Everyday Ironman Podcast

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.

Support the show

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

Support the show

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. 🔥

Support the show

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

Support the show

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

Support the show

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

Support the show

Some comebacks are worth every mile. 🙌

Damien Black joins The Everyday Ironman Podcast to share his journey back into triathlon after stepping away from the sport. Over the last couple of years, Damien has reignited his passion for racing and is now setting his sights on one of the most iconic races on the global calendar — Ironman Australia. 🏊🚴🏃🇦🇺

Damien's story is one that will resonate with any age group athlete who has ever walked away from the sport and wondered if they could find their way back. Spoiler: you can. 💪

From rediscovering his love for training to tackling the preparation demands of a full Ironman, this conversation is honest, relatable, and deeply motivating for anyone at any stage of their triathlon journey.

The comeback is always greater than the setback. 🏁✨

Support the show

In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, JJ Schuster joins Mike and Ashley for a conversation that covers everything from triathlon prep to life-changing purpose. 

JJ shares that he and former guest/fill-in co-host Chris Curtis swim at the same pool, why being a physical list maker helps him stay locked in before races like Ironman 70.3 Boulder, and his thoughts on gravel biking and even BASE jumping.

 The conversation takes a deeper turn as JJ opens up about founding Kona 4 Ethan in 2001 to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention after personal tragedy. 

Mike admits he probably doesn’t have friends close enough to fly to Hawaii just to watch him suffer through an Ironman, while Ashley reflects on how the triathlon community connects people from all walks of life. 

Support Kona 4 Ethan here: https://kona4ethan.com/

#EverydayIronman #Triathlon #Ironman703 #IronmanTraining #AgeGroupTriathlete #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #EnduranceSports #TriathlonCommunity #Kona4Ethan

Support the show

Ever wonder what goes into creating a race experience you'll never forget? 🎉🏁

Corey Roberts, the man behind RACE Awesome and race director for Ironman 70.3 Omaha and Ironman 70.3 Jones Beach, joins The Everyday Ironman Podcast to pull back the curtain on what it takes to put on world-class triathlon events. 🏊🚴🏃

An Ironman finisher himself, Corey brings an athlete's heart to every race he directs. This Australian-born, New York-based race director has become one of the most beloved figures in the Ironman community — known for his electric race-day energy, genuinely fun atmosphere, and hilariously entertaining educational videos that every triathlete needs to see. 😂🇦🇺

Whether you're racing Omaha, Jones Beach, or just love the sport, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for everything that happens before the starting horn blows. 🎺💪

You can check out all of Race Awesome's events here: https://www.raceawesome.com/

Support the show

⚠️ This episode contains discussion of postpartum depression and suicidal ideation. Resources are available at 988 (call or text) and Postpartum Support International at 1-800-944-4773.

Some friendships are forged in fire — and some are forged on the finish line. 💛🏁

Ashley Mohror and Chelsea Owens join Ashley Raines and Broccoli Rob for one of the most powerful conversations The Everyday Ironman Podcast has ever hosted. Together, they've crossed every finish line that matters — first triathlon, first half marathon, first full marathon — side by side. Now they're chasing their first Ironman 70.3 together. 🏊🚴🏃

But this episode goes beyond racing. Ashley and Chelsea open up about their battles with postpartum depression and suicidal ideation, and how their friendship — and this sport — became a lifeline. 💙

This is what triathlon is really about.




Support the show