Tri Beginner‘s Luck

It’s beginner’s season.  Well, actually it’s always beginner season for us because there is always a race to learn to TRI.   For the month of June, we will highlight beginners as they share their stories.  It’s the modern-day race report if you digg.  

This week’s featured beginners are: Elyse Braner, Jessica Long, and Jenny Wu

Elyse and Jessica are teammates on Capital Y-Tri Team.  They experienced the same struggle and barrier to entry: swimming.  (How many of you new and tri-curious can relate?) However, both former collegiate athletes come to the tri world in search of a “Challenge”.  The value of a newbie program proves invaluable experience and education and gives them a supportive community and team atmosphere to help them overcome obstacles and give it their best Tri. 

Jenny Wu is a firecracker who underestimated triathlons. She realized quickly it isn’t as easy as it seems.  She also learned the importance of reading the Athlete’s Guide.  You can see where this is going and it only gets better. 

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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this! 

It’s beginner’s season.  Well, actually it’s always beginner season for us because there is always a race to learn to TRI.   For the month of June, we will highlight beginners as they share their stories.  It’s the modern-day race report if you digg.  

This week’s featured beginners are: David O’Donnell and Relay Team: Koren Ann ( Prasanna Sannidhi) 

David O’Donnell understood the assignment and confidently accepted his friend's challenge. David has always been an athlete, however, multisport has hit differently.  In shooting for the stars, David is going from Super Sprint to 70.3.  His story is one that is data-driven and science-approved. 

Koren Ann and Prasanna Sannidhi were a match made by  Pink Strong Triathlon!  Meeting the morning of the race, both first-timers completing the relay, were in for the ultimate victory.  We get to interview one of the dynamic duo and this story will surely ignite you to tri.  This story defines what it means to  “Ask and you Shall receive.” 

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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this! 

It’s beginner’s season.  Well, actually it’s always beginner season for us because there is always a race to learn to TRI.   For the month of June, we will highlight beginners as they share their stories.  It’s the modern-day race report if you digg.  

This week’s featured beginners are: Katie G. Matthews and Kayla Edwards.

Katie G. Matthews knows that if at first you don’t succeed,  dust yourself off and tri again, thanks to Aaliyah for making those lyrics popular.  First, Katie was encouraged by her Life Coach to try a tri.   Then, she learned about  Chris Nikic's amazing Ironman Florida finish. This one-two punch inspired Katie to uplevel (or level up?) her fitness lifestyle. Yup, she’s been bit by the Tri Bug!   But before she can confidently tri… she has to secure her Ph.D.  (you have to listen to get it!)

Kayla Edwards has found the will to tri from the power of mentorship, youtube, and sheer determination!  At 14 years old, Kayla isn’t letting any barrier stop her.  Learning how to swim just 9 months before her first race, taking she took the initiative to find a training plan and train herself.  Her “Big Brother Big Sister Mentor” loaned her a bike, and the doors have opened to a future of possibilities to tri and tri some more.  When we tri beginner’s luck, there are always lessons to to learn. Kayla’s had to learn about a USAT rule that leveled up her age. 

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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this! 

It’s beginner’s season.  Well, actually it’s always beginner season for us because there is always a race to learn to TRI.   For the month of June, we will highlight beginners as they share their stories.  It’s the modern day race report if you digg.  

This week’s featured beginners are: Madison Milbert and Ronnie Ham.

Madison Milbert is a recent graduate of the Naval Academy and after her NCAA Division 1 swim career she was looking for a way to stay active during her transition season: graduation and soon medical school.  Madison’s story is fun, fast, and fierce! 

Ronnie Ham  was born to overcome.  From being premature to almost drowning 6 times when he was younger to now starting his journey to become a triathlete.  Ronnie understands that to realize his dreams he must overcome his fears. This story is great with lots of extra miles and turns.  The vulnerability is striking and will tug on your heart while leaving you inspired to be grounded in gratitude because after all we are privileged 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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this! 

This week’s episode hits differently. We talking about training, it’s just a different kind of training. 

If we don’t train well, we won’t perform well. This goes for our BRAINS as much as our bodies. You wouldn’t skip a physical workout - so don’t skip on the mental training either! The body won’t achieve what the mind can’t conceive. So, this week, we talk about how to get your mind on board for the ride!   

We talk with Vanessa Faye Foerster, who is known for training well physically and mentally.  She is a mental endurance coach and the podcast host of Train Your Mind. 

We chat about Vanessa’s introduction to the sport,  how she borrowed her dad’s bike (envision a bike for a 6’3” man yet a 5’6” woman),  is a certified public accountant, coached for Orange Theory, and then made the leap to follow her passion. 

This episode is full of gems and wisdom.  I would like to think of it as a master class.  Get your mind right for this episode! Run to listen/ view on your favorite listening platform. 

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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this! 

In the beginning... there is always a story about one's start. Here is a highlight conversation of my start as an endurance race announcer.

Some talk a good game and some talk a good race.  Ken Berger can do both!  As a former collegiate athlete,  a triathlete, and a race announcer, Ken knows how to bring the energy to a race.  

Where do we begin with Ken’s extensive career?  When he was a beginner triathlete of course! As a Captain in the US Marines stationed in Pensacola, Florida the triathlon bug bit him.  He was an early participant in some of triathlon’s most classic races, such as the Bud Light tri-series, and announcing Olympic races. 

At 71 years young, Ken Berger is still at it, bringing his years of experience to be better than ever.  During our conversation, you’ll hear some amazing stories and learn some triathlon history.  

Ken loves to teach and mentor as he shares his gifts with others.  Michanda, the host of  Tri Beginner’s Luck, has had the privilege of studying under his mentorship.  Ken has always been ahead of his time and for that, we honor his contribution to ensuring access to announcing and welcoming diversity with open arms.  Without Ken, we might not even have a Tri Beginner’s Luck podcast!  

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].  

Cheers to defying the odds and being trailblazers,  Let’s Tri this!

This episode may hurt a little. We chat about the training we love to hate: Strength, Flexibility, and Mobility. 

Mangai Hosang is a certified Strength and Conditioning coach, USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach and level 3 official,  and USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach to name a few of his credentials.  He knows body mechanics and geeks out on the science of it all.  

If you don’t have a strong foundation,  you can kiss longevity goodbye in any sport.  We come to fully understand his favorite phrase “ Brilliant on the Basics.”   Mangai gives it to us straight with no chaser.   It’s up to you to bring the ice when you listen/view if you want this episode chilled.

Cheers!!!

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].  

Let’s Tri this! 

Advocate. Activist. Athlete. A Mother. The First Asian-American Professional Triathlete, Jocelyn Wong Neill.   

At 18 years old, life for Jocelyn was full of adventure and trying new things.  After a college injury, Jocelyn pivoted, and her athletic career truly began.  A friend challenged her to join the cycling team, which meant she needed a bike.  So,  Jocelyn did what any 18-year-old would do. She used her scholarship money to get a beautiful new road bike.  Responsible right? 

Well, that decision was just the beginning of what would become a new athletic pursuit and career.  Along the journey, Jocelyn decided to  volunteer at Ironman California, which is now Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and this ultimately started her Tri journey. At 20, she did her first Ironman in Wisconsin and earned her pro card in 2009.   

Currently, Jocelyn is living her best life as a mother,  training for the next adventure, working as a certified prosthetist-orthotist, advocating for more Asians in sport, and curating the perfect team for the JFK 50 miler - “Crazy Fit Asians”. 

Jocelyn is hilarious and this episode will surely entertain and inform you. 

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].  

Let’s Tri this! 

We’ve heard Gandhi’s advice to, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”.”  Well,  I would like to adapt that a bit:  “ If you want to see a change, create the change you want to see!”  This challenge is accepted by the Founder of Varlo Apparel, Soj Jibowu, presenting the fastest growing apparel company in multisport.  

Soj started his triathlon journey circa 2016. At TBL we’ve always advised that you don’t have to buy fancy clothing or equipment to get started. Varlo Apparel agrees! Soj is very resourceful and made every penny count to create this exciting brand.  He has over 60 races under his belt, and he is a former Division 1 athlete,  with many school records. As a younger athlete, he could not have imagined that everything he had learned would be challenged someday.   

After a few years in sport, Soj researched everything he could about apparel brands because he knew he would only have one shot to get it right.  Soj’s vision is not just to have the best apparel company, but to change the landscape of the sport and introduce it to as many people as can be reached. Varlo is not just apparel. It’s a lifestyle!

This apparel brand sponsors pro athletes and supports a growing team of ambassadors. So, what’s next for Varlo? Anything they can dream about, as the future awaits. 

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].  

Let’s Tri this!