The Greg Bennett Show

Taylor Knibb - Professional Triathlete & U.S 2020 Olympic🥈Medalist

Welcome to The Greg Bennett show, an AnyQuestion podcast hosted by Former Professional Olympic and World Champion Athlete Greg Bennett. 

Greg chats with the world's greatest athletes and high performers to find out how they got to the top of the world and how they are able to sustain it. 

In this week’s episode, Greg chats with U.S Triathlete, Taylor Knibb.

Taylor Knibb is 23 and has already taken the world by storm. Her win at the WTS Yokohama event at the start of 2021 earned her an Olympic spot for the US team in Tokyo. In Tokyo, her performance in the mixed relay was one of the most powerful performances of the day, earning herself, and her team the silver medal.

A few weeks after the Games, she went on a stampede. She placed 2nd at the Boulder 70.3. Second at the WTS Montreal. Won the WTS Grand Final in Edmonton, then smashed the incredible field at the Collins Cup in Samorin, Slovakia on a road bike with the fastest time by over 3 minutes, and then wrapped it up, by finishing 3rd at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Add to that her Junior and U23 World Titles ... and wow ... the future of women’s triathlon is truly here. 

Her current PTO World Ranking is 4th in the world – and that ranking does not include the Olympics or World series events.

On top of all that, she’s one of the sweetest, most down to earth women I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.

 

timestamps

09:56 - Greg asks Taylor if she is pleased with all your career decisions she has  had to make to date.

20:53 - Taylor talks about her time at University and being one of 10  (TEN!) family members to have previously attended Cornell university.

27:12 - Greg rewinds the clock with Taylor and they discuss her first triathlon, and her first run (at age 4!) plus her motivation to start entering races … and it wasn’t to win ...

31:16 - Taylor and Greg discuss her U23 World Championship versus her junior world titles.

36:04 - Greg asks Taylor about her race tactics.

38:17 - Taylor and Greg discuss the U.S Olympic team trials in 2019 and how Taylor prepared for Yokohama.

46:53 - What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

54:52 - Taylor talks through a typical training day.

1:02:54 - Greg and Taylor chat about how, at only 23 years of age being thrust onto the world triathlon stage … she optimizes her life ... from race nerves, to confidence and self belief.

1:09:27 - Greg asks Taylor, if she could sit and have a coffee with ANYONE in the world, who would it be …

.

 

Visit the Greg Bennett Show  Patreon or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This episode was brought to you by ATHLETIC BREWING … please check em out and support them - www.athleticbrewing.com

Ashleigh Gentle - Olympian. 2018 WTS Grand Final gold medal, 2017 runner up ITU World Championship

Welcome to The Greg Bennett show, an AnyQuestion podcast hosted by Former Professional Olympic and World Champion Athlete Greg Bennett. 

Greg chats with the world's greatest athletes and high performers to find out how they got to the top of the world and how they are able to sustain it. 

In this week’s episode, Greg chats with Australian Triathlete, Ashleigh Gentle.

Ashleigh is one of the most accomplished elite women on the WTS circuit.

For the best part of the past 10 years Ashleigh has won some of the worlds biggest events, including, The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, several ITU world series events, none bigger than the grand final in 2018. Ashleigh has won 8 (yes that’s eight) Noosa triathlons from 10 starts. She has been to multiple Olympics.

In 2014 she won silver in WTS Yokohama in 2015 and 2016 and in Abu Dhabi in 2016. By May 2016, she was ranked third in the world and in the same year, the Australian Olympic Committee announced Gentle’s selection as one of six triathletes who would represent Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

Ashleigh Gentle won silver at the Junior World Championships in Hamburg in 2007 and Vancouver in 2008, then finally discovered the golden touch in Budapest in 2010. The following year, Gentle won her first ITU World Cup in Edmonton, before placing 9th at her first WTS race in London and has since been one of the sport’s most  consistent performers at the top level.

14:24 - In a series of rapid fire questions, Greg and Ashleigh discuss the feeling of making money (aka) getting “paid” to be an athlete.

25:28 - Ashleigh explains how she got a start in triathlon. 

31:51 - At the age of 16 Ashleigh won silver in her first Junior title representing her country.

40:21 - Ashleigh and Greg discuss the transition from being a teenage athlete to becoming an elite woman athlete.

45:00 - The good times don’t always last, and Ashleigh explains some of the tougher struggles she has experienced in her career.

51:44 - The first Olympics. Ashleigh describes her preparation and the drama of losing all her baggage and her racing bike.

57:06 - Aside from the lows, there have been some amazing highs in Ashleigh’s career … one being the 2018 Grand final on the Gold Coast. 

1:01:38 - Greg and Ashleigh recap 2021 and the challenges of travelling, competing, and hotel quarantine.

1:10:12 - Like so many elite athletes, Ashleigh knows when she is knocked down, how to get up and fight again. Having just recently won her 8th Noosa tri, Ashleigh explains that it has been crucial for her to surround herself with people that lift her up, rather than those negative noises from the public.

1:15:45 - Ashleigh shares her tips for helping people optimize their own lives.

 

Visit the Greg Bennett Show  Patreon or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This episode was brought to you by ATHLETIC BREWING … please check em out and support them - www.athleticbrewing.com

Nicola Spirig - The greatest female Olympian in the sport of Triathlon - Gold, Silver and five Olympic Games

Podcast: The Greg Bennett Show

Episode:  Nicola Spirig

Welcome to The Greg Bennett show, a Bennett Endurance podcast hosted by Former Professional Olympic Athlete Greg Bennett. ​​Greg chats with the world's greatest athletes and high performers to find out how they got to the top of the world and how they are able to sustain it. In today’s episode, he is joined by his wife Laura, and they hear from Nicola Spirig. Nicola Spirig is a Swiss professional triathlete. She is a five-time Olympian, the 2012 Olympic, and six times European champion in women's triathlon. Nicola is married to fellow retired athlete Reto Hug, has three children, and during her athletic career completed a law degree.

 

As the conversation kicks off, Greg asks Nicola to reflect on this past year in the sport. She has been training and her next large goal is to complete an IronMan race in under eight hours. Even if a goal sounds impossible, she says it’s important to try, especially when the intention is to inspire others to follow their dreams. Nicola isn’t an extrovert who loves being in front of others, but she does love working with young people and is glad her status as an Olympian has given her this platform.

 

Going into this year’s Tokyo Olympics, Nicola was ready. She was able to prepare without injury, compete in and win other good races like the European Championships, and beat some of her own personal best times. On race day, even though everyone had prepared for a hot day, it was raining, which for Nicola wasn’t a problem and she placed sixth. Today, she says she’s happy with her performance and wouldn’t change anything even though she didn’t get the medal she was aiming for.

 

Nicola grew up with parents who were sports teachers and had the luxury of trying many different sports. For a long time, she didn’t think of triathlon as a career, but rather as something she loved to do. She only considered herself a professional athlete for about two years, despite being involved in the sport for much longer. Her preparation around the London 2012 Olympics was nearly perfect and her at a professional level. She won that triathlon just ahead of Lisa Norden, with their times being the same, and only a photograph was able to be used to separate their crossing the finish line.

 

For the Rio Olympics, things were different. She was injured, the defending Olympic champion, and she’d had a baby in the years since her Olympic win. She took home the silver from that race and says the experience was much different than the London Olympics, but she was still very happy with her performance. She reminds listeners that while yes it takes a lot to get a medal in the Olympic games, it also takes a lot to finish fourth, sixth, or tenth.

 

Laura and Greg then ask Nicola rapid-fire questions covering everything from TV and movies to household chores, to her taste in music. Then they wrap up the episode with Nicola sharing what her day-to-day life is like these days.

 

Find show notes, discount codes, and more here.

Visit the BE With Champions Patreon or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

 

 

 

 

Ed Baker Returns with a new Startup - The AnyQuestion app.

Ed Baker, was last on the show in episode 61, if you haven’t listened to that episode I encourage you to do so... He is one of the most remarkable people I’ve had the privilege of having on the show.

 

Father of four. Harvard Grad, MBA at Stanford Business school, Investor, Entrepreneur, Growth Specialist, and remarkable Triathlete.

 

A quick brief on his background He built a company called Friend.ly about 15 years ago to 25 million users very rapidly. Mark Zuckerberg recognized this and brought Ed over to be the Head of International Growth at FaceBook. Facebook was built to over a billion users around the world and Ed played a significant role in making that happen.  Soon after, Ed was approached by a small start-up called Uber to become the Head of Product and Growth. Ed accepted this role and played a huge part in building Uber into what it is today... Not a bad track record.

Ed left Uber to focus on family, investing, advising, and his Ironman training and racing. 

 

In 2021, it was time for Ed to start something new. In this episode, Ed describes the new app he has built that Launched on Oct 25, called AnyQuestion.

Ed discusses why he built AnyQuestion, what is the app and how it works. 

 

Use my referral link https://anyquestions.app.link/Greg Bennett, to get a $1 for a 1st-week trial. OR go check out any of the experts.

 

 

 

Triathlon Gold - The female Gold medalists from the past 4 Olympic Games! Emma Frodeno, Nicola Spirig, Gwen Jorgensen, and Flora Duffy

This is a treat and such a privilege to have Emma Frodeno (formerly Snowsill), Nicola Spirig, Gwen Jorgensen, and Flora Duffy. . It’s taken several months... but we are finally here. I’m so excited about this episode.

 

You see, I’ve always wondered what it takes to win on that special day, that one day that every Olympic athlete aspires to. I’ve wondered what it must feel like crossing that finish line knowing that you are the Olympic champion, and how does that heavy medal affect the rest of your life?

 

Well, today we’ll get some answers to those questions... today I have the past four-woman Olympic Triathlon gold medalists on the show. Four Gold and one Silver between the four of them.

 

These are women that I have trained and been at races with. They have all conquered the world and have been heroes to their respective countries. All of them I truly admire and would call good friends.

 

All but one have been on the show and you can find their past episodes on your podcast app of choice.

 

But never have they all been together on the one show. I’m feeling very honored that they have all agreed to come on, and amazed that we were able to coordinate times from all corners of the world.

 

In this episode, they all discuss their mindset 2 weeks leading into the Games and how it changed leading into the race. When did they feel like they had it won. And, What was the first initial feeling you felt crossing the line, and finally How did the Gold medal affect each of their lives.

 

Truly incredible to have them all on the one show... I can't thank them enough for making this happen.

 

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com use code Greg20 at checkout

 

Support the show at

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Sam Appleton, IM 70.3 Champion, one of the most successful middle-distance triathletes on the planet!

Sam Appleton joins me in the studio. Sam is one of the most successful middle-distance triathletes on the planet.

 

Winning a multitude of the biggest IM 70.3s in the world, placing 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th at the IM 70.3 World Championships. To me, it feels like his time to crack the podium and take the win will be soon.

 

If the World Championships were in the Napa Valley wine region of California this man would have plenty of hardware... he’s won, the Vineman now Santa Rosa 70.3 four times from five starts.

 

He’s currently ranked 12th on the World Rankings with enormous potential to leap up to the top.

 

It’s a pleasure to have one of the best men I know in the studio.

 

In this episode, Sam is an open book. He shares the ups and downs of being a professional athlete with absolute honesty and vulnerability. We have some fun with the rapid-fire questions and Sam describes his intent for the 2022 season.

 

I personally thoroughly enjoyed this conversation.

 

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com use code Greg20 at checkout

 

Support the show at

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"The Greg Bennett Show" 

Ben Kanute - USA Olympian, Ironman 70.3 medalist, 4 x Escape from Alcatraz - The next generation!

Ben Kanute is one of the most powerful, versatile Triathletes in the world. Winning major titles over the super sprint style of racing, four Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon championships, medaling at the IM 70.3 World Championships, and representing the USA at the Rio Olympic games.

 

He races without fear, leading out of the water almost every time he starts and forces the race to chase him.

 

It’s been a true joy to watch him develop his craft over the years. He has no weaknesses and races with weapons across the board.

 

His momentum is building and he’s spearheading the next generation.

 

In this episode, Ben dissects his recent 6th place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and his 2021 season as a whole.

 

He then shares his journey into the sport of Triathlon. Starting at 7 years of age and watching Dad compete in the Chicago Triathlon, and the incredible Triathlon community he was surrounded with. It was always meant to be.

 

Ben discusses the importance of his family and how grateful he is for finding his wife Courtney. He shares training and gives plenty of great advice. We have some fun with some rapid-fire questions. And Ben points out the importance of time as a commodity.

 

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

 

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

 

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com use code Greg20 at checkout

 

Support the show at

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26936856

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Dan Lorang, Coach to Jan Frodeno, Lucy Charles-Barclay, Anne Haug & the Bora Hansgrohe Cycling Team

Dan Lorang joins me once again on the show. Dan is one of the greatest endurance coaches on the planet.

He was last on the show in episode 31, last August. That episode was one of the most downloaded episodes in 2020 and is still in the top ten most downloaded to date. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, I encourage you to do to so.

Since then, his athletes have continued to excel and dominate. Notably, Jan Frodeno and his Ironman World Record, Anne Haug and her mind-boggling victory at Challenge Roth, Lucy Charles Barclay, and her recent Ironman 70.3 World title, and all his cyclists in the Bora Hansgrohe cycling team.

What an absolute honor and privilege it is to have one of the greatest minds in the world of endurance sport join me for a chat.

In this episode, Dan is incredibly forthcoming with sharing his wisdom and his knowledge.

Dan gives a quick recap of his journey of how he got to where he is, and then we discuss his athlete's performances in 2021 and get a little more specific on his coaching methodology. There is so much in this episode. Truly outstanding.

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

Hyperice - Click https://bit.ly/3jzyFDa for exclusive offers on all Hyperice products or visit at hyperice.com and use the code mentioned in the show

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com use code Greg20 at checkout

 

Support the show at

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26936856

"The Greg Bennett Show" -

 

 

Tim Reed - Australian Ironman 70.3 World Champion & Coach - 2021 IM 70.3 Predictions

Today, I’m joined in the studio by Tim Reed. Tim has over 80 professional podium finishes, winning 23 Ironman 70.3 distance events, add to that Ironman Australia, and in 2016 won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships on home soil on the Sunshine Coast. Queensland, Australia.

 

Somehow, he’s able to balance his professional racing with his wife and raising their three young boys.

 

It’s been a pleasure watching him win so consistently over the years. And now I get to sit with him in the studio.

 

In this episode, we discuss Tim's journey and his process, we dissect the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and we have some fun with 15 rapid-fire questions.

 

I'll have to have Tim back on the show. His knowledge of what it takes to perform at the highest level is remarkable... we could have kept talking for hours... in fact, we did keep chatting post-recording for a long time.

 

min 47.00 - Predictions The 70.3 World Championships in St.George - altitude, dry air, advantage media at front of the race, Sam Long, 1/2 the field will be cooked, can the Norwegians maintain a pick

 

min 52.10 - The woman predictions - Daniela Ryf, Taylor Knibb - Swimmers Lucy Charles-Barclay, Pamela Oliveria, Bike - Clear favorite is Daniela Ryf - The claims are power climbs - the difference between weight for athletes on the hills, Holly Lawrence, Chelsea Sadaro, Paula Findley, Jackie Hering, Ellie Salthouse, Emma Pallant-Browne - Tims picks 1st Daniela, 2nd Taylor Knibb 3rd Ellie Salthouse - 1st Daniela Ryf, Emma Pallant-brown, and Taylor Knibb

 

min 59.00 - The men predictions - who is out Gomez, Brownlee, Lionel Sanders, - Michael Raelerts a dark horse for top 5 - Sam Appleton, Ben Kanute off the front - "They've gotta go" - Sam Long - the media train upfront could hurt him - Gustav Iden is the favorite, Kristian Blummenfelt in 2nd, Feeling for Rudy von Berg, Brad Weiss is on form - Appleton, and Kanute for the podium, Daniel Beakegard

 

min1.06.00 What about Tims prediction - he'd like a top 10

 

 

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

Hyperice - Click https://bit.ly/3jzyFDa for exclusive offers on all Hyperice products or visit at hyperice.com and use the code mentioned in the show

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com

 

Support the show at

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26936856

"The Greg Bennett Show" -

 

Six-time Ironman World Champion‘s, Mr. Dave Scott & Mr. Mark Allen - PTO, Collins Cup, Kona Ironman

These days in the sport of Triathlon we love to throw around names like Jan Frodeno, Alistair Brownlee, Javier Gomez as being the greatest of all time, and obviously, they’re all in the conversation.

 

But, when I rewind the clock there are other names that we need to start throwing into that discussion, Simon Lessing, Scott Molina, Greg Welch, Brad Bevan, Mike Pigg.... and the list goes on.

 

And then there are two that I look at, that influenced my desire to become a professional Triathlete more than anyone else. And I believe, They have impacted the sport as a whole more than anyone else. They have been on this show separately in episodes 5 and 7. But today I’m joined with both of them on the show together.

 

What a privilege it is to have Dave Scott sit with me in the studio and Mark Allen call in.

 

We discuss the Collins Cup from the past week, Ironman Kona – or lack thereof, the sport of Triathlon as a whole, and well, anything and everything. We end with some fun rapid-fire questions.

 

Discount Codes and Deals

 

Athletic Greens - a FREE year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/greg

 

Hyperice - Click https://bit.ly/3jzyFDa for exclusive offers on all Hyperice products or visit at hyperice.com and use the code mentioned in the show

 

FormSwim Goggles - formswim.com/greg for $15 off - The coupon will be automatically added to the cart. Or use code GREG2021 at checkout.

 

Athletic Brewing - AthleticBrewing.com