515 : The Ultra Podcast

S8E9 -- UM Australia 2026 Race Preview with Jeff Morris & Tim Franklin

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/fan_mail/new] 515 kilometers can sound like a number. In Noosa, it turns into three days of decisions: how you fuel a 10 km ocean swim, how you survive a 276 km bike loop through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, and how you keep moving when the double marathon starts to ask harder questions than your training ever did. We’re joined by Ultraman Australia race director Jeff Morris and KOA endurance coach and event MC Tim Franklin to preview Ultraman Australia 2026 from the ground up. We lay out the full 515 triathlon format and cutoffs, explain why the calendar dates differ depending on where you live, and share exactly how to follow along on the YouTube livestream [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast/streams]. This year’s coverage gets a major boost with live GPS tracking (even during the swim when signals allow), planned drone shots at sunrise, and crews calling in live so viewers at home can feel the real-time pressure and emotion on course. Jeff also gives a progress update on Ultraman New Zealand in Wanaka.  Then we get into the heart of race week: the 2026 field. From returning athletes chasing redemption to first-timers stepping up from Ironman to Ultraman, we spotlight what makes each competitor interesting, what crews need to know, and why Noosa’s swim conditions and paddler support can shape the entire weekend. The Athletes: Nicole Allen, Sadanand Amarapur, Prajakta Aswar, Boris Bakouline, Ashley Bates, Rahul Chaudhary, Douglas Clark, Jacob Crowe, Devraj Devraj, Nat Dodd, Tabatha Draper, Roscoe Dray, Shane Duffy, Noe Duran, Anthony Elder, Guilherme Escaleira da luz Oliveira, Mehdi Gerbeaux, Jomy Jacob, Timothy Jensen, Shubham Kajale, Claire Kunc, Brittney Litton, Anna Longdill, Keri Mandell, Nestor Ochoa Rivera, Chia Ling Pow, Mahesh Prajapati, Erica Riley, Nathan Schmid, Patrick Shanahan, Marcus Smith, Puneet Sudhir Sood, Giancarlos Taraborrelli, Chloe Thomas, Mark Thomson, Dr Bishwanath Tiwary, Marco Ullrich, Denise Wilson. Resources mentioned in this episode: * KOA Sports  * UM New Zealand * Kenilworth Bakery * Peak Energy Gum * Hervey Bay 100  * T100 Triathlon * Ultraman Mexico Shout outs and mentions in this episode: * Tiff Dahl * Jen McVeay * Alex Luna * Beñat Oliveira * Simon Cochrane  * Steven Keller * Kellie Ridges * Dave Carroll * Max Allansen * Teaghan Roatz  * Anthony Vloedmans * Vishesh Madan * Andrew Wheatley * Peter Hodgson * Anthony Lucas * Craig Jackson * Angus aka Bango Draper * Elans Anton  * Jen MacMillan * Kate Bevilaqua * Natalie Elder * Alana Sharma * Paul Giddings * Matt O’Brien * Kathleen Swalling * Ari Litton * Hayley Fry * Andrew Trout * Nick Mallett * Mel Cockshutt * Tim Belstead * Kirsty Sheehan Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan] Show Contributors: Host : Larry Ryan Contributing Raconteur : Steve King Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne Production : 5Five Enterprises Music  :  Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com] Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast] Insta : @515theultrapodcast [https://www.instagram.com/515theultrapodcast/?hl=en] Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast] Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

S8E8 -- UB515 Race Preview (2026) with Alex Luna

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we travel to Ubatuba, Brazil, to catch up with Alex Luna, one of the driving forces behind the UB515 ultra triathlon. As the race enters its 13th year, Alex shares the origin story of how a small group of legends—including Alexandre Ribeiro and Corey Folk—brought the Ultraman distance to Brazil. We dive deep into the "Aloha" spirit that defines the event and discuss the logistical and emotional preparation for the 43 athletes set to take on the 515km challenge. What you will learn from this episode: * The Power of "Just Letting it Happen": Alex recounts the advice from Corey Folk that finally launched the race in 2014. * Course Logistics: A day-by-day walkthrough of the swimming, cycling, and running stages through some of Brazil’s most scenic coastal and mountain roads. * Community & Legacy: How the race serves as a transformative process for both athletes and staff, fostering lifelong connections. Athlete Dynamics: A breakdown of the 2026 field, including a record number of female participants and the veterans returning to defend their numbers. Follow the race on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ub515ultramanbrasil/?hl=en]       UB 515 Website [https://www.ub515.com.br/en]  Previous appearances by Alex (S4E6) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/12550625] (S5E9) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/14446628-s5e9-515-round-table-discussion-the-state-of-ultra-triathlon.mp3?download=true] Resources mentioned in this episode: * BR145 * Fodaxman  * IM Brasil Shout outs and mentions in this episode: * Alexandre Ribeiro * Paulo Calil * Cory Foulk * Sergio Cordeiro * Curtis Tyler * Leslie Tyler * Steve King  * Andrius Luna * Sandro Tanaka * 75 – Bernardo Tillmann * 78 – Erick Duarte * 99 – Aline Luftmann * 135 – Fabiano Peres * 147 – Dejalmo Almeida * 149 – Evandro Dutra * 169 – Marcelo Noia * 187 – Juan Armenteros * 200 – Eduardo Filho * 208 – Pedro Walfir * 220 – Igor Maciel * 225 – Luciano Bressy * 233 – Rian Tavares * 236 – Rafael Aragon * 241 – Rubens Gonçalo * 244 – Cléber Santos * 245 – Rodrigo Gregório * 246 – Diogo Brumm * 248 – Ana Heide * 249 – Luiza Machado * 250 – Marcele Salaverry * 251 – Diego Vidal * 252 – Julius Bomfim * 253 – Kildare Cardoso * 254 – Juliana Ennes * 255 – Fabi Silva * 256 – Tatiana Debiasi * 257 – Dankar Maridor * 258 – Rodrigo Arraes * 259 – Rafael Ruhl * 260 – Julio Tiliaque * 261 – Kalleb Potenza * 262 – Mauro Lima * 263 – Flavio Santos * 264 – Gabriel Brás * 265 – Fernando Oliveira * 267 – Victor Latarulla * 269 – João Paulo Morisson * 270 – Wagner Nishizawa * 271 – Renan Delavald * 272 – Pamela Oliveira * 273 – Roger Barroquello * 2 Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan] Show Contributors: Host : Larry Ryan Contributing Raconteur : Steve King Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne Production : 5Five Enterprises Music  :  Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com] Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast] Insta : @515theultrapodcast [https://www.instagram.com/515theultrapodcast/?hl=en] Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast] Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

S8E7 -- UMOZ + UMNZ Athlete in Proflie | Brittney Litton

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/fan_mail/new] You can learn a lot about an endurance athlete by what they avoid, and Brittney Litton avoids swimming. Then she signs up for Ultraman anyway, including a 10K swim, back-to-back monster bike days, and a double-marathon finish. Brittney joins us from New Zealand to talk about life as a working mom of two, a self-described “average” athlete with an anything-but-average appetite for big goals -- including wanting to set a new women's record time. Racing lessons land hardest in the Kona Ironman recap. Brittany breaks down how over-concentrated carb bottles, post-swim thirst, and relying on Coke can spiral into vomiting, cramps, and survival mode in heat and humidity. That story becomes a blueprint for smarter fueling: drink water early, keep mixes tolerable, and respect the environment. She pairs it with the Tarawera ultra experience, where a hip flexor issue forces an awkward running pattern and a painful finish, proving that pacing and problem-solving matter as much as fitness. Finally, we zoom out to Ultraman preparation: crew planning, swim anxiety, long rides, Pilates for core strength, and the mindset shift from chasing splits to treating races as tests. It is a grounded look at how an “average” athlete builds toward an extraordinary start line. Resources mentioned in this episode: * UM Australia  * UM New Zealand * Lord of the RIngs * IM Taupo * Taupo 70.3 * Harry Potter * Zwift * MyWhoosh * R.I.O.T.  Zwift Team * 5 Passes Race  * Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge * IM World Championships * Tarawera Ultra  * Taupo Marathon * Wellington Marathon * Christ Church Marathon * Queenstown Marathon * Christ Church 100km road championships Shout outs and mentions in this episode: * Simon Cochrane * Jeff Morris * Max Litton * Ari Litton * Anna Russel  * Taylor Swift * Gracie Abrams * Tilly Litton * Michael Phelps * Kate Bevilaqua * Fiona Gallagher  * Kylie Brown * Fat Cat Ron * Fergus and Charlie Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan] Show Contributors: Host : Larry Ryan Contributing Raconteur : Steve King Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne Production : 5Five Enterprises Music  :  Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com] Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast] Insta : @515theultrapodcast [https://www.instagram.com/515theultrapodcast/?hl=en] Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast] Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

S8E6 -- Ohana Guest | Peter Hudson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/fan_mail/new] Start with a last-minute sprint tri in footy shorts and end with a finish line that feels like family—that’s the arc of Peter “Huddo” Hudson. We sit down with the four-time 515 finisher, personal trainer, and stalwart of the UM Australia Dream Team to unpack how a brutal first swim, a life-changing crash in Hawaii, and years of volunteering forged a deeper reason to race. What emerges is a raw, generous look at the culture that defines Ultraman: you arrive as strangers, you leave as family. Huddo walks us through the early days—being dragged into a race the night before, dog paddling next to a lifeguard, then getting hooked on the grind that builds real endurance. He shares how coaching and community carried his business through COVID, why day two on the bike still ties his stomach in knots, and how crews and race volunteers quietly stitch the event together with 20-hour days and calm heads. We revisit Hawaii 2015 and Scott McDermott’s horrific crash, the “Relentless” bracelet found at the scene, and the long road to Scott’s 2018 return. Along the way, you’ll hear why rival crews stop to help, how a blind athlete’s grit rewrites fear, and what it means to finish when the clock says you shouldn’t. We also dive into purpose: fundraising after losing his mum, staging a solo double iron to turn grief into action, and the moment Huddo received the inaugural HUDDO Award minutes before learning his uncle had passed. It’s a portrait of resilience anchored by service, friendship, and a shared promise to bring everyone home safe. Plus, a peek behind the curtain at UM Australia’s evolving live stream and the launch of UM New Zealand—new routes, bigger climbs, and the same heartbeat. If stories of grit, community, ultra endurance, and human kindness move you, hit play. Then follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more people find these voices. Resources mentioned in this episode: * UM Australia  * Ultraman World Championships * Living the Warrior Code (Documentary) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwANynO24eA]  Link * IM Coeur d’Alene * UM New Zealand Shout outs and mentions in this episode: * Jeff Morris (S7E11) * Shane Duffy (S4E5) * Matt O’Brien (S8E5) * David Kalinowski * Mike Coughlin (S2E7) * Erica RIley (S8E2) * Beñat Oliveira (S7E6) * Brittney Litton (S8E7) * Scott McDermott (S1E9) * Adam Fox    * Gary Wang (S2E6) * Staci Studer * Christian Isakson (S3E5) * John Domandl (S7E7) * Daniel Merange  * Dayle Jordan * Mel Kemp * Jason Clark * Shae Hamilton * Kim Jenkins * Gillian Winterford * Tiffany Dahl * Steve King (S1E1) Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan] Show Contributors: Host : Larry Ryan Contributing Raconteur : Steve King Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne Production : 5Five Enterprises Music  :  Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com] Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast] Insta : @515theultrapodcast [https://www.instagram.com/515theultrapodcast/?hl=en] Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast] Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

S8E5 -- UM Australia Athlete in Profile | Matthew O’Brien

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/fan_mail/new] A flipped boat, a blinking EPIRB, and a helicopter descent into a sunset—Matt O’Brien’s life pivot starts there. From mining shifts and weekend benders to air rescue work, and a growing list of endurance adventures; Matt’s story is a blueprint for rebuilding a life around endurance and purpose. We unpack how he cracked into rescue aviation by cold-messaging mentors on LinkedIn, tackled a fitness test he once thought impossible, and learned to swim from scratch as an adult. Matt shares the nuts and bolts of training through a harsh roster—day shifts as recovery, nights for volume, and two weeks off to stack big sessions—plus the mental habits that made those choices stick. If you’re navigating shift work training, adult swim relearning, or prepping for Ultraman distances, his playbook is practical and honest. Matt also takes us 4,200 kms across Australia from Fremantle to Sydney on an unsupported bikepacking journey defined by mechanical chaos and grit.  He rode through the Nullarbor with breaking spokes, limped into Ceduna to swap a rim, and woke to find his bike stolen—only to track it with an AirTag on his keys and get it back.  Along the way, we break down roadhouse food realities, water carry strategies, and the small logistics that make or break an ultra-distance plan. And we revisit his first Ultraman finish, where pacers and crew helped him slip under the run cutoff by minutes, setting clear goals for a calmer, faster return to UM Australia in 2026. If you’re a beginner eyeing your first triathlon, a FIFO worker balancing training with fatigue, or an endurance fan who loves a hard-earned comeback, this one’s for you. Follow Matt’s coaching at Lantern Endurance [http://laternendurance.com] on socials, and keep an eye out for the website launch soon. Enjoy the conversation, then subscribe, rate, and share with a friend who needs a push to start their own first.  Resources mentioned in this episode: * UM Australia  * Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) [https://www.amsa.gov.au/about] * Ultra 355 Australia * Cupcake  Cartel * Indipac Shout outs and mentions in this episode: * Casey Neistat * Jeff Morris (S7E11) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/episodes/17909224-s7e11-details-on-the-new-515-race-um-new-zealand.mp3?download=true] * Andrew Trout * John Domandl (S7E7) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/episodes/17438935-s7e7-ohana-guest-john-domandl-3x-world-record-holder.mp3?download=true] * Tony Horton * Nikki Fox * Michael Wakeman    * Belinda Sansom * Kim Jenkins * Janita Ray * Troy Ridgley * Michelle Barratt  * Nick Mallett (S2E12) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/10433813-s2e13-race-directors-continuing-to-grow-ultra-steve-brown-van-sanchez.mp3?download=true] * Carl Gillies * Kate Bevilaqua https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628851/15189178-s6e2-women-in-ultra-a-round-table-discussion.mp3?download=true Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan] Show Contributors: Host : Larry Ryan Contributing Raconteur : Steve King Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne Production : 5Five Enterprises Music  :  Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com] Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast] Insta : @515theultrapodcast [https://www.instagram.com/515theultrapodcast/?hl=en] Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@515TheUltraPodcast] Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com