Where Your Feet Take You

In this solo episode, Kayla Bowker shares her personal journey through pregnancy giving an update on having Hyperemesis Gravidarum and detailing the challenges she faces with Hyperemesis Gravidarum nausea, fatigue, and the impact on her training as a professional athlete. She discusses the emotional and physical toll of hyperemesis gravidarum, the importance of seeking support, and the balance between motherhood and athletic aspirations. Kayla reflects on the surprising difficulties of this pregnancy compared to her previous experiences and emphasizes the need for self-care and understanding during this challenging time.

Cheers!
Kayla 

help support the podcast at www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update
01:55 Pregnancy Journey: Weeks 1-14
10:57 Challenges of Pregnancy and Mental Health
16:14 Training with Kids: Balancing Life and Fitness
21:01 Surprising Aspects of This Pregnancy
29:20 Future Plans and Conclusion

Welcome back to the show!!! Erin and Kayla talk about Erin's move to Colorado, how her training has been while settling in there, and then go into Kayla's race at Michigan 70.3 while 13 weeks pregnant. We go on a little bit of a rant about drafting, then head into our thoughts on the Women's Ironman World Championships Preview and end with some listeners questions regarding tri suits and open water swimming. 

Cheers! 
Kayla and Erin

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:59 Adjusting to New Environments
05:58 Triathlon Training Challenges
09:01 Kayla's Race Experience During Pregnancy
18:04 Race Dynamics and Drafting Issues
27:06 Emotional Reflections on Racing
30:02 Upcoming Ironman World Championships
39:58 Listener Questions and Answers

This conversation is part of a series called 'Road to Ironman World Championships in Nice' where Kayla interviews and shares the stories of people who have qualified for the women's world championship in France. In this episode, Kayla chats with Rachel Goyette, who has qualified for the Ironman World Championships. They discuss Rachel's background, her experience working at previous world championships, and her excitement for participating in the upcoming race. They also talk the importance of women recognizing their accomplishments and deserving the best equipment. Rachel shares her training focus for the race and offers advice for balancing training, work, and family life. The conversation revolves around the excitement and positive vibes surrounding the women's race at the upcoming triathlon in Nice. They discuss the potential benefits of having separate race days for men and women, allowing women to have their own spotlight. They also touch on the challenges faced by women in balancing multiple roles, such as being a mom, a career woman, and an athlete. Overall, they emphasize the importance of women's empowerment and the need for more women to participate in endurance sports.

CHEERS!!
Kayla

Please help support the podcast and join the Patreon Community www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Getting to Know Rachel Goyette

03:34 Rachel's Experience Working at the Ironman World Championships

05:04 Disparity Between Men and Women in Triathlon

10:17 Balancing Training, Family, and Work

14:30 Training for the Challenges of the Nice Course

19:37 Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Adaptability

24:43 Excitement for the Ironman World Championships

26:02 The Joyful Atmosphere of the Race in Nice, France

27:32 Exploring France and Enjoying the Local Food

32:49 The Importance of Women Having Their Own Race Day

37:00 Balancing Motherhood, Career, and Athletics

43:57 Empowering Women to Participate in Triathlon

48:30 Embracing Joy and Gratitude in Racing

Welcome back to the Week 12 Pregnany Update! In this episode I talk a bit about how I have been feeling, go over some really high level aspects of how training has been going, talk about the fact that it is race week and how I feel about racing pregnant as a Professional.  Lastly, I chat about how I chose a Midwife group vs. an OBGYN group. 

Hope you enjoy!
Kayla 

Send any questions you may have to my instagram at @kayla-bowker-4 

Help support the podcast at www. patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:49 12 Weeks Pregnant: Challenges and Symptoms
08:01 Training and Racing While Pregnant
11:45 Preparing for a Race at 13 Weeks Pregnant
19:32 Choosing a Supportive Healthcare Provider
21:26 Managing Energy and Fatigue
24:12 Update on Training and Racing Plans
28:25 Empowering Yourself During Pregnancy

Chelsea Wolfe, a former college swimmer and triathlete, shares her journey to the Ironman World Championships in Nice. She brings a lighthearted and fun atmosphere to the sport of triathlon. Chelsea discusses her training, including the challenges of training in the Arizona heat and the benefits of indoor training. She also talks about her experience at Ironman Texas and her excitement for the upcoming race in Nice. Chelsea reflects on her transition from swimming to triathlon and the mental strength she has developed through her training. In this conversation, Chelsea Wolfe and Kayla discuss the challenges of training for triathlons, particularly on a treadmill, and how to balance training with a full-time job and travel. They also talk about the importance of representation and accessibility in triathlon, especially for women. Chelsea shares her tips for traveling with a bike and her excitement for the upcoming race in Nice. 

Cheers!!!!

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Part one of my pregnancy series where I plan to share all aspects of pregnancy as a Professional Triathlete and mom of two toddler boys.  This episode is a combination of week 7 update and week 8 update in which I was honestly feeling really pretty horrible so I apologize if it is a little down trodden sounding.  It is raw and vulnerable which I believe very strongly we need to have more of in the pregnancy journey. 

Thank you for following along!
Cheers!
Kayla 

For more along this journey -- I will do specific episodes answering questions on my patreon page at www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast 

Becky McQuain shares her journey in triathlon and her experience qualifying for the Ironman Nice World Championships. She talks about her first Ironman race and the joy and excitement she felt crossing the finish line. Becky discusses her training for the championships, including ocean swimming and climbing practice. She expresses her excitement for the women's only event and the opportunity to be part of the first women's World Championships in Nice.  Becky emphasizes the importance of rest, consistency, and setting realistic goals. She also discusses the value of gratitude and finding joy in the process. Becky opens up about dealing with a physical challenge and the power of sharing her struggles with others. She highlights the supportive triathlon community and the impact that age groupers have on inspiring others. Becky encourages athletes to remember their positive impact on the sport, regardless of their race day performance.

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:52 Qualifying for the Ironman Nice World Championships
06:19 Becky's First Ironman Experience
09:35 Preparation for the Championships
13:03 Training for the Swim and Bike
15:39 Excitement for the Run and Loop Course
17:36 The Significance of the Women's Only Event
19:57 The First Women's World Championships in Nice
22:44 Nervousness about the Time Change
26:43 Finding Joy in the Training Process: Gratitude and Patience
31:49 The Power of Sharing Struggles: Support from the Triathlon Community
37:27 Inspiring Others: The Impact of Age Groupers in the Sport

Welcome to the Road to Ironman World Championships 2025 Nice France Series. In this episode we sit down with Jennifer Vollmann to talk about how powerful it has been for her daughter to witness an all womens field, where she qualified, how training has been going, we dive into her experiences in Extreme Triathlon and how she balances training for standard triathlon with Extreme Triathlon. 

Jennifer and Kayla discuss their excitement for the Ironman World Championships and the unique experience it offers. They talk about the camaraderie among triathletes and the joy of being surrounded by like-minded individuals. They also touch on the women's pro field and the unpredictability of the race. Jennifer shares her goals for the race and emphasizes the importance of mindset and perseverance in triathlon. They discuss the challenges and sacrifices women face in the sport and the need for more recognition and support. Jennifer provides her social media handles and website for those interested in following her journey.

Cheers!
Kayla

Please help support the podcast at www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
04:57 The Impact of Women's Races
06:44 The Challenging Bike Course in Nice
10:43 Balancing Extreme Triathlons and Traditional Triathlons
14:29 Preparing for Extreme Triathlons at High Altitudes
22:08 Pushing Personal Limits in Extreme Triathlons
24:46 The Excitement of the Ironman World Championships
27:49 Setting Personal Goals for the Race
29:50 The Potential for Unexpected Outcomes in the Women's Pro Field
32:27 The Importance of Women's Representation in Triathlon

I won't spill the beans here in the description you'll have to listen to the episode for some REALLY BIG FUN NEWS!!!!! 

We also answer your questions: 
- What courses are best for PRs,
- Calf Sleeves,
- Peeing on the Bike
- Different body types in triathlon and how powerful it is that we are in a sport that has different body types
- Staying motivated towards really long term goals

Cheers!
Kayla and Erin 

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast

Looking for a triathlon coach to help your goals? We are taking on athletes - www.whereyourfeettakeyou.com 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:30 Training and Life Updates: Mountain Biking, Gravel Riding, and Moving
08:26 Managing Stress and Illness: Prioritizing Self-Care
21:46 Exciting Announcement: Kayla's Pregnancy
22:01 Choosing the Right Bike Course for a PR
29:38 Improving Performance with Arrow Calf Sleeves
30:04 Aero Benefits and Use of Compression Sleeves and Calf Sleeves
36:26 Knowing When to Retire Cycling Shoes
41:07 The Challenge of Peeing on the Bike
46:37 Body Image in Triathlon: Power and Performance
53:23 Staying Focused on Long-Term Goals

Coming soon the Road To Nice World Championships series. To include mini interviews and episodes with women who have qualified for the race. We will chat about how they qualified, what they are excited for, and more!!!
Episodes will start dropping in September! Stay tuned.

Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/whereyourfeettakeyoupodcast
Cheers Kayla