"If someone asked me 4 or 5 years ago if I thought I'd be in the sea, with four hundred people, with a swimming cap on, a wetsuit and swimming for my life, I wouldn't have believe it! And even on a road bike! I'd never been on a road bike before in my life. Life is about growth. It's about trying new things."

In this episode we're talking about signing up for your first event and we've two great guests who switched from being party boys on the Manchester scene to entering and training for a triathlon.

Scott Thomas and Brad Howard used to throw parties for a living. They ran nightclub events across the UK and Europe.

They talk about their switch from that crazy lifestyle to becoming teetotal and training for triathlons and becoming advocates for the sport.

Scott was already in to strength training when he signed up for Sunderland 2023. He admits nothing could have prepared him for raceday. He describes the day and the whole process as life-changing.

Brad chose triathlon to break the party lifestyle and got addicted. He talks about starting with a sprint triathlon and is now aiming for an ironman.

There are plenty of tips in here but also lot on the emotional journey which goes in to everyone's first triathlon.

Come and join the triathlon family and get supported through your events by becoming a member of British Triathlon. There's a level for everyone. Details at https://www.britishtriathlon.org/membership

You can connect with Scott and Brad

@scott.thomas

@bradhoward3

In this episode we meet two members who've made the move from a single sport to the three disciplines of triathlon - and they love it!

Alex Heron's story is remarkable. He was a runner but at 61 started to get niggling injuries. And he fell in to triathlon. Alex tells us about coming face to face with the local tri club in a farmers lake...and how he unexpectedly won his first competitive triathlon despite having a bike with mudguards and and a bell.

He's now in his mid 70's and training for his first ironman. And he believes, with a bit of luck, anyone can have a crack at it.

Kate Hutchinson made the bright lights of a Commonwealth Games swimming final at Delhi in 2010 wearing the kit of Team England. She gave up on sport after years of punishing training in the pool. But 2 years ago she was lured towards triathlon and is back representing GB at age group level.

We've also got some tips on how to get your mojo back if you've lost it and we hear how presenter Daniel 'Triathlon Dan' Ward smashed out a PB in a half ironman.

This podcast is brought to you by British Triathlon and is presented by Mark Shardlow and Daniel Ward. Come and be a member! Find out the benefits at www.britishtriathlon.org

Welcome along to the first episode of this podcast brought to you by British Triathlon. We'll be giving you expert advice and experiences at all levels of the sport to make sure you're in the best possible shape when you get to the start line.

We're starting off by getting the inside track on preparing for a new season. We've got some different takes on the importance of planning, preparation and goal setting.

We've got three guests today - all Home Nation members of British Triathlon.

Paula Higgins has been in triathlon for five years. When she signed up to her first event, she couldn't even swim. She'd still describe herself as a completer rather than a competer. But having learnt to swim she found she absolutely loved the sport. This year she's going for longer distances.

Claire Walters only started in the sport last year after being an active and competitive cyclist. She surprised herself by picking up some podium finishes and also qualified for the GB Age-Group team in cross duathlon.

Donald Brooks started triathlon in 2014 at the age of 37. He's had an incredible time in the sport and in 2022 became British age group champion in every discipline and every distance. He's also got World and European titles to his name too!

The podcast is presented by Mark Shardlow, who's been part of the BBC's production of Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and European Games since 2010....and Dan Ward, otherwise known as Triathlon Dan. Dan has a YouTube channel charting his journey in the sport.

British Triathlon Home Nation members get early access to these podcasts along with other benefits. Details at www.britishtriathlon.org