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Microplastics & Performance: What Every Triathlete Should Know

Mar 14, 2025

You're checking all the right boxes to optimise your performance - good fuel, hydration, sleep and recovery. No way would you put anything toxic into your body. 

But what if there’s an invisible substance leaking into your system without you even knowing?

I’m talking about microplastics and they're not just floating around in the ocean anymore. They're showing up in places you'd least expect, including your bloodstream. 

There’s a sneaky, microscopic invader you're probably overlooking and in this episode,  I'm joined by  Dr. Heather Leslie, one of the world's leading researchers on microplastics, to shed some light on this topic that's both mind-blowing and crucial for athletes looking to optimise their performance and health.

Dr. Leslie is a renowned researcher specialising in plastic and chemical pollution and gained international recognition for her groundbreaking discovery of microplastics in the human bloodstream. In 2024, she established an independent consulting and researc...

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How Masters Triathletes Can Stay Fast After 50 with Joe Friel

Mar 06, 2025

In a world obsessed with youth in sports, there's a quiet revolution happening among athletes in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. These masters of endurance aren't just participating – they're demolishing expectations and rewriting the rules of athletic performance. It’s fantastic to see and gives me hope for my future as an ageing athlete. 

That makes me sound old when in reality, I’m only just reaching my 40th year. I still feel like I can train in a similar way to what I did in my 20s - going hard with limited recovery. Though, perhaps that isn’t the smartest way to train as I age.

When I recently sat down with Joe Friel, the author behind 'Fast After 50', he revealed insights so powerful they're transforming how we think about ageing in endurance sports. What he shared is more than a training theory – it's a blueprint for athletic longevity that's backed by decades of coaching elite masters athletes. 

What follows isn't just advice – it's a complete shift in how we approach athle...

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Key Nutrients for Masters Triathletes: Fuelling for Performance & Longevity

Feb 28, 2025

If you're a masters triathlete, you already know that training in your 40s, 50s, and beyond isn’t the same as it was in your 20s. Recovery takes longer, muscle maintenance becomes more important, and let’s be honest—energy levels aren’t always what they used to be. But the good news? The right triathlon nutrition can help you train harder, recover faster, and keep smashing your goals well into your 80s and 90s if you want to!

In this guide, we’re diving into the key nutrients every masters triathlete needs to perform at their best. We’ll cover fuelling strategies for endurance training, how to support muscle recovery, and the nutrients that help you stay strong and healthy for the long haul.

That’s where health span comes in. Unlike lifespan, which is simply how long you live, health span is about how long you can live well—training, racing, and feeling great without chronic disease, injuries, or a decline in mobility. The right triathlon nutrition isn’t just about fuelling today’s s...

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Nerd Clusters vs Maurten Gels – What’s Better for Fuelling Triathlon?

Feb 21, 2025

Can you really swap your Maurten Gels for a handful of Nerd Clusters and still smash your training and racing? Today, we’re diving into the ultimate endurance fuelling showdown—sports nutrition science vs. candy aisle convenience!

If you've ever wondered whether you need expensive sports nutrition products or if something like Nerd Clusters can do the job just as well, you’re in the right place. We’ll break down the carb content, sodium levels, gut comfort, practicality, and real-world performance of these two fuelling options—so you can make the best choice for your training and racing.

How This Conversation Started

This topic came up in the Triathlon Nutrition Academy community after athletes shared a reel of a doctor completing Ironman training and racing entirely on Nerd Clusters. Naturally, this sparked debate—can you actually fuel long-course triathlon with candy? Or is it just another social media trend with little science behind it?

As a Sports Dietitian with decades of exp...

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Key Nutrients for a Vegan Triathlete: How to Optimise Your Triathlon Nutrition

Feb 14, 2025

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “Can you help with triathlon nutrition as a vegan?” The short answer? Absolutely.

My entire approach to nutrition is built around education—not just handing out meal plans or telling you what to eat, but teaching you how to fuel your body so you can perform at your best, no matter your dietary preferences. I like to say, “Give a triathlete a fish, and they’ll eat for a day. Teach a triathlete how to fish, and they’ll eat for a lifetime.”

Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, diabetic, or can’t tolerate dairy, my job isn’t to tell you what you can’t have—it’s to show you how to get everything you need to train harder, recover faster, and smash your goals.

So, if you've ever wondered how to fuel triathlon training on a plant-based diet, you're in the right place. Today, we’ll cover the key nutrients vegan triathletes need to focus on and how to make sure your nutrition supports your performance—so you’re not just surviving, but thriving in...

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How to Stay Motivated in Triathlon – Insights from Mark Allen: Part 2

Feb 07, 2025

Welcome back to part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Mark Allen! 

Dubbed the greatest endurance athlete of all time by ESPN, Mark is sharing the secrets behind his amazing results. Today in particular we’re focusing on mindset and motivation.

If you haven’t heard part 1 yet, I highly recommend you do that first so you don’t miss any of the wisdom he shares. 

Mindset is a big part of triathlon training and races. Whether you’re gearing up for a major training session or standing at the start line, the thoughts running through your mind greatly impact your performance.

He shares the moment from his first triathlon when he realised what a difference they made. When a competitor passed him, he felt the doubt creep in, his body tightened up and everything started to feel harder. Taking a moment to clear his mind he was able to acknowledge there was still plenty of time to retake his position. This allowed him to regain his stride and overtake the competitor, securing fourth pla...

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How to Stay Motivated in Triathlon – Insights from Mark Allen: Part 1

Jan 31, 2025

Mark Allen is widely regarded as one of the greatest triathletes of all time. ESPN hailed him as the greatest endurance athlete, and with six victories at the Ironman World Championship, he has cemented his legacy as a true legend in the sport. His journey from a curious spectator to a dominant champion is nothing short of inspiring.

The Journey to Triathlon Greatness

Mark’s introduction to triathlon happened in 1982 on a seemingly ordinary Saturday when he stumbled upon the Ironman event on Wide World of Sports. Initially horrified at the thought of completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon in one day, he dismissed the idea as pure madness. However, the event lingered in his mind, and before long, he found himself training for the very race he once deemed impossible.

His competitive mindset was unique. Mark insists he was never driven by a desire to defeat others, but rather by a personal quest for growth—to see just how good he could become. His primary focu...

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Why Your Training Plan Isn’t Enough: The Missing Piece to Smashing Your PB

Jan 24, 2025

Have you ever felt like, no matter how hard you work or how much training you do, you aren’t achieving the results you’re capable of?

I’m not surprised.

You’re probably falling into the same trap I’ve seen so many triathletes fall into: ignoring their nutrition.
While an excellent training plan is crucial for triathlon success, you’ll never achieve your full potential if you overlook the fourth leg – nutrition.

Today, I want to share some of the most common nutritional pitfalls I’ve encountered in my years of working with beginner triathletes, Kona winners, and everyone in between.

1. Inadequate Fuelling

Many triathletes under-fuel due to a fear of carbohydrates or a history of dieting. This can lead to low energy availability and poor performance. It’s crucial to fuel according to your training load and needs, not your fears!

2. Poor Recovery Practices

Recovery isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a vital part of your regimen. Your recovery nutrition plan should be just as well thoug...

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Real Triathletes, Real Results, FAST: The TNA Advantage

Jan 17, 2025

Ever wonder what actually goes on in my Triathlon Nutrition Academy (TNA)? Well, you’re in luck! In this episode, I invited three inspiring athletes – Ben Meyer, Tony Hampton, and Kathleen Gilton – to share their experiences. We delve into how the program works, the issues they faced when they started, and the differences they’ve seen in their performance.

Transforming Performance Through Nutrition

Ben Meyer: From Exhaustion to Energy

Ben was a marathon runner before diving into triathlon, making running his strongest leg. However, his subpar nutrition left him exhausted by mid-race, especially during the run. Through the Academy, Ben mastered periodised nutrition, learning to eat more during intense training periods and scale back during recovery phases. This strategy has been a game-changer, enabling him to smash personal bests while maintaining consistent energy throughout races.

Kathleen Gilton: Tackling GI Issues Head-On

Kathleen returned to triathlon after a hiatus but strug...

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Steve's insider secrets to a 64 minute PB at Sunshine Coast 70.3

Jan 10, 2025

Achieving a 64-minute personal best in any triathlon is no small feat, and today, I’m excited to share how one of our incredible athletes, Steve Duquette, smashed his previous record at last year’s Sunshine Coast 70.3. As a dedicated member of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy, Steve’s journey is packed with insights that can inspire and guide triathletes aiming to elevate their performance.

A Race Day Full of Challenges

When you hear about such a massive PB, you might think the stars aligned for a perfect race. But Steve’s Sunshine Coast 70.3 was anything but easy. From choppy waves that felt like a washing machine to blinding sun that knocked him off course, Steve faced it all. Yet, his meticulous preparation and razor-sharp focus carried him through.

Steve’s success wasn’t just about overcoming physical challenges—it was about implementing a strategy that left nothing to chance, especially when it came to his nutrition. Here’s how he did it.

The Power of Community

Steve credits m...

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