Andrew Kerr (the T-Rex of Tri) got me into the show when I did my first long distance race at Challenge Wanaka 2008.  I met the boys at Camp Kia Kaha in the French Pyrenees later that year which is where I got my nickname - despite years of coaching, John N said that my descending of big hills is amongst the slowest he’s ever seen .. So that’s me: age grouper dad, cancer survivor, squeaked under 11h once but race goes backwards fast when I leave T1.  The show has been an enormously important part of my triathlon journey and I’ve made a heap of friends through it - and get a lot of love in races when people recognise the trisuit!  Kia kaha.  John

About me . . .

I was a former couch potato who often made the statement "I don't run unless something is chasing me and I'm out of bullets". Then I realized I was going to get caught pretty easily or have a heart attack. I was in my 40s, overweight, with a high-stress job, basically a stroke waiting for a place to happen. I started eating better and running or rather walking with a few brisk trots thrown in. The first time I ran all the way around my neighborhood I thought it was pretty amazing and figured it to be about 5 miles. The most disappointing day of my endurance career was the day I got my Garmin and determined my 5 mile route was really only 2.4 miles. Damn. Since then things have gotten better, faster, and farther culminating in the completion of a very stormy 2014 Ironman Lake Placid. I was at the tail end of the swimmers that got to finish the entire swim. The swim was my biggest mental hurdle and I was so happy I got to complete it. Otherwise, I work in a typical corporate environment in a windowless office doing project management for an R&D group at a software company. Aside from endurance sports, I spend my days hunting, fishing, and camping with my wife. I enjoy writing and chronicle my life's adventures on my blog: https://pgithens.wordpress.com/

Fitness with Phil is a handy little resource for anyone starting out in triathlon just like me. Feel free to follow my training plans. I also run a Bootcamp and open water swim training in my spare time so drop me a line if either interests you. www.fitnesswithphil.com

In work, I’ve been a Development Agent for Subway here in the UK for the last 10 years or so. In play, I’ve been a triathlete since 2012. Fortunate that the current Mrs Bennett is sympathetic to my training time and has provided me with(!) a son & heir, William, 6.  Due to peer pressure & the inspiration provided by IMTalk, I’ll be tackling my first IM at Roth this July at the ripe old age of 45 with a dozen or so of my mates from Knutsford Tri Club. Go by the name Damo.

Marcus Aronsson is a Swedish triathlete he is 37 years of age and lives with his two daughters and fiancé in the town of Gnosjö.  He works as a firefighter in the small city Borås. Marcus did his first triathlon in 2012 at the sprint Borås Triathlon. He was hooked and decided to try a half ironman on the island of Tjörn. 2014 he raced in KMD Ironman Copenhagen and his first Ironman he finshed in 10 hours and 7 minutes. One day he hope to qualify to Hawaii, but the most important thing for him is to have fun when he trains and competes. 

• Name: Marcus Aronsson
• Age: 38 (Born 1977)
• Height: 172 cm
• Weight: 72 kg
• Club: Anderstorps OK
• Website / blog: http://marcustriathlon.wordpress.com
• Instagram: @MarcusAronsson1
• Twitter: @AronssonMarcus
• Sponsors: www.salmingrunning.com, www.UmaraSports.com, www.NativeFitness.se

Mid life crisis triathlon fan, which also gives me a good excuse to still eat cake.  After 4 years in triathlon, always thinking about the goal of doing an Ironman, I finally felt ready last year (the John Newsom 4 year plan?!).  Had a great day at Ironman UK, which through a lucky roll down got me to Kona - where I had another great day out.  And it was great to see all the places on course you've that I've heard about whilst churning out the miles in another crap British winter.  @holmburyhill on Twitter and www.athlinks.com/athletes/87004603 on Athlinks

Been listening to the show for about 5 years now.

Got into triathlon through Xterra in 2007 and got hooked on swim, bike, run.

I finished a 70.3 last year and have two more on the schedule for this year.

I am 44 years old and live just outside of Canberra, married with 2 kids who have a busy weekend sporting schedule. I have been a Police Officer for 26 years and have recently moved away from general duties shift work to normal shifts which makes consistent training a lot easier!  I have been racing triathlon, mostly long course stuff for about 20 years and will be racing my 9^th ironman in Melbourne in March. I set my PB there last year at 10.53. I’m not particularly suited to the distance as my skinny race weight is in the low 90kg’s. I grew up playing rugby as a loose forward and played senior rugby at a high level. A. My goal is Hawaii and am shooting for a legacy spot as I’m a little way off a roll down slot.

I'm 32, living in denmark (just north of copenhagen) with a wife and 3 year old daughter. Started triathlon inspired by a friend and actually following Gordos epic-camp blogging in 2010ish. Since then I learned to swim and joined a triathlon club, got a bike, etc. My career has been 3 "middle-distance"(halfironmanish) and 5 shorter distance (olympic and down to 400m,18k,4k)  so actually not that expirenced. But loving the lifestyle and the training none the less!. (Self"coached")

I'm still new to triathlon, I started cycling a bit about 8 years ago, but lost my fitness and gained weight every winter, until 2013, when I cycled La Marmotte and didn't want to lose my fitness afterwards, so I signed up for an autumn marathon. I soon caught the running bug, even though my first marathon was a nightmare! I then thought to myself that if I can run and cycle, I should do triathlon, there was just the little problem of the swim!  Last year I did my first half iron distance race and in 2015 I am building towards my first iron distance race in September.  Because I am unoriginal I have nicked John's idea and am blogging my Project 2015 here - http://nufcrichard.livejournal.com/  Keep up the great work on the show guys, I listen every week during my intervals session.Richard 'the Stinger' Rae

In September of 2012, my wife and I attended an event that my friend from high school and college was competing in.  It was the Rev3 Cedar Point Full.   I had no idea what to expect.  At this event, as we were watching with our other friends (one had competed in the Rev3 Full last year and another was signed up for some 70.3 events and Ironman Louisville in 2013), I found something that I really wanted to do.  I had gained some weight since college and after failed diet after failed diet, I could not get motivated.  This event, as well as all of my wife, family, and friends supporting me in my decision to compete in triathlon, MOTIVATED me.  My wife and I decided in the car during the drive home that I would do a triathlon in 2013….I did 7 sprints.  In 2014, I did a bunch of sprints, 2 Olympics, and 1 half (Rev3 Cedar Point Half).  50 pounds lost later, I am a more positive, motivated, and inspired person.  I continue to be motivated by wife and friends, but now with a new baby boy, an example for him is essential.  Thank you to John and Bevan for everything they do!  Can’t wait for what is to come!  

Living the dream in Melbourne, Australia, having moved from the UK in 1999. Member of the Mornington Peninsula Triathlon Club and the Team Barefoot Training Squad. The Peninsula is a triathlon paradise with safe bays to swim in and rolling hills and vineyards to cycle through. Would be an awesome athlete if I stopped sampling the produce from the vineyards and local restaurants! Favourite race distance - Half Ironman (less pain) and favourite race - Ironman Cairns for its stunning scenary. 

Mike Threadgould: Ex-pat Englishman now living in Austin, Texas. A friend got my hooked on IMTalk back in 2010. Did my first Ironman in 2013 at IM Texas (the hot one) and returned in 2014 (still hot but not quite as brutal). I'm part of the Primal Endurance team here in Austin and race to burn calories for breakfast tacos. Currently considering IM Canada in 2016.

I’m a 12X IM finisher and longtime IM Talk listener. This picture is from back in my glory days. Over the years, John and Bevan have helped me through a lot of trainer and treadmill sessions; I’m happy to be able to give a little something back.

Kent, UK - based triathlete.  Did first marathon in 2004 and hated it.  Getting fat in 2009, decided I needed a massive goal so signed up for Marathon des Sables for 2012.  Started running again with a proper plan and loved it.  Started listening to IMTalk off the back of Marathon Talk and decided to try some triathlons post MdS.  Did some sprints etc and built up to Ironman Wales 2014.  2015 doing some shorter stuff and more running and thinking of massive goal for 2016.

Martin "Silver Surfer” Silvester (aka Numbnutz due to my rather clumsy bike mechanic skills). I’m a relatively new Triathlete having just ridden bikes for years. IM Talk has gotten me through two 70.3 and one Ironman and helping on the next one. More than happy to support Bevan and John, its a bargain! Two things to note. When my 8 year old "breaks wind" he says “man that ripped my jocks”. I am the unofficial leader of the "lock your wife out challenge" (for which i have still to receive a prize for my 2014 efforts).

Martins blog https://onefgear.wordpress.com/