Happy Holidays! The final episode of the season brings Tri Beginner’s Luck full circle with a conversation that is as grounding as it is inspiring. Mark Allen, six-time Ironman World Champion, coach, and lifelong student of the sport, joins the show for a story that reminds us why beginners matter and why mindset always wins. What unfolds is not just a highlight reel of victories, but a deeply human journey that began with fear in the water and curiosity sparked by watching Ironman on television.

Mark reflects on his earliest days in triathlon, when swimming felt familiar but the bike and run introduced uncertainty, discomfort, and growth. He shares how persistence, patience, and a willingness to learn carried him from beginner status to the professional ranks, emphasizing that fulfillment in triathlon is not reserved for the fastest athletes, but for those committed to discovering what they are capable of becoming.

The conversation dives into the power of mindset and learning, including lessons from Mark’s first races and his ability to manage negative thoughts mid-competition. He speaks candidly about how every race, whether successful or disappointing, offers valuable feedback. With the season’s reset theme as a backdrop, this episode encourages reflection, recalibration, and intentional goal-setting, whether the focus is racing fast, staying consistent, or simply continuing to show up.

Mark also revisits his legendary Kona journey, sharing stories of near-misses, mechanical setbacks, and years of frustration before finally claiming the Ironman World Championship title. His breakthrough came not from chasing comparison, but from embracing authenticity and racing as himself. That shift led to a historic performance and serves as a powerful reminder that progress often follows alignment rather than pressure.

As the conversation closes, Mark shares his evolution from athlete to coach and advocate, highlighting the importance of curiosity, balance, and consistency over time. He discusses the continued growth of the Limitless program, a free initiative designed to welcome more women into triathlon by removing barriers and building community. With plans to expand its reach and deepen its impact, his commitment to the grassroots of the sport reflects a legacy rooted in service, access, and long-term influence.

This season finale invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and begin again with intention. Whether you are brand new, starting over, or redefining your relationship with the sport, this episode offers perspective, wisdom, and a renewed belief that there is meaning to be found in every mile.

Let’s tri this and we will see you in the new year!

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What began with time zone mix-ups, frozen screens, and a bit of Zoom chaos quickly turned into a conversation that felt meant to be. This episode introduces Three Sisters: Amelia Moses Hicks, Letitia Moses Roestoff, and Zarina Moses Jardine, a global triathlon trio connected by blood, grit, and an unshakable commitment to showing up for one another. Spanning continents and disciplines, one sister runs, one rides, one swims, and together they form a living relay of courage, care, and shared purpose.

Their story starts long before triathlon. Amelia and Letitia earned golf scholarships that carried them from South Africa to the United States, navigating elite competition, cultural shifts, and high expectations. Amelia would go on to turn professional, while Zarina developed into a powerful and confident swimmer. All three learned early how to perform under pressure, stay disciplined, and dig deep when it mattered most. Those formative years on the golf course and in the pool laid the foundation for the endurance mindset that would later carry them through long training days and demanding races.

Their triathlon journeys unfold across continents, shaped by late starts, early doubts, and bold decisions to try anyway. From overcoming fear in open water to completing Ironman races that once felt out of reach, each sister brings a different entry point into the sport, held together by constant encouragement and a deep belief in one another.

The conversation flows between laughter and reflection as they share what it means to race together, train apart yet stay deeply connected, and take up space as women of color in endurance sports. Along the way, there are dreams of future racecations, ocean swims still ahead, cultural moments, and honest advice for beginners. Start where you are. Be consistent. Let the journey change you. And never underestimate what becomes possible when you do not go alone.

Let’s Tri This.

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This episode of Tri Beginner’s Luck invites listeners into a vibrant and deeply personal conversation with Pastor Mark Batterson, lead visionary of National Community Church and New York Times bestselling author. His journey from college basketball player to spiritual leader reveals a life shaped by courage, consistency, and the willingness to try again and again. With warmth and humility, Pastor Mark shares how endurance sports became a classroom for his soul, teaching him discipline through marathon miles, perseverance through ocean waves, and the quiet resilience that grows when no one is watching.

From running the Chicago Marathon with lungs that once held him back to taking on triathlons alongside his teenage son, Pastor Mark reflects on how movement has become both a metaphor and a mentor. He describes how training helped him push past self-doubt, lean into long-term goals, and understand the deep truth behind his current book, “Gradually Then Suddenly.” Progress rarely shows up as a single moment. It builds slowly, faithfully, almost silently, until the breakthrough appears.

Pastor Mark explores the power of relationships, the joy of shared miles, and the unexpected strength that emerges when you stay committed to the process. He shares openly about leadership, creativity, writing, family, and the spiritual confidence that grows when you embrace the work no one sees. It is a conversation filled with laughter, honesty, and a true celebration of what it means to live life with intention, gratitude, and heart.

Whether you are training for your first triathlon or stepping into a new season of life, this episode will encourage you to trust your pace, honor your progress, and remember that every meaningful journey starts with one small, courageous yes.

Let’s Tri This!

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Every now and then, you meet someone whose triathlon story feels both relatable and unexpectedly inspiring. Elise Serbaroli is one of those people. In this episode, Elise shares how a simple curiosity about the sport turned into a source of healing, growth, and community. From borrowing her uncle’s old bike to navigating major life changes, Elise found steadiness and joy through triathlon, and today she leads one of the largest triathlon clubs in the DMV region as the president of the DC Tri Club.

What makes Elise’s story so special is her heart for beginners. She speaks candidly about self-doubt, the women she encourages daily, and her conviction that kindness is a vital leadership skill. As she navigates her rise from club participant to board member to president, Elise shares how she balanced burnout with the help of a new coach, learned to ask for help, and started embracing rest without guilt. She also gives us a peek into her favorite parts of training, her pre-race playlist, and why authenticity is her superpower.

Throughout the conversation, Elise reflects on the beauty of being teachable, the importance of showing up, and the friendships that form when people choose to move through life together. Whether she is discussing weekend hikes, race preparation, or grabbing a drink after a workout, one thing is clear. Elise lives triathlon with intention, humility, and a whole lot of joy.

This episode serves as a reminder that triathlon is more than just a sport. It is community, courage, and the gentle nudge we sometimes need to keep going, even when life is shifting beneath our feet.

Let’s Tri This!

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There are some conversations that feel like a good long exhale, where passion meets purpose, and the joy of movement reminds you why you fell in love with this endurance world in the first place. This episode with Adam Bratton, Founder and Chief Enabler of Human Powered Movement, is exactly that. What unfolds is a lighthearted, motivating, and deeply human conversation about creating space for movement, curiosity, and community at every level of the journey.

Adam shares how his path from competitive athlete to personal trainer to race director shaped the mission behind Human Powered Movement. What started as a COVID-era experiment to encourage people to get moving has evolved into a diverse mix of adventure races, virtual triathlons, endurance challenges, and events designed to support both physical and mental well-being. Whether it is streaking through the holidays, trying your first off-road triathlon, or tackling a creative virtual challenge, the heartbeat of HPM stays the same: movement belongs to everyone.

This episode is packed with beginner-friendly wisdom as Adam talks about learning through trial, error, and curiosity. He opens up about directing large-scale events, building community through authentic engagement, and balancing big dreams with sustainable business decisions. Adam also reflects on the beauty of choosing your own path, trying nontraditional races, and staying true to what inspires you, even when it looks different from everyone else’s timeline.

In true Tri Beginner’s Luck fashion, there is plenty of laughter, inspiration, and permission to be a beginner again. If you need encouragement to try something new, return to movement, or give yourself grace along the way, this conversation will feel like a warm invitation to begin.

Let’s Tri This

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When Lia Belardo moved from New York to Philadelphia in 2009, she could barely run a mile and was navigating endometriosis and PCOS while working a stressful finance job. Today, she has completed seven Ironmans, 20 half Ironmans, 25 marathons, 10 ultramarathons, and has built community everywhere she goes, from Philly run crews to a Meatless Monday vegan run club. In this episode, Lia unpacks how a “longest mile” with her dog, a cheap entry-level bike, and a late-night learn-to-swim class at a women’s tri club turned her into the kind of athlete who signs up for a 70.3 in a taxi, then figures the rest out.

In this conversation, Lia shares the ups, downs, and surprises of building a triathlon life from scratch, including learning to swim in adulthood, navigating early race day nerves, and embracing her identity as a proud Athena athlete. She offers real talk about doing triathlon on a budget, from janky bikes to late-night pool sessions to buying only what you truly need. Together, she and Michanda explore the importance of community support, the power of inclusivity in the Athena category, and the freedom that comes when athletes stop trying to “look the part” and simply show up as themselves.

Lia also reflects on the beautiful and sometimes messy growth that happens when you follow curiosity, honor your body, and trust the journey more than the results. She shares her dream of connecting with new communities in Utah, her heart for donating medals to children with cancer, and her hope for a sport where every athlete sees themselves reflected on the start line. This is a joyful and encouraging episode for anyone who has ever wondered if they belong in triathlon. You do. And Lia’s story proves you already have enough to begin.

Let’s Tri This

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What were you doing a few weeks after your 18th birthday? For Jaharie Osborne, the answer is… completing a full Ironman! Dared by friends and fueled by curiosity, Jaharie jumped headfirst—literally—into one of the toughest endurance challenges on earth. No fancy gear. No years of structured training. Just raw determination, youthful energy, and a whole lot of beginner’s luck.

In this episode, we dive into Jaharie’s incredible journey from high school student to Ironman finisher, exploring how a simple dare turned into a defining life experience. From swimming 12 miles in Lake Tahoe to tackling the Ironman California with regular sneakers and a rental bike, Jaharie’s story is the ultimate reminder that sometimes the boldest step you can take is the first one.

You’ll hear about his moments of doubt, his encounters with strangers who became race-day motivators, and how the spirit of community, from family support to the Fresno Black Chamber of Commerce, carried him across the finish line. Plus, you’ll learn how Jaharie used ChatGPT (yes, really!) to build his own training plan, and how his Ironman experience is shaping his next big goal: becoming a Navy SEAL.

This episode is a celebration of grit, heart, and the power of saying “why not?” Whether you’re training for your first triathlon or just need a push to start something new, Jaharie’s story will inspire you to dare bigger and believe deeper.

Let’s Tri This

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Tri Beginner's Luck is officially back, and we're kicking off the new season with an absolute must-listen: Ed Chang, COO and co-founder of performance gear brand, Varlo!

This conversation is about massive career shifts, unexpected race-day challenges, and the true meaning of community in endurance sports.

Imagine leaving the high-stress world of being a high-powered litigation attorney to lead a start-up sports apparel brand. Ed shares his candid experience and the moment he realized his career needed to align with his passion. How did his early involvement with triathlons and nonprofits directly lead to co-founding Varlo, a brand built on empowering athletes?

Ed's triathlon journey is as real as it gets. He recounts a disappointing DNF in his first sprint race and later battling severe open water swim panic attacks. But he didn't quit. Instead, he developed a radical, on-the-spot technique to regain control in the dark water. What did he have to do to stay calm and keep going? Tune in for this remarkable moment of mental fortitude.

Beyond his personal races, Ed’s mission is about building safe spaces for all athletes. Learn how his work as Board Chair of the Rails to Trails Conservancy transforms old railways into safe, flat surfaces for everyone to train on. Plus, Ed drops some critical, beginner-focused wisdom every triathlete needs.

This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a compelling look at how your passion for sport can define your life's purpose.

Press play and join us, your next breakthrough might just be one listen away.

Let’s Tri this!