Amanda Duling joins The Everyday Ironman Podcast to share an inspiring journey that proves it’s never too late to transform your life. A Kansas-based athlete, wife of 20+ years, and mom to a high schooler, Amanda found endurance sports six years ago following gastric bypass surgery—and has since lost over 110 pounds. She opens up about how the triathlon community embraced her and why she’s passionate about helping female athletes navigate challenges often left unspoken.

We also dive into triathlon relays, race goals, recovery hygiene, and yes… Mike finally learns how to properly apply chamois cream. Amanda discusses her books Butt Stuff and Sh*t I Wish People Told Me, while Ashley teases a big upcoming goal. It’s honest, practical, and empowering.

#EverydayIronman #TriathlonLife #AgeGroupAthlete #EnduranceJourney #WomenInTriathlon #IronmanTraining #FitnessTransformation

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Ashley Raines and Chris Curtis are joined by Jes Palatka, a true example of what it means to pursue big goals alongside real life. Jes lives in Ohio, is the proud mom of three adult children, works full time at a university, runs a nonprofit, and is actively working toward her PhD—all while training for Ironman.

Jes’s endurance journey started early. She ran her first marathon at just 18 years old and has since completed an incredible 30 marathons. Since 2022, she has taken on the ultimate challenge, finishing six full Ironman races and proving that consistency and grit can unlock extraordinary results.

This conversation dives into balancing training with demanding schedules, staying mentally strong, and redefining what’s possible as an age-group athlete. Whether you’re chasing a PR or your first finish line, Jes’s story will inspire you to keep showing up.

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Tiffany and Caitlin Saunders—better known as Team Saunders Tri—return to The Everyday Ironman Podcast to preview the inaugural Ironman 70.3 in Little Elm, Texas. With a strong presence on social media and a reputation as accomplished triathletes, they were even featured in the race’s official announcement video.

In this episode, Tiffany and Caitlin share insights from their YouTube series Train Like a Pro and break down the course after previewing it while filming race content. We also discuss the unique challenge of hosting a 70.3 in North Texas this early in the season and the unpredictable weather athletes could face.

Race Director Nancy Goodnight has worked hard to make this event welcoming and supportive for women, and we highlight the thoughtful details that sets this race apart. Plus, we share our personal strategies for dealing with a cold swim exit and unpredictable race-day conditions.

#EverydayIronman #Ironman703 #TeamSaundersTri #AgeGroupAthletes #TriathlonLife #TrainLikeAPro #IronmanTraining

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Mike and Ashley welcome Lars Mainer, a Denmark native now living in the U.S. and a teammate of Ashley on Team Zoot. Lars shares how his endurance journey began in the marathon world before evolving into long-course triathlon, including racing Ironman Cozumel.

The conversation goes beyond racing as Lars explains the science of wind propulsion through his experience as a kite surfer and how those lessons translate to endurance sports. He also discusses insights from his Master’s thesis and a powerful conversation with a business coach that helped him define his personal “why.”

Mike, Ashley, and Lars also dive into the role fear plays in performance and personal growth—especially how even irrational fears can quietly hold athletes back.

This episode blends endurance sport, mindset, and purpose in a way every Age Group Athlete will appreciate.

#EverydayIronman #TriathlonPodcast #AgeGroupAthlete #IronmanTraining #EnduranceSports #TeamZoot #TriathlonLife #FindYourWhy

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we’re joined by Maiki Cofer, who lives just minutes from Ironman World Championship in Kona—aka the place every triathlete dreams of racing. A longtime volunteer at the World Championship, Maiki gives real insight into qualifying from Hawaii and why it’s still far from easy.

She shares her journey from a 2014 relay to her first Olympic-distance finish, racing Ironman 70.3 Hawaii multiple times, and we discuss the cost to race there when you don’t live on the island. We also talk Team Zoot, her role as a League of Garmin Captain, mental health, preventive surgery, and her powerful “Summer Joy Celebration” during recovery.

Oh—and Mike may or may not reveal his dolphin-powered swim strategy. 🐬

#EverydayIronman #IronmanTriathlon #AgeGroupAthlete #KonaDreaming #TriathlonLife

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Jana Laughlin joins the conversation for a wide-ranging and honest discussion about endurance sport, resilience, and balance. Jana growing up swimming recreationally before discovering cycling later in life while recovering from breast cancer—a journey that ultimately led her to meet her husband through the cycling community. A spontaneous suggestion turned into her first triathlon just days later, and she’s been hooked ever since.

Jana shares insights on avoiding overuse injuries, training on limited sleep, and managing low blood pressure while still showing up consistently. We also dive into trail running versus road running, debating whether the challenge is more mental or physical, and talk strategy for her upcoming Death by 5K race. We didn’t agree on much… except that there was definitely enough room on that floating door for Jack Dawson.

#TheEverydayIronman #AgeGroupAthlete #TriathlonLife #EnduranceTraining #TrailRunning #CyclingLife #IronmanTraining

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we’re joined by Adam Jones—recording remotely while stuck in the Atlanta airport—for a wide-ranging conversation that Age Group Athletes will truly relate to. Adam shares how his endurance journey began not with triathlon, but with RAGBRAI, the iconic 7-day bike ride across Iowa, sparking a lifelong passion for endurance sports.

Adam walks us through his progression into triathlon, starting with a Sprint distance race and a Top 5 Age Group finish, moving up to Olympic distance, a weather-shortened bike at Ironman 70.3 Des Moines, and ultimately tackling Ironman Wisconsin. He reveals his unique bike choice—a Salsa Cutthroat—and reflects on a “life-changing” Death by 5K event that reshaped his mindset.

Now racing in the 40–45 Age Group, Adam looks ahead to what’s next, including Ironman 70.3 Omaha this June.

#EverydayIronman #AgeGroupAthlete #TriathlonLife #IronmanTraining #RAGBRAI #EnduranceSports #70point3 #IronmanWisconsin

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In this powerful and honest episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we sit down with Emma Tucker, an Age Group Athlete from Australia whose journey to Ironman is nothing short of remarkable. Emma opens up about living an unhealthy lifestyle before a serious health scare pushed her to make a change that would alter the course of her life. Over the span of a year, she lost nearly 80 kilos, openly sharing her decision to undergo weight loss surgery and documenting the entire process on Instagram to help educate and support others.

Emma walks us through relearning how to eat, exercise, and manage stress—including starting with just an hour a day on an elliptical in her garage and changing jobs to create a healthier lifestyle. She shares how her Ironman journey began by simply running from one road reflector to the next, her unique fueling strategy of eight small meals per day, lessons learned from her first major injury, and a hilarious moment when her physical therapist “ratted her out” to her coach. The conversation culminates with Emma qualifying for and racing the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Kona.

This episode is a must-listen for any Age Group Athlete chasing big goals, one small step at a time.

#TheEverydayIronman #AgeGroupAthlete #IronmanJourney #TriathlonLife #IronmanWorldChampionships #Kona2025 #TransformationStory

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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