Super runner Tamara Jewett joins the show this week to update us on her new life in California (and the shark-related messages she sends Kelly). And then she dives into the latest triathlon debates: Why she's not concerned about gate-keeping professional triathlon and if you've qualified for a pro license then you deserve to be there as much as anyone.

She talks to us about:

1. Why the body image expectations in running were so unhealthy
2. What she likes about Ironman distance triathlon — even if it is boring
3. And how she's tried to understand (but can't!) the concept of proportionality

Plus, what races she's got planned, how the start of her season in New Zealand went, and any tips for the wildly packed start list at Ironman Texas.

This week, Feisty editor Carrie steps in to host the podcast while our fearless leader Kelly is away.

Katie recaps a jam-packed weekend of racing in Gulfport, Mississippi - sharing her athletes’ results along with her own coaching takeaways from both the America’s Cup and the Collegiate Club Championships.

We’re also joined by Natasha Van Der Merwe, founder and CEO of NVDM Coaching, who brings her expert perspective to the mic. Together, we dive into the latest racing action from Texas 70.3, Oceanside 70.3, and look ahead to Ironman Texas.

From there, we tackle one of the biggest recent controversies in the triathlon world: how many amateurs actually beat professionals in Oceanside. (TL;DR: earning a pro license is far more challenging than it might seem.)

Finally, Natasha breaks down the hype around Hyrox, what Hyrox athletes can learn from triathlon, and why this fast-growing sport may have more in common with our beloved swim-bike-run than you’d expect.

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

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The gang is back together!

Joanne joins us still from S. Africa, after commentating the epic Cape Epic eight-day mountain bike stage race.

Katie is packing up to take her squad to the America's Cup that's totally full (Gwen's racing!) and combined with the U.S. Collegiate Club Nationals. What's the difference between college club and NCAA? Glad you asked.

And Kelly ran the big trail pro race that starts next to her house.

1. Are you pro or con racing and training with your husband?
2. Was Geelong 70.3 one of the craziest 70.3s ever?
3. How did media people go from T100 Gold Coast to Geelong in the same weekend?
4. And 70+ people on a start list!

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

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With Joanne out, commentating the epic Cape Epic mountain bike race, the one and only Flora Duffy joins us on the podcast this week.

She gives us her take on the canceled swim at Dallas 70.3 — and, no, we don't have solutions. Plus, what we think about the split women's and men's racing in the T100, with the first women's T100 race of the season this weekend on the Gold Coast. And how she was so confused in one of her first 70.3s that she waited in the massive expo line with the hundreds of age-groupers.

1. The World Cup Lanzarote race this past weekend
2. Which pro series we prefer
3. What race Flora did recently
4. How she manifests confidence during races
5. And how last year's injury-ridden season was so emotionally draining — and how pros have to deal with the same injury uncertainty circle we all do.

What advice would Flora give her younger self, five Olympics ago...?

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

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Joanne and Katie are out, so we have a special guest this week: the first female Black pro triathlete, Sika Henry, joins Kelly to talk about life, triathlon, and everything.

Why was it so important to her that she spent a decade chasing the goal of becoming a pro? And what happens after you achieve all of your dreams?

Sika and Kelly talk about why diversity isn't *just* an issue of expense. And, Sika shares all the details about how a bad bike crash changed her image of herself and her life. Plus, how therapy has helped her learn to stop comparing herself now to herself before, and how to find a place for sports in "retirement."

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

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Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

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If you tuned in last week, you heard our chat with pro triathlete Lizzie Rayner cut short when anti-doping officials knocked on her door mid-recording.

So this week we’re back for Take Two. Lizzie joins the squad to share all the details of her anti-doping. Then, they dive into the start of the Ironman Pro Series season, and hear about her journey from a teenager inspired by London 2012 to 8th place pro at the 70.3 World Championships.

1. Race season is officially here: The team previews Ironman New Zealand, which kicks off the 2026 Ironman Pro Series season. With big names on the start list and Kona qualification on the line, athletes are already stacking early-season points.
2. IM Pro Series v. T100: How do athletes decide?
3. Going all in on triathlon: While working with a professional cycling team—making bottles, rice cakes, and supporting riders—Lizzie realized she wanted to be the one actually racing.

What's changed this year? Her confidence! Watch out world.

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

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Lizzie Rayner (briefly) joins the podcast — before anti-doping knocks on her door...

We then get nearly all our questions answered about what it's like for the athlete when anti-doping shows up: How long does it take to pee? Do they actually watch you? Do you get to know your testers over tea?

Then we get caught up on Joanne's upcoming South Africa Cape Epic adventure. Katie explains the new Supertri qualifying series and why it's good for the development of draft-legal racers in the U.S. And the new 2026 Ironman rules.

Next week: Lizzie returns to finish her story.

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

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Follow us on Instagram:

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Feisty Media Website:

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Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

An 11-time Ironman champion and 23-time Ironman 70.3 champ, Meredith Kessler crossed her final pro finish line at Ironman Arizona this past fall.

She reflects back with us on her career and what she hoped her kids learned from her racing. Why did she do all her training inside? What was it like going all-in working four jobs, and deciding to leave corporate America to travel the world as a pro triathlete? And how it was always important to her to balance being a human with being an athlete.

Plus, the top five lessons she learned from Ironman.

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Leave us a Voicemail:

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Follow us on Instagram:

@feistytriathlon

Feisty Media Website:

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Support Feisty Triathlon Partners:

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

Momentous: Use the code FEISTYTRI for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.