We are back for SEASON 3 with a focus on highlighting the male triathletes competing in the 2024 Kona Ironman World Championships in October!

Our first episode of the season features Andrew Hall, a standout athlete competing in the 35-39 age group. Andrew is by no means new to the sport of triathlon, but he has been very calm and calculated in his approach to racing and performing at the top level.

Living and training in Salt Lake City, Utah it's safe to say that the Ironman Texas course was a bit different than his usual terrain. After some unexpected changes in his schedule, demands with work and life, Andrew worked hard to pull together a successful training block and so he could be ready to race in April. One huge goal he had was to secure his Kona slot, and that he did! Andrew executed on all disciplines on race day with a finishing time of 8:32 securing the overall age group win!

Enjoy our conversation about Andrew's journey, his training leading up to race day, and how Texas Ironman unfolded! Stay tuned until the end to hear his podium predictions for Kona!

Follow Andrew @andrewtrihall

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

Episode 6 of the WOMEN CRUSHING KONA Series features Kirsten Miller who competed in her first Kona this year in the 55-59 age group!

Listen in to hear:

• Kirsten’s dream of racing on the big island,
• why she thought the Ironman distance was behind her, and
• the mindset it required to overcome an unexpected obstacle and show up on race day despite all odds!

Follow Kirsten’s journey on instagram @nourish2flourish_nutrition

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

Episode 5 of the WOMEN CRUSHING KONA Series features Barbora Besperat of Czech Republic who finished 1st in the 30-34 age group and 2nd overall!

Listen in to hear:

• how long Barbora has been racing the Ironman distance
• what she claims is her "key to success" (hint: it's a PLACE!)
• her run split!!!

Follow Barbora's journey on instagram @barubesp

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

Episode 4 of the WOMEN CRUSHING KONA Series features Michelle Krebs of Switzerland who finished 2nd in the 25-29 age group and 3rd overall!

Listen in to hear how:

• Triathlon changed Michelle's life
• What happened out there on the course before (ouch!) and during race day
• and why her nickname is now PACMAN

Follow Michelle's journey on instagram @michelle_krebs94_ and check out her incredible sponsors as well: @muuvrfitness @catfp.ch @live_insiders @nutriperformx

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

2023 KONA SERIES: WOMEN CRUSHING KONA

We are back with episode 3 of the Women Crushing Kona series featuring Vanessa Murray who finished FIRST in the 35-39 age group and 4th overall at the Women's Ironman World Championships with a time of 9:34:27.

A native of New Zealand, Vanessa currently lives and trains in Melbourne, Australia. She finally had the opportunity to return to Kona ten years after her debut ironman on the big island. Though she had qualified many times during those ten years, it was important for her to be ready to give it her all when she returned. It's safe to say - she crushed it!

Listen in to hear about Vanessa's race day, the consistent work she has put in over those 10 years, and why being a well-rounded athlete in all three disciplines earns her a spot on the top of the podium time and time again.

Follow Vanessa on instagram at @vanmurraytri

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

2023 KONA SERIES: WOMEN CRUSHING KONA

Ava Warfel finished FIRST in the 18-24 age group at the 2023 Women's Ironman World Championships in Kona with a time of 9:47. In her first race on the island Ava dominated the course, finishing with a 3:10 marathon, the 19th fastest run of the day including the professional women. What an incredible performance!

Hear about Ava's introduction to triathlon, how and where she trains, as well as the areas she still strives to improve upon. She will be one to watch going forward!

Follow Ava's journey on instagram @avawarfel

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

2023 KONA SERIES: WOMEN CRUSHING KONA

Elyse Gallegos, a force to be reckoned with in the 35-39 age group, recently competed at the Ironman Women's World Championships in Kona, finishing 2nd in her age group and 10th female overall!

As a busy mom of 2 young boys and recently relocating to Alabama, Elyse has had to adapt her training to work with her busy schedule while also finding her way in a new community. You will appreciate how laid back her approach is, the truth behind that "mom superpower", and how consistent hard work can set you up to have an epic race on the big stage!

2023 was Elyse's 4th time competing on the big island. She shares many tips about how to race the course, what to expect, and how it all played out for her this year.

You can follow Elyse's journey on instagram at @gallegoselyse and check out her sponsor @slowtwitchgoodliferacing

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!

In this episode, Mike shares a quick recap of his race at 70.3 Arizona (HOT!) and then we chat a bit about the 2024 Kona slot allocations at upcoming races for the men.

Some fun places to grab a coffee or bite to eat if you visit the Tempe/Phoenix area for the full ironman in November:

• Hava Java - Cold Foam Cold Brew in their fall flavors (YUM!)
• Peixoto Coffee Roasters - Best coffee we've had in a while, cold brew of course!
• Pita Jungle - this is right downtown near race, fresh & tons of healthy options!
• Hundred Mile Brewing Company - also downtown near race, food and beer options were excellent! BONUS - we are friends with the owner as she is originally from Iowa :)

Launching soon: the 2023 KONA SERIES!

Support the Show.

Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:

· Instagram missionkonapodcast

· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!