Fitter Radio Triathlon Podcast

Dr. Alison Heather, Chief Scientist at Insitugen Limited shares with us the rapid advancements in anti-doping technology, the rise of online testosterone replacement therapies and the importance of understanding inadvertent contamination versus intentional doping.
We discuss the necessity for fair processes, the role of sensitive testing methods and the need for athlete education to prevent false positives and unfair sanctions.
Key Topics:
The emergence of online testosterone replacement therapy services.
Risks associated with unregulated use of testosterone and potential for misuse in sports
The importance of comprehensive blood and metabolic testing before initiating hormone therapy
How anti-doping testing has evolved since 2004 with increased sensitivity and the role of AI
The significance of non-targeted testing in detecting unnoticed performance-enhancing drug use
Challenges related to inadvertent contamination, such as semen or supplement trace amounts
The importance of fair investigation procedures and the concept of adverse analytical findings
The impact of media sensationalism on athletes who are not guilty
The necessity for athletes and the public to understand the complexities of doping tests and contamination
How technology, biology and AI are advancing doping detection capabilities
The role of education and support for athletes facing potential sanctions
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: rise of online testosterone therapy and concerns
02:00 - Risks of unregulated hormone use 
04:00 - Importance of blood work and medical consultation before hormone therapy
06:00 - Evolution of anti-doping testing methods since 2004
08:00 - Role of AI in non-targeted doping detection
10:00 - Contamination scenarios and their implications in doping cases
12:00 - Investigative processes and fairness in doping sanctions
14:00 - False positives due to contamination and trace amounts
16:00 - The case of Imogen Simmonds and the importance of fair procedures
18:00 - Threshold levels and resource allocation in doping testing
20:00 - Future directions: AI, fingerprinting, and supplement testing
22:00 - The importance of transparency and athlete support during investigations
24:00 - The cultural shift needed around doping allegations and fair play
26:00 - The impact of media and public perception on innocent athletes
28:00 - The significance of education and preventative measures in sports
LINKS:
Dr Alison Heather - Insitugen Limited at https://insitugen.com/

We review the racing from the WTCS event in Alghero, IRONMAN Brazil and Challenge St Poelten.
The Enhanced Games – what are the implications for clean sport and athlete integrity.
Professor Alison Heather, Chief Scientific Officer at Insitugen, updates us on the evolution of anti-doping and the implications of new anti-doping and testing technologies.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 – Kate and Guy in Malaysia this week
0:01:07 – The Timber Trail
0:05:52 – WTCS Alghero race review
0:18:02 – IRONMAN Brazil
0:22:14 – Should IRONMAN standardise pay across all events
0:23:55 – Challenge St Poulton race review
0:25:45 – The Enhanced Games
0:34:22 – Testosterone clinics in NZ
0:36:13 – Professor Alison Heather intro
0:37:06 – Alison Heather on testosterone
0:40:00 – Jack Moody's testing
0:44:45 – Alison Heather on how far anti-doping has come
0:48:02 – How do we avoid contamination
0:58:22 – Alison Heather shares her thoughts on publicizing results
LINKS:
Jack Moody at https://www.instagram.com/jacktmoody/
Kate Bevilaqua at https://www.instagram.com/katebevilaqua/
Guy Crawford at https://www.instagram.com/guyrcrawford/
The Timber Trail at https://www.timbertrail.nz/
The Whaka 100 at https://www.whaka100.co.nz/
WTCS event Alghero at https://events.triathlon.org/2026-wtcs-alghero
Challenge St Poelten at https://challenge-stpoelten.com/
IRONMAN Brazil at https://www.ironman.com/races/im-brazil
The Enhanced Games at https://www.enhanced.com/
Professor Alison Heather at https://insitugen.com/about-us/

We review the racing from the weekend at T100 Spain, IRONMAN Lanzarote and the Challenge Championship. Plus, we look ahead to IRONMAN Brazil and the female only IRONMAN Hamburg race – can the women go under 8 hours?
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00:00 – Kate's been to the dentist
0:04:37 – Tri Club Awards Freemantle
0:06:14 – Slots for Kona disappearing fast
0:07:30 – IRONMAN Lanzarote
0:08:30 – Kate's raced IRONMAN Lanzarote
0:08:54 – Nina Derron's bike split
0:09:14 – Alanis Siffert
0:10:04 – Riding into oncoming traffic
0:10:29 – Bike Course at Lanzarote
0:11:45 – Who could match Laidlow's bike time
0:12:51 – Time gaps on the bike
0:14:24 – The run in Lanzarote
0:14:59 – Damien Le Mesnager
0:15:45 – Jelle Geens doing Lake Placid
0:16:04 – Kona qualification getting tougher
0:16:55 – IRONMAN Brazil this weekend
0:18:13 – IRONMAN Hamburg female race coming up
0:18:38 – Kate talks about the old way to qualify for Kona
0:19:59 – Who will win Hamburg?
0:20:46 – Can the women go under 8 hours?
0:23:02 – T100 Spain Pamplona
0:23:56 – The bike course Pamplona
0:24:47 – Confusion around bike course rules?
0:26:14 – Georgia Taylor-Brown as a cyclist
0:27:42 – Greater prize money at Pamplona
0:28:45 – No spectators for the T100
0:30:03 – Jack's viewing at the weekend
0:30:53 – Need to make the racing more exciting
0:31:05 – Old style Supertri
0:33:01 – Island House Race
0:35:02 – Published HR data physically impossible
0:35:58 – Old guys in Bora Hansgrohe cycling jerseys
0:37:51 – The Challenge Championship – Samorin
0:38:02 – Jack loves watching good swimmers
0:39:01 – Hannes Butters swim leg
0:39:56 - Valdemar Solok bike leg
0:42:39 – Women broke the bike course recoed
0:44:23 – Will The Challenge Championship stick around
0:45:46 – The Europeans and their bikes
0:47:00 – The Diamond bike
0:47:21 – Ceepo and the Shadow
LINKS:
Jack Moody at https://www.instagram.com/jacktmoody/
Kate Bevilaqua at https://www.instagram.com/katebevilaqua/
Guy Crawford at https://www.instagram.com/guyrcrawford/
Spain T100 at https://t100triathlon.com/spain/participate/
IRONMAN Lanzarote at https://www.ironman.com/races/im-lanzarote
Jordi Montraveta Moya at https://www.instagram.com/jordimontra/
Alanis Siffert at https://www.instagram.com/alanis.siffert/
Damien Le Mesnager at https://www.instagram.com/daamiienn/
Georgia Taylor Brown - https://www.instagram.com/georgiatb/
The Challenge Championship at https://challengefamily.com/races/the-championship/
Hannes Butters at https://www.instagram.com/trihabu/
Valdemar Solok at https://www.instagram.com/valdemar_solok/

Jackie Hering, a pro triathlete with 15 years of top finishes, unveils her approach to racing at 40. She shares how releasing pressure, managing expectations and embracing unexpected race-day curveballs transform her results in IRONMAN racing
In this episode, you'll discover:
What Jackie considers are her strongest assets and how she's training smarter, not just harder.
Her secrets to managing expectations and why 'releasing' them can be your fastest path to success.
How setbacks like mechanical issues or illness can be an opportunity, not a disaster, in race strategy.
The value of adaptability: how a puncture in Hamburg or a change in race schedule can become a game-changer.
Insights into the psychology of professional women athletes and the supportive roles they embrace - Jackie's own "mother hen" approach.
You'll also hear how Jackie's balance of motherhood, racing, and podcasting provides a fresh perspective in a sport often defined by its relentless intensity. She shares her plans for upcoming races, her views on Kona's elusive magic and the importance of enjoying the process rather than obsessing over the results.
00:00 - Introduction
02:34 - The Evolution of Women's Triathlon
05:40 - Supportive Dynamics in Female Racing
08:27 - Balancing Family Life and Professional Racing
11:07 - Return to Full Distance Racing
14:03 - The Challenge of the Pro Series
16:42 - Expectations and Race Performance
19:34 - Navigating Race Challenges and Adaptability
22:03 - Strategic Race Planning
24:23 - Navigating the Pro Series Challenges
25:46 - Balancing Ironman Races and Recovery
26:27 - Lessons from Recent Races
28:22 - The Kona Experience: Challenges and Goals
30:15 - Training Evolution and Consistency
33:45 - Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses
34:59 - Future Race Plans and Goals
LINKS:
The Women's Race Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-womens-race/id1895478355
Jackie Hering's Instagram - https://instagram.com/jackiehering

Jack Moody ran a 2:20 marathon in Hawkes Bay – we chat about his training and race strategy, plus we discuss shoe choices, running biomechanics and cadence.  
We catch up on the racing from IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga and WTCS Yokohama at the weekend.
We share an excerpt from our interview with Jackie Hering, out later this week.
0:00:00 – Jack's result at Hawke's Bay Marathon
0:07:56 – Pacing the marathon
0:10:40 – Cadence and stride length
0:11:28 – Lactate Testing
0:11:46 – Aerobic threshold: The data
0:13:47 – Fresh marathon versus marathon off the bike
0:15:40 – Training miles leading into the race
0:16:08 – Shoe choice
0:21:12 – IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga race review
0:28:31 – Jackie Hering excerpt
0:33:22 – Race Day Execution
0:45:11 – WTCS Yokohama
0:56:34 – Matt Hauser
0:58:39 – Tilda Mansson
1:00:34 – Foot strike
LINKS:
Jack Moody at https://www.instagram.com/jacktmoody/
Kate Bevilaqua at https://www.instagram.com/katebevilaqua/
Guy Crawford at https://www.instagram.com/guyrcrawford/
Hawkes Bay Marathon at https://hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz/
IM703 Chattanooga at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-chattanooga
Tilda Mansson at https://www.instagram.com/tilda_mansson/
Matt Hauser at https://www.instagram.com/matt_hauser
Jackie Hering at https://www.instagram.com/jackiemhering/
WTCS Yokohama at https://events.triathlon.org/2026-wtcs-yokohama