Why We Tri | Endurance Sports Podcast for All Levels

CBG Consulting Agency, LLC Production Host, Producer: Caroline Gardner Audio & Video Editor: Katelyn Kucharski Creative Content: Gabriela Petrone Episode Supervisor: Gabriel Yanni EP67: Hilary Topper: Author of ‘From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete’ In today’s episode, we zoom up to Long Island Soun, NY, and talk with 30-year Public Relations veteran Hilar Topper. Hilary holds many roles in all areas of her life, but ever since she started running at the age of 48, her life has completely changed, and for the better. Hilary is the founder of her own PR firm: HJMT Public Relations, an adjunct professor in digital content design at Hofstra University, a blogger, podcaster, and a 3-time author now with the recent release of her book ‘From Couch Potatoe to Endurance Athlete.’ Grab your favorite beverage and head out on your zone 1 run/walk, or take us with you in your ear while on your bike trainer. Don’t forget to leave us a comment on Spotify! Connect with Hilary Topper: IG: Hilary Topper FB: Hilary Topper LinkedIn: Hilary Topper Website: https://www.hjmt.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com Blog: https://www.atriathletesdiary.com/ Favorite Gear: https://www.myostorm.com/

WWT Episode 66 w/ ⁠Mack Cyclist⁠: ⁠Meredith Camel Today’s episode is a BONUS Episode of our ⁠Mack Cycle Ambassador⁠ Mini-Series! In this BONUS Mack Cyclist episode we head to the University of Miami with Executive Director of Communications and Mack Cyclist Ambassador Meredith Camel. When Meredith is not overseeing the marketing communication teams over at the U, she whips up a storm of healthy vegetables for her and her wife, Merrill Camel, paired with her favorite off-the-bike beverage: Vino! Meredith was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome while attending college in Miami, FL, at the University of Miami. Hundreds of miles away from her family in Pennsylvania, this life-altering disease forced Meredith to slow down and take on a different perspective on life. Today Meredith is continued to be challenged by chronic fatigue syndrome, especially with the introduction of Covid during the pandemic. Meredith seeks new ways and routes to live an active, long, and healthy life. It was not until fairly recently that Meredith found cycling a healthy way to work through symptoms and achieve distances and physical accomplishments she only dreamed of while living with chronic fatigue syndrome for decades. Meredith's positive energy she found while disconnecting from the ‘geometrical world we all stare at day in and day out’ transcends here in our conversation. Grab your favorite hydrating beverage and enjoy my conversation with Meredith Camel! Connect w/ Meredith Camel: IG: @mercamel FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/meredith.camel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-camel-68688a4/ Fav Beverage: Hydrant ⁠

Host, Producer, Copy Writer, Creative Content: ⁠Caroline Gardner⁠ Audie & Video Editor: ⁠Katelyn Kucharski⁠ Episode Supervisor: Gabriel Yanni WWT Episode 65 w/ ⁠Mack Cyclist⁠: ⁠Mari Lovo⁠ Welcome to the 6th and Final Episode in our 6-Part ⁠Mack Cycle Ambassador⁠ Mini-Series 🎉🎉🎉 OR is it?? A Bonus Mack Cycle Ambassador Episode is in the works, so stay tuned for Episode 66 w/ Meredith Camel. In this week’s episode, we keep it hot & humid here in Miami with Mack Cyclist Mari Lovo. Mari is a Top performing IT Director, a loving mom, and a dedicated wife to her supportive and encouraging wife, Francine. Mari explains how endurance sports in the great outdoors have helped her “unplug from the matrix” and maintain a physically & mentally healthy life. Hear how Mari's outdoor adventures have gone from Ironman in Triathlon to Steamboat in Gravel Racing. Mari, similar to previous guest Dora Suarez (⁠@doragravelexplorers⁠ ), is a founder of The Everglades Gravel Collective (⁠@everglades.gravel.collective⁠ ), a 501(3)c gravel community serving the underrepresented FTWNB, BIPOC, and para-athletes community. Know someone who needs to disconnect from the matrix and reconnect w/ nature? Send them the link to this podcast w/ Mari Lovo! You never know. They might join you on your next ride! Connect w/ Mari Lovo: IG: ⁠@alphaloba⁠ FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mari.lovo⁠ Fav Beverage: Mud Water ⁠www.mudwtr.com⁠ Fav Gear: ⁠www.mackcycle.com/collections/gravel-bikes⁠ Fav Mack Cyle Kit: ⁠Happy Riding Collection ⁠ Fav Charities: ⁠The Everglades Gravel Collection⁠ ⁠Best Buddies Challenge⁠ ⁠Dolphins Challenge Cancer⁠

CBG Consulting Agency, LLC Production Host, Producer, Copy Writer, Creative Content: Caroline Gardner Audie & Video Editor: Katelyn Kucharski Episode Supervisor: Gabriel Yanni Welcome to the 5th episode in a 6-Part Mack Cycle Ambassador Mini-Series. In today's episode, we keep it local and take off on a venture into the world of gravel with Dora Suarez, aka Dora the Gravel Explorer. Dora is a Nuun, Honey Stinger, and Mack Cycle Ambassador who first started her endurance endeavors in Spartin Events. Dora shares how these events helped cultivate her desire to find a healthy like-minded community. Dora's ventures lead her to road cycling and eventually gravel cycling. Dora is now a local event coordinator and supporter for Mack Cycle Everything Gravel Facebook Events. Dora is also the Founder of Everglades Gravel Collective along with Mack Cyclist Mari Lovo (our next guest) and Melissa Westmoreland. The Gravel Collective is a 501(c)3 gravel community centering FTWNB, BIPOC, and para-athletes. Dora reminds us that we are responsible for finding our fun and that 'playing bike' is just as fun as it was when we were all kids. All we need to do is do it more often! Connect w/ Dora: IG: The Gravel Collective Everglades Gravel Collective DoraTheGravelExplorer FB:Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/doragravelexplorers?mibextid=LQQJ4dFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/192060525518805/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Fav Bev: Nuun & Seltzer Fav Gear: Gravel Bike Fav MC Kit: Mack Cyclist Become a Mack Cyclist Ambassador

EP 63. Why We Tri x Mack Cycle Ambassador Manager Diego Ferradas Beginner. Rookie. Newbie. Do you remember how you felt when you stepped into these roles in life? How did you feel when you signed up for your first triathlon or marathon? How did you feel when you went to your first training session and met a triathlon team? What was your perception of your Coach and team members? Better yet, what was your perception of yourself? In tonight's episode, Diego Ferradas shares how his curiosity about cycling while supporting a coast-to-coast cycling fundraising event with a non-profit organization called The Ability Experience led him to Mack Cycle. Diego's ability to bring people together by encouraging them to keep reigniting their curiosity in trying new things no matter their age, ability, level of experience, or financial situation is one of the many reasons Diego makes a great leader as Mack Cycle's Ambassador Program Manager. Leave Us a Review: Apple Podcast / Spotify / YouTube Join the Home Team! Become a Mack Cyclist Ambassador https://mackcycle.com/pages/ambassador-application Connect w/ Diego Ferradas: FB: https://www.facebook.com/dferradas IG: https://www.instagram.com/diegoaferradas/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoferradas/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 62. Why We Tri x Mack Cyclist Adam Ciperski Welcome to the 3rd episode in our 6-Part #MackCycle Mini-Series! Tonight we are here w/worldwide customer success leader of ThoughtSpot, husband, father of two, and Multiple Ironman finisher: Adam Ciperski! This hard-working husband and father of two shares w/ us his #WHY in his early morning #tritraining. Adam’s introduction to triathlon came from a need to find a healthier lifestyle. After donating one of his kidneys to his brother, Zach Ciperski, years prior, he needed a noncontact sport where he could have fun and compete. Triathlon was a match! This episode hits home for me, as my dad had kidney disease, then kidney failure, and was later a kidney transplant recipient. Listen to Adam as he shares w/ us the #rippleeffect of how his brother lived out his days and how that has played a role in Adam’s relationship w/ his children and supportive wife, Carla. Give the gift of sharing Adam’s inspiring story with others by sharing this episode w/ family and friends. Also, listen for the #secretphrase and follow the #GIVEAWAY instructions to win your Loyal Listeners WWT Gratitude Box of goodies! Help Adam and his family keep his brother's legacy going by giving the gift of reading and education to the youth in a small town in San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua. You can help by making any size contribution. Visit Fabretto.org website for more details. In this episode, I talk about Jesse Itzler's BYLR program, which has helped me set and obtain my yearly goals and aspirations toward Building My Life Resume. Check out all Jesse and his amazing team created and get the help and positive support you need in all areas of your life: prioritizing family, fun in fitness, growing your business, keeping it social, and my favorite adventure. Keep Moving and #AlwaysCarrieOn Caroline ********* BEFORE YOU GO: Take a moment to leave us a written review. This helps our podcast reach those who are in need of hearing how others define the WHY in all they TRi! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Why We Tri, LLC Production In tonight’s episode, we sit down w/ badass Mack Cycle Ambassador, 2x cancer fighter, 2x crash recovery cyclist, brain injury survivor, gravelist, loyal Home Depot employee, devoted husband, and dedicated father of two: Angel Blanco. This is the 2nd episode in our 6-Part Mack Cycle Mini-Series. We are not holding back in sharing this Mack Cyclist’s inspirational story of relentless determination in the face of life’s curve balls. Angel shares his very personal connection to riding the DCC and supporting the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. No matter the obstacles, Angel rides w/ Team Hurricanes Mack Cycle. Every. Year. This holiday season, help Angel & Caroline give the gift of LIFE to those fighting for theirs in the fight against cancer: Donate to Angel & Caroline’s Ride. Angel’s Links: Insta: Angel’s IG Fav Bev: Drink LMNT Fav Gear: Mack Cycle Lazer Helmet Fav MC Kit: Mack Cycle White Parrot Kit Become a Mack Cycle Ambassador Mack Cycle Ambassador Program Additional Show Links: Courtney Dorchak: The Keys to Nutrition GIVEAWAY Gratitude Boxes : Why We Tri Post Thank you for clicking that follow button and leaving us a review! Keep Moving and #AlwaysCarrieOn Caroline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP60 Mack Cycle Mini-Series: Courtney Smith, MS, RD, CDCES A Why We Tri Production 2022 Holi-Daze are here. Let’s keep calm and Carrie ON w/ a 6-Part Mack Cycle Ambassador Mini-Series. Thanks to the leading ladies over at my favorite bike shop, MaryJane, Rachel, and Sandy…And thanks to Mack Cycle Ambassador Manager Diego Ferradas, we have collaborated and chosen 6 Mack Cycle Ambassadors who will be sitting down with me and sharing the WHY in all they endure, adventure, give back, and in all those who they encourage to Always Carrie On. In our first episode, we head down to those beautiful Florida Keys with Mack Cycle Ambassador, Arizona Ironman finisher, Licensed Dietitian, and Founder of The Keys to Nutrition: Courtney Smith. Grab your fav beverage, head out on that walk/run or get on that trainer ride and learn how Courtney Smith defines her WHY in all she Tri’s! Connect w/ Mack Cycle: Become an Ambassador: Mack Cyclist Mack Cycle Website MC Facebook MC Instagram Connect w/ Courtney Smith: www.thekeystonutrition.com Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Professional bike fitter, Chris Pavon from Mack Cycle, joins me on Why We Tri to talk about how he helps power athletes to the finish line. In this episode we chat about: The man that shaped Chris’ life Chris’ beginner to bike fitting pro journey Why Chris started in the sport and the Why that keeps Chris going Connect with Chris: Chris: @chrispavon Mack Cycle: @mackcycleandfitness This Episode concludes Why We Tri(be) 2021-2022 Season. It certainly has been an insightful one with the courage and kind guests who have all shared such personal stories of their WHY in all they TRI. Thank you for your continued support and dedication in listening, reviewing, and conversing on social media! June- August 2022 I will be taking a much-needed pause on new recordings to refresh, reorganize, and renew the direction of this podcast adventure! Stay tuned and feel free to reach out directly to me with any and all future recording requests: Caroline@whywetripodcast.com For more insights, tips, and training encouragement, follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a trip to Canada, Mason and his friend discovered hundreds of bikers walking with their bikes. It was the Tour Divide, which Mason decided at that moment he would participate in the following year. Listen to the full episode to discover how long this grueling bike ride took, as well as the secret to drinking beer with no side effects! In this episode we hear about: - Mason's spontaneous decision to bike from Canada to Mexico - How to use Ironman and endurance sports to train for separate events - Enjoying beer without the negative effects to your training lifestyle Connect with Mason and Athletic Brewing: @athleticbrewing @alive_adventures Get Caroline’s Favorite Beverage: www.AthleticBrewing.com Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Committing to triathlons or any sport takes time and dedication, but would you quit your job to pursue it full time? That's exactly what Joanne Murphy from Ireland did after spending 10 days in Kona. Listen to hear all of Joanne's daring choices and travel adventures! In this episode we hear about: - What inspired Joanne to get into the world of triathlons - Joanne's travel experience that led her to quit her job and pursue triathlons full time - Maintaining relationships with the triathlon community throughout the pandemic For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Connect with Joanne: Instagram: @tritalkingsport Facebook: @tritalkingsport Twitter: @JoanneMurphy_ Linkedin: @joanne-murphy-5ba98421/ Get Caroline’s Favorite Beverage: www.AthleticBrewing.com Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Grieb: Training The Strongest Athletes Among Us - Special Olympians In Special Olympics, the power and joy of sport shifts focus to what our athletes CAN do, not what they can't. Attention to disabilities fades away. Instead, Dan see his athletes' talents and abilities - and applauds them for all that they can do. The transformative power of sports to instill confidence, improve health, and inspire a sense of competition is at the core of what the Special Olympics does. The focus is on real sports, real competition, real achievements. In this episode we hear about: - Dan's childhood and turning a path molded for disaster into fuel for his success - Dan's experience his first time training an athlete with down syndrome - The trade offs of being healthy, and do they really exist? Connect with Dan: Facebook and Instagram: @dgrieb For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast Powered by mintinghouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From well known triathletes to Olympic gold medalists, these are athletes we idolize. But how did they get there? Stephan Ban shares his 15 year experience with triathlons and what he is doing now with the USA Triathlon Foundation to make sure our athletes get the support they need starting from youth. Listen to the full episode to learn Stephen’s "three pillars" to creating a winning athlete. In this episode we hear about: Stephen role in the USA Triathlon Foundation and how it encourages participation in multisports What truly makes the triathlon community special and what it takes to be part of it How Olympic athletes are made starting with the support they get as youth For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Connect with USA Triathlon Foundation @USATFoundation (Twitter) @usatfoundation (Instagram) @usatfoundation (Facebook) www.usatriathlonfoundation.org Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/whywetri Get Caroline’s Favorite Beverage: www.AthleticBrewing.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating a plan for physical training is important for the next race, but are you optimizing this training to the fullest? Alex Larson, dietician and founder of Alex Larson Nutrition, joins us on the show to share her expertise on just how big of a role diet plays in our performance. Alex gives us her expert insights on how to optimize both your daily and training nutrition needs. In this episode we hear about: - Alex's background in nutrition and the role it plays in her races - The moment she quit her job to pursue her nutrition business full time - The different ways you can stay hydrated for peak daily performance For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Connect with Alex: Facebook: @alexlarsonnutrition Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition Web: https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/ Get Caroline’s Favorite Beverage: www.AthleticBrewing.com Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/whywetri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t miss this week’s episode with Mari Bandin - plant based fasting coach. This mom of two has journeyed from obese to healthy endurance cyclist. Facing a serious health scare with her daughter, Mari’s family eliminated dairy to manage the daughter’s symptoms. After quickly seeing positive health impacts, the family committed to a vegan lifestyle. Eleven years later and Mari’s family has never been healthier. Listen to this episode to hear about: How eliminating dairy changed Mari’s whole perspective about nutrition and health How our hormones are impacted by the foods we eat How to achieve athletic excellence with plant based nutrition Get Caroline’s Favorite Beverage: www.AthleticBrewing.com Get Mari’s favorite Beverage: Celsius Connect with Mari: IG @veganandfasting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holi-daze definition: The time period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s where a person feels extremely exhausted. Tune in to this episode to hear about: What’s helping Caroline stay healthy without the hangover this Holi-daze Season Reflections on the past two guest episodes with Lynette Estrada and Mike Estevez Caroline’s main takeaway from competing - unprepared - in a 70.3 Introduction to 2022’s first guest - Mari Bandin Why We Tri plans for 2022 For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Caroline’s Favorite Holi-daze Beverage Athletic Brewing Podcast: Without Compromise Get your free 6-pack when you refer a friend on www.AthleticBrewing.com Connect with Lynette: IG: @autismtrimom FB: Lynette Estrada Connect with Mike IG: @ mikeestevez FB: Mike Estevez Twitter: Mikeyestevez Website: www. MiamiTriGuy.com Connect with Mari IG: @veganandfasting Set Your 2022 Goals with Previous Guest Bryan McFarland’s 3x5 Life Cards. Order yours at www.3x5Life.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We aren't always immediately aware of injuries that our bodies have, and that is exactly what happened to Lynette Estrada. Undergoing multiple repeat surgeries, she didn't let any of it stop her from persevering with endurance sports. Find out what drives Lynette as she tells us about her incredible journey of surgeries, recoveries, and persistence to finally be healthy enough for a triathlon. In this episode we hear about: - Lynette's motivational story of persistence despite both drastic personal and family health issues. - How triathlons are a reflection of someone's character, and what it could say about you. - Recovering from surgeries and the process of easing back into triathlons. Connect with Lynette: Instagram: @autismtrimom Facebook: Lynette Estrada For more insights, tips, and training encouragement follow us on Instagram @whywetripodcast. Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/whywetri Join the Why We Tri Strava Community: https://www.strava.com/clubs/959859 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Estevez: Event Announcer, 12 Time Ironman Finisher, USA Triathlon Level1 Coach, IronmanU Triathlon Coach, US Masters Level 2 Swim Coach, USA Cycling Level 3 Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer, Father and devoted Husband. Today’s episode starts with a little back story of how Why We Tri Podcast came into existence. In life we meet people who help us get back up and keep moving. For me that was teammate and good friend Gabriel Yanni. After the loss of my mom back in 2018 Gabe would encourage me to go on simple rides daily to just keep moving. Before I knew it we started: Coffee Rides with Gabe and Carrie on The Miami Tri Club FaceBook Page. We realized that it was the Underdogs of our team who inspired us to get up and keep moving the most. Soon after our rides Gabe decided to volunteer more with The Miami Tri Club and during quarantine he became a USAT Level II Triathlon Coach. Gabriel Yanni introduced me to many people who have become guests on this show. Including this next guest: Mike Estevez. Mike opens up and shares how the loss of his brother due to cancer gave way to him making a life pivot in his career and health. Grab your favorite beverage and hear how this energized individual helps his clients to tune into what is going on in their lives and how that shapes their work out and training. As well as, gain some great advice on which gear is a must for a newbie in the world of Triathlon. Connect with Mike Estevez: IG :@ mikeestevez FB: Mike Estevez Twitter: Mikeyestevez Website: www. MiamiTriGuy.com Connect with Gabriel Yanni: IG: @gabrielyanni Connect with The Miami Tri Club: IG: @themiamitriclub Connect with Plush Global: Website: https://plushglobal.cc/ IG: @plushglobal.cc FB: Plush Global eSports Team Push Global Triathlon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXwuEmnZ7LE Join the Why We Tri(be) for more training motivation and tri community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Estevez: Event Announcer, 12 Time Ironman Finisher, USA Triathlon Level1 Coach, IronmanU Triathlon Coach, US Masters Level 2 Swim Coach, USA Cycling Level 3 Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer, Father and devoted Husband. Today’s Episode starts with a little back story of how Why We Tri Podcast came into existence. In life we meet people who help us get back up and keep moving. For me that was teammate and good friend Gabriel Yanni. After the loss of my mom back in 2018 Gabe would encourage me...

Push past your challenges and don't let anything stop you. That's exactly what our guest this week Jonathan Schwartz did when faced with multiple brain surgeries. Jonathan shares his experiences in the triathlon world, despite having to recover both physically and mentally. In this episode we hear about: - Jonathan's incredible persistence through two brain surgeries to complete an IronMan. - The feelings athletes have after they complete a race and how to overcome negative feelings. - The important role your family, friends, and coach play in any challenging event. For more insights, tips, training encouragement, and the best tri community on the internet, join the Why We Tri(be)! Connect with Jonathan: Web: https://brainsurgerytoironman.blogspot.com/ Instagram: @brainsurgerytoironman Subscribe to the Why We Tri Podcast Powered by minting house Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices