American triathlete and Ironman legend Timothy O’Donnell joins Shannon Spake for one of the most powerful and emotional conversations ever on the Spake Up Podcast.

In 2021, during the middle of a race, Tim suffered a Widowmaker heart attack — a cardiac event with only a 12% survival rate. Somehow, he kept going. Somehow, he survived. And today, he shares the full story.

This episode dives deep into Tim’s elite racing career, his Naval Academy roots, his mindset, his training, fatherhood, recovery, and how surviving that day changed everything about how he sees life, sport, and health.

Whether you’re a triathlete, a runner, a parent, or someone who loves stories of resilience, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

🔴 Tim’s journey from the U.S. Naval Academy to Ironman World Championship podiums
🔴 What it takes to train, race, and think like an elite endurance athlete
🔴 How he survived a Widowmaker heart attack mid-race
🔴 The difference between fitness and true health
🔴 Stress, training load & warning signs athletes need to know
🔴 Mind games and strategy at the highest level of the sport
🔴 Life, marriage, and raising kids with 3-time world champion Mirinda Carfrae
🔴 What his comeback taught him about meaning and purpose

One of the most accomplished triathletes of all time:

• 9× Ironman 70.3 Champion

• 2× Ironman Champion

• Kona podium finisher (2nd, 3rd, 5th)

• ITU Long Distance World Champion

• Navy veteran

• Husband to Mirinda Carfrae

• Survivor of a 12%-survival-rate heart attack

New episodes every week featuring athletes, storytellers, and inspiring voices across sports and life.

🔴 In This Episode:🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️ About Tim O’Donnell🎧 Follow & Subscribe