Stay ConnectedThe WITSUP, women in triathlon, podcast is a lot more than just swim, bike and run. It’s all about getting to know the person behind the triathlete. What makes them tick. Who or what inspires them. What has driven them to be the person and the athlete they are today.
So imagine yourself joining me and your favourite triathlete for a chat over a coffee, or a wine if you prefer, and plenty of laughs.
HISTORY BREAKING ALERT! This weekend at Challenge Cancun, Sika Henry created history by becoming the first black American Professional Triathlete, so we thought it was the perfect time to hit up our archives and listen back to our chat with her last year. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + As Sika committed to the goal of competing at the highest level of triathlon, she also realized the glaring lack of diversity in triathlon. We discuss the importance of representation in sport, and how triathlon would benefit from diversifying it’s professional field. We are incredibly inspired by her perseverance when the going gets rough and her ‘do anything until you reach your goal’ mindset. She even did a DIY 50k ultramarathon by using her driveway as an aid station ... in 3:45! What makes Sika tick and brought her back to triathlon after a crash? Listen in to find out. “I didn’t realize how much of an impact it would have until my crash last year when I didn’t know if I would come back to the sport. I received so many messages from African-American kids encouraging me to keep going, and that’s probably why I didn’t quit last year.” Follow Sika - www.instagram.com/sikahenry/ BECOME A WITSUP MEMBER - www.patreon.com/witsup
No one has their life more organised than Alicia Kaye. I mean, she is a professional organiser! All jokes aside, this is one of our favourite conversations on the Witsup podcast. Her psychology background made us feel like we had a session with a therapist, and we are so grateful of her time, openness, and all she’s given to the sport of triathlon. Alicia has moved on from her professional athlete days, and you'd be forgiven if you didn't realise that she had retired - there was no song and dance or big announcement, she just quietly stepped off the race track. She tells us all about her decision to retire and her peace that she has since she’s left the sport. We also talk about everything from managing finances to processing grief as an athlete and the reality of taking care of her aging parents. Quote highlights include: “When I was done, I was fully done.” “The battle is finding out what’s next. I really encourage athletes, no matter where they are in their professional careers to be thinking about that.” “Our work ethic as athletes is pretty amazing to do this as a career” “My love language is labeling.” “Being highly detail oriented was crucial to my success.” “I loved the simplicity of sponsors who say, perform and I'll pay you.” “There is a big world and a lot of life to live when you’re done, and you’re going to have to live with all the giving you gave to the sport.” Follow Alicia: www.instagram.com/aliciakayetri Follow Try Organizing: @tryorganizing * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
Jen Annett may be giggly, but she’s one of the toughest racers in the professional triathlon world. Her passion is apparent as she overcomes being diagnosed with Epilepsy while becoming one of the fastest triathletes in the world. We discuss her journey into the world of professional triathlon world after moving on from her days working at a bank. From breakthroughs to breakdowns, we unpack the ups and downs of her triathlon career so far. From chasing down the cheetah Liz Lyles to getting hit by a media moto in Kona, she’s experienced the highest highs to the lowest lows. We loved our chat and can’t wait to see her back on the race course. Quote highlights include: “When I'm out there racing. I’m not there for all the fluffiness. I’m there to put my head down and do my absolute best.” (6:10) “Do tough and stubborn fall into the same category?” (7:08) “At the end of the day Ironman is tough no matter what.” (9:58) “Put your head down there’s always a little more to give.” (22:16) “We all need something to smile about.”(53:02) “If we’re enjoying life, that’s all that matters” (1:20.32) Follow Jen: https://www.instagram.com/annett_jen/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
Imogen Simmonds AKA IMO SIMMO isn’t only a slayer on the race course, but she can also cut a mean rug on the dance floor. Covid has restricted both racing and dancing, but you’d never know it based on IMO SIMMO’s positive demeanor. Coming from an active family, nature and outdoors has been an integral part of her life. It’s no surprise that she studied to work in structural geology and environmentalism. We have a long chat about ways that the triathlon world can decrease its impact on the environment that we all love to train in. We learned loads and had quite a few laughs along the way. “There’s so much that the triathlon world can do to reduce our impact on the globe. There’s so many free giveaways that most people don’t even use. They just throw away." Follow Imogen: https://www.instagram.com/imosimmonds/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup Photo by Getty Images for Ironman
We catch up with two time world champ, three time Olympian, and British legend Helen Jenkins about where she’s at in life and sport following the chaos that was 2020. We are inspired by this athlete, mother, and all round incredible woman. We chat all things from the pros and cons of social media to parenting in a pandemic. Plus, dealing with the pressure of being the gold medal favourite at the London Olympics in 2012, her reflections on that day and whether she will ever show her kids the race footage that she has never watched herself. The journey of Helen Jenkins is nothing short of inspiring. She’s come back from having two children and a spinal fusion surgery to return to racing for the joy of it. But, for Helen, the joy of it still results in some extremely quick results. “One of my biggest drivers is having my kids see me race.” "It was never other peoples’ expectations because if I let all that get on top of me I never would have made it to the start line.” Photo by Delly Carr | ITU Media Follow Helen: https://www.instagram.com/heljinx/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
We chat with 4 x World Champion Leanda Cave about her new beginnings and challenges, oh and life in caravan as a kid. Instead of holding milestones in life to specific timelines, she’s letting life happen. As someone who believes that what you receive from the world is a result of what you put into it, we know that good things are heading Leanda’s way. Her 'Club Leanda Cave' was launched in Miami – designed to coach athletes to be their best with passion, community, experience, and friendships. Not only that, but she’s ‘training’ for Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii in November, and potentially chasing a fifth world title - and we think that might be an exclusive here on Witsup! We are LC super fans, and will always be cheering for her – wherever life takes her. Follow Leanda: https://www.instagram.com/leandacave/ Follow Club Leanda Cave: https://www.instagram.com/club_leanda_cave/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
After an emotional win for Jodie Stimpson at Challenge Miami, we went back into our archives because we wanted to help share why this win meant so much for Jodie, an athlete and person who wears her heart on her sleeve. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jodie Stimpson wears her heart on her sleeve, and that's never been more palpable then when her Dad passed away earlier this year - the triathlon community felt her heart break. I was worried about bringing up some very raw emotions with our chat, but for Jodie, it's good for her to talk about the man who was her rock, and I discover just how much he has helped shape her into the person and the athlete that she is today. We also chat and have a laugh about many other things in this episode, like her perfect execution of the worm during a Witsup interview, Disneyland adventures, and time spent in France. Follow Jodie: https://www.instagram.com/jodiestimpson/ Photo by Professional Triathletes Organisation * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
We chat with Canadian Amélie Kretz about her family history and her journey through triathlon. Starting the sport at age eight, she’s been around the track a few times. With almost 20 years under her race belt, she not only an expert in triathlon, but she is also continuing her education and is toying with the idea of going to medical school. As the pandemic stationed this globe trotter at home, Amélie spent less time on planes and more time at home with her family playing board games. She even built her own indoor pool when lockdown happened - but what's that pool doing now Amélie? She is smart and talented, but, she somehow managed to dislocate her shoulder ... in the bread aisle of a grocery store in Florida. Amélie Klutz? We left our chat with Amélie inspired by her tenacity and drive.
Catching up with Emma 'Jacko' Jackson, was like, well was literally catching up with an old friend. Straight up I felt like I needed to apologise for dropping the ball. Following on from that, we discussed what it's like to be forgotten in the media landscape when you're not performing due to injuries or illnesses. We chat about how she got into the sport, how and if she's matured throughout her career, Olympic selection ordeals and appeals, the ripe old age of almost being 30 (I may or may not have told her to shut up), drooling on planes, and how exciting accounting and spreadsheets are. Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/ejjacko91/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
Karen Smyers is an icon in our sport, and just casually holds the record as the only woman to claim the Ironman World Championship and the World Short Course Championship titles in the same year. Karen is the type of person who motivates and inspires without realising it. She's the epitome of getting shit done, excelling at it, and enjoying it along the way - she created the 3, 2, 1 taper after all! I feel like we barely scratched the Smyers surface, but what we did scratch were stories of overcoming illnesses and freak accidents, lessons learnt - whether intentionally or unintentionally, and we both love a chat. Follow Karen: https://www.instagram.com/karensmyers8926/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUPPORT WITSUP: Become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup
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