I often look back on my early days in triathlon and remember how "too late" or "too old" I felt. Yet, just like with any promising investment, we rarely grasp the true power of exponential growth—both in finances and in our fitness journey. My conversation today reminds me of that same excitement: you never really know how well you can perform until you wake your legs up and go for it.

Key Takeaways

• Strong Season Start – Celebrating a big third-place finish in Abu Dhabi. This milestone sets a confident tone for the 2025 racing season.
• Tough Competition – The level of racing was fierce, with determined competitors pushing the pace and testing early-season fitness.
• New Course Excitement – The newly built racecourse in Abu Dhabi brought fresh energy, with a unique layout that promises more challenging races ahead.
• Preparation for Yokohama – All eyes are now on making the most out of crucial training time before the Yokohama event, a key part of the season plan.
• Determined to Compete – There’s strong motivation to keep moving forward, especially with formidable rivals like Hayden and Matt in the mix.

Summary

When you place in the top three early on, it’s a strong season start—one that stokes the fire of motivation for what’s to come. This early success might feel like it just happened, but it’s really the sum of consistent preparation, grit, and the willingness to “wake up the legs” despite tough competition.

Racing on a brand-new island in Abu Dhabi sparked a wave of new course excitement for everyone. Traditional Formula 1 tracks have their prestige, but this purpose-built racecourse offered a refreshing perspective—proof that, just like in triathlon, there’s always room to innovate and challenge boundaries. Lionel Sanders is Mr. No Limits, and it’s wide-open thinking like this that keeps our sport growing.

With the first competition of the year under my belt, I’m using the time between races to fine-tune my training, regain top form, and make sure my body’s in prime condition for Yokohama. Nothing in this sport comes easy, and those final sprints against strong forces like Hayden and Matt can test your resolve. But that’s exactly why I love it: we feed off each other’s willpower, push our boundaries, and discover that we’re capable of so much more than we realize.

Above all, I’m determined to compete. This journey makes me think of my old self—overweight, beer in hand, and never guessing I’d be right here, passionate about toeing the line against the best of the best. If you’re looking for a sign to jump into the fray, whether it’s triathlon or another endeavor, let the