This is The TriDot Podcast! We are here to educate, inspire, and entertain. We’ll talk all things triathlon, swim, bike, run, nutrition, recovery, & strength training, with expert coaches and special guests. So whether you are a triathlete training for a sprint, olympic, or IRONMAN event. Join the conversation, and let's improve together.
As triathletes, many of us simply open TriDot, complete the workout, and move on. But what if your brain processes training differently? The good news is that neurodivergent athletes can not only succeed, they can thrive. This week, Coach Raya Usher joins the podcast to discuss what it's like to train and race as a neurodivergent athlete. Drawing from both her personal experience and her work as a coach, Raya shares the strategies she's developed to help athletes adapt their training, build confidence, and maximize their potential. From navigating day-to-day workouts to managing the unique challenges of race day, this episode is filled with tips for athletes and coaches alike. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, coach athletes with different learning styles, or simply want to better understand how people experience training differently, Raya shares valuable insights into creating a more effective and inclusive approach to endurance sports.
Can Chat GPT Write a Good Triathlon Training Plan?
1 hr 1 min
More and more athletes are asking ChatGPT to build their training plans, and what comes back looks professional, detailed, and personal. In this episode, Jeff Booher, founder and CEO of Predictive Fitness and creator of FitLogic, explains why a language model can produce a plan that sounds exactly right and still be wrong for the athlete running it. The catch is built into the situation: the reason you asked for help is the same reason you cannot tell whether the help was any good. Jeff breaks down what a language model actually is, why confident is not the same as correct, why a plan can have every phase in the right place and still be built on nothing, and what a tool would truly need to do to get your training right. This is not an attack on AI. It is the case for the right tool for the right job.
The Training Volume Myth: Why More Isn't Better
1 hr 6 min
More is better. It is the most common belief in endurance sport, and it is quietly costing runners and triathletes their best results. In this joint TriDot and RunDot episode, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie for the follow-up to “Triathlon Training’s Biggest Lie.” If more isn’t the answer, what is? Jeff takes apart the volume-versus-intensity debate, explains why the popular 80/20 rule was never built for you, and lays out the order training should actually be designed in, where volume is the last thing you figure out, not the first. He also names the fear that keeps athletes stuck, the belief that cutting volume means losing fitness, and shows why it isn’t true. The answer isn’t more. It’s better, first. Full breakdown at FitLogic.tech .
The Do's and Don'ts for Triathletes in the Gym
1 hr 3 min
From cardio machines and stretch mats, to free weights and fitness classes; there are many options for how a triathlete can spend their time at the gym. Today, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer Brady Hoover joins the show to teach us what we should and should not be doing at the gym. Brady talks about how to balance swim, bike, and run with strength training; and even offers a peek at his personal strength training routines.
Revisiting: 15 Ways to Make Your Triathlon Training Fun
51 min
You PLAY a sport, meaning that there should be an element of fun included! So how can you infuse more fun into swim, bike, and run? Host Vanessa Ronksley chats with TriDot Coaches Elizabeth James, Kurt Madden, and Matt Sommer about "15 Ways to Make Triathlon Training Fun." After listening to this episode, you'll be more excited to get after your upcoming training sessions, conquer your next assessment, whip-up a delicious post-training snack, and recover in the right ways to do it all again!
Mind Over Miles: A Mental Framework for Triathletes
41 min
Do you have big goals but aren't sure how to turn them into a clear plan? This episode is for you. Legendary running and triathlon coach Bobby McGee returns to the podcast to share his four-level goal-setting framework, helping endurance athletes move beyond outcome-based goals and focus on the daily habits and processes that drive long-term success. Bobby also explores the mental side of performance, including emotional regulation, mental warm-ups, and self-awareness during training. He explains how tools like RaceX and TrainX scores can help athletes connect their training data with the choices they make both mentally and physically. One of the biggest takeaways? Every workout should have a purpose. Training with intention leads to greater consistency, confidence, and performance. Whether you're chasing a personal best or simply looking to train smarter, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you reach your goals.
Turning a Triathlon Setback into a Comeback!
56 min
After months of dedicated training, it's easy to believe race day will go exactly as planned. But the reality is that setbacks happen. Whether it's an injury, a mechanical issue, nutrition problems, or simply a bad day, every athlete eventually faces adversity. In this episode, Coach Stephen Horan shares how the setbacks in his own athletic journey transformed not only his mindset, but also the way he coaches others through challenging times. Stephen breaks down his three-step philosophy for navigating setbacks and turning them into opportunities for growth. From honest self-assessment and micro-analysis, to pursuing 1% improvements each day, and finally learning when and how to reset, Stephen provides a practical framework that athletes can apply both in sport and in life. This episode is a reminder that setbacks don't define your journey, how you respond to them does. Embrace the lesson. Trust the process. The comeback is always stronger than the setback.
Ride Smarter: Gearing, Cadence, and Cycling Efficiency Explained
1 hr 4 min
Whether you're completely confused by cassette numbers, never quite sure when to shift, or you've wondered why some rides feel effortless while others make every hill feel personal, this episode is for you. Vanessa Ronksley is joined by Petrina Tulissi who helps us break down the fundamentals of cycling efficiency from gearing and cadence to shifting and bike handling strategies that can make every ride smoother and more enjoyable. We dive into what the gears on your bike actually do, how and when to shift properly, ways to prepare for hills even if you live somewhere flat, and how your cadence and gearing choices can impact fatigue, comfort, and overall performance. Whether you're new to cycling or simply looking to ride smarter, this conversation will help you better understand your bike and get more out of every mile.
Your Questions Answered: Maximize Your Race Schedule, Training by Heart Rate, Grit Factor, and More!
1 hr 3 min
We're back for another episode where our triathlon coaches answer YOUR questions! Coaches Ryan Tibball and Ken Presutti jump into the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! Learn why TriDot uses pace (not average pace), training for hills in a flat environment, and tips for pushing through when you want to stop. Listen in as the coaches teach us about how to maximize your training schedule so shorter distances won't negatively effect your A Race and how to efficiently exit the water during an open water swim. They also discuss training by heart rate if you don't have a power meter. This episode has a tip for everyone!
Red Light Therapy Explained: What Triathletes Need to Know
1 hr 3 min
Red light therapy (RLT) is everywhere right now, from recovery studios and wellness clinics to at-home panels and full-body beds. But does the science actually support the hype? In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Taryn Richardson, creator of the Red Light Therapy for Athletes Evidence-Based Masterclass, along with coach Elizabeth James, to unpack what endurance athletes really need to know about red light therapy. They break down the biology behind RLT, explain how it works, and explore the evidence-based benefits for performance, recovery, and injury healing. Elizabeth also shares her firsthand experience using red light therapy during injury recovery, including the surprising benefit she noticed before anything else. If you’ve been curious about red light therapy but feel overwhelmed by the marketing claims, this episode delivers a practical, science-backed guide to what’s real, what’s promising, and how athletes can use it effectively. For more information on the "Red Light Therapy for Athletes Evidence-Based Masterclass" click here: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/redlighttherapy
What Can Age Groupers Learn from Professional Triathletes?
1 hr 8 min
With unprecedented access to professional triathletes through live race coverage, social media, and YouTube, it’s easier than ever to follow the training, racing, and recovery habits of the sport’s top athletes. But just because the pros are doing something doesn’t always mean it’s the right approach for age-group athletes. On this episode, former professional triathletes Mark Allen and Mirinda Carfrae break down the latest trends in professional triathlon and separate what’s truly useful from what’s better left to the elites. From training methods and race tactics to the newest gadgets and equipment, they discuss what age-group athletes can realistically apply to improve performance and what may not be worth the time, money, or effort. Tune in as Mark and Rinny share insights from racing at the highest level and explain how athletes of every ability can train and race smarter.
Triathlon Training's Biggest Lie: More Is Better
1 hr 2 min
Most athletes are convinced that the path to better performance is more. More miles, more hours, more sessions. Volume has become the proxy for commitment, dedication, and seriousness as an athlete. In this joint episode of the TriDot and RunDot Podcasts, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie to dismantle the more-is-better myth, walk through the data on quality versus volume, and answer the question that follows: if more isn't the answer, what is? The right sequence is intensity first, then duration, then frequency, with volume as the byproduct. Better before more. Then, and only then, more.
Do you ever wonder why you're doing a certain workout, not just how? This week Coach Matt Sommer joins the podcast to break down some of the most effective workouts to help you train smarter, not just harder. We are tackling bike to run sessions: bike-run bricks, zone 2 runs off the bike, split zone runs off the bike, the longer race rehearsal bricks and more! Coach Matt explains the purpose behind each workout, what systems of the body they target, and how to execute them for maximum benefit. Whether you're aiming to finish the workout or are hunting for the elusive "unicorn," understanding the why behind your TriDot workout might be the edge you've been missing.
Most training platforms were built backwards. They started with what was easy to measure, layered features on top, and ended up with something that looks like training technology but is not actually training intelligence. In this opening episode of the First Principles of Training Intelligence series, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie to make the architectural case for a different way of building training technology. He walks through the ten credentialed coaches thought experiment, the five categories of training platforms, and the warehouse-to-hospital argument for why training intelligence cannot be retrofitted. It is the episode every other episode in this series will build on. Full technical breakdown at FitLogic.tech.
Some training days feel effortless, while others feel nearly impossible, and that’s completely normal. This week, Coach Ryan Tibball joins the podcast to break down what athletes should expect to feel during both the development and race prep phases of training. From everyday tiredness to true fatigue, Ryan explains why it’s critical to understand the difference and how to spot the red flags that tell you when to push forward and when to back off. He also dives into how to approach training with new zones, why adaptation takes time and patience, and how to build into those efforts without overreaching. Whether you’re developing your base or sharpening for race day, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you train smarter through every phase.
Today's episode tackles a "weighty" topic: a triathlete's relationship with their body weight. How do you know what weight is optimal for you? Is leaner better? Is there an ideal “race weight” you should strive for? Should you measure body fat percentage and know your BMI in addition to information from a standard scale? Dr. Krista Austin and Advanced Sports Dietician Taryn Richardson answer these questions and more! Krista and Taryn help you identify areas of improvement by discussing weight from a health and performance perspective.
The new TriDot app might feel like magic but behind it is the TriDot Innovation Team making it all happen. This week, Dr. B.J. Leeper and Coach Ken Presutti join the podcast to pull back the curtain on everything new and improved in the latest version of TriDot. Both athletes and coaches, B.J. and Ken bring a unique perspective as they walk us through the updated app experience, what to look for before, during, and after each workout. They also decode the powerful (and sometimes mysterious) graphs, explaining what they actually mean and how you can use that data to train smarter. Already using TriDot? You’ll pick up practical tips and hidden features. Not using it yet? This episode might be the nudge you need to download the app and see what it can do for your training.
A full-distance triathlon is no small undertaking, it’s one of the most demanding challenges in endurance sports, requiring serious time, discipline, and mental grit. But for those willing to commit, the payoff is extraordinary. In this episode, legendary Coach Kurt Madden joins us to break down exactly what it takes to cross your first 140.6 finish line. From building your ideal support team (coaches, training partners, medics, and even bike mechanics) to choosing the right gear for both performance and comfort, Kurt shares practical, hard-earned advice every aspiring Ironman needs. We also dive into the power of smart planning: structuring your training calendar well in advance, understanding the value of professional coaching, and strengthening your mental game to stay focused (and adapt) when it matters most. With 53 full-distance finishes (and counting), Kurt brings unmatched experience and insight. This episode is packed with actionable tips to help you train smarter, race stronger, and achieve your biggest endurance goals.
70.3 grueling miles of swimming, biking, and running can feel intimidating, but it’s absolutely within reach. Fresh off his 12th 70.3 finish, Coach Ryan Tibball joins the podcast to share practical, proven tips for tackling your first (or next) middle distance event. Built around the mantra “nothing new on race day,” this episode dives into what you can dial in well ahead of time from choosing the right race and building a strong support system to studying the all-important athlete guide. In a distance where pacing and nutrition can make or break your day, preparation is everything. Learn how to practice your race-day strategy so there are no surprises when it matters most. Consistency is the real secret to success in a 70.3. Start your season with this episode, apply these insights to your training, and set yourself up to cross the finish line ready to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished.
What happens when the swim, the first leg of your race, gets cancelled? Fresh off their experience at IRONMAN 70.3 Little Elm, coaches Julie McPhilomy and Tony Washington dive into the reality behind a scenario some athletes dream about…and others dread. From unexpected changes in pre-race fueling to the mental shift required on race morning, they unpack how a cancelled swim can throw off your rhythm, emotions, and overall race strategy. They also break down the practical side: how pacing on the bike needs to adjust, what logistical challenges arise, and how to stay adaptable when race day doesn’t go as planned. With a mix of expert insight and personal stories Julie and Tony explore what really happens when the race you trained for suddenly changes and how to handle it like a pro.
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
