In this episode from Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three athletes with incredible stories: defending World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay, the resilient Lotte Wilms, and breakout star Marjolaine Pierré.

First, Lucy Charles-Barclay reflects on returning to the island as the reigning champion, a title that has lifted a “massive weight” off her shoulders and allows her to race with less pressure. She opens up for the first time about the severity of the injury she sustained during her 2023 victory—a 14cm calf tear that left her in "agony" with every stride but gave her a new level of mental and physical resilience. After her most consistent and healthy year of training to date, Lucy is confident and excited to see what she can do on race day.

Next, Lotte Wilms shares the story of her challenging season, which began with a debilitating bout of shingles—an illness she had never even heard of before. She details her methodical, 12-week recovery process and how she has managed subsequent health issues while preparing for Kona away from the distractions on the island of Maui. Despite the setbacks, Lotte is focused on finishing her race and seeing what she is capable of on Saturday.

Finally, Marjolaine Pierré talks about the powerful emotions of racing in Kona for the first time, a place that feels like a "hometown race" due to its similarity to her childhood home on Reunion Island. In a heartfelt moment, she reveals that her training partner, Lucy Charles-Barclay, was her original role model and the reason she started triathlon. Marjolaine also shares her unique mindset on performance, explaining how she has learned to "love more suffering" to find the "flow" where magic can happen on the race course.