Tri Beginner‘s Luck

SUMMER RE(P)LAY SERIES: State of the Sport with USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris

It’s officially Summertime! While some of ya’ll will race through to fall without even a little break, TBI will take a break from making fresh episodes, as we rest, recover, and rejuvenate before we hit the fall season strong.  

 

Our team has voted and we are bringing you all a replay of the  IG Popup lives and our most popular episodes. 

 

Up first, is a repeat guest that Michanda got to interview during the 2022 Endurance Exchange, USA Triathlon CEO, Rocky Harris for The State of the Sport address!  The cool thing about this interview is that Michanda conducted it LIVE!  Whew,  anything can happen and my goodness it did!   Rocky shares the state of the triathlon and multisport industry, details the successes from 2021, and gives great insights for the year ahead and provides the strategic plan for the organization, ELEVATE 2028.   You don’t want to miss the surprise at the end. 

 

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! 

*** We don't own the rights to the song in the podcast.  If you want to view the podcast on youtube, click here. ***

TIME TO TRI: PART 5 with Nargis Fontaine and The Naugatuck Triathlon Team

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: Nargis Fontaine and the Naugatuck Tri Team 

 

Ask for what you need, receive the gems, and then knock down the door to Tri. Nargis Fontaine doesn’t let an opportunity slip past her. She is a skillful martial artist who doesn’t like to be underestimated.  She shapes her workouts by looking forward to them. For her, it’s not just about checking a box.  Most Newbies don’t have the opportunity to attend training camp before their first race. However, she’s a member of D.I.S.K., so she didn’t have a typical first season.  

 

 When your civic’s teacher encourages you to tri, you know you are destined for greatness. Thank you, Mr. Fobler, for introducing  Ayana Williams, Jadya Costa, and Leticia DoNascimento to triathlon, getting excited to have a triathlon team only to be told it’s not going to happen.  Well, these young ladies would not be told they won’t be able to TRI.  They quickly galvanized themselves and made a decision to  Tri despite the initial obstacles that got in their way. After all, isn’t every goal worth having worth fighting for? These high school track stars still wanted a challenge. So, they used their resources to garner support, and bam, now we have new triathletes!  These young ladies know the true meaning of teamwork and its power to make the dream work.  They started together and literally finished together. 

 

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! 

 

TIME TO TRI: PART 4 with Elyse Braner, Jessica Long, and Jenny Wu

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

 

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

 

TIME TO TRI: PART 3 with David O’Donnell and Relay Team: Koren Ann ( Prasanna Sannidhi)

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

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

TIME TO TRI: PART 2 with Katie Matthews and Kayla Edwards

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

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

 

TIME TO TRI: PART 1 with Madison Milbert and Ronnie Ham

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

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

 

Get your mind right with Vanessa Faye Foerster

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  imreadyto@tribeginnersluck.com.  

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

Bonus Miles Conversation: Michanda’s start as an announcer

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.

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!