The Be Fierce & Tri Podcast

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If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next...

In this episode

For 33 years, Mike Reilly was one of the most recognizable voices in endurance sports.

As the legendary Voice of IRONMAN, Mike witnessed thousands upon thousands of moments when months—or years—of work came down to a single finish line.

Now he's asking a different question:

What comes next?

Jill sits down with Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about endurance sports, life, purpose, coaching, family, and the lessons behind his new book, Finding Your Finish Line.

They talk about why a finish line isn't necessarily the destination we imagine it t...

We hit 700,000 downloads—and after a few unexpected weeks away from the microphone, Jill is back.

For this episode, she’s joined in person by Nicki Atkinson, the newest coach at Be Fierce Multisport, for a conversation that starts with Nicki’s story and ends up getting at something much bigger: what exactly are we building at Be Fierce?

Nicki shares how watching Julie Moss crawl toward the Ironman finish line planted the seed for triathlon, how she eventually found her way into the sport herself, and why helping athletes accomplish things they didn’t think we...

Professional triathlete Carolyn Olsen joins the podcast to discuss her journey from age-group athlete to professional racer and the lessons she's learned along the way.

From qualifying for Kona and winning IRONMAN Texas as an amateur to overcoming mechanical failures, DNFs, and race-day adversity, Carolyn shares the highs, lows, and realities of competing at the highest level of long-course triathlon.

Jill and Carolyn also dive into:

What was it really like to race IRONMAN Lake Placid 2026?

Fresh off the finish line, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow triathlon coach Thomas Skelton to unpack one of the most memorable editions of IRONMAN Lake Placid in recent years.

From smoky skies caused by Canadian wildfires to surprisingly windy bike conditions, crowded swims, mechanical mishaps, and the mental challenges of adapting when race day doesn't go according to plan, this episode is an honest conversation between two experienced coaches who also happened to be racing.

Whether you're preparing for your first...

Have you ever wondered whether that lingering ache is just soreness—or the beginning of a real injury?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew is joined by physical therapist, triathlon coach, bike fitter, and fellow endurance athlete Dr. Steph Peterson for an honest conversation about injuries, recovery, and staying healthy for the long haul.

Steph shares her personal journey through stress fractures, underfueling, ankle injuries, and balancing triathlon through every season of life—from junior elite racing to motherhood, coaching, and opening her own physical therapy practice.

Toge...

The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is returning to the United States in 2027—and specifically, to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

If you've spent any time in triathlon circles recently, you've probably seen the reactions online. Some athletes are thrilled. Others are wondering why Chattanooga was selected over more "exotic" destinations.

In this episode, I sit down with Triathlon Joe, one of the sport's most recognizable voices on social media and a Chattanooga local, to talk about what athletes can realistically expect from the return of Worlds to the Scenic City.

We discuss:

• Why Chattanooga was the...

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Connect

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In this episode:

• Sharon shares her experience completing her first-ever open water swim event
• The unexpected challenge of wearing a wetsuit for the first time
• Why open water swimming feels completely different from pool swimming
• Learning to sight and stay on course
• Race starts, swim anxiety, and building confidence in open water
• Pool swim triathlons versus open water triathlons
• Brick workouts and practicing transitions
• Choosing race-day gear and tri-suits
• Common mistakes first-time triathletes worry about
• Managing pre-race nerves and expectations
• The value of experience over perfection
• Looking ahead to Sharon...

In this episode:

Resources

📖 Jim Logan's Book: Just Keep TRI-ing
https://amzn.to/3RCJ6et

❤️ Support Jim's Ironman Foundation Fundraising Campaign
https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participants/4148

🌐 Learn More About the Ironman Foundation...

What’s it like to race the inaugural edition of a full-distance IRONMAN?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew sits down with fellow athletes Dawn Edens and Belinda DeWitt to break down their experience racing IRONMAN Jacksonville 2026 — from the unusual tidal swim and windy bike course to the heat, logistics, nutrition struggles, and emotional finish-line moments.

Belinda shares the powerful story of losing more than 150 pounds and finally earning her first IRONMAN finish after multiple attempts, while Dawn discusses chasing Kona through the Legacy Program and what makes Jacksonville a su...

Have you ever had a race that didn’t go the way you imagined?

Coach Jill Bartholomew welcomes fellow coach and athlete Erin Byrge to the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast for an honest conversation about what happens when months of preparation collide with unexpected setbacks on race day.

After crashing at mile 60 during IRONMAN Texas, Erin still found a way to finish the race — battling physical pain, self-doubt, and the mental challenges every endurance athlete eventually faces.

This episode dives into:

Have you ever wondered what the IRONMAN Foundation actually does?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill sits down with Shane Facteau (President) and Audra Tassone (Executive Director & VP) to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—but often overlooked—parts of the IRONMAN ecosystem.

They dive into:

Are you training for your first sprint triathlon—or getting back into the sport after some time away?

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill Bartholomew walks through exactly what to focus on when you’re about 90 days out from race day.

This episode is a repurposed live “Chat with the Coach” session, originally designed for athletes preparing for the Women’s Philadelphia Triathlon. You’ll hear real questions from athletes, practical coaching advice, and the key things that matter most at this stage of training.

We cover:

You’ve been consistent all winter — on the trainer, treadmill, and in the pool. So why does your first outdoor ride, run, or open water swim feel so much harder?

In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why your fitness hasn’t disappeared — but your body has lost something else.

From environmental changes to neuromuscular adaptation, this is the real reason outdoor training feels harder in the spring — and how to get back to feeling strong quickly.

You’ll learn:

Why indoor fitness doesn’t always translate immediately outdoors

The role of ne...

In this episode of the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill sits down with Julie and Tony from Team No Coasting to unpack one of the most talked-about races of the season — the inaugural Little Elm 70.3.

What was supposed to be a fast early-season race quickly turned into a test of adaptability, resilience, and race-day decision making.

Here’s what went down:

If you’ve ever looked at your training plan and wondered how you’re supposed to fit it all in, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew dives into one of the most common challenges endurance athletes face: balancing training with a busy, real-world schedule. Whether you’re training for your first sprint triathlon, a marathon, the Dopey Challenge, or an Ironman, the demands on your time can feel overwhelming.

The key isn’t finding more time—it’s creating structure and making smart decisions about how you use the time you already have.<...

runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2026 Recap

In this episode, Jill and friends break down their full experience from Princess Weekend at Walt Disney World.

They discuss:

In Part 2 of our conversation with data analyst Brian Davis, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in endurance racing — corrals, course congestion, and what race data actually reveals about performance, safety, and race outcomes.

How much does corral placement really affect your time?
Is course cutting actually common — and how do race organizers detect it?
What happens when pacing, crowd density, and race logistics collide?

Drawing from extensive analysis across Disney and non-Disney races, Brian breaks down what the numbers really say — and where common assumptions fall apart.

We a...

What really happens at the back of a runDisney race?

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Davis — physics professor, long-time runDisney athlete, and the unofficial statistician behind the Dead Last Start (DLS) movement — to unpack what most runners never see.

We talk about:

The origin story of Dead Last Start

Why some fast runners voluntarily start with the balloon ladies

How many runners actually cut the course (spoiler: it’s lower than you think)

The Disneyland RunDisney races may be gone (for now), so we’re breaking down the final race weekend — from expo madness and merch sell-outs to corral strategy, course experiences, and why this race feels completely different from Disney World. Today on the Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill is joined by returning guests Sharon, Nancy, and Greg for a full recap of the recent Disneyland RunDisney race weekend — possibly the last one for the foreseeable future. With hundreds of RunDisney finish lines between them, the crew dives into: ✔️ The Disneyland vs Disney World race experience ✔️ Expo logistics and merch madness ✔️ Corral placement...

In this episode, Jill and Carolyn discuss:

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about ho...

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just show up in the boardroom — it shows up at the starting line, in training cycles, and anytime we try something bigger than what we’ve done before.

In this episode, Jill is joined by Sharon from Bib and Tiara to talk candidly about imposter syndrome in endurance sports, careers, and life. They explore how comparison, gatekeeping, and external validation can undermine confidence, why women experience imposter syndrome differently, and how environments like runDisney and Ironman create very different feelings of “belonging.”

Along the way, they dive into:

What one week post-Dopey recovery should feel likeWhy heavy legs, low motivation, and emotional dips are normalThe difference between discomfort and painWhy movement helps recovery — and when it becomes too muchHow to safely reintroduce running, cycling, or cross-trainingFueling and hydration for post-race healingAlcohol, recovery, and why timing mattersDisney-specific recovery considerations (feet, swelling, sleep)When to resume structured training — and when to waitHow to rebuild motivation after a major endurance event

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk...

Recorded just hours after the final race concludedPanel includes experienced runDisney and Dopey Challenge athletesCovers all race distances from 5K through MarathonHonest discussion of expo flow, merch availability, and pre-ordersCrowd management, corral sizing, and character stop dynamicsWeather conditions and their impact on performance and safetyFueling preferences: gels, chews, real food, and what worked (or didn’t)Medical support and real examples of heat exhaustion and recoveryWhy expectations matter when approaching runDisney eventsLessons runners can apply to future Marathon Weekends

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your fi...

Race-day nerves and butterflies are normal

The 5K is a warm-up, not a test

Conditions may be humid, foggy, or unpredictable — adjust calmly

Ignore comparison and other runners’ bravado

If a mile feels hard, manage this mile only

Adjust pace early if needed — pulling back is smart execution

Stopping too long often makes restarting harder

Run your race, in your body, at your effort

Trust yourself — you did the work

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any d...

Shakeout runs should be very easy and optionalCarb loading is complete — keep food light and familiarAvoid excessive hydration to reduce GI and electrolyte issuesStay off social media forums on race eveLay out gear once and stop touching itLimit walking and standing as much as practicalExpect imperfect sleep — it will not derail your raceSet one execution intention (not a pace or time goal)

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the...

Takeaways

Recovery is crucial between races in the Dopey Challenge.

Hydration and nutrition play a key role in performance.

Stretching before the race can alleviate soreness.

Plan your race day routine to include familiar foods.

Pacing should start easy to avoid early fatigue.

Be mindful of cumulative fatigue from walking in the parks.

Stick to your nutrition plan during the marathon.

Listen to your body and adjust as needed during the race.

Celebrate your achievements after completing the races.

Takeaways

You need to have discipline during race weekends.

The 10K is crucial for setting up the half marathon.

It's important to feel controlled during the races.

Starting slow and finishing strong is a proven technique.

Running the tangents can save distance during the race.

Recovery is essential after the 10K and before the half marathon.

Drink electrolytes and feed your body for recovery.

Stretching helps prevent injuries and aids recovery.

Enjoy the race and take in the atmosphere.

Takeaways

There are only four days left until the first start line.

The 5K is an interesting event for Dopey participants.

Get some glycogen into your body before the race.

Treat the 5K more like a fun run than a race.

You should have plenty of time to stop at all the characters.

The finish line is quite a distance from the exit area.

The weather is looking nice for the marathon weekend.

Consider grabbing a cup of coffee at the f...

Takeaways

The Marathon Weekend Expo is a highly anticipated event.

Participants often feel nervous as the race approaches.

The Expo is a mix of excitement and exhaustion.

It's easy to overspend at the Expo without a plan.

Trying on race shirts is crucial due to sizing changes.

Transportation during race weekend can be tricky.

Hydration is essential during the busy Expo days.

Building a community is a key part of the experience.

Planning your shopping list can save time a...

takeaways

takeaways

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN...

takeaways

<...

takeaways

If you are training for...

takeaways

If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first...

Takeaways

This is not the time to change anything.

Stick to familiar foods leading up to the race.

Hydration is crucial; don't overdo it.

Carb loading should happen in the 48 hours before a race.

Boring nutrition is effective and safe.

Consistency in diet supports training and recovery.

Travel can affect appetite; be mindful of changes.

Avoid drastic dietary changes right before a race.

Listen to your body and its needs during training.

Keep nutrition simple and predictable.