What on earth does it take to complete 100 Ironmans in 100 days? James Lawrence – aka the Iron Cowboy – joins the podcast to share the physical, mental and nutritional toll of his epic Conquer 100 challenge. Spoiler: it involved over 12,000 calories a day, a few Costco muffins, and being fed through a massage table hole.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned triathlete, James drops some absolute gold on building resilience, fuelling with real food and why consistency beats perfection every time.

We talk about;

• Meet James “Iron Cowboy” Lawrence

• Why 100 Ironmans? (and how it started with a 4-mile fun run)

• The perfect Ironman day and the role of nutrition

• Real food fuelling: burritos, pizza, steak on the run

• Caloric needs, gut training and sugar overload

• What went wrong when fuelling slipped

• Mindset, purpose and managing pain through adversity

• Blue collar habits, unsexy consistency and building a strong foundation

• James’s current nutrition approach and fuelling tips

• Meet the support team and key recovery strategies

• Advice for age groupers struggling with motivation or consistency

• What’s next for James (hint: it’s not 200 Ironmans)

Links & Resources

James Lawrence new book, 'Iron Hope'.

Triathlon Nutrition Checklist

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

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The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing type 1 diabetes as a triathlete isn’t just tough – it’s a constant balancing act. But with the right tools, strategy and support, you can absolutely perform at your best.

In this episode, I chat with Dr Sam Scott – exercise physiologist, diabetes researcher and former Head of Research for Team Novo Nordisk – about the science and strategy behind training and racing with T1D. Sam breaks down the complexities of glucose management, carbohydrate fuelling and how cutting-edge tech is empowering athletes to thrive.

What we talk about about

• Why this topic matters for endurance athletes
• Sam’s background in exercise physiology and elite sport
• The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Why exercise is so complex for T1D
• Common myths about fuelling with diabetes
• Smart carb strategies and CGM tech
• Performance fueling: what’s possible?
• The future of AI-driven support with Enhanced
• The power of possibility: sport as a gateway

Links & Resources

Dr Sam Scott’s book: The Science of Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes

Learn more about Enhanced

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could your comeback story start with your plate?

In this inspiring episode, we hear from TNA athlete Brian McLean, who proves that nutrition isn't just for race day. Nine months after tearing his ACL in a backyard basketball game, Brian is back training for 70.3 races, stronger and more dialled-in than ever. His secret? Strategic nutrition from day one of rehab.

Brian shares how:

• His identity took a hit after injury and how he handled it

• He applied TNA principles to support faster healing

• Eating smarter helped him avoid weight gain and muscle loss

• He shifted from a Western diet to a plant-first approach

• Nutrition gave him the confidence to train, race and feel better than before

This episode is packed with real talk, practical takeaways and a powerful reminder: nutrition matters, even when you’re not training.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think you’re nailing hydration because you’ve got a pastel-coloured electrolyte drink in hand? Think again.

In this episode, I bust through the marketing fluff and break down exactly when, why and how triathletes should use electrolytes. Forget what TikTok says, here’s the science-backed truth from an endurance sports dietitian.

🔍 Here’s what we cover:

• Why electrolyte hype has gone wild

• When you actually need electrolytes

• The big player in sweat losses: sodium

• How your sweat rate and sodium loss are unique

• Real athlete story: The Human Sprinkler

• What is hyponatremia and why it’s dangerous

• Food vs electrolyte drinks: when water is enough

• How to choose the right product for you

• What to avoid: fairy dust and false promises

• The real strategy behind smart hydration

Whether you’re a salty sweater, a light sipper, or somewhere in between — this episode will help you stop guessing and start fuelling your hydration properly.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is gut health just another nutrition fad, or a legit performance game-changer for triathletes?

In this episode, Taryn breaks down the gut microbiome in a way that makes sense for endurance athletes. Discover what it is, what it does, and how to support it without expensive supplements or trendy fermented food obsessions.

Key Takeaways:

• Your microbiome impacts energy, recovery and immunity
• Diversity in your diet equals diversity in your gut
• Restrictive diets can trash your microbiome
• Proper fuelling protects your gut lining

It’s not about probiotics, it’s about overall nutrition habits.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think nutrition is only for podium chasers? Think again.

In this inspiring chat, we meet Dr Sarah Barr, a proud back-of-the-packer, cancer survivor and one determined triathlete chasing big endurance goals including a full Ironman for her 62nd birthday. As a long-time calorie counter and clean eater, Sarah thought she had nutrition sorted... until she realised she had no idea how to fuel as a triathlete.

We dive into:
• Why nutrition is just as critical for slower athletes
• Common fuelling myths that leave back-of-packers bonking
• How Sarah overcame restrictive mindsets to fuel with purpose
• What she’s doing differently to chase her next big goal

This episode is a must-listen for any triathlete who’s ever thought they’re “too slow” to need a proper fuelling plan.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are your hormones hijacking your training? If you've ever felt off during certain weeks of your cycle and wondered if your nutrition needs to change, you're not alone.

This week, we're tackling one of the most common questions from female triathletes: should you be fuelling differently during your period? With new research emerging, it's time to bust some myths and cut through the confusion.

You'll learn:

• What the science actually says about performance across the menstrual cycle

• Why your luteal and follicular phases might affect more than just your mood

• Practical tips to help you tweak your nutrition when (and if) you need to

This episode will help you feel more confident and in control of your body, your training and your nutrition, no matter where you are in your cycle.

Links & Resources

McNulty, K. L., Elliott-Sale, K. J., Dolan, E., Swinton, P. A., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., & Hicks, K. M. (2020). The effects of menstrual cycle phase on exercise performance in eumenorrheic women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(10), 1813–1827. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01319-3

Schlie, J., Krassowski, V., & Schmidt, A. (2025). Effects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance and related physiological outcomes: A systematic review of studies using high methodological standards. Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00223.2025

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your wearable helping or hindering your performance?

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Shona Halson – globally respected expert in sleep, recovery and athletic performance – to unpack what the science actually says about popular wearables like Whoop bands and Oura rings.

With more age group triathletes collecting 24/7 data, it’s easy to get lost in numbers and miss what truly matters. Shona shares her evidence-based insights to help you cut through the hype and use wearables wisely to improve sleep, training and recovery.

In this episode, we cover:

• How wearables like Whoop and Oura stack up for accuracy

• What sleep metrics you can actually trust (and which are fluff)

• Understanding HRV and recovery scores – are they useful?

• Napping 101: what duration is ideal for triathletes?

• The sneaky impact of caffeine and alcohol on sleep

• Morning vs overnight data: what’s better for training decisions?

• Sleep across the menstrual cycle – what the latest research shows

• Top 3 tips to get the most from your wearable (without losing your mind)

• Which device is best: Whoop, Oura or something else?

Whether you're already wearing one or considering jumping on board, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you stop obsessing over your data and start using it for smarter recovery and race-day performance.

Links & Resources

Connect with Prof Shona Halson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonahalson/

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.