IRONMAN Insider™, A Triathlon Podcast Presented by Maurten

Most athletes chase breakthroughs with speed work and bigger numbers, but Grace Thek has built the best racing of her career by doing the opposite — running easy, staying patient, and refusing to break the chain. After years plagued by injury as a college runner turned professional triathlete, Grace spent 18 months doing nothing but consistent, unstructured running, no intensity at all, betting that durability would matter mo...

Belgian Marten Van Riel spent nearly a decade dominating Olympic-distance racing before deciding to find out how that speed translates to the IRONMAN. At the 2026 Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid he answered the question with a course record in his first full-distance win. But the story behind that result isn't a straight line. It's crashes, missed slots, a winter that broke him down mentally, and the realization that chasing p...

Most athletes stumble into the "long game" of triathlon, but Paula Findlay reveals how her two-decade journey in the sport has evolved into a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and self-awareness. After battling injuries, mental hurdles, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, she shares how her approach to racing—and her life—has shifted from seeking wins to embracing growth, balance, and longevity. Her story is a ...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto sits down with pro triathlete Fenella Langridge for an open and honest conversation about resilience, setbacks, and rediscovering her love for the sport. Fenella shares the challenges of the past couple of seasons, including a long period of unexplained fatigue that ultimately led to a diagnosis and major surgery, and how that experience affected both her performance a...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto sits down with Jonas Schomburg, one of the most aggressive and exciting athletes in long-course triathlon right now. Fresh off a strong performance at the Athletic Brewing IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, Jonas shares how he’s quickly established himself as a force in the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 distances.

Jonas dives into his transition from over a d...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto sits down with Austrian standout Lisa Perterer, a three-time Olympian who has taken the long-course triathlon world by storm. Fresh off an incredible breakout season, Lisa shares how a spontaneous decision to race her first IRONMAN with just three weeks of preparation sparked a rapid rise to the top of the sport.
The conversation explores her tr...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto sits down with rising star Trevor Foley, fresh off his victory at the ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand. Trevor shares the story behind his last-minute decision to race, booking his flight less than three weeks before the start—and how it turned into one of the biggest wins of his career.

The conversation dives into Trevor’s race in Taupō, from a breakthrough ...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto sits down with New Zealand’s own Kyle Smith just days before he toes the hometown line at the first race of the 2026 IRONMAN Pro Series: ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

Known for his aggressive, leave-it-all-out-there racing style, Kyle dives deep into what it takes to survive and thrive in the upper echelons of professional ...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto sits down with two-time IRONMAN champion Hannah Berry, one of the sport’s most consistent and quietly respected competitors. Hannah reflects on her fourth-place finish at the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, a performance that showcased her strength, patience, and ability to execute on triathlon’s biggest stage.

She breaks down her Kona race ...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto is joined by three-time IRONMAN World Champion Mirinda Carfrae for an in-depth look at one of the most compelling seasons in IRONMAN history. Rinny and Matt break down the drama and defining moments of the 2025 World Championship races in Kona, Nice, and Marbella, analyzing unforgettable performances, surprise outcomes, and what it truly takes to execute on the sport&r...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider Podcast, host Matt Lieto delves into the world of professional triathlete Sam Long, a dynamic athlete known for his relentless drive and strategic approach to racing. Sam shares his journey from a young triathlete to a seasoned competitor, highlighting his three IRONMAN victories and numerous IRONMAN 70.3 wins. He opens up about the challenges of balancing personal life with professional ambit...

In the final pre-race episode from Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three more top contenders: the relaxed and ready India Lee, Kona rookie Solveig Løvseth, and defending IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp.

First, India Lee shares her dramatically different approach to this year's championship. Contrasting her current fun-loving, lighthearted mindset with the stress she felt at last year's race in Nice, she explains wh...

In this episode from the IRONMAN World Championship Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three remarkable athletes ahead of the Women’s IRONMAN World Championship: Skye Moench, Hannah Berry, and Stephanie Clutterbuck. 

 First, Skye Moench returns to the Big Island with a completely new perspective. Now a mother to her 11-month-old, she shares how her life has profoundly changed, shifting from an “obsessive&rdqu...

In this episode of the IRONMAN Insider, host Matt Lieto is joined by two top contenders for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona: Taylor Knibb and Lisa Perterer.
First, Taylor Knibb offers a candid look into her race week mindset, emphasizing her need for quiet and solitude to conserve her high energy for race day. She reveals her love for reading as a key distraction, sharing that her current non-fiction pick is Mastery. Tayl...

In this episode from Kona, host Matt Lieto sits down with three athletes with incredible stories: defending World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay, the resilient Lotte Wilms, and breakout star Marjolaine Pierré.

First, Lucy Charles-Barclay reflects on returning to the island as the reigning champion, a title that has lifted a “massive weight” off her shoulders and allows her to race with less pressure. She opens up for the ...

In this episode, host Matt Lieto sits down with 2024 Pro Series winner Kat Matthews and IRONMAN World Champion Chelsea Sodaro, who each share powerful stories of overcoming adversity to make it to the Kona start line.

First, Kat Matthews opens up about the immense psychological challenges she faced in her last Kona appearance. She reveals that she was dealing with hidden "post traumatic stress" from her near-fatal accident, which le...

In another special race-week edition of IRONMAN Insider presented by Maurten, host Matt Lieto takes you inside the action at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. Fresh out of the pro press conference, hear from some of the biggest names in triathlon — including Rudy Von Berg, Patrick Lange, Jason West, Jonas Schomburg, Joe Skipper, and more — as they share their mindset, preparation, and predictions heading into race...

In this special “underdog” episode from Nice, host Matt Lieto shifts the focus from the perennial favorites to three rising stars and dark horses who are poised to shake up the IRONMAN World Championship: Jamie Riddle, Harry Palmer, and Nick Thompson.

First, South African Jamie Riddle talks about his rapid evolution in long-course racing, having only done his first IRONMAN earlier this year. He shares key lessons from a ...

In this third installment from race week in Nice, host Matt Lieto catches up with three of the most powerful cyclists in the sport: Magnus Ditlev, Léon Chevalier, and Kristian Høgenhaug.

First up is Magnus Ditlev, who has finished on the podium at the last two World Championships. The Danish powerhouse details his extensive preparation for the technical Nice course, revealing he's spent significant time practicing the descents and i...