This week we are thrilled to welcome pro long course athlete Lotte Wilms to the show! Lotte has been on the rise in the long course ranks in recent years, but prior to that she competed as an Olympic swimmer and then as a short course triathlete chasing more Olympic dreams. She just fell short of that, ending up as the reserve athlete for the Dutch team, and since then, she has been killing it on the long course scene. In this episode we dive into what her journey has been like to reach the level she is at now, as well as her opinion on various topics in triathlon including drafting and race dynamics!

Lotte's Instagram: @lotte_wilms

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Our Partners:

This week:

• Gaming Your FTP
• Sarah’s Olympic Lips are Sealed
• Taylor's Just Being Taylor
• Triathlon is Just Too Much Right Now
• Crushin’ on the Coach

Cover image credit: SnowyMountain Photography

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/feistytriathlon

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo bike computers at this link https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/OYz79W

Orca: Use the code FEISTYTRI15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at hettas.com

In honor of mothers day this past weekend, this week's episode features two women who are navigating the elite triathlon space as new moms. Our first guest, Kayla Pokorny found out she was pregnant with her second child last year during her rookie pro season, and has been quick to step back into racing with competing in St Anthony's just a few months postpartum. Our second guest is Lara Gruden, who had been competing as a pro for a number of years prior to getting pregnant with her first baby. Lara tool a different approach to motherhood as an athlete, deciding to step away from racing after giving birth, but still continuing to train and embrace a triathlon centric life supporting her husband's goals in the sport.

In the episode, we got to hear both women's perspectives on what it's like to be a mom and elite athlete in like today, as well as the unique highs and lows this journey can bring.

Kayla's Instagram: @kaylapokornytri

Lara's Instagram: @laragruden

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Our Partners:

This week, the crew is joined by Andrea Fisher, Development Manager of the IRONMAN Foundation, to chat about the upcoming celebrity relay at IRONMAN Lake Placid, as well as other active initiatives from the foundation "to create positive, tangible change in race communities through grant funding and volunteerism."

Also this week:

• Jocelyn Breaks the Tape with Less Running!
• IRONMAN Foundation Relay Dream Teams
• The Olympic Window is Closing
• Breakdancing Contenders?!
• Where are the Women's Sports Films?

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/feistytriathlon

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo bike computers at this link https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/OYz79W

Orca: Use the code FEISTYTRI15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at hettas.com

This week we are welcoming Xterra and long course pro Meg Dirito to the show!! Meg got her start in endurance sport as competitive swimmer, where she swam in the NCAA and even made it to the Olympic trials! Now Meg is in her rookie year as a professional triathlete, is a mom of two, and also works part time as an emergency vet. In this episode, Meg tells us all about how she balances so many pursuits in life, and still manages to get the best out of herself in all of them. We also got to hear about what she envisions for her future in the sport as she continues to pursue both traditional long distance races alongside Xterra.

Meg's Instagram: @dirito21

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Our Partners:

This week:

• Jocelyn Sticks out like a Sore Nascar Thumb
• An IRONMAN Puppy Petting Zoo
• Kelly Gets Stoned at Canyons
• Precision Popsicles?
• The Remarkable Kat
• Get it Together, Texas
• What Do You Fear the Most? A Male, or a Bear?

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/feistytriathlon

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo bike computers at this link https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/OYz79W

Orca: Use the code FEISTYTRI15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at hettas.com

This week we are excited to welcome Anna Bergsten to the show! Anna is a Swedish long course pro who only just recently stepped into the triathlon world, but has already established herself as a top athlete with two 70.3 wins and numerous top ten finishes. In this episode she tells us all about how she elevated her career as a triathlete from an age grouper who could barely swim and was balancing a full time job to a full time pro who is climbing the ranks to become one of the best. There is something for everyone in this episode as Anna relays her techniques for mentally approaching each leg of her races, and even gives some insight in to her unique background of equestrian endeavors!

Anna's Instagram: @annabergsten

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Our Partners:

This week:

• The Triumphant Return of Kelly's Mom!
• Crew "To Dos"
• The Shark in the Seine
• Sid Breaks Down The Juice on all the Sports
• And Speaking of "Juiced..."
• Dream Costume Contest

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/feistytriathlon

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo bike computers at this link https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/OYz79W

Orca: Use the code FEISTYTRI15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at hettas.com

Back on the podcast this week we have Ironman Texas expert, Natasha Van Der Merwe! In this episode we get a little update into what Natasha has been up to lately since officially retiring from the pro scene, and then we dove into all things IMTX. This is one of the first big full distance races on the calendar this year, so there will be a lot of big names looking to make their mark on the series ranking for the year. In this episode we also got some great tips from Natasha about how to best to attack the course in Texas, and also the best tips and tricks for spectators to take on the day.

Natasha's Instagram: @natashavdm81

https://www.nvdmcoaching.com/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Our Partners:

This week, the gang is joined by Feisty Media's Selene Yeager to discuss her limited podcast series called Hormonal, dropping on the Women's Performance Podcast feed.

Also:

• Sizzling in Singapore - Finish Line Drama
• Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Team USA Bikini - The Reveal
• Let’s Stop the Body Policing 
• Selene’s In the Hot Seat
• Is Training With Power Valuable
• Is Khadijah Skirting the Full Menopause Experience?
• What’s the latest consensus on Hormone Replacement Therapy? 
• Burning Question for an Olympian?

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/feistytriathlon

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

https://feisty.co/

Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo bike computers at this link https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/OYz79W

Orca: Use the code FEISTYTRI15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at hettas.com