Buck the Trend Pod

Kona is brutal at the front, but Sam Skold is arriving with the kind of wild-card background that could shake up the race. The Air Force physician assistant turned first-year pro has already gone from injured runner to age-group champion, and now she is taking on the biggest stage in triathlon with almost no room in her life for error.

Matt Hnatiw and Steph Clutterbuck unpack Sam’s unlikely path from Colorado running talent to military doctor in Anchorage, Alaska, where an unpredictable active-duty schedule, deployment readiness, and a winter that delivers only a few hours of sunlight force her to train differently than almost anyone else on the start list. She shares how she rebuilt after years of injury, why sprint triathlon pulled her back into the sport, and how long course racing changed her perspective on what triathlon can offer.

You’ll discover:
Why her swim has become the biggest mental test in the jump from age grouper to pro
How military life changes everything about planning, recovery, and consistency
The exact adjustments she’s making for Kona, including more swim volume, bigger bike intensity, heat prep, and sauna work
Why missing sessions is no longer a disaster if the base is there
What it actually feels like to race the Queen K when you’re miles from the next competitor

Sam also breaks down the tactics pros have to think about now that Race Ranger, drafting dynamics, and sponsor pressure make every surge matter more. From chasing power numbers on the bike to learning when to trust pace on the run, she explains why Kona rewards athletes who can stay calm, race smart, and not get trapped by everyone else’s chaos. If you’re fascinated by what it takes to race Kona without a normal life, or you need proof that triathlon can fit around the most demanding schedules, this one delivers. Sam’s perspective is equal parts practical, honest, and quietly fearless—and it makes for a powerful preview of what she could do on the Big Island.

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!