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Lizzie Rayner Professional Triathlete: Breakthroughs, Battles and Big Goals
Lizzie Rayner is a British professional triathlete whose journey into elite sport began with a childhood immersed in many sports from swimming and hockey to cricket and running. She competed in her first triathlon when she was 12 years of age, inspired by the 2012 London Olympics, she rediscovered her passion for the sport and set her sights on a professional racing career. Lizzie had a breakthrough in 2022 with a surprise win at the Outlaw Half in Nottingham, an achievement that allowed her to secure a professional triathlon license. Since then, she has raced with and against some of the best middle distance triathletes in the world. In 2024 in just her second season as a pro, she took the tape to win IRONMAN 70.3 Portugal, Cascais in a hugely exciting sprint finish. She went on to race at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo New Zealand last year, rounding out her year with a 16th place finish on the world stage. This year she has already finished twice on the podium with a 3rd place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia and a second place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Pays d'Aix, steadily building her profile and trophy cabinet with some super results and performances. This episode delves into Lizzies' training routines, fuelling strategies and goals for future races. Her sporting story to date is a testament to her approach to performance, perseverance and progress in achieving athletic excellence. Although Lizzie is relatively new to the professional ranks of the sport of triathlon she is already making her mark and undoubtedly has a bright and podium filled career ahead in the sport.
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49:46
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49:46
Tom Dolan: ‘The Flying Irishman’, From Farm to Figaro
Irish Sailor Tom Dolan from Co. Meath has carved a most unexpected career for himself on the high seas. Winner of the 2024 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, Tom sailed himself into the history books as the first Irish sailor and only the third non-French competitor to win this prestigious race in its fifty five year history, cementing his position and reputation as a world class sailor. He subsequently was awarded Irish Sailor of the year in February of this year for the second time. An unlikely career for a man who grew up on a farm in Co. Meath where Gaelic Football was the sport of choice and sailing was something he watched on TV dreaming of one day sailing the high seas. But dreams do come true and for Tom, although it was an unconventional career path and to say the least a hard graft learning all the skills, insights and intricacies of sailing he earned his stripes from the ground up. Relentless in his pursuit of excellence, his grit, determination and resilience to embrace his passion for sailing saw him follow his heart and love of the sport to France over a decade ago. Immersing himself in one of the world's most competitive sailing environments it provide the perfect playground for Tom to flourish, hone his craft and gain vast experience to become one of the best off-shore sailors in the world. Known as 'The Flying Irishman,' Tom's journey has been anything but smooth sailing. In this episode, he shares the highs and lows of his career, offering insight into the technical and mental demands of elite level racing, the toll of sleep deprivation and hallucinations at sea, and the vital role of a strong support team. His story is not just one of overcoming odds, but of staying true to a passion, trusting the process and proving that with commitment and belief, even the wildest dreams can become reality.
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48:50
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48:50
Laura McEvoy: Redefining Limits, Thriving Beyond Trauma
In October 2022 at the age of 20, Laura McEvoy from Northern Ireland was involved in a devastating car accident that changed her life forever, leaving her with a spinal cord injury at L1, fractured vertebrae in her neck, and a cracked skull. Told she might never walk again, Laura refused to accept defeat. Through sheer determination and the unwavering support of her family and friends, she defied the odds rebuilding her life step by step facing life's toughest challenges with remarkable resilience and passion. A former competitive Irish dancer and outdoor enthusiast, Laura found her way back to the activities she loved and discovered new passions along the way. From learning to walk again with crutches and AFOs to abseiling and climbing the iconic Rathlin Wall at Fairhead, she has redefined what it means to overcome adversity. Today, Laura is a passionate advocate for accessible outdoor adventure, working with organisations including; Mountaineering Ireland, Tollymore, and Accessible Adventures Ireland to create inclusive opportunities in climbing, paddle sports and hiking. She's raised thousands for The Outdoor Partnership, earned multiple climbing qualifications, and is now leading the way in organising major inclusive and adaptive expeditions, this past weekend she was part of a paddling and camping adventure on Lough Erne. As if that wasn't enough, Laura is also making her mark on the court as a wheelchair basketball athlete for Northern Ireland, with her sights set firmly on the Commonwealth Games in 2026. Her motto, "Say yes to everything," captures the spirit of a woman who isn't just surviving trauma she's thriving and inspiring others to believe that their limits are only the starting point.
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50:34
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50:34
Nora 'Nono' McHugh: Leadership, Legacy And A Love of Sport
Nora 'Nono' McHugh from Galway is a true pioneer in Irish sport. She made history in 1973 as the first-ever captain of the Irish Women's National Football Team, leading her squad to a memorable victory against Wales. But her love of sport began long before that, from kicking a ball on the streets of the Claddagh to playing every game imaginable in the Swamp, her journey is one of passion, grit, and unwavering determination. Nono's sporting success spans far beyond football, with remarkable achievements across many sports including Gaelic football, camogie, badminton and more. Her dedication and contribution to Irish sport has been recognised nationally and locally with her induction into the FAI Hall of Fame last year, and more recently, she received the prestigious Galway Sports Stars Hall of Fame Award. Nono takes us on a heartfelt journey through her life, sharing vivid stories from her early days growing up in the Claddagh, her adventures in sport both at home and abroad, and the challenges of balancing athletic ambition with personal responsibilities. She reflects on the power of sport to shape identity and build community, offering her signature wit and wisdom along the way. Now in her 70s, Nono remains as active as ever, swimming daily at Blackrock in Salthill, going to the gym, and staying deeply connected to her local sporting communities. She's a firm believer that staying active and finding a supportive and encouraging community is key, especially as we age. Despite her incredible athletic accomplishments, Nono's humility shines through, for her, the greatest reward is the pride and recognition of her family. This episode is more than a celebration of Nono's life in sport, it's a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance, and a sense of community matter at every stage of life. No matter your age or ability, there's always a place for sport in your story.
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1:00:56
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1:00:56
Philip Doyle Olympian: Rowing, Resilience and the Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
Two time Olympian Philip Doyle secured a historic bronze medal for Ireland in Rowing at the Paris Olympics with his teammate Daire Lynch. With an impressive resume that includes two World Cup Silver Medals, a World Championship Bronze and Silver Medal, and a Tokyo Olympic Semi-Final appearance, it was Paris 2024 where Philip's Olympic Medal dreams came true. A high achiever from a young age his sporting talent saw him embrace many sports from soccer and gaelic, to cricket, athletics and swimming before field hockey became his sport of choice. Playing it to a high level he represented Ireland at U16 in the European Championship. Off the field of play Philip's academic ability saw him graduate from Queen's University in Belfast with a first class honours in Medical Science and a Medical Degree It wasn't until a decade or so ago that Philip first took up rowing, whilst at university, the former Abercrombie & Fitch model took to his new sport like a duck to water and it wasn't long before he was winning races and excelling in his new found sport. In this podcast Philip shares a snippet of his life as an elite athlete, the rigorous training routines, mental fortitude and nutritional strategies required to perform at his best, all whilst balancing a demanding medical career. Additionally, he shares his recent experience of competing at Ironman 70.3 Marbella and his future aspirations in both rowing and medicine. Balancing his passion for elite sport with the demands of a medical career, Philip exemplifies extraordinary dedication, discipline, and a relentless drive to push boundaries in both arenas. This is a compelling episode offering a window into the life of an elite athlete and medical professional striving to excel in both fields.
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1:12:43
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1:12:43