Buck the Trend Pod

One Ironman. One debut. One Kona slot.

Chloe Dooley turns the usual “just finish it” mindset on its head by qualifying for the World Champs in Hawaii on her very first full-distance race, and she reveals exactly how she did it.

Steph sits down with Chloe for a raw, uplifting conversation about the leap from swimming to running to short-course racing to the full Ironman distance, the mental shift that comes with longer racing, and the reality of balancing elite age-group triathlon with a demanding NHS physio job.
You'll discover:
how Chloe went from childhood triathlon, to swimming, to running, and back into multisport through injury and lockdown
what the British Triathlon Super Series is really like, and why draft-legal racing can feel like “baptism by fire”
the training and logistics of fitting swims, rides, runs, strength work, and a full-time NHS schedule into one week
the pacing, nutrition, and mindset tweaks that helped her turn a feared 180K bike into a controlled, confident bike leg
why her marathon finally clicked on race day, and how she stayed strong all the way to a sub-10-hour finish
We also talk candidly about the sacrifices age-group athletes make, why training has to stay fun, and what it means to chase a world championship slot when the clock, the cost, and the logistics all say “maybe later.”

Chloe also shares what she’s most excited for about Kona, from the iconic race-week atmosphere to the unforgettable extras that make Hawaii feel like more than just a start line. If you’ve ever wondered how people make a first Ironman look effortless, or if you’re balancing big training goals with real life, this episode will hit home. Perfect for age-group triathletes, anyone considering their first Ironman, and listeners who love stories of grit, community, and a breakthrough performance that changes everything.

In this episode of Buck the Trend, we speak to Gaby in our first Stories behind the Start line chat!

Your first Kona is always extra special and Gaby shares with us her journey over the last few years to get there. As is so typical with endurance athletes, its full of setbacks and challenges that only fuelled the fire for performance and has ended with a KQ she never really expected to get.

And it's not just Kona, she's headed to Nice 70.3 worlds too! Listen along to hear how Gaby has set herself up in her second year of triathlon for a double championship season.

In this episode of Buck the Trend, Steph and Matt discuss their recent rebranding, Matt's journey to improve his 5K running time, and the training strategies he employed.

They explore the importance of mental resilience, pacing strategies, and the significance of understanding one's limits in training. The conversation emphasizes the need for a structured approach to training while also highlighting the benefits of confidence and positivity in achieving personal goals.

They also introduce a brand new series highlighting inspiring stories from athletes participating in the Ironman World Championships. Tune in to future episodes to hear some of the amazing stories behind the athletes at the Kona start line!

Tune in to hear about 70.3 Northern California and Hradec Kralove, T100 Vancouver and Ironman Kalmar. A HUGE weekend of racing and we talk about it all!! Each one of these could have had a pod all to itself so strap in, it's a whistlestop tour!

This week we're diving into one of our FAVOURITE races! We talk through everything we know about the course, pacing and our experiences racing here. Our tips cover race day morning, understanding transition, pacing the swim, bike and enjoying the run to the MAX.
We also give you some unfiltered thoughts on the Pro Series Ironman Kalmar this weekend!