In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto sits down with New Zealand’s own Kyle Smith just days before he toes the hometown line at the first race of the 2026 IRONMAN Pro Series: ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

Known for his aggressive, leave-it-all-out-there racing style, Kyle dives deep into what it takes to survive and thrive in the upper echelons of professional triathlon. From laying bricks to keep his athletic dreams alive during the global shutdown to being taken under the wing of the legendary Jan Frodeno, Kyle’s blue-collar work ethic has forged him into one of the sport's most exciting athletes to watch. Whether you're preparing to toe the line yourself or just love an inspiring example of pure grit and determination, you won't want to miss this one.

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto sits down with two-time IRONMAN champion Hannah Berry, one of the sport’s most consistent and quietly respected competitors. Hannah reflects on her fourth-place finish at the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, a performance that showcased her strength, patience, and ability to execute on triathlon’s biggest stage.

She breaks down her Kona race in detail, sharing how smart pacing, disciplined nutrition, and heat management helped her move steadily through the field as others faltered. Hannah also discusses racing as an underdog, the value of consistency across all three disciplines, and why Kona rewards athletes who stay composed when conditions turn brutal.

The conversation looks ahead to racing IRONMAN New Zealand on home soil, the evolving dynamics of elite women’s racing, and adapting to the new 20-meter drafting rules. Insightful, grounded, and refreshingly honest, this episode offers a compelling look at an athlete whose best racing emerges when the race gets hardest.

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto is joined by three-time IRONMAN World Champion Mirinda Carfrae for an in-depth look at one of the most compelling seasons in IRONMAN history. Rinny and Matt break down the drama and defining moments of the 2025 World Championship races in Kona, Nice, and Marbella, analyzing unforgettable performances, surprise outcomes, and what it truly takes to execute on the sport’s biggest stage. They dive into standout athletes, breakthrough seasons, emotional retirements, and the continued rise of dominant forces across long-course racing. The conversation also explores the evolution of the IRONMAN Pro Series, what made 2025 so competitive, and how the revamped 2026 calendar, highlighted by the return of men and women racing together in Kona, sets the stage for an electrifying future. Insightful, honest, and deeply informed, this episode offers a front-row perspective on where the sport has been, and where it’s heading next.

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.