WITSUP women in triathlon

It’s time to say goodbye to Witsup. The thing is, I don’t want to write “it’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye … “ because my heart has done so much heavy lifting the last few weeks, if not months, as I have come to the incredibly tough decision to close down WITSUP and move on.

I want to say that I’m finally in a space that it’s with a light and happy heart that I can close this chapter, be excited about the next one and truly celebrate all of the awesomeness that WITSUP has achieved over a decade.

From day one, WITSUP was a fight for improving the media landscape and the community for women in triathlon and sport, and we achieved so much in this space. But, for me, I now need to move on and find what lights my fire again.

We decided to give WITSUP a send off via a podcast, so if you want to join us for an emotional trip down memory lane, we asked some of our faves to help share some stories.

Hot tip: Don’t edit your own finale podcast - it was brutal, but a beautiful thing. Thanks to Linsey Corbin, Belinda Granger, Mirinda Carfrae, Laura Siddall, Jordan Blanco, Meredith Kessler, Caroline Steffen, Rachel Joyce and Lizzy Blatchford.

So what’s next? I’m not entirely sure, but I know I’ll dive in with the passion and drive I had when we launched WITSUP. And stay tuned, maybe the podcast will be back but will just be slightly different. Who knows. But firstly, and most importantly, I’m going to change the batteries in Frankie’s toy that I’ve been telling her I’ll do for weeks, steal a few extra cuddles, and probably have a gin.

Thank you everyone so so much for all of your support over the years. It’s been a hell of a ride.

This is a very special podcast episode for me. Julie 'Dibs' Dibens is the guest that I have hounded for years to join me on the podcast, but she just isn't a fan of the limelight or talking about herself, so always evaded me. But finally, I wore her down. The white whale for the Witsup podcast, has been caught.

Dibs was one of the first athletes I became a super fan of. I loved her badass style of racing and her resilience. Then I met her, and I added smartass to the list of things I loved. Then when people started approaching her in Kona asking her if she was Stef from Witsup, my mind was blown! Apparently we're twins! (I think I won out in that scenario). I started as a fan of the athlete, Julie Dibens, and I'm now honoured to call Dibs a friend.

Dibs is now a brilliant coach, but it took her a while to settle into that role after her racing career ended earlier than she hoped due to injury. She was successful over middle and long distance racing, Xterra and was an Olympian - not many athletes have those bragging rights, and even though Dibs does, she doesn't brag. Except for when it comes to any time that she has toweled up Rinny.

She's a no bullshit kind of person, but with a heart of gold. This was most definitely a full circle kind of moment for me.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

There are so many things to rate and love about Jacqui, from her bubbly personality, her commitment to embracing that suitcase life, her friendliness, she was a firefighter (top three badass and coolest jobs in my opinion), her success at on and off road triathlon, and she now finally loves dogs - until this moment, we didn't rate her, obviously, ha!

Jacqui and her husband, Ben, are the pin up triathletes for creating a traveling/racing lifestyle, and making it work for them. They've slept on many a stranger's couch and have lived off the smell of an oily rag in the past, but always found ways to give back to the community and their sponsors/partners. It's easy to love to Allens, and by the end of this episode, you'll see why.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

In between TT comps, triathlons, thoughts of chasing Olympic goals (that's an exclusive for you) and dog walkies, Kim Morrison found some time to catch up with us, and we are stoked that she did.

We discover that the triathlon world can thank her Mum's love of reading as the reason Kim stepped into the world of swim, bike and run. Seems like a strange leap to go from reading a book to professional racing, but once you find out that the book was Chrissie Wellington's, A Life Without Limits, it all starts to make sense. However, we can't help but wonder, what if her Mum was reading Touching The Void by Joe Simpson, or, True Spirit by Jessica Watson - would we see her tackle an icy rock face, or exchange a TT bike for a life jacket instead?

We find out that Kim has been driven a lot by people telling her that she can't do something, and we know this feeling all too well. From taking up mathematics at uni, to her sporting endeavours, just try to tame this ball of energy, we dare you.

Loved getting to know Kim and her dogs a little better. A big take away from this chat is that if you're going to jump off the cliffs at the End of the World in Kona, take Rob, Susie Cheetham's husband with you, he's the master of ocean jewellery retrieval.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

Loved reconnecting with Danish superstar, Helle Frederiksen! It’s been too long since we’ve caught up with Helle and so much has happened between chats. As she’s moved on to the next chapter after professional triathlon we can tell she hasn’t slowed down one bit. We chat 40th birthday debauchery, becoming a coach, her new book, and most importantly, her new pup, Milo!

We’re inspired by her vulnerability as she shares the highs and lows of her triathlon career including moments that she had tried to forget. But when you're putting pen to paper to write your own story, memories resurface.

Helle's book, The Pursuit Of Victory - https://shop.ourkollektiv.com/

Quote highlights include:

“We think we can take everything on, but sometimes you have to be realistic.”

“There are so many stories to be told and so many vulnerable moments that I've been going through where I really expose myself and show what’s behind the scenes.”

“Sometimes life happens.”

“I realised I needed someone to lean on and keep me safe.”

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

We chat with the emerging Superstar Kat Matthews about her journey in sport from the British military and as a physio. She has taken the past year as an opportunity to grow in the sport with multiple breakthrough performances despite the pandemic.

We applaud her for speaking out about body image in sport. As one of the fastest runners on the long-distance triathlon circuit, she opens up about how even she at times isn’t immune to feeling that she doesn’t feel like a runner, because she doesn’t look a certain way. And the importance of trying to change this narrative amongst everyone.

Get to know the flying Kat and follow her through her already booming career as a professional triathlete.

Quotes highlights include:

“It’s very relevant to a lot of people. Whatever gender or size. You don’t feel like your aesthetics are good enough to label yourself as a runner. I wanted to raise my personal story and awareness.”

“If someone thinks they need to look a certain way, they’re striving for a goal that’s not authentically driven. It’s aesthetics driven.”

“I’m not driven by thinking that this is my career. I’m driven by getting better and performing. I genuinely just enjoy the motivation, inspiration and action cycle.”

“There’s not one right way. We need to adjust and adapt.”

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

We catch up with our favorite example of an athlete who on the racecourse is different than the person off the race course - Mary Beth Ellis, The Honey Badger. We reminisce on the glory days of racing, the transition into retirement from professional racing and motherhood.

When asked if she should have ever apologized to anyone post-race, she aptly answered, “I probably should have” and that’s exactly why we love her. We rate the spicy attitude of MBE, self-professed asshole on the race course. She truly doesn’t give a shit, and we kind of love it.

MBE is one of those athletes who became a close friend over the years, so much so, that we were roomies in Kona and Denmark, and back in 2016/17, we spent New Years Eve together. Great catching up again friend - miss you!

Quotes highlights include:

“I definitely was an asshole on the racecourse. You get so myopic on the racecourse and the manners are out the window.”

“There wasn’t the same fire that I had earlier in my career.”

“Everyone has been so starved of that, it makes you appreciate being able to be with friends and family again."

“Before the internet, you’d have to read the magazines, but now it’s easier to speak directly to your fans.”

“In hindsight, I would have changed some things I did training wise, but really I wouldn’t change anything."

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

100 episodes, a "few" world championship wins, and two kids later, we caught up with the legend, Mirinda 'Rinny' Carfrae. As she’s balancing being a mum of two and getting back into the swing of training after giving birth to her second child, the fire in Rinny is burning as brightly as ever.

We can’t imagine celebrating 100 episodes of the Witsup podcast with anyone but Rinny. We look forward to whatever her next moves are, whatever they may be.

Fall in love with Rinny all over again, like we do each time we chat to her.

Quotes highlights include:

“I remind myself that I only can do what I can do.”

“I’m at peace if I don’t win. I really want to win, and perform at the highest level, but I'm okay with myself regardless.”

“I can’t help myself. Even when I'm retired, I’ll still tune in and see what’s going on. But now, it’s relevant to me. I have to compete against these girls!”

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

Sophie Corbidge wears many hats and even goes by two last names. As a triathlete, she goes by Sophie Corbidge, but as a teacher and newlywed wife she’s Sophie Gwynn.

In her 20s, after months (if not years) of gradually feeling worse and worse, she was finally diagnosed with chronic fatigue. From an unbalanced metabolism, exhaustion, constant injury, and losing her menstrual cycle. We talk about embracing her menstrual cycle instead of dreading it, or even worse, not having a period at all. We’re inspired by her perspective and ability to balance the many roles of her life without guilt. Get to know Sophie’s personality and contagious laughter.

Quotes highlights include:

“Sport is selfish in its nature. I like helping people and relating to people. Changing the way you’re teaching to help individuals is really satisfying. You often get children with the same ability who solve problems very differently. I like getting the most out of people by learning how they learn.”

“Periods are good!”

“Even in the classroom, I like for the environment to be relaxed.”

“Ultimately if I can go to sleep at night knowing that I'm a good person, that ultimately is at the top of the list of what I am.”

Follow Sophie: https://www.instagram.com/sophiecorbidge/

Follow Dr Stacy Sims: https://www.instagram.com/drstacysims/

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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HERE IS HOW TOSUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

This is the conversation I didn't realise I had to have, but I'm so glad I've now met Dr Hayley Dickinson, BSc (Hons), PhD, who will now affectionately be called 'The Doc.'

The Doc, amongst many things, is a scientist who ran a research lab for over 15 years, focused on pregnancy and fetal growth and development, with the core objective of learning how to deliver happy and healthy mums and babies - at least that's what she thought she was doing.

She was in the midst of an extremely successful medical research career, but in 2018 after a shocking realisation, she walked away from it all.

We discuss her decision to leave that world, and the fallout from it - which gets very personal and confronting. The Doc's story is the perfect example of an internal struggle that was clearly taking a mental and emotional toll, which manifested in a physical one as well.

However, once The Doc started to make her way out of a pretty dark hole she found herself in, she began to ask different questions about the way nutrition information was communicated to women. It’s clear that optimal nutrition is critical for pregnancy success, so why isn’t this being achieved by most women?

So The Doc's new passion and focus is to combine her science background with the knowledge and wisdom of her team at Eat For You. To bring back what’s right, and marry it with what science tells us is true. To focus on the health of the people who are yet to be born, by changing the ways of the people who come before them.

The Doc is as raw and organic as the Eat For You Bars she's the founder of, and we encourage you all to have a taste of the episode.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10

https://eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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Follow Dr Hayley Dickinson: https://www.instagram.com/drhayley_phd/

Follow Eat For You: https://www.instagram.com/_eatforyou/

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SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup