In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto delves into the world of professional triathlete Sam Long, a dynamic athlete known for his relentless drive and strategic approach to racing. Sam shares his journey from a young triathlete to a seasoned competitor, highlighting his three IRONMAN victories and numerous IRONMAN 70.3 wins. He opens up about the challenges of balancing personal life with professional ambitions, especially with a second child on the way. Sam reflects on his recent performance at the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice, where he achieved a personal best despite the intense competition. He discusses the evolution of the sport, the importance of mental fitness, and his plans for future races, including IRONMAN Arizona and IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells. Throughout the conversation, Sam's passion for triathlon and his commitment to inspiring others shine through, making this episode a must-listen for fans and aspiring athletes alike. 

In the final pre-race episode from Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three more top contenders: the relaxed and ready India Lee, Kona rookie Solveig Løvseth, and defending IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp.

First, India Lee shares her dramatically different approach to this year's championship. Contrasting her current fun-loving, lighthearted mindset with the stress she felt at last year's race in Nice, she explains why surrounding herself with a great group of friends is key to her performance. As a Kona first-timer, her primary goal is to finish, embrace the experience, and learn as much as possible for the future.

Next, Solveig Løvseth discusses her incredible debut year in long-course triathlon. After a spontaneous decision to switch from short-course racing, she reflects on what she's learned from her first two IRONMAN events and how she has recovered from the grueling effort. With her coach Mikal Iden guiding her, Solveig is excited to be part of the sport's growth and hopes to execute her own patient race plan on Saturday.

Finally, defending World Champion Laura Philipp talks about the "very special" feeling of returning to Kona wearing bib number one. To avoid the burnout that can follow a championship season, she has raced a lighter, more strategic schedule this year, allowing her to arrive fresh and focused. Preparing for what she expects to be a "lonely chase race," Laura has also implemented a more rigorous heat-training protocol for the first time, hoping it will be the key to defending her title on the island.

In this episode, host Matt Lieto sits down with 2024 Pro Series winner Kat Matthews and IRONMAN World Champion Chelsea Sodaro, who each share powerful stories of overcoming adversity to make it to the Kona start line.

First, Kat Matthews opens up about the immense psychological challenges she faced in her last Kona appearance. She reveals that she was dealing with hidden "post traumatic stress" from her near-fatal accident, which led to irrational fear and ultimately contributed to her race-day struggles. Now, having worked through that trauma, she returns to the island feeling happy, confident, and prepared. With her training numbers better than ever, Kat is motivated by the rising level of competition and is unequivocally here with one goal in mind: to win.

Next, Chelsea Sodaro discusses her "really crazy year" of setbacks, including catching "every preschool virus one can get" from her daughter and suffering a torn calf. These challenges forced her to make a gritty, late-season trip to IRONMAN Kalmar in Sweden to validate her spot, an experience she describes as incredibly difficult. Despite the lack of consistency in her preparation, Chelsea reflects on her identity as a gritty, determined athlete who always gives everything on race day, and she is ready to do the same on the island that "makes me feel alive."

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.

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider, host Matt Lieto is joined by two top contenders for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona: Taylor Knibb and Lisa Perterer.
First, Taylor Knibb offers a candid look into her race week mindset, emphasizing her need for quiet and solitude to conserve her high energy for race day. She reveals her love for reading as a key distraction, sharing that her current non-fiction pick is Mastery. Taylor reflects on the “naivety” that helped her in her first Kona race and discusses how a humbling experience at IRONMAN Texas has given her a “healthy dose of fear and respect” for the distance. While she remains focused on her own process, she shares a key tactical insight learned from Daniela Ryf’s 2018 course record: the race can be won on the challenging return from Hawi.

Next, first-time Kona competitor Lisa Perterer shares her excitement about finally experiencing the legendary race atmosphere. The Austrian powerhouse, who thrives in hot and humid conditions, is hoping for a challenging day. Lisa reflects on a tough past year and how she has rediscovered the joy in racing, an attitude that was on full display when she received a penalty at IRONMAN Lake Placid but continued to smile and wave to the crowd. While she still has goals of a top-five or even a podium finish, her primary focus is on having a “solid day” to defend her third-place position in the IRONMAN Pro Series standings.

In this episode from the IRONMAN World Championship Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three remarkable athletes ahead of the Women’s IRONMAN World Championship: Skye Moench, Hannah Berry, and Stephanie Clutterbuck. 

 First, Skye Moench returns to the Big Island with a completely new perspective. Now a mother to her 11-month-old, she shares how her life has profoundly changed, shifting from an “obsessive” focus on results to a “freeing” sense of gratitude. Skye opens up about the challenging journey back to fitness postpartum and explains why her only goal is to cross the finish line, respecting what her body has been through. She also expresses her excitement for the women’s-only race and the special camaraderie she feels with fellow mothers on the course. 

 Next, New Zealand’s Hannah Berry discusses her steady progression at World Championship events, moving from 11th in Kona two years ago to 10th in Nice last year. Coming into this race with a smooth, injury-free build, Hannah talks about her love for the Hawaiian heat and humidity. She details her calculated racing style, which balances a data-driven plan with the crucial ability to race by feel—a strategy she believes is key to navigating the unpredictable dynamics of a championship race. 

 Finally, Stephanie Clutterbuck shares an incredibly powerful and inspiring story of resilience. She opens up about a terrifying year-long health battle that included a diagnosis of myocarditis (heart inflammation) and POTS, a condition that affects the nervous system. Stephanie explains how this journey has forced her to re-learn her body’s limits and adopt a more sensible, calculated approach to racing. For her, success on Saturday isn’t about a place, but about managing her condition, executing a smart race, and finishing with a strong second half of the marathon.

In another special race-week edition of IRONMAN Insider presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto takes you inside the action at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. Fresh out of the pro press conference, hear from some of the biggest names in triathlon — including Rudy Von Berg, Patrick Lange, Jason West, Jonas Schomburg, Joe Skipper, and more — as they share their mindset, preparation, and predictions heading into race day.

From tales of breakthrough moments and evolving race strategies to candid reflections on pressure, fun, and resilience, this episode captures the excitement, nerves, and energy of the sport’s most competitive field yet. Plus, IRONMAN legend Craig Alexander joins the conversation with expert analysis on who could shape the race and why this year’s dynamics are unlike any we’ve seen before.

Whether you’re a fan, athlete, or part of the endurance community, this episode offers a front-row seat to the stories and personalities that will define race day in Nice.

In this special “underdog” episode from Nice, host Matt Lieto shifts the focus from the perennial favorites to three rising stars and dark horses who are poised to shake up the IRONMAN World Championship: Jamie Riddle, Harry Palmer, and Nick Thompson.

First, South African Jamie Riddle talks about his rapid evolution in long-course racing, having only done his first IRONMAN earlier this year. He shares key lessons from a transformative training camp with Sam Laidlow, emphasizing a newfound focus on smart, controlled training over constant high intensity. Confident in his abilities, Riddle details his plan to use his explosive swim speed to help create an early breakaway before settling in and playing his cards late in the marathon.

Next, the UK’s Harry Palmer, another rookie at the World Championship, discusses how a “bonus race” mentality is keeping him relaxed and focused. After a busy season that saw him buy his first house while racing five times in two months, he reflects on the balance between being a professional athlete and a content creator. Palmer shares his strategy for the challenging course, which involves respecting the distance, staying patient, and executing his own race plan, knowing a top-15 finish would be a massive success.

Finally, Australian Nick Thompson, aka “the silent horse,” opens up about his journey. He talks about the confidence gained from a strong season, including a breakthrough performance at IRONMAN Cairns and a podium at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Zell am See. Thompson shares a powerful and personal source of motivation—the resilience of a close friend who survived a serious cycling accident—that fuels his incredible fight and determination on the race course, reminding him to dig deep when it matters most.

In this third installment from race week in Nice, host Matt Lieto catches up with three of the most powerful cyclists in the sport: Magnus Ditlev, Léon Chevalier, and Kristian Høgenhaug.

First up is Magnus Ditlev, who has finished on the podium at the last two World Championships. The Danish powerhouse details his extensive preparation for the technical Nice course, revealing he's spent significant time practicing the descents and is now faster and more relaxed than two years ago. He offers a fascinating tactical breakdown of the bike course, identifying the middle plateau—after the main climb—as the critical section where he plans to make his move, and explains his strategic decision to race at a slightly heavier weight to improve his durability.

Next, Léon Chevalier discusses his steady progression, having placed 5th in Nice in 2022 and 4th in Kona last year. He reflects on a demanding season chasing the IRONMAN Pro Series, which has left him feeling fatigued but has also taught him a valuable lesson about his own resilience, having consistently achieved top results while racing at what he considers 75% fitness. With a refreshingly honest perspective, Chevalier aims to be patient and fight for another top-10 finish.

Finally, Kristian Høgenhaug shares the joyful news of becoming a new father just weeks before the race. He opens up about how fatherhood has given him a "newfound purpose" and hopes the famous "dad watts" will kick in on Sunday. After two previous DNFs in Nice, he's looking to create positive new memories on the course. He also discusses the tactical layers the Pro Series adds to the race, as he'll be keeping a close eye on his main rivals for the overall standings.

In the second episode from race week in Nice, host Matt Lieto connects with another trio of top contenders for the IRONMAN World Championship title: Sam Laidlow, Marten van Riel, and Matthew Matthew Marquardt

First, defending Nice champion Sam Laidlow reflects on a challenging year that started with a reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus. He explains how the forced rest shifted his perspective from chasing numbers to focusing on quality, health, and a more holistic preparation. This new approach led to breakthrough performances on surprisingly low training volume, giving him a newfound "inner peace and confidence" as he looks to defend his title on French soil.

Next, Marten van Riel opens up about his turbulent and "panicky" build-up to his first full-distance World Championship, which included a significant ankle injury that limited him to a four-week run block and a minor crash on the course just days before the race. Despite the setbacks, the Belgian Olympian discusses the freedom that comes from lowered expectations and his excitement to race on a course he feels is perfectly suited to his strengths.

Finally, American Matthew Marquardt details his season of two halves, from frustrating early-season results to dominant victories at IRONMAN Cairns and Lake Placid. The medical student gives a fascinating deep-dive into the physiological cause of the quad spasms that have affected him in T1 and explains the strategic evolution in his racing—learning to conserve energy on the bike to unleash his now formidable run, which he believes is the key to competing with the best in the world.