The Unlikely Triathlete

Join The Unlikely Triathlete with host Rob Hardstone & Matt Davies for an entertaining and humorous, yet brutally honest celebration of the grit of the "unlikely triathlete" and everyday athletes defying the odds. From weekend warriors to those overcoming physical challenges, we share inspiring stories of triumph in triathlon and beyond. Featuring athletes, celebrities, and extraordinary individuals who’ve conquered the impossible, this podcast fuels your drive to tackle events like Ironman. Supporting the Green Mamba Tri coaching business and a sportswear line crafted for everyday athletes, we’re here to empower your journey. Whether you’re hesitant about your first race or seeking motivation, tune in for heartfelt conversations and practical tips. New episodes every week! Subscribe now and find the spark to cross your finish line!

The Unlikely Triathlete is a health podcast hosted by Rob Hardstone, with 23 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Rob Hardstone hosts The Unlikely Triathlete, a health show with 23 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #23

  Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at 55… Then He Won the T100 Singapore!

  Sep 23, 202644 min

  Is it ever too late to take up a brand-new sport and compete on the world stage? In this episode of The Unlikely Athlete, Coach Rob and Coach Matt sit down with Sam Haggag, an age-group triathlete based in Malaysia whose journey redefines what is possible after 50. Sam didn't start his triathlon journey until he was 55 years old—at a time when he could barely swim. Fast forward a decade, and Sam has completed World Championship events, faced a life-altering prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery, and returned to the sport to win his age group at the prestigious T100 Singapore! In this heartwarming and inspiring conversation, Sam discusses how he transitioned from a corporate desk job to endurance racing, how the global triathlon community supported him through cancer recovery, and why getting a coach is the single best decision a beginner can make. Key Takeaways It's Never Too Late to Start: Age is just a number. Throwing yourself into a new discipline at 55 can unlock a passion and athletic ability you never knew you had. The Power of Community: Endurance sports may seem individual, but having a supportive club and network ("foxhole") makes surviving life's biggest hurdles possible. Don't Be Too Proud to Ask for Help: Whether hiring a coach or leaning on friends during recovery, asking for support accelerates growth and healing. 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – The T100 Singapore Clip: Cheering on athletes after winning his age group 05:55 – Starting at 55: Going from a desk job and non-swimmer to a triathlete 08:47 – Racing the World: Competing in World Championship events like Taupo 15:40 – The Diagnosis: Facing prostate cancer and radical surgery 18:00 – The Power of Community: How his tri club supported his recovery 23:00 – The Comeback: Returning to training and winning again 31:00 – Reframing Adversity: Surrounding yourself with the right "foxhole" 38:00 – Golden Advice for Beginners: Why you need a coach and shouldn't be afraid to ask for help

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #22

  The Alpine Seven Challenge: Swimming 26 Hours Non-Stop After Overcoming Cancer With Bernhard Hengl

  Sep 9, 202647 min

  In this episode of The Unlikely Athlete, co-hosts Coach Rob and Coach Matt sit down with Austrian ultra-endurance open-water swimmer and keynote speaker Bernhard Hengl. After retiring from a successful water polo career with nine national titles, Bernhard received a devastating cancer diagnosis out of nowhere. Instead of letting chemotherapy break his spirit, Bernhard turned his medical treatment into a mere "in-between challenge" and set a goal to return and win his 10th national title—a feat he accomplished just 18 months later. Taking his mental toughness to extreme lengths, Bernhard transitioned into ultra-marathon swimming, tackling the "Alpine Seven" challenge—swimming iconic lakes like Lake Constance (65km non-stop for nearly 26 hours without a wetsuit). In this conversation, Bernhard shares his philosophy of turning a 5% chance into a 100% reality, breaking massive goals into single strokes, and how to master your mind when your body is screaming in pain. Key Takeaways Make Your Treatment an "In-Between Challenge": When facing severe health struggles, give yourself a purpose or a "why" bigger than the treatment itself. Let medical professionals handle the condition while you focus entirely on your future goal. Make 5% Your 100%: You don't need a 100% probability of success to start. Focus intensely on the 5% of variables within your control, bring 100% commitment to them, and ignore external doubts. Chunking Big Goals: When swimming 65 kilometers (equivalent to running 260 kilometers) through night conditions, currents, and severe pain, stop looking at the full distance. Focus purely on the next kilometer or the next stroke. Control Mind Chatter: Your brain can only focus on one primary thought at a time. When pain or panic sets in, redirect your mental focus to technique (the catch, the pull, the breath) to crowd out negative thoughts. Bernhard Links https://www.instagram.com/bernhard_hengl/ https://bernhardhengl.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhard-hengl/ Rob Social Links ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone ⁠⁠⁠⁠  Coach To Finish Line Application: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠  Matt Social Links Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/⁠⁠ 

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #21

  Youngest Person with Down Syndrome to Run a Half Marathon! (Caleb's Story)

  Aug 26, 202635 min

  Can you go from sitting on the couch during the pandemic to breaking world records and conquering the world’s biggest marathons? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Athlete, hosts Rob and Matt are joined by an extraordinary mother-son duo: Karen and Caleb. Caleb, a 19-year-old athlete who has Down syndrome, holds a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person with Down syndrome to complete a half marathon. Alongside his mom, Karen, Caleb went from a beginner "Couch to 5K" program to running major marathons like Chicago and London, with New York right around the corner—plus an astonishing 54 multisport/triathlon events under their belt! In this heartwarming and energizing interview, Caleb and Karen share their secrets to keeping long-distance running fun, why you should ignore the word "impossible," how Caleb competes without an external guide, and why the best way to change your life is to "just get out the door." Key Takeaways Start Small to Win Big: You don't need to run miles on day one—just walk to the end of the block and back to build momentum. Fun Over Fear: Focusing on enjoyment over strict times keeps burnout away, whether you're training for a 5K or a World Major Marathon. Action Beats Overthinking: Don't let fear or potential obstacles stop you from signing up—take the leap, get inspired, and figure out the training details later. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – Pandemic Pivot: Starting the "Couch to 5K" program to get moving 02:30 – Guinness World Record: Becoming the youngest person with Down syndrome to complete a half marathon 03:00 – Conquering World Majors: Running the Chicago, London, and New York Marathons 05:35 – Caleb’s Golden Rule: "Have fun during the race!" 09:50 – How to make long-distance training fun when nobody is watching 12:25 – Becoming a Celebrity: What it feels like when crowds cheer your name 17:34 – Swapping Shoes for Pedals: 54 Triathlons and solo swimming without a guide 19:10 – Golden Advice: How to start moving when you feel stuck 23:30 – Don't overthink it: Sign up first and figure out the "how" later Calebs Crew Links https://www.instagram.com/calebs_crew/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@calebscrew Rob Social Links ⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone ⁠⁠⁠  Coach To Finish Line Application: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  Matt Social Links Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/⁠ 

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #20

  Cancer, POTS, and Car Crashes: How Nick Overcame Incurable Odds to Finish an Ironman

  Aug 12, 202651 min

  In this episode of The Unlikely Athlete, co-hosts Rob and Matt sit down with Nick Klingensmith, a guest whose story defines what it truly means to be an "unlikely athlete". Nick's life has been a relentless test of resilience, marked by battles with cancer, a severe car crash, and a diagnosis of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)—a condition doctors told him had no cure. Instead of accepting a passive, restricted life, Nick used his diagnosis as a catalyst to sign up for an Ironman. In this conversation, Nick, Rob, and Matt discuss the mental mechanics of overcoming extreme adversity, how to channel "teenage defiance" when life hands you setbacks, and why the Ironman finish line is merely a victory lap for months of silent personal growth. Key Takeaways The "Victory Lap" Mindset: Crossing the finish line on race day isn't where transformation happens; true growth occurs during the months of quiet, disciplined training leading up to the start line. Channeling Defiance: Overcoming massive life obstacles requires a refusal to give up—a mindset that treats every setback not as a dead end, but as an opportunity to sharpen your skills. Redefining Diagnoses: Receiving a tough medical diagnosis doesn't mean life is over; taking ownership of your health and mindset allows you to pursue extraordinary goals regardless. The Power of Your Support Network: Behind every solo endurance athlete is a dedicated team of family, partners, and friends whose support makes the journey possible. Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Meeting Nick, the guest who ticks every box of an "Unlikely Athlete". 03:23 — Life Before the Storm: Reflecting on health prior to the first diagnosis. 11:20 — Understanding POTS: What happens when doctors tell you there is no cure? 14:35 — The Ironman Pivot: Why an incurable diagnosis became the ultimate motivation. 19:44 — The Team Behind the Athlete: The vital role of family and spousal support. 24:57 — "Race Day Is Just a Victory Lap": Re-framing the Ironman experience. 34:53 — Setbacks & Accidents: Rebuilding after a severe car crash post-race. 41:00 — The Power of Defiance: How to refuse to let life's punches keep you down. 47:44 — Final Nuggets: Book recommendations and taking the first step today. Nick Klingensmith Links Nicks Book - https://amzn.eu/d/0cLzGuPR Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stridemotivation/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@stridemotivation/featured Social Links ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 ⁠⁠http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone ⁠ Coach To Finish Line Application: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Matt Social Links Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linkedin - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #19

  How 2 University Students Transformed Their Bodies & Minds with an Ironman 70.3

  Jul 29, 202632 min

  Hey there sports lovers, in this episode of The Unlikely Athlete, host Rob and co-host Matt welcome back two very special guests: Rob’s oldest daughter, Michaela, and her chiropractic student classmate, Celeste. After taking on the Durban Ironman 70.3, the duo reflects on their remarkable transformation from self-described non-runners struggling with body image and anxiety to confident, glowing multisport athletes. Michaela and Celeste open up about the raw reality of their journey, including dealing with student budget constraints, last-minute race registrations, muscle tears, and overcoming a deep fear of falling off a road bike. They also detail the emotional high points of race day, from breaking down in tears mid-run to crossing the oceanfront red carpet finish line surrounded by their massive support community. Key Takeaways The Mindset Shift: Tackling a hard physical threshold—like going from the couch to a 10K or half marathon—rebuilds your self-confidence and proves you can handle hard things in everyday life. Overcoming Obstacles over Perfection: You don't need a year of flawless preparation or a huge budget to do an Ironman 70.3; taking a chance and starting before you feel completely ready beats waiting for "perfect" conditions. The Power of Community: Having a strong support network—from family and spouses to CrossFit communities and local clubs—makes facing intimidating goals achievable. No Excuses for Busy Schedules: Squeezing short, efficient workouts (like a 30-minute swim or a quick run) into a busy student or work schedule actually boosts daily energy levels rather than draining them. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Rob & Matt welcome back Durban 70.3 Finishers Michaela & Celeste 02:24 – The Extreme Physical & Mental Transformation (Weight Loss & Mindset Shift) 05:45 – The Turning Point: Going From "Couch to Half Marathon" 09:48 – Overcoming Financial, Physical & Gear Obstacles Before Race Day 13:31 – The Support Circle: How Friends, Family & Crossfit Communities Step Up 16:52 – The Emotional Finish Line: Red Carpet Moments & 10k Tears 22:15 – Balancing College Life with 2-a-Day Workouts: No Excuses! 25:38 – Killer Advice for Anyone Struggling to Take the First Step Social Links https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone Coach To Finish Line Application: ⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header⁠⁠⁠ Matt Social Links Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/⁠⁠⁠ Linkedin - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/⁠⁠⁠

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Unlikely Triathlete. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.