Find Your Finish Line with Mike Reilly

I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay to Find Your Finish Line, and this conversation is one every athlete needs to hear. We talked about her recent surgery, the courage it takes to make tough decisions in pursuit of big goals, and the resilience required to rise again when setbacks show up uninvited. Lucy opened up about racing through pain, winning in Kona, learning to block out the noise, and why bravery is sometimes simply committing to a dream that still scares you. Her honesty about recovery, mindset, and staying patient while the world races ahead is powerful for pros and age groupers alike.

If you’re chasing something big this year, this episode will light a fire in you. Lucy shares what drives her, why she still believes her best days are ahead, and how she balances ambition with gratitude. She’s not just a champion on the course, she’s a champion in how she handles adversity.

Follow Lucy and stay connected to her journey here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucycharles93  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LucyCharlesBarclay 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucycharlesbarclay 

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LucyAnneCharles

In this episode of Find Your Finish Line, I sat down with two incredible guys, eight-time IRONMAN champion Ben Hoffman and Dr. Tommy Martin, a physician at Boston's Chosin Hospital, who are teaming up to take on one of the toughest mountain bike races on the planet: the Cape Epic in South Africa. This eight-day, 400-mile race through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world is no joke, and what makes their story even more compelling is that Tommy had never ridden a mountain bike until eight months ago. Together, they're racing with the IRONMAN Foundation to raise money to put kids on bikes in South Africa and fund swim lessons, proving that the best finish lines are the ones we chase for something bigger than ourselves.

We got into everything from the raw reality of preparing for a race this demanding, to the power of teamwork, to Tommy's deeply moving perspective as a father of a son with a rare genetic disorder called Lamb-Shaffer syndrome. His message that "a diagnosis doesn't define a child's potential" is one that will stick with you long after this episode ends.

This one's packed with heart, grit, and a whole lot of inspiration.

Follow the Guests:

Dr. Tommy Martin: @DrTommyMartin on all social media platforms

Ben Hoffman: @BHoffmanRacing on Instagram and Facebook

Donate: IRONMANFoundation.org

In this episode of Find Your Finish Line, I’m joined by Paul Kaye, a longtime broadcaster whose career spans radio, live events, and announcing at IRONMAN races around the world.

Paul shares how commitment has been a steady force throughout his life and career, and why endurance sports have a way of bringing clarity during periods of change. We talk about setting goals, revisiting them over time, and how endurance challenges can help create focus, discipline, and forward momentum.

We also discuss how endurance sports often become more than just training or racing. For Paul, they became a framework for staying grounded, building resilience, and reconnecting with what matters most. His experience highlights how powerful a clear “why” can be when pursuing long-term goals.

The conversation also touches on Paul’s work as an IRONMAN announcer, the importance of honoring athletes’ stories, and how he manages the balance between travel, performance, and personal well-being. This episode is about consistency, perspective, and using endurance sports as a tool for growth both on and off the course.

Follow Paul:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulkaye101/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul.kaye/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/kayeman

In the latest episode of Find Your Finish Line, I had the pleasure of chatting with Shawn Sullivan, the newly appointed Executive Director of Running USA. As we kick off 2026 and our fifth year of the podcast, Shawn joins me to share his background as an on site announcer at major sporting events and how those experiences shaped his path to leading Running USA. We talk through his journey in collegiate sports and event management, and his vision to unite and elevate the running community across the country.

 

Shawn dives into the importance of connecting every level of the industry, from major marathons to small community races, and how Running USA can support both. We explore his strategic priorities, the role of empathy and listening in leadership, and how collaboration can strengthen the entire ecosystem. He also highlights the upcoming Running USA conference in February and why it matters for networking, learning, and moving the industry forward.

 

Throughout the conversation, Shawn’s passion for running and the people behind it really comes through. We touch on growth opportunities like trail running, partnerships across endurance sports, and the power of community in shaping the future of running. Shawn also extends an open invitation to the Running USA conference and encourages everyone to stay connected at runningusa.org.

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnksullivan/

Running USA: runningusa.org

In this episode of Find Your Finish Line, I sit down with Scott DeRue, the CEO of the IRONMAN Group, as we wrap up the incredible year of 2025. We reflect on the whirlwind that is the triathlon world, the global journey it encompasses, and the impact it has had on both participants and the communities hosting these events. One of the highlights of Scott’s tenure so far includes witnessing firsthand the emotional and economic influence of IRONMAN and other endurance events across various countries. With 15 events attended in 2025 alone, Scott shares insights into what it takes to elevate the athlete experience and community engagement at every race.

Scott and I delve into the expansion of triathlons into emerging markets, such as the Middle East, and the collaborative efforts that bring new racing opportunities to different parts of the world. We also explore how the IRONMAN Group fosters strong relationships with host communities, ensuring each event delivers meaningful economic and social value. Scott recounts touching stories from world championship events and highlights the community spirit that defines IRONMAN culture.

We wrap up the conversation with Scott’s incredible tales from climbing Mount Everest and running across the Gobi Desert, illustrating the teamwork and resilience that parallel the IRONMAN journey.

To keep up with Scott DeRue and the IRONMAN Group, follow on their website at ironman.com, Instagram @ironmantri, and Twitter @IRONMANtri.