Anthony Philippe is this year's 2019 Ironman World Champion at Kona for the 50-54 age group. This was his 38th Ironman race and his 15th Kona so he's experienced!

Anthony Philippe is experienced and an absolute tiger out on the race course as he chases down competitors, yet we found his story approachable, inspiring, human. He's a family man, he has a full-time, non-stop job, and he gets-it-done with his triathlon practice.

But do not be tempted to think Anthony is one of those joyless triathlon automatons! He gave us a word of wisdom: "If the WHY is powerful, the HOW is easy." Chew on that during your next hard training session. Or when you're faced with a challenge in family life or work life.

If Kona Kamps has taught us one thing, it is we get to race on the same course with people like Anthony Philippe and we couldn't be more grateful. Congratulations Anthony!

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THINGS ANTHONY LOVES:

Coach Stephane Palazzetti: http://bit.ly/2ov6VHL

Look Bicycles: http://bit.ly/33aBqSF

Rougeot Beaune Triathlon: http://bit.ly/2Wr4nqJ

Liza Rachetto is a professional cyclist and she just won the whole AG race at Ironman Louisville. No fair? Hold on. She may have a killer bike leg, but Liza makes the case that a long season of bike racing leaves little time for swim and run training. Listen to this fascinating interview with Liza to make up your own mind! You won't be sorry. Liza has lots of experience to share.

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THINGS LIZA LOVES:

AMP Human Performance: http://bit.ly/2BPfxw5

NBS Hydration: http://bit.ly/NBSNutrition

Liza Rachetto Coaching: http://bit.ly/2q0y0De

Craig Upton Coaching: http://bit.ly/2qVa2JZ

Bill Palermo didn't do any Ironmans from age 0 to 70. Then he did three in the space of one year to try to earn a qualification to Kona. And this three-time hall-of-fame basketball coach made it to the top step at Ironman Maryland (despite the jelly fish)!

He wants to especially thank Simon Butterworth for the encouraging words after Ironman Texas!

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THINGS BILL LOVES:

Gatorade: http://bit.ly/2UWJnXU

Gu Energy: http://bit.ly/2XOy4oX

Honey Stinger: http://bit.ly/2zpyViR

Gill Fullen is this 2019's World Champion in the 55-59 age group at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Gill (pronounced "Jill"...sorry!) is a champion horse dressage trainer and competitor, a breast cancer survivor just a couple years back, and the sort of person you want to ask about the wisdom of life! Oh, and how I can start to run faster! It's always tempting to think of world champions as creatures living on another planet. Once again, talking with Gill, we were taught that isn't the case. Congratulations Gill! So very well deserved.

Gill wants to make special mention of the great support she has received from Lake View Osteopathy.

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THINGS GILL LOVES:

Lake View Osteopathy: http://bit.ly/2JfawRz

On Running: http://bit.ly/2MBIods

Gumbies: http://bit.ly/32FssML

F$ck Cancer: http://bit.ly/2N8FZ8W

Bedford Harriers Athletic Club: http://bit.ly/31El7f7

Lilias speaks with Coach Marco Nicoli about whether it makes sense to invest ($$$) in a coach when faced with a big race commitment like an Ironman 70.3. The answer?

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Mary Mitchell is this year's World Champion for the 60-64 age group at the Ironman World Championships in Kona 2019.

If the headline looks familiar, it's because it is. Mary trains with fellow world champion Kevin Fergusson (interviewed yesterday) in Adelaide, Australia at the same triathlon club. They both won the 60-64 age group at Kona this year from the same club!

Mary has raced Kona a number of times before never finding the right combination to get to the top step. Nevertheless, she persevered. And won.

We talk with lots of Ironman triathletes. Everyone has a unique story. Lilias and I got goosebumps learning about the drive, ambition, grit, courage Mary displayed on her journey to Ironman World Championship. Congratulations Mary!

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THINGS MARY LOVES:

Coach Paul Buick: (still setting up web presence)

Normatec Recovery: http://bit.ly/2DcG8UR

PrepD Hydration: http://bit.ly/2Bl7V42

Kevin Fergusson is this year's World Champion for the 60-64 age group at the Ironman World Championships in Kona 2019.

We were privileged to get to know Kevin and learn about the many things he brings to our sport. He wasn't always a champion. 30 years ago he was more know for long nights in the pub smoking and drinking than his long runs on Sunday. He wanted to improve himself and his life and took up triathlon. In time he made the leap to Ironman and he has been a dominant force in his age group.

Kevin gives back. He did "Iron 5 for 55" and attempt to honor his mother who lost her battle with cancer and his father who had drowned. The format was to do five Ironmans, break the course record at each Ironman, and all to raise $55,000 for cancer research. He accomplished all his goals (only coming short on the course record at Kona that year).

Kevin pushed Sid James to an Ironman finish. Sid is an triathlete who always wanted to be and Ironman finisher, but suffered a catastrophic crash and injury leaving him a quadriplegic. The two of them came across the finish line at Ironman Busselton. Link in the show notes.

Kevin had a strong race at Kona this year winning his third world championship. Congratulations Kevin!

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THINGS KEVIN LOVES:

Sid James Story: http://bit.ly/2MQ2xve

Iron 5 for 55: http://bit.ly/2ptnkg9

Infinit: http://bit.ly/2OyndLZ

Titan Performance Group: http://bit.ly/33GH66B

Joggers World: http://bit.ly/2MMOwhK

Ruth Purbrook is 2019's overall world champion at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She was the fastest age group woman on the island! Rocket Ruth! You don't get on a higher step than Purbrook! She qualified for Kona this year by winning her age group at Kona last year.

A member of the Zwith Triathlon Academy, she tells us about the bike crash she suffered by in late July 2019 (broken collar bone, bloody face, etc) and how she fought her way back to the top step of the toughest race in our sport in the world.

Well done Ruth! We very much enjoyed getting to know her, learning about her race, and hearing about her plans in the sport in future.

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THINGS RUTH LOVES:

Zwift: http://bit.ly/2wCBXxs

Zwift Tri Academy: http://bit.ly/2Z1FsPa

Specialized: http://bit.ly/2MNoVZ2

Wahoo Fitness: http://bit.ly/2Yei8wn

Science in Sport: http://bit.ly/2H2NON2

Roka: http://bit.ly/rokastuff

Natia Van Heerden started as a gymnast, but she's now the world champion of this years 25-29 age group at Ironman Kona 2019. And it didn't come easy. She tried and tried to qualify for Kona but continued to get second or third or fourth just outside of the qualification slots. Despite the disappointment, she persevered! She's a member of the incredible Zwift Academy team (Plato would be jealous of this academy...)

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THINGS NATIA LOVES:

Zwift: http://bit.ly/2wCBXxs

Zwift Tri Academy: http://bit.ly/2Z1FsPa

Specialized: http://bit.ly/2MNoVZ2

Wahoo Fitness: http://bit.ly/2Yei8wn

Science in Sport: http://bit.ly/2H2NON2

Aaron Tomasz is this year's 25-29 AG World Champion. Coming from a swim background in his "youth", Aaron stepped away from sport during university and early career. He has come back with a vengeance winning the World Championship in his age group at his second Ironman distance race, ever. And he is self-coached. If that doesn't inspire...!

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THINGS AARON LOVES:

Trainer Road: http://bit.ly/2pmMWLm

Nike 4%: https://swoo.sh/2UQThgn

Canyon Bicycles: http://bit.ly/canyonwinner