Tri Beginner‘s Luck

When a love for photography is coupled with a love for racing, you get a power couple passionate about capturing memories and sharing them with the world.  Mark Evan and Netty Nygard are behind The Nordica Photography, celebrating their year anniversary this month.  

This duo has a unique story; both are one of nine children, have an incredible race history, and have a lot of heart to give to the community.  They travel to races, including their own, to capture unique moments they can share with the athletes later.

Netty is completing her first year as a triathlete.  She is participating in three triathlons, all different distances, while Mark is an avid triathlete who qualified for World Championships 70.3 and raced until his day was cut short. Want to hear more of that story? You’ll have to tune in!

This episode is a journey of highs and lows filled with joy and tears.  It’s one you don’t want to miss. 

Follow Mark and Netty @thenordicaphotography you never know… they may have captured you!  

Ten years in the Triathlon Game, Lynn Mattix has shown, time and again, that she is a true ambassador for the sport.  She is a woman on purpose with purpose, and she wants to continue to give to sport for years to come. 

Over the course of Lynn’s race career, she has finished over 5 Ironman races, 10x 70.3 finishes qualifying for the World Championships, and a host of marathons, including Conquer the Wall on the Great Wall of China. 

But, her passion for the sport is about more than herself. She wants to see more women share her experiences in endurance sports. That is why she started Fund Her Tri in 2019 with the goal of getting more women to every starting line by eliminating the financial barrier that keeps many from starting to tri.  She also co-founded Rise & Tri Triathlete Mentor Program to help women feel empowered and informed throughout their triathlon journey. 

Join us as we talk with Lynn about all things tri - and learn how we can get more women on every starting line. 

Visit Fund Her Tri for ways you can get involved and to give. 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

Community Focused. Advocate. Leader. Ph.D. Student. Triathlete.  Maria Paredes Fernandez is all these things and more.   

Growing up, Maria had to focus on education; however, as an adult, Maria has fully accepted her athletic calling while still pursuing her Ph.d. Maria realized she didn’t have to choose between education and sport, yet could do both and do them well.

Maria is the vice president of T3 Philly and has presented as a panelist in the "Diversity and Equity in the Sport of Triathlon" seminar at the 2021 Philly Bike Expo and as a panelist for a talk "Intro to Multisport" in 2022 put on by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.    She loves the multisport community and believes all voices should be heard because there is always another story to tell.  Oh, and Maria is the fierce face of Varlo. 

Buckle up … this is a good one. 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

Sister Madona Buder is the world record holder for being the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon.  Most recently, at 92, she completed the Sprint Triathalon at  USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals. 

She is witty, wise, and an excellent conversationalist.  This episode is one where you can just sit back, listen, and imagine being in the room listening to amazing stories. 

Sister Madonna shares her six  D’s that she lives by and has helped her during her triathlon journey.  We hope that it inspires you to tri and never give up. 

On your mark, get set, and listen! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].

You don’t need a plan before you try.  Sometimes, you just have to go for it and put your faith in the journey. The most adventurous roads can lead us to places we never even imagined. Heather Jackson isn’t afraid of this type of adventure, and as her fans, we are lucky to share in her journey. 

From Division 1 Ice Hockey to an Ironman Champion, Jackson is a force to be reckoned with. Most recently, she is trying beginner's luck with ultra running and gravel racing.  

Heather's textbook beginner story is what it’s all about, and there is so much to relate to in her story!  She teaches us that you never know unless you Tri.  

Yall, it’s time to listen and TRI! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

Hearing your name called when you cross the finish line is one of the coolest and most anticipated parts of racing.  This week, we hear stories from race announcer, Tony Lugo, who is also a triathlete and former triathlon coach. 

Tony announces for Ironman and cycling events around the world.  He is a 13-time Ironman Finisher, 4-time Marathon Major’s Finisher, and 1-time Challenge Roth finisher.  You would think he has been an athlete all his life, but like many, Tony got his start as an adult running marathons. One day, he saw an Ironman race on TV, decided he wanted to be called an Ironman, and watched every day until he became one in 1999.  

Like many triathletes, Tony had the dream, visualized it,  and implemented the action plan to make it happen. Even though Tony had to learn to swim, he didn’t see that as a problem. He accepted that challenge and had three first-time experiences in one season. 

Tony will tell you he made the varsity team in partying, and we are glad he did as he is the life of the finish line parties.

It’s Listen Time… 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

Every triathlete has a story. Every triathlete who sets out on the journey to tri has a reason why they decide to push their limits. At Tri Beginner’s Luck, we desire to uncover it all and share the stories and why behind trying.

This week we interview two beginners with incredible stories. Angela Shannon, at 60 years of age, took charge by opening herself for a new challenge. Angelina Miller’s experience during the Covid lockdown days became a launching pad to return to fitness. Angelina realized that anyone could do a Triathlon when she saw the Olympics. She realized that anyone was her.

These stories are what Tri Beginner’s Luck - and the triathlon lifestyle - is all about. We hope that once you take a listen, you are encouraged, empowered, and ready to tri!

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. And send any questions or feedback you have to [email protected].

In order to play the game - and to play well - you’ve got to know the rules of the game. Triathlon is no different! 

This week we learn the updated USA Triathlon rules for the comin season as we chat with the  Commissioner of Officials, Mark Turner!  Mark is a fellow triathlete, USAT Level II Endurance and Paratriathlon coach, and an IRONMAN University coach. But we don’t just talk rules! We get into Mark’s story, too. He’s had an interesting journey and we learn about that and more in this episode. 

There is no need to delay. It’s time to listen; let’s tri this!          

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

This week we interview the #FastBraidFriday Queen, Colleen Quigley!  She is an Olympian in the Steeple Chase. Recently, she found herself curious about triathlon. So, she gave it a tri, because why not?  

As an Olympian and competitive athlete, Colleen has skills and she uses them to maximize every opportunity.  She recognized how her abilities in the Steeple Chase could help her in Triathlon. And did they ever!   She rallied from 17th place to first overall female at the 2023 Tritonman Triathlon in San Diego, California. This was her first triathlon!

Colleen explains, “From telling everyone that I wanted to be a dancer instead of a runner, to considering giving up running in order to become a professional model, to committing to Florida State, and eventually becoming an NCAA Champion and even an Olympian... it has been a wild ride.”   

Let the adventure continue… Welcome to Triathlon, Colleen Quigley,  You are a triathlete! 

It’s time to listen, let’s tri this! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].  

Hey Family,  This is a bonus episode on the cusp of two months that I happen to represent:  Black History and Women’s History.  

I want to encourage all of you, so this week, I share a bit of my story for how triathlon created a space of courage for me to overcome challenges and heartbreak. I know so many people are having a challenging time this season, but our challenges don’t define us - they can propel us to achieve our dreams.  I hope this bonus episode encourages you to dig deep, find your courage, and get on with the goals that make your life worth living. 

It’s time to listen, let’s tri this!       

Don’t forget to leave a review, share it with your friends, and follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  [email protected].