications.  

Link to the 2025 UM Australia 515 Youtube playlist. for the full library of the live streams.

515 is Now on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 70.3 Taupo World Championships 
• Hervey Bay 100
• Hervey Bay Tri Club
• Gold Coast Marathon
• Sydney Marathon
• Cairns Ironman
• Alex Gadomski Foundation
• MultiSport World Championships
• Melbourne 70.3 
• Ironman Busselton

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Jeff Morris (S4E8)
• Tim Franklin
• David ‘Rooster’ Sheehan
• Louise O’Regan
• Steve King (S1E1)
• Lisa Gatt
• Craig Churchward
• Seano Clancy
• Boris Bakouline
• Greg Jenkyns
• Craig Jackson
• Josh McAskil 
• Kate Bevilaqua (S5E10)
• Simon Cochrane (S4E8)
• Guy Walters
• Zsolt Dallos
• Michelle Barnes 
• Sarah Goodyear
• Tony Goodyear
• Jordan Gadomski
• Linda Belstead
• James Belstead  
• Jason Clarke
• Jordan Gadowski
• Tony Horton
• John Domandl
• Dan Merange 
• Kim Jenkins
• Erica Riley
• Steve York 
• Tiff Dahl
• Rajpal Choudhary
• Anthony Vloedmans
• Ben Yates

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

UM Australia race director, Jeff Morris, joins me to present the field 41 athletes who are toeing the line of the 10th anniversary race.  Trying to highlight this many athletes is tough work, so we also recruited the knowledge of the race announcer, Tim Franklin.  
In addition to finding out about the athletes, we discuss parts of the course and what the first ever Live Stream event will entail.  Use the link below to set up notifications.

LiveStreams links:  https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Kabi Kabi (Gubi Gubi) Indigenous peoples
• Tri Mob
• Alex Gadomski Fellowship
• Rottnest Island Swim
• Arc 2 Arch
• Lark Hill 100 Km
• Tim Runs the World
• UTMB 100 mile
• Ultra 355 Australia
• Caloundra Triathlon Club
• UM Israel 
• Cairns Crocs

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

THE ATHLETES :Praveen Aggarwal, Sadanand Amarapur, Boris Bakouline, Tim Belstead, Ian Blatchford, Adam Bothwell, Reece Byrne, Nicholas Chapman, Rajpal Choudhary, Leanne Coghill, Aaron Croft, Richard Does, John Domandl, Shane Duffy, Josh Dutton, Anthony Elder, Trevor Garvey, Paul Giddings, Richard Gilby, Craig Jackson, Christiaan Jacobie, Greg Jenkyns, Darrell Kerkow, Stewart King, Kathy La Fauce, Vishesh Madan, NicoláMattheus, Joshua  McAskil, Ryan McKenzie, Adam Mort, Maheshkumar Prajapati, VishnuPrasad, Kellie Ridges, Kirsty Sheehan, Marcus Smith, Ryan Wasley, Andrew Wheatley, Matthew Wheatley, Oliver Whiteley, Ben Yates, Steve York

• Steve King (S1E1)
• Hayden Lyons
• Peter Hudson
• Hanno Mattheus 
• Lisa Gatt 
• Craig Churchward
• Mel Hauschildt
• Jessica Munday
• Nick Mallett
• Tony Hrton
• Craig Percival
• Dave Carroll
• Sharri Pyc
• Jason Clarke
• Damon Faint
• Zsolt Dallos
• James Belstead  
• Mark Wiliams
• Simon Cochrane
• Jessica Dudley
• Shane Kent
• Anthony & Stacy Vloedmans
• Ann Evans
• Peter Wheatley
• Catherine Wheatley
• Jay Gaffey
• Sam Cooke
• Alana Sharman
• Ava Wheatley
• Steven Naylor 
• Keith Maricich
• Gail Laux
• Kim Jenkins
• Stephen Foster

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

Get ready to be inspired! We're sitting down with Fernando Lopez, an Ironman Gold All World Athlete and a true titan of endurance sports. With over 200 races under his belt, including 26 World Championships (and multiple podium finishes!), Fernando's resume is astonishing. He's conquered 10 Extreme Triathlons, 3 Ultramans, over 50 Ironmans, and run the Boston Marathon four times. And yes, he even ran the Houston Marathon four times in one day!

Fernando shares incredible stories from his global adventures in extreme events. If you're searching for your "next big challenge," this episode is packed with ideas. Beyond his own racing, Fernando also has a coaching business dedicated to helping others achieve what seems impossible.

You can reach him at:
ForeverTri Website -- YouTube -- Podcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ultraman Florida
• Norseman Xtri
• Ultraman World Championships
• Ultraman Arizona
• Xterra 
• Icon XTri 
• Swissman XTri 
• Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon
• Patagonman XTri
• Alohaman
• Escape from Alcatraz
• Xterra World Championships
• Xterra Trail Run World Championship
• XTerra World Championship double
• Leadman 100
• La Ruta de Los Conquistadores
• Trans Portugal
• Cape Epic
• Rocky Hill 24 hour MTB
• Dirty Dozen 12hrs MTB
• Marathon Des Sables (Fernanado’s Youtube)
• Brazos Bend 100 mi trail run
• Rocky Racoon 100 mile
• Houston Marathon
• IRONMAN “Gold All World Athlete”
• ForeverTri App
• Zwift 

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Armando Armelli
• Simon Cochrane
• Amy Robataille
• A.A. Girard 
• MIchelle Vesterby
• Andrea Lopez

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

Part one of this episode is a Ultraman Florida recap. First, I am joined by the youngest ever competitor to complete Ultraman Florida, Jacob Beldick.  Followed by the newest 60-69 age group world record holder, Dougin Walker.  Both athletes share their stories about the 2025 race.  One is told from the front of the field and the other from the rear, but they both had amazing experiences.

In part two, I have an Ultraman Arizona (March 21-23, 2025) athlete preview including Andy Yergler who is my athlete in profile.  Andy runs a non profit called Tri Recovery for assisting addicts to live healthier lives.   He explains how he got to where he is today from a life of addiction that led to him being incarcerated at the age of 19.

Jacob ran in support of Save a Child’s Heart.

Andy is the co-founder of Tri Recovery.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ultraman Florida
• Mental Health Ultra 50K
• Save a Child’s Heart 
• Ironman Cozumel
• William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
• Paris Brest Paris
• Ironman Maryland 
• Black Canyon Ultra
• Ultraman World Championships
• Ironman Frankfurt
• Challenge Almere Amsterdam 
• Challenge Roth
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Chicago Cubs
• All Hands and Hearts
• IM Chattanooga 70.3
• IM Texas
• Barkley Marathons
• Escape from Alcatraz
• Tri Recovery
• Anytime Fitness

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Michael Morrissey
• Sandy Morrissey
• Steve King (S1E1)
• Jenn Uy
• Jill Walker
• Ryan Toner
• Gail Norman
• Heather Ross
• Patty Spence
• Steve Keller (S2E10)
• Dan Attard
• John Heyerly
• Jen McVeay (S4E4)
• Matthew Tones
• Joni Fiechter
• Matt Reinhard
• Kent Ringger
• Liz Heyerly
• Haddie Yergler

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

Billy RIckards is a veteran 515 racer that helps others to get to the finish line as an amazing crew person.  He lives Aloha, Ohana, Kokua within the Ultra Fam.  As a person who has chosen to call Hawaii home; it only makes sense that he has a strong connection to the island values.

Do you like dolphins?  Then you have even one more reason to tune in to this episode.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dolphin Quest
• Lavaman
• Honu 70.3
• Ironman World Championships
• Ultraman World Championships
• Unstoppable: The Smart Training Method For Busy Athletes - Shangrila’s Book
• Ultraman Florida
• Ultraman Arizona
• Ultra520K Canada
• UM Canada

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Susan Rickards
• Susan Smith
• Wendy Minor
• Jane Bockus (S1E4)
• Sheryl Cobb (S2E6)
• Dave Cobb (S2E6)
• Peter Lopinski
• Shangrila Rendon (S3E3)
• Chris Hague
• Keri Mandell (S6E10)
• Shane Duffy (S4E5)
• Steve Keller (S2E10)
• Gary Wang (S2E6)
• Jen Annett  (S6E9) (S6E11)
• Michelle Vesterby (S5E12)
• Dede Greisbauer (S3E13)
• Hillary Biscay (S6E1)
• Mary Latza
• Randy Latza
• Cynthia Bartus
• Vedant Nangare
• Jen McVeay (S4E4)
• Memo Tijerina 

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]

Send us a text

Jen McVeay joins me in this episode to preview the field of athletes toeing the line at 2025 Ultraman Florida, February 14-16th.  We are joined by to 2 time Ultraman Champion Steve Keller.

Steve offers the perspective of previous champion, current athlete, and current coach.  Steve has embarked on a special journey that he reveals in our conversation.  First to Five Youtube Page : https://youtube.com/@firsttofive?si=VrnzTnC0vs7cr4Oj

Following the preview, I am joined by another of the 2025 athletes, Nick Gillombardo as my Athlete in Profile.  Nick has been chasing the dream for a number of years and he is excited to be finally hitting the start line.  

Nick’s NAMI fundraising link : https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/4514687

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ultraman Florida
• National Parks at NIght
• Hurt 100
• Ultraman World Championships
• Ultraman Arizona 
• Mindset Endurance
• Challenge Roth
• One Water
• Ultraman Canada
• Ultraman Mexico
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Infinitri 
• First to Five Youtube Page
• Marathon Des Sables
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• A Christmas Story House
• Castle Noel
• Ironman Louisville
• Badwater 135
• Burning River 50 / 100 
• Fool’s Trail race 100
• 1958 Topps baseball set

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Michelle Vesterby (S5E12)
• Jen Annett  (S6E9) (S6E11)
• Nicole Suss
• Keri Mandell (S6E10)
• Shane Duffy (S4E5)
• Van Sanchez (S1E6)
• Jacob Beldick
• Terumasa Matsuda
• Eiko Hibino (S1E5)
• Davis Bryan
• Pablo Laprea
• Ryan Carlin  
• Jordan Taylor
• Travis Rademaker
• Bastian Witte
• Martin Le Bleis
• Nick Gillombardo
• Patrick Clerkin
• Curtis Linehan
• Rick Hunt
• Steve Keller (S2E10)
• Vladymir Bobarykin
• Doug Ellis
• Ryan Toner
• Andres Jimenez Quijano
• Beimal Patel
• Brian Amende
• Javier Cortes Zaguirre
• Jeff Baer
• Jermey Howard (S2E8)
• Michelle Williamson
• Mitch Heskett
• Chuck Kemeny
• Truong Lively
• Consuela Lively
• Mohammad Kotb
• Phil Cuppernell
• Steve King (S1E1) (S1E2) (S1E3)
• Ryan Rinnear
• Rohit Pawar
• Tyler Sloden
• Caroline Bloom (S2E3)
• Alexandre Rizzi
• Ben Nelson
• Jose Fuente Pepe Garcia
• Ramiro Gutierrez
• Leida Velez
• Zach Powell
• Dougin Walker
• Dan Attard
• Jenn Uy
• Mary Latza
• Randy Latza
• Cynthia Bartus Special
• Nuria Sanchez
• Fiona Siemelink
• Simon Shurey
• Dale and Christy
• Iron Cowboy -  James Lawrence
• Reid Brosco
• Ferg Hawke (S3E10)
• Makoto Hoshino (S1E2)
• Keri Gillombardo
• Ben Gillombardo
• Leo Gillombardo
• Kristin Filipowicz

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]