Send a text

Start with a last-minute sprint tri in footy shorts and end with a finish line that feels like family—that’s the arc of Peter “Huddo” Hudson. We sit down with the four-time 515 finisher, personal trainer, and stalwart of the UM Australia Dream Team to unpack how a brutal first swim, a life-changing crash in Hawaii, and years of volunteering forged a deeper reason to race. What emerges is a raw, generous look at the culture that defines Ultraman: you arrive as strangers, you leave as family.

Huddo walks us through the early days—being dragged into a race the night before, dog paddling next to a lifeguard, then getting hooked on the grind that builds real endurance. He shares how coaching and community carried his business through COVID, why day two on the bike still ties his stomach in knots, and how crews and race volunteers quietly stitch the event together with 20-hour days and calm heads. We revisit Hawaii 2015 and Scott McDermott’s horrific crash, the “Relentless” bracelet found at the scene, and the long road to Scott’s 2018 return. Along the way, you’ll hear why rival crews stop to help, how a blind athlete’s grit rewrites fear, and what it means to finish when the clock says you shouldn’t.

We also dive into purpose: fundraising after losing his mum, staging a solo double iron to turn grief into action, and the moment Huddo received the inaugural HUDDO Award minutes before learning his uncle had passed. It’s a portrait of resilience anchored by service, friendship, and a shared promise to bring everyone home safe. Plus, a peek behind the curtain at UM Australia’s evolving live stream and the launch of UM New Zealand—new routes, bigger climbs, and the same heartbeat.

If stories of grit, community, ultra endurance, and human kindness move you, hit play. Then follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more people find these voices.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UM Australia 
• Ultraman World Championships
• Living the Warrior Code (Documentary)  Link
• IM Coeur d’Alene
• UM New Zealand

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Jeff Morris (S7E11)
• Shane Duffy (S4E5)
• Matt O’Brien (S8E5)
• David Kalinowski
• Mike Coughlin (S2E7)
• Erica RIley (S8E2)
• Beñat Oliveira (S7E6)
• Brittney Litton (S8E7)
• Scott McDermott (S1E9)
• Adam Fox   
• Gary Wang (S2E6)
• Staci Studer
• Christian Isakson (S3E5)
• John Domandl (S7E7)
• Daniel Merange 
• Dayle Jordan
• Mel Kemp
• Jason Clark
• Shae Hamilton
• Kim Jenkins
• Gillian Winterford
• Tiffany Dahl
• Steve King (S1E1)

Support the show

Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : [email protected]