

That Triathlon Show
Mikael Eriksson
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
Bas van Hooren | EP#411
Bas van Hooren, a sport scientist and runner, discusses various topics including the necessity of cool-downs, the differences between treadmill and outdoor running, the training characteristics of older athletes, issues with the Long-Term Athlete Development model, strength and conditioning for runners, and the usefulness of devices and technology for athletes.

Oct 2, 2023 • 49min
Kerry McGawley, PhD (part 2) | EP#410
Kerry McGawley is Associate Professor at Mid Sweden University, a coach and coach educator, and a very good age group triathlete. In this interview, we discuss the current science on the female athlete, where we need to do more in both academia, in sports organisations and in society, and practical takeaways. This is part two of a two-part interview, where part one was about Kerry's own training as an age-group 70.3 World Champion. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Mother-athlete challenges -Menstrual cycle phases and performance -Menstrual health literacy and barriers to coach-athlete communication -Amenorrhea and associated injury risk and performance outcomes -Next steps in academia, organisations and elsewhere SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts410/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com. FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Kerry's Twitter, Instagram and Research Gate Kerry McGawley, PhD (part 1) | EP#408 The menstrual cycle and oral contraception – impact on exercise performance with Kelly McNulty | EP#280 Improving menstrual health literacy in sport - McGawley et al. 2023 Tick-tock goes the biological clock: Mother-athlete challenges facing elite Scandinavian cross-country skiers - Bergström et al. 2023 Influence of Menstrual Cycle or Hormonal Contraceptive Phase on Physiological Variables Monitored During Treadmill Testing - Taipale et al. 2021 "Do Elite Sport First, Get Your Period Back Later." Are Barriers to Communication Hindering Female Athletes? - Höök et al. 2021 The FENDURA project 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 41min
Joel Filliol | EP#409
Joel Filliol, coach of the #JFTcrew (Katie Zaferes, Vincent Luis, Vasco Vilaça, Jelle Geens and others), returns to the podcast to discuss training, performance, and the ever-increasing level and demands of short-course triathlon. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -How has triathlon and the demands of the sport developed in the last few years? -The impact of the Olympics and the phase of the Olympic cycle on training and racing planning and periodisation -Learnings and discussion points from the Paris Test Event -Being consistently good, not over-emphasising peaking -Tapering protocols -Technology and science - what's the signal and what's the noise -The importance of psychology -Tips for age-group athletes on how to improve their swim, bike and run training SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts409/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer is a unique Dryland Swim Trainer that allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. With the trainer you can do specific power and technique work, including working on your catch and core activation, and it helps you stay consistent even if you don’t have much time to train. You can try the Zen8 risk-free for up to 30 days, and you can get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Joel's Instagram, Twitter, and website World Champions keep things simple: training masterclass with Joel Filliol | EP#172 Vasco Vilaça | EP#401 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 snips
Sep 18, 2023 • 1h 5min
Kerry McGawley, PhD (part 1) | EP#408
Kerry McGawley is Associate Professor at Mid Sweden University. She is also a coach, and a very good age group triathlete in her own right. In this interview, we discuss Kerry's own training and racing, as a case study of how a person with all the knowledge that Kerry has about sports science and physiology trains and achieves results like winning her age group in the IM70.3 World Championships. This is part one of a two-part interview, where part two is about the current science on the female athlete. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Kerry's process for planning her season, and her training weeks -Her three races and three wins this year: World Triathlon Long Distance Championships, British Middle Distance Championships, and the Ironman 70.3 World Championships -Her typical training week leading into 70.3 Worlds -Recovery within the training plan -Cross-training, social training and managing training during work travel -The biopsychosocial performance model SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts408/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer is a unique Dryland Swim Trainer that allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. With the trainer you can do specific power and technique work, including working on your catch and core activation, and it helps you stay consistent even if you don’t have much time to train. You can try the Zen8 risk-free for up to 30 days, and you can get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Kerry's Twitter, Instagram and Research Gate Training characteristics of world class distance runners with Øyvind Sandbakk, PhD | EP#363 Pacing science and training talk with Andy Renfree, PhD | EP#349 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 14min
Brendan Egan, PhD | EP#407
Brendan Egan, PhD, is Associate Professor at Dublin City University. One of the research topics he has investigated extensively is exogenous ketones and exercise performance, and this is also the topic of today's interview. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -The physiology of ketone bodies and ingestion of exogenous ketones -How and why elevated ketone levels through a ketogenic diet and exogenous ketone ingestion are not the same -Dosing protocols, and the important differences between ketone esters and ketone salts -How does exogenous ketone intake impact endurance performance? -How does exogenous ketone intake impact recovery-related outcomes? -Practical recommendations for athletes based on current evidence SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts407/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com. FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Brendan's Research Gate profile Exogenous Ketone Supplements in Athletic Contexts: Past, Present, and Future - Evans et al. 2022 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

6 snips
Sep 4, 2023 • 1h 27min
Lachlan Kerin and Mikael Eriksson on coaching | EP#406
Scientific Triathlon coaches, Lachlan Kerin and Mikael Eriksson, discuss the benefits of coaching, how to find the right coach, and misconceptions about coaching. They also explore the coach-athlete relationship, the future of coaching, and the limitations of AI in coaching. The podcast provides valuable insights into coaching and what to expect as an athlete.

15 snips
Aug 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
Stefan Sölkner | EP#405
Stefan Sölkner is a national team coach Austria's Elite and U23 men's cycling, and founder and coach at Ausdauerwerkstatt. In this episode we discuss cycling and training, in the context of both professional and amateur athletes. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Stefan's coaching methodology -Getting the basics right (sleep and nutrition) -How to select the right workouts based on race demands and athlete physiolology -How to manage training through the racing season, when races come thick and fast -Similarities and differences in training between pros and amateurs -Considerations for time-crunched amateur athletes -Stefan's top pieces of advice for amateur cyclists and triathletes SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts405/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer is a unique Dryland Swim Trainer that allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. With the trainer you can do specific power and technique work, including working on your catch and core activation, and it helps you stay consistent even if you don’t have much time to train. You can try the Zen8 risk-free for up to 30 days, and you can get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Stefan's Twitter, Instagram and website Training Camp Mallorca 2024 Bent Rønnestad, PhD | EP#386 Muscle oxygen saturation and iliac artery flow limitation with Jem Arnold | EP#358 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 21, 2023 • 1h 37min
James Moran | EP#404
James Moran is the head of nutrition at Uno-X Pro Cycling Team. He has previously worked for Ineos Grenadiers, British Cycling, the English Institute of Sport, and as a clinical dietitian. In this interview we dive deep into nutrition for endurance athletes in general, and in the pro peloton specifically. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -Nutrition in training, racing, and in the day to day -Supporting health as the primary objective of nutrition -Increased carbohydrate intake to support training -Supplements and ergogenic aids -Gaining weight to improve performance -When and how the Uno-X cyclists focus on weight and body composition -Nutritional differences between triathlon and cycling -Advice for amateur endurance athletes SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts404/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com. FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: James' Twitter Training Camp Mallorca 2024 Carbohydrates – science and practice with Tim Podlogar, PhD | EP#354 Training methods of Ethiopian runners with Michael Crawley | EP#275 Out of Thin Air: Running Wisdom and Magic from Above the Clouds in Ethiopia - book by Michael Crawley Sport Nutrition (3rd ed.) - textbook by Asker Jeukendrup and Michael Gleeson All previous nutrition-related episodes on That Triathlon Show Energy availability with José Areta, PhD | EP#378 The Performance Chef – Alan Murchison | EP#366 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 Carbohydrate intake in racing – a case for going very high with Aitor Viribay Morales (Astana Pro Team) | EP#269 Nutrition at the cycling World Tour level with Robert Gorgos (Bora-Hansgrohe nutritionist) | EP#267 Nutrition for endurance and ultra-endurance athletes with Trent Stellingwerff, PhD | EP#265 Glycogen metabolism and optimising glycogen resynthesis with Bob Murray, PhD | EP#252 Caffeine and Endurance Performance with Ajmol Ali, PhD | EP#234 RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports) with Margo Mountjoy | EP#233 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 11min
Richard Laidlow | EP#403
Richard Laidlow is a coach from the UK based in the south of France who has been involved in triathlon for more than three decades. He coaches both professional and age-group triathletes, notably his son Sam Laidlow (second in Kona 2022) and Ironman Lanzarote winner Arthur Horseau on the professional side. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -What's it like coaching your son? -A detailed breakdown of Sam Laidlow's training -The challenges of hydrating for a 3 l/h sweat rate -The importance of muscular endurance training for Sam -Richard's coaching philosophy -Strength training, testing, recovery patterns and more... -Advice for age-groupers on how to improve the swim, bike, and run components of their training -Advice for time-crunched athletes SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts403/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes perform at their best through their online tools, patented Sweat Test and range of electrolytes and fueling products. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner and receive a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake. If you want further help, book a free 20-minute video consultation to chat through your plan. Listen out for the code in today's show to get 15% off your first order of PF&H electrolytes and fueling products. If you missed the code, just email hello@pfandh.com. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer is a unique Dryland Swim Trainer that allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. With the trainer you can do specific power and technique work, including working on your catch and core activation, and it helps you stay consistent even if you don’t have much time to train. You can try the Zen8 risk-free for up to 30 days, and you can get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Richard's Instagram and website Lore of Running - Tim Noakes The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing - Phil Maffetone 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 10min
Andrew Sheaff | EP#402
Andrew Sheaff is a swimming coach with 15 years of experience in coaching at the collegiate level in the United States. In order to improve the skill acquisition of his athletes and overcome some of the challenges of traditional coaching methods he has implemented a constraints-led approach to motor learning in his coaching practice. We discuss this topic in detail in today's interview. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: -What is a constraints-led approach (CLA) to learning and how is it different from a traditional approach? -Task, individual and environmental constraints and how to use them -How the roles and responsibilities of coaches and swimmers change when going from a traditional to a constraints-led approach -Using a CLA in swim coaching to improve skills and fitness simultaneously -How the implementation of CLA changes based on athletes' ages, ability levels, swimmers vs. triathletes, etc. -Challenges of using the CLA in swim coaching -How an individual (e.g. podcast listener) can implement the CLA themselves to improve their swimming skills SHOWNOTES: https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts402/ SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON AND THAT TRIATHLON SHOW WEBPAGE: www.scientifictriathlon.com/podcast/ SPONSORS: FORM Smart Swim Goggles give you unprecedented real-time feedback in your swim training through a display on the goggle lens. See every split to stay on pace, track your stroke rate and don't let it drop, use heart rate to become more scientific and precise with your training (through integration with Polar HR monitors) and analyse more in-depth metrics post-swim in the app. You can also use a vast library of workouts or training plans, or build your own guided workouts. Get 15% off the goggles with the code TTS15 on formswim.com/tts. ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer is a unique Dryland Swim Trainer that allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. With the trainer you can do specific power and technique work, including working on your catch and core activation, and it helps you stay consistent even if you don’t have much time to train. You can try the Zen8 risk-free for up to 30 days, and you can get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Andrew's website and Twitter A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching - Andrew's book The evolution of coaching principles and practices with David Tilbury-Davis | EP#283 The effectiveness of constraints-led training on skill development in interceptive sports: A systematic review - Clark et al. 2018 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.