This week on The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Sara Forhetz returns to share her incredible experience racing the legendary Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco. Known for her openness about her faith and her journey as an accomplished athlete, Sara dives into what makes this bucket-list race so unique — from its random-entry lottery system to its full-Ironman-level price tag.

Despite being a confident swimmer, Sara faced a near-drowning incident during training, which led her to lean on co-host Ashley for support and encouragement. On race day, she embraced the challenge, even opting to rent a traditional road bike instead of traveling with her time trial setup.

Sara’s verdict? This race is tough, unforgettable, and absolutely worth it. In fact, she’s ready to sign up again next year — but only if Mike or Ashley takes the plunge, too!

Tune in for inspiration, laughs, and plenty of race-day insight.

In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Jenna Russell drops by to catch us up on a whirlwind 18 months of life changes. From an unexpected surgery that forced her to defer Muncie 70.3 in 2023, to celebrating her husband Tyler’s MBA graduation, Jenna has navigated plenty of transitions. She shares highlights from their dream trip to Ireland, moving into a new home complete with an in-law suite, and the biggest news of all—welcoming their third son, Ethan, just three months ago.

Now, Jenna is eager to settle back into a “normal” training routine, thanks in part to the childcare offered at her local YMCA. Of course, Mike tries his best to negotiate a babysitting arrangement with Tyler’s mom so they can train together. This is a fun, heartfelt catch-up with one of our favorite Age Group Athletes.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Dr. Tommy Martin joins Mike and Ashley to share his remarkable journey through triathlon and endurance sports. Certified as both a pediatrician and an adult physician, Tommy humorously advises Ashley—despite her “child-sized” frame—that she still needs an adult doctor.

From coaching his wife to a Boston Marathon qualification to running full marathons with 20lb and 40lb weighted vests Tommy thrives on unique challenges. He doesn’t consider himself elite, yet he completed his first triathlon at Ironman Texas, gone sub-10 at Ironman Arizona the day after a powerlifting competition, and he’s qualified for both the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Now chasing a sub-2:40 marathon, Tommy shares his training insights, race stories, and even his unsponsored opinion on popular drones. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or your fastest time, this conversation is packed with inspiration and laughs.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Chris Curtis returns to share a powerful race recap of his Ironman 70.3 Eagleman experience. But this wasn't just a race—this was a family adventure. Chris and his crew headed to the East Coast a week early to celebrate his son’s wedding, giving him a rare chance to train in new terrain while soaking in quality time with loved ones. With the celebration behind him, Chris shifted gears and executed his race day plan to near perfection. From smart pacing to a well-managed nutrition strategy, he crushed Eagleman and shares all the details—from tapering while traveling to handling race-day conditions like a pro. Whether you're a first-time age group athlete or a seasoned Ironman looking for fresh insights, this episode is full of takeaways to inspire your next training block or race day performance.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Brian Weyenberg joins us for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation. Brian opens up about his journey away from triathlon and the path that brought him back. From enlisting in the Marine Corps to retiring as a U.S. Army officer, Brian’s military service shaped his discipline, resilience, and mindset—traits that serve him well as an age group triathlete. He shares powerful stories from both his service and his racing days, offering listeners a unique perspective on endurance, transitions, and goal-setting. We also dive into Brian’s future race plans and what continues to motivate him as he balances real life with racing. Whether you're a seasoned triathlete or just beginning your Ironman journey, this episode is packed with relatable insights and powerful takeaways from someone who truly embodies the everyday Ironman spirit.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we welcome Age Group triathlete Garth Ridley to the conversation. Garth, a multi-time Ironman finisher from Australia, shares insights from his journey in the sport, including his current recovery from a recent bike accident. Despite the setback, Garth is already setting his sights on running the Gold Coast Marathon next year. We also dive into some of the more unique aspects of racing Down Under, including his use of a shark-repellant wetsuit and sunscreen specifically designed to protect against jellyfish stings! Garth's story is a mix of resilience, humor, and passion for the triathlon lifestyle. Whether you’re training through adversity or just looking for some wild race-day tales, this episode is a great reminder of why we show up and keep pushing forward. Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a little Aussie grit.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we welcome Nate Zarlengo to the conversation to talk all things triathlon. Nate shares his incredible journey from struggling with the run portion of triathlon to qualifying for and completing the prestigious Boston Marathon. His story is one of persistence, focus, and growth. Nate also talks about his experiences racing on the sport’s biggest stages—having qualified for and competed in the Ironman World Championships in both Kona, Hawaii and St. George, Utah. In addition to chasing personal goals, Nate has selflessly served as a race guide in multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events, helping another athlete reach their finish line. As someone passionate about health and wellness, Nate also offers advice on how we can improve both our performance and overall well-being. Whether you're new to the sport or chasing your next PR, Nate’s story is sure to inspire.

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In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, Age Group Athlete John Stevens joins the conversation to recap his recent race at Ironman 70.3 Rockford. Before diving into his race day experience, John, Mike and Ashley discuss the newly announced changes to Ironman’s World Championship qualifying process and what it could mean for the everyday triathlete. With the race taking place close to home, John enjoyed the rare luxury of sleeping in his own bed the night before. He also reveals both his secret and realistic time goals, and we learn that Mike’s predictions in the Everyday Ironman Discord chat weren’t too far off. While the day didn’t unfold exactly as John had hoped, he shares what he learned from the experience and why he’d still recommend this event to a friend or family member looking to tackle a 70.3. It’s an honest, relatable conversation that every Age Grouper will appreciate.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify