Tri Beginner‘s Luck

Talking A Good Race with Ken Berger

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

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

Brilliant on the Basics with Mangai Hosang

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

Give back, Tri Forward with Jocelyn Wong Neill

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

 

The Future Awaits with Soj Jibowu

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

Life without Compromise with Bill Shufelt

When you wake up at 4 am to work out and create significant gains, you don’t want to ruin that with empty calories. What we put into our bodies as athletes matters! 

But, what you don’t expect is to be put in the penalty box when you turn down a drink at happy hour.  Well,  “Nobody puts Bill in a corner”, and Bill was having none of it!  

Bill Shufelt created Athletic Brewing Company to promote community, health, and fitness so athletes can live life without compromise.  Then, he continued to give back to the  multisport community through the robust ambassador program and ABC has become the Official Beer of Ironman as the Global Sponsor.  Please get into this! 

The conversation has range, depth, and so much wisdom! So Let’s go ALL OUT and  RUN WILD as we turn UPSIDE DAWN on the FREE WAVE of life and listen to this podcast episode!  

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

 

Let’s Tri this! 

The Golden Rule with Doc Halliday Golden

Doc Halliday Golden is a woman of many talents. She is a motivational speaker, coach, and triathlete who has completed over 90 races during her athletic journey.    

Volunteering has its benefits and Doc learned early about the power of volunteerism and how it can lead you to a hobby you didn’t know you needed. As a result of volunteering with Lifetime’s NYC Triathlon, she was granted free entry to race the following year.  Good thing she had  12 months to get her act together and learn the sport. 

Doc takes us on her triathlon journey, the importance of a tri team/club/community, and how she started coaching.  This episode doesn’t disappoint. 

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

 

Let’s Tri this! 

Y Tri - Why Not? With Larry Atkins

Saying  YES to trying a triathlon can be a scary choice to make.   Once you commit, you start to ask so many questions:   Where do I start?  How do I train?  What do I need? How long should I train?  Can I really do this? Why did I say yes? 

Then you start to feel all the feels like you can conquer the world!  You feel happy, excited, scared, uncertain, and confused, but deep down you are proud of yourself for stepping up to a new challenge. 

That’s when it’s time to find a club to help you reach your goals.  In this episode, we talk with the Head Coach of the Capital Y-Tri Triathlon Team, Larry Atkins.   We learn about Larry’s journey and why having a strong community is so important.    We discuss the difference between a club and a team.  We break down how Y-Tri has been so successful over the years with the all-volunteer coaching staff.  They have introduced over 1,000 newbies to the sport and we couldn’t be more excited for you to hear for yourself and perhaps decide to Tri! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share this with your friends, and Follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

More than one way to GOLD with Gwen Jorgensen

Gwen Jorgensen is a  mom, wife, and Olympic Gold medalist who has become the master of transitions.  From new career to new move to new coach!  So much new is happening with Gwen and we are here for it! 

During this interview, we learn so much about Gwen.  How she truly got her start in Triathlon.  Can you imagine, going to a Division 1 school for Swimming and Running only to be recruited for Triathlons?    Thank you Barbara Lindquist for that magic eye.  But wait, to learn how to ride a bike, clip in for the first time, and learn how to handle a bike was just a small hurdle to overcome to get to the Gold Medal. 

With her recent move to Colorado, a new coach, and her eyes set on new goals we get to know Gwen and what she’s most passionate about.  Her down-to-earth personality and willingness to share priceless gems easily makes this episode an instant classic. 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share with your friends, and Follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

 

Let’s F things up with Camille Baptiste

Camille Baptiste is disrupting the Tri space by F’ing things up!  She is bringing Fun, Family, and Fabulous Finish Lines to local races in Austin, Texas.    

As an adult, Camille learned how to bike and swim in the same year and fell head over heels in love with triathlons.  But, like many athletes, she was becoming worn down by  traveling to races and caring  for her family. There was enough time in the day! Because she is a solutionary, Camille didn’t waste any time becoming a USAT certified race director and started curating her Pink Strong Race Series!  

Camille creates courses that allow people of different shapes, sizes, ability, and ages to have their dreams come true. She wants to create finish lines where people can finish, as well as have the A-pack: All Inclusive, Affordable, and Accessible.  She is hilarious and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do at TBL! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share with your friends, and Follow Tri Beginner's luck on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this! 

I AM A TRIATHLETE with Nia Obotette

Strong. Determined. Creator and more. Nia Obotette is every woman, and she wants you to be a triathlete!  Like many triathletes before her, running was the gateway activity that sparked an interest in triathlon.  Growing up in the midwest, the sport was a bit foreign to her, but she was willing to tri and the rest is history. 

During the pandemic, Nia was searching for books for her niece. She discovered there was nothing on the market that reflected the flavor of the sport and represented diversity.  So she executed a phenomenal crowdfunding campaign to bring her book, I am a Triathlete, to fruition.  

She is currently on a mission to bring 22 ladies to the sport of triathlon in 2022.  Nia is committed to  the sport of triathlon and wants to encourage you to tri where you are. What’s missing from triathlon is you.  So, take a listen and be encouraged today! 

Don’t forget to leave a review, share with your friends, and Follow Tri Beginner's Luck on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  And send any questions or feedback you have to  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

Let’s Tri this!