
That Triathlon Show
That Triathlon Show is the podcast for triathletes of all levels who want to train smarter and race faster. With over 600 episodes and millions of downloads since 2017, this show cuts through the noise and misinformation, delivering practical, no-nonsense advice rooted in both the art and science of training and performance.
The podcast features in-depth interviews with the world’s best coaches, top sports scientists, and elite athletes. Each episode dives into the nuances of training methodology, performance optimization, and race-day execution, providing insights you can apply right away. Whether you're preparing for a supersprint or an Ironman, or focusing on a single sport like swimming, cycling, or running, you'll find expert guidance and relevant content here.
The podcast is hosted by Mikael Eriksson, a former engineer now coaching professional and age-group athletes. Mikael is a Level III certified coach with over a decade of experience in coaching.
Join a global community of dedicated triathletes and take your performance to the next level. Learn more at www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast.
Latest episodes

May 30, 2024 • 1h 15min
Dirk Friel - co-founder of TrainingPeaks | EP#434
Dirk Friel, co-founder of TrainingPeaks, joins us to discuss the past, present and future of the platform. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -The history of TrainingPeaks -Upcoming features and innovations on the platform -TrainingPeaks as a platform for expert instruction -Common complaints and criticism towards TrainingPeaks -The future of AI in training and coaching -Listener questions SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts434/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Dirk's Instagram and profile page on TrainingPeaks TrainingPeaks CoachCast - podcast hosted by Dirk TrainingPeaks website That Triathlon Show guests Olympic Podium picks for Paris 2024 RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

May 23, 2024 • 1h 54min
Luke Watson, NTPCW head coach - Training talk | EP#433
Luke Watson is the performance head coach of the National Triathlon Performance Centre Wales in Cardiff, a development environment for both short-course and long-course triathletes with world-class potential. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Luke's coaching methodology and training principles -The evolution of triathlon and how to adapt to changing demands -Periodisation of racing and training -Training similarities and differences between elite short-course and long-course athletes -Maximising training efficiency for age-group athletes -Common mistakes to avoid for AG-athletes -How to create a good pacing strategy for half and full distance races -Tips for age-groupers to improve their swim, bike and run training and performance SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts433/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: National Triathlon Performance Centre Wales (NTPCW) website and Instagram Welsh Triathlon website and Instagram Daniels' Running Formula - book by Jack Daniels Training and Racing with a Power Meter - book by Hunter Allen, Andrew Coggan and Stephen McGregor RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

9 snips
May 16, 2024 • 54min
ROI of run training, the importance of hills, rethinking race selection - Coaching thoughts | EP#432
The podcast explores optimizing swim, bike, run training, benefits of hill running, and race selection strategies. It discusses maximizing training time in running, hill workouts' advantages, and the importance of race diversity for a well-rounded athletic experience.

May 13, 2024 • 25min
Andy Blow of Precision Fuel & Hydration | Bonus Episode
Bonus episode with Andy Blow, founder of Precision Fuel & Hydration. SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. LINKS AND RESOURCES: All you need to know about Precision Fuel & Hydration at the IRONMAN European Series Should you combine your carbohydrate and electrolyte drinks? - article by Andy Blow Free Fuel & Hydration Planner Nutrition and hydration data from Kona and 70.3 Worlds with Andy Blow | EP#365 Caffeine in racing – best practices with Andy Blow | EP#346 Race nutrition and hydration – current best practices with Andy Blow | EP#293 Race hydration, calories and sodium – a 2020 update with Andy Blow | EP#218 Hydration in endurance sports: a Q&A with Andy Blow | EP#191 Effective Swimrun Training with Andy Blow | EP#126 Hydration, sodium and cramping with Andy Blow | EP#49 RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

May 10, 2024 • 1h 4min
Christophe Balestra - Obstri, PTO, and Fantasy Tri | EP#431
Christophe Balestra is a (retired) amateur triathlete with a background in game development. He has brought his talents to the triathlon space with products such as The Obsessed Triathlete (obstri), the PTO's stats pages, and Fantasy Triathlon on The Daily Tri. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -The story behind obstri.com, and why Ironman wanted it shut down -Christophe's time with the PTO, including shipping their stats pages -Triathlon as a broadcast sport - the needs and the challenges -Fantasy triathlon - how it came about and where it's going -Christophe's lessons learnt and advice for other amateur triathletes SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts431/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Christophe's Twitter The Daily Tri - Fantasy Triathlon That Triathlon Show guests Olympic Podium picks for Paris 2024 RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Apr 15, 2024 • 1h 58min
Melanie McQuaid | EP#430
Melanie McQuaid is a triathlon coach and veteran professional triathlete. In 2023 she became the first ever 50-year-old to qualify for and race in the professional field in the Ironman World Championships in Kona. In this interview we discuss that feat and Mel's general thoughts on longevity in the sport and on maintaining performance at an older age. Then we go into a long Q&A segment, answering listener questions on a large variety of topics. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Training considerations with older age, and how to maintain and improve performance as you get older -Testing, training zones, and training prescription -Shift work and training -Use of heart rate in training -Balancing "aerobic base" training and intensity -Are brick sessions necessary? -VO2max intervals ...and more SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts430/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Mel's website, Instagram and Twitter Coach Melanie McQuaid | EP#374 Training for Xterra and off-road triathlon with five-time world champion Melanie McQuaid | EP#196 That Triathlon Show guests Olympic Podium picks for Paris 2024 RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 49min
Bex Milnes | EP#429
Triathlon coach Bex Milnes discusses efficient training for age-group athletes, balancing family and training, optimizing training efficiency, race preparation strategies, tapering considerations, self-compassion in training, and decision-making for max performance.

Mar 18, 2024 • 1h 25min
Tomasz Kowalski | EP#428
Tomasz (Tomek) Kowalski, is a triathlon coach and sport scientist from Poland. Tomek's coaching experience includes working with both elite and age-group triathletes, including coaching Ironman World Champions in their respective age-groups, and in his academic work his main focus is on the effect of respiratory muscle training (RMT) on endurance performance. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Tomek's coaching philosophy and methodology -What it takes to podium or win the Ironman World Championships as an age-grouper -Pacing and race execution -Advice for improving your swim, bike and run training and performance, respectively -What is Respiratory Muscle training (RMT) and is it beneficial for endurance athletes? -Practical recommendations for implementing RMT in a triathlon training program -Listener questions ...and more SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts428/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Tomak's Instagram and Research Gate Trinergy (Tomek's coaching business) website Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on Exercise Performance in Healthy Individuals - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Illi et al. 2012 Distinguishing science from pseudoscience in commercial respiratory interventions: an evidence-based guide for health and exercise professionals - Illidi et al. 2023 RATE AND REVIEW: If you enjoy the show, please help me out by subscribing, rating and reviewing: www.scientifictriathlon.com/rate/ CONTACT: Want to send feedback, questions or just chat? Email me at mikael@scientifictriathlon.com or connect on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 38min
Rune Kjøsen Talsnes, PhD | EP#427
Discussion on overtraining, training progression, and periodisation in endurance training with insights from cross-country skiing. Exploring prevention strategies, monitoring techniques, and effects of training load intensity. Gender disparities in triathlon and reflections on influential mentors and colleagues.

Feb 29, 2024 • 2h 12min
Björn Geesmann | EP#426
Discussion with triathlon coach Björn Geesmann covering psychology in racing and training, optimizing running performance through strategic training, balancing intensity and volume, critiquing traditional training methods, aerodynamics in racing, VLaMax testing, rest strategies, Olympic predictions, endurance sports philosophy, and introduction of new coach.