Justin Riele, a triathlete and marketing professional, shares his journey from his intense and passionate personality to his transformation in triathlon. He credits his competitive edge to his parents, particularly his mother, who overcame adversity and excelled in her career and athletics. Justin's serious mentality and larger-than-life attitude stem from his genetics and upbringing. He started his triathlon journey in 2016 with a half Ironman in Switzerland and gradually became more involved in the sport, training with a local team and improving his performance. However, he faced moments of self-doubt and setbacks, such as not getting into a professional team and experiencing injuries. Despite these challenges, Justin remains resilient and continues to pursue his passion for triathlon. In this conversation, Justin Riele discusses his journey as a triathlete and his experience with the Every Man Jack (EMJ) team. He talks about the importance of confidence and how getting rejected from the team motivated him to work harder. Justin also shares his thoughts on leadership and finding fulfillment in his career at Upstart. He discusses the challenges of balancing triathlon, work, and personal life, and the potential paths he may take in the future.



Every Man Jack IG: https://www.instagram.com/emjtriteam/



EMJ Website: https://teamemj.com/

Akande Davis grew up in Germany and Arizona in a military family. He developed a passion for music at a young age, influenced by movies like Prince of Egypt and artists like Will Smith. His parents had strict guidelines on what he could listen to, but as he got older, he started exploring and creating his own music. He even made his own mixtape and sold it in high school, gaining confidence and entrepreneurial experience. Akande's journey led him to Full Sail University in Orlando, where he pursued his passion for music and honed his skills as a rapper and artist. Akande Davis shares his journey in music and faith, from battling in rap tournaments to rebranding himself as FLF (Floodlight Forever). He discusses the moments that humbled him and led him to surrender his idols and pride to God. Akande emphasizes the importance of finding identity in Christ rather than in achievements or careers. He also talks about his content creation, where he exposes the darkness in popular culture and music, offering a different perspective tied to the Bible. Akande encourages contentment and trusting in God's plan, knowing that even small acts can have a significant impact.



FLF Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6tASY1d2p3130mqKyy5VMw?si=Y58yvIPmRWyqak78HIYU5Q

The conversation covers Bob Babbitt's journey from his early life in Chicago to his influential role in the world of triathlons and endurance sports. It delves into his entrepreneurial spirit, the birth of the Ironman World Championship, the growth of the sport of triathlon, and the impact of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series. Bob's passion for creating and growing events and media in the endurance sports industry is evident throughout the conversation. Bob Babbitt shares his journey from a running enthusiast to a pioneer in the world of triathlons and endurance sports. He discusses his experiences with ride and tie events, the creation of Muddy Buddy, and the founding of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Bob emphasizes the importance of short distance triathlons and the need to invest in new athletes. He also highlights the transformative power of sports and the endless possibilities it offers for people of all ages and abilities.



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Bob’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/babbittville/



Bob’s Website: https://babbittville.com/



CAF: https://www.challengedathletes.org/


Lexi is a musician and nutritionist with a passion for sports nutrition. She grew up in a family with a mix of creative and structured personalities, which influenced her own hodgepodge of interests. Lexi pursued a journalism degree in college and worked in copy editing before realizing her passion for nutrition and health. She overcame her own struggles with disordered eating and decided to pursue a career in sports nutrition. Lexi completed her Masters in nutrition and began working with individual athletes and a private orthopedic surgery practice. She found fulfillment in combining her love for creativity and structure in the field of nutrition. Lexi shares her journey of balancing her career as a sports nutritionist at Precision Hydration with her passion for music. She explains how she discovered Precision Hydration and reached out to them to suggest the addition of a dietitian to their team. Lexi also discusses her role in sweat testing and the process involved. She talks about her love for music and her involvement in a duo called Shiny Things. Lexi emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between different interests and pursuing a career that allows for variety and personal growth.


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Book your Sweat Test with PF&H: https://www.precisionhydration.com/sweat-testing/book-a-sweat-test/



Lexi’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/leshiilexi/



Leshii: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vGf3Uz4bg1fJ13vAOy1P5?si=tN8BznxDSUmQnDERcqcZbw



Shiney Things: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BisUWvY1CzJatOy5ceP5V?si=JYLMNeFKRZyob70tnBcZ9g

Brian Johns, a former competitive swimmer and Olympic athlete, shares his journey from a young swimmer to a national team member. He discusses the support of his family, the sacrifices he made, and the challenges he faced along the way. Brian emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and seeking new knowledge to improve as a coach and athlete. He also highlights the role of relationships and support systems in his success. Despite facing injuries and overtraining, Brian's determination and hard work propelled him to achieve his goals. Brian Johns discusses his experience with overtraining and the importance of finding balance in sports and life. He emphasizes the need for athletes to participate in multiple sports and engage in activities outside of their main sport. He also shares insights on coaching and how to recognize when an athlete is overtraining. Johns highlights the importance of communication and understanding the holistic aspects of an athlete's life. He also discusses the mental tricks he learned in the sporting world that have influenced other areas of his life. Johns reflects on the concepts of winning and success, and how his perspective on these has evolved over the years. He shares his Olympic experiences and the challenges he faced, as well as the lessons he learned from those experiences. Johns also discusses how swimming and his athletic background have influenced his parenting style and the importance of supporting his children's interests and commitments. Brian Johns discusses his coaching philosophy and how it has evolved throughout his career. He emphasizes the importance of supporting athletes at all levels and creating a foundation for excellence. Johns also shares his journey to joining Form and the impact the Form Swim Goggles have had on his own swimming. He highlights the ability to stay in the moment and the depth of data analysis the goggles provide. Johns also discusses his transition from professional swimming to coaching and finding a new identity outside of the pool.

Grace Benvenuti shares her experiences growing up, her family dynamics, and the challenges she faced with mental health and eating disorders. She also discusses her love for making people laugh and her passion for endurance sports. Grace Benvenuti shares her journey of overcoming anxiety, loneliness, and an eating disorder during COVID. She discusses her experience with rehab, recovery, and finding strength in endurance sports. Seth Hill shares his own struggles with body image and mental health, creating a relatable and open conversation about personal challenges and growth. Grace Benvenuti shares her experience of a challenging triathlon race, her journey into triathlons, and her aspirations for the future. She also discusses body image, spirituality, and her career aspirations. The conversation delves into themes of resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Scott Dickens, an Olympian and Director of Business Development for FORM, shares his background and experiences in this conversation. He discusses his love for swimming and how it has shaped his life. Scott also opens up about the loss of his parents and the process of grieving. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy in simple things and cherishing time with family. Scott Dickens shares his journey in competitive swimming, from starting at a young age to qualifying for the Olympics. He emphasizes the importance of belief, execution, and quality in training. Scott recounts his experience at the Olympic trials and the pressure he felt at the Olympics. Despite not making the team, he learns valuable lessons and continues to strive for improvement. Scott Dickens shares his journey from being an Olympic swimmer to his current role as the Director of Business Development at Form, a sports technology company. He emphasizes the importance of never giving up and staying focused on your goals. Scott also discusses the concept of feeling and finessing the water in swimming, as well as the mental aspect of sports. In terms of transitioning to a professional career, he advises individuals to identify their passion, leverage their strengths, and network with people in their desired industry.

Gina talks about her recent swimming and racing experiences, including a World Cup event in France where she didn't perform as well as she had hoped. She discusses the importance of pack riding confidence in triathlons and how it can impact race outcomes. Gina also shares about her childhood, growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, and participating in various sports with her twin brother. She talks about her introduction to running in high school and her decision to pursue it in college. Gina then discusses her career as a systems engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), specifically working on the Psyche mission, which aims to study an asteroid thought to be the core of an exoplanet. Gina discusses her work at JPL and her passion for triathlon. She explains her role in fault protection for spacecraft and the deep space network. She shares her experience working on the Psyche mission and her excitement for future missions, including the Mars sample return mission. Gina also talks about her relationship with her boyfriend Chase and their shared interests and activities. She reflects on her mindset in dealing with setbacks and offers advice for aspiring professional triathletes.



Ryan, originally from Canada, has been living in the UK for the past 25 years. He shares his journey of starting and building a successful PR agency. Ryan's childhood was filled with mischievous adventures and the influence of his grandfather and father. He pursued a degree in public relations and global development studies in Europe, which led him to the UK. Ryan and his friend took the leap to start their own agency, facing challenges and making sacrifices along the way. Through hard work and determination, they built a successful business. Ryan discusses his journey in building a sports management business, the importance of differentiation and collaboration, and the values that guide his personal and professional life. He emphasizes the significance of making a positive impact and setting ambitious goals. Ryan also shares his love for photography and the profound experience of visiting the killing fields in Cambodia. He reflects on his time in Qatar and the transition to focusing on working with athletes in pushing their personal boundaries in sports. Ryan discusses his work in representing athletes in endurance sports and the challenges and joys that come with it. He emphasizes the importance of finding partnerships that align with an athlete's unique story and impact potential. Ryan also shares insights on taking on and letting go of athletes, the commission-based business model, and the value of being teachable and adaptable. He concludes by expressing his excitement for upcoming projects and the fulfillment of helping athletes achieve their goals.