Categories
Uncategorized

Triathletes in Basements Riding Trainers: Fitspeek 101 with Jeff Symonds & Zack Neufeld

This time around Fitspeek heads back into the basement and catches up with the guy who shocked the triathlon world by; placing third in the world at the 70.3 World Championships in 2011, winning Ironman Melbourne in 2015, and finishing the 2013 Challenge Penticton after a bike crash going down Yellow Lake (yeah) he also won that race.

And yes the guy in the middle, does still work for the fine folks at the Bike Barn in Penticton. In our interview we catch up with Jeff about how thinks the life as a pro triathlete is not that dissimilar from the social distancing protocol that we are all following nowadays. We talk about his role as a swimming coach in Penticton . We also talk about this

You can hear the interview now, along with Zack Neufeld’s list about his top three rides in the Fraser Valley. Start the magic by pressing that play button below.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 100: Robert Johnson’s Undefeated Season

Fitspeek celebrates episode 100 with BC’s King of Shortcourse Triathlon, Robert Johnson. Johnson dominated every race he did last year and had a perfect track record, most impressively scoring the overall win at the National Championships in Kelowna.

In our conversation we examine not only his wins but also we reflect on how he approached his season and how that made it extra enjoyable.

To kick off the show, ATC Coach Mikey Ross is back for another Top Five List. Mikey gives suggestions about how to harvest the gift of time that many people have been given, as a result of this health crisis. Listen to it now by pressing play below.

Fitspeek is brought to you by Tri*Joy} The Spirit of Multisport. We remind you to wash your hands (try vinegar!) before and after you go to buy those healthy groceries. And when we are given the all clear, we would love to help you get to your first or fastest finish line. Based in Mission, BC, we are your local triathlon coaching service.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 99: Steve Brown

One of the groups of people in the fitness community hit hardest by the Covid-19 crisis is the race directors.

In Fitspeek 99 we speak with a guy who has been a race director on Western Canada’s triathlon scene for decades.

Penticton’s Steve Brown has darn near done it all, the owner of a running store, Ironman athlete, Race Director and saviour (?) of Ironman Canada, founder of the Ultra 520K Triathlon. Steve has seen many things in his years being involved in multisport.

In our interview, Steve tells us about how he got into triathlon, his role on the board of directors of Ironman Canada, the amazing community support of his home town, and how he is dealing with the Covid-19 situation. Here it now, along with the Mikey Ross Top Five list by pressing play below.

Fitspeek is brought to you by Tri*Joy} The Spirit of Multisport, reminding you to phone your mom & wash your hands!

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 98: Report From Barcelona with Ramon Lopez Mendizabal

Ramon Lopez-Mendizabal is a civil engineer and an elite ultra-endurance triathlete from Barcelona, Spain. As you know that iconic Spanish city is one of the places hardest hit by the Covid-19 virus.

In Fitspeek 98, we speak with Ramon about how he & his wife are leading their day to day lives while living under the restrictions placed on them in that European country. One of the answers for Ramon is buying a treadmill and then running a marathon on it for three consecutive days . He’s also putting in some very impressive hours on the trainer. (old school style, no Rouvey, no Zwift).

In addition to our interview with Ramon, we get an update all the way from Port Coquitlam. Kevin Watt tells us about his experiences on the trails there and how his day job is largely unaffected by this health crisis.

Hanging out with the usual suspects by the Big Peach. Last Sunday in August, 2018.

To round off the program Zack Neufeld is back with another Between the Ears segment. Zack gives us some advice on how to set realistic goals and maintain our motivation during these challenging days. Hear it all now by pressing that button below.

Based in Mission, BC Tri*Joy is your local triathlon coaching company. When you are ready to take on the challenge of your first, or fastest triathlon, we’re here to help. E-mail kknnheinze@yahoo.com for your free on-line (Zoom) consultation & goal-setting session.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 97: Joanna Brown Looks at Tokyo 2021

As we continue our Fitspeek series called The Olympians, we are in conversation with Joanna Brown. Tokyo 2021 will be her first ever Olympic Games. In the meantime, she is in self-quarantine in her parent’s basement (sound familiar) in Carp, Ontario.

Joanna had an amazing start to her season this year, with a win at a non-drafting triathlon in Australia. In our half hour chat we find out how she is investing her time while at home. Fellow Zwifters, look out!

We also talk about the role of sponsors for her and other elite athletes.

To wrap up the program we have another Between The Ears segment. This week, Dr. Elise Reeh offers some advice on how to deal with our current reality from a psychological perspective by preventing Hamster Brain.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 96: Tyler Mislawchuk

Fitspeek continues its series with the Olympians. This time it’s our turn to talk to Tyler Mislawchuk. At age 26, Tyler will be lining up against the best short-course triathletes in the world at the 2021 Summer Olympics.

do you see a resemblance to any other Canadian triathlon champion?

In our half-hour conversation we talk perogies, Zwift, and Super-League. We also ask Tyler THE Fitspeek question. Why would he say THAT?

Also on this week’s show, Mikey Ross, head coach from the Abbotsford Triathlon club drops by (on Zoom), to go NUTS in his Weekly Top Five List. Hear it all by pressing that all-so-familar PLAY button below!

Follow the lead of our Olympians like Stefan and Tyler. Practice social distancing. Let’s do our part in keeping Canada safe!

Categories
Uncategorized

Fitspeek 95: Stefan Daniel

With the postponement of the Summer Olympics, we decided to check in with what the members of our Olympic Triathlon team were up to and how they were dealing with the news.

First up on our series that I’m calling “The Olympians,” is Calgary’s Stefan Daniel. In addition to being a star runner on the University of Calgary’s cross country team, he is also a business major at the U of C. Oh yeah, he’s also a 4 – time World Paratriathlon gold medalist.

At 23 years of age, Stefan was poised to take on the world at the 2020 Summer Games. I asked him how he felt about the setback. His response will impress you. Hear the whole interview now by pressing that play button below.

Tri*Joy encourages you to train safe during our current Covid-19 crisis and practice social distancing. And when you are ready to go for gold in your next triathlon, virtual or otherwise, we’d be happy to help you get there. E-mail kknnheinze@yahoo.com.

Categories
Uncategorized

Tapering 201 = Fitspeek 94: A Conversation with Lifesport’s Lance Watson

In his over 25 years as a triathlon coach, Victoria’s Lance Watson has been helping athletes become faster and more consistent. He’s also part of the story for one of the greatest moments in triathlon ever

Paul Henderson scored “The Goal”. Simon Whitfield scored “The Gold.”

One of the keys to Simon Whitfield’s success in the inaugural Olympic Triathlon in Sydney, back in 2020, was a well-designed & executed taper!

In Fitspeek 94, we get the scoop on what Lance did to help maximize Simon’s chances for success on that magical day.

In addition to coaching Olympic bound, short-course athletes, Watson has also coached one of Canada’s most successful long-course triathletes, Lisa Bentley. In the interview we’ll find out the difference between a front-end taper and a back-end taper.

Sometimes race results are baffling, this guy defied the odds, and logic as he bounced back from a case of shingles to not only an Ironman win, but the record for the fastest Ironman time for a rookie. Brent McMahon’s performance at Ironman Arizona in 2014 is proof that sometimes magic can happen on the race course! Hear it all now on Fitspeek 94 The Art of the Taper by pressing that button right below.

Categories
Uncategorized

Spend Your Sunday With a Coffee & a Nathan

Staying true to our promise of “delivering the goods” we present Fitspeek 93 a Catching Up With Nathan Killam.

We have something to get your mind off of the current state of affairs and keep you grounded. Our conversation with one of our country’s fastest long-course ranges from time management skills, to what he learned from his battles with the world’s fastest triathletes in the SuperLeague Series, to his plans for the 2020 season. YES there will be one!

In an attempt to woo female fans to Fitspeek we posted the picture above! Whether you are male or female you’ll want to hit that play button right here for 15 minutes of fun!

The trio at Tremblant had a certain look to it last year.
Categories
Uncategorized

Coming Sunday to Fitspeek

Yes, we all know that Soul Brother Number One, James Brown was the hardest working man in show business. But we also know that James Brown is Dead (don’t pardon the pun).

On the other hand, Vancouver’s Natham Killam is very much alive and is well on his way to earning the title as Canada’s Busiest Triathlete. With a full time job as a firefighter, another as a pro-triathlete, another as a triathlon coach, and along with the titles as husband and dad, Nathan is one busy dude. So busy in fact, it has taken Fitspeek months to corner this triathlon gladiator for a follow-up interview. Be listening Sunday March 15 as the Ides of March feature the stache that roared!