The Unfunded Triathlon Podcast

Almost Arrested in Japan Over $8 | Unfunded S2 EP15 (EP50)

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton return for Episode 50 after their trip to Japan, sharing stories from their post-race adventures in Nara and Kyoto before unpacking the wild train station incident that nearly saw them hauled in by Japanese police over an $8 ticket discrepancy. The boys then dive into the biggest talking point in triathlon: the drama from Alghero. They break down the growing tensions surrounding Lisa Tertsch, the controversial aid-station bottle incident involving Jeanne Lehair, and whether moments like these are actually good for the sport. They also recap the women’s race, where Cassandre Beaugrand stormed back to victory ahead of Beth Potter and Tertsch. On the men’s side, they discuss the carnage that unfolded after a series of crashes and DNFs took out many of the favourites, leaving Vasco Vilaça and Miguel Hidalgo to capitalise. The conversation turns to how the result reshapes the season and adds pressure to athletes chasing World Series points early in the Olympic cycle. To finish, Lockie and Lleyton preview the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, discuss the challenging travel schedule facing many athletes, highlight Jordan Rick’s World Cup debut, and make their podium predictions for both the men’s and women’s races.

SuperTri is Dying? | Unfunded S2 EP14

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton return for S2 EP14 (EP49) ahead of a huge race week trip to Japan, before diving into one of the biggest WTCS previews of the season at Alghero. The boys unpack the fallout from the Enhanced Games, including James Magnussen’s return, the underwhelming world record attempts, and the reactions from Olympic swimmers like Cam McEvoy. They also discuss the current state of SuperTri and whether the once-exciting format is slowly fading away. The episode then shifts into triathlon racing, including Dylan McCullough’s dominant comeback performance after 18 months out injured, and a full breakdown of the stacked WTCS Alghero start lists. Lockie and Lleyton debate whether the men’s race will stay together or explode into a breakaway, with Alex Yee, Matt Hauser, Hayden Wilde, Miguel Hidalgo and others all in contention. On the women’s side, the focus turns to Cassandra Beaugrand’s return, Beth Potter’s form, and how the Olympic cycle is already bringing the sport’s biggest stars back together.

Hauser Breaks Away | Unfunded S2 EP13

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton break down all the action from Yokohama, including Matt Hauser’s dominant breakaway win and Australia’s impressive depth with Luke Willian and Brayden Mercer featuring in the front group. The boys discuss how Hauser has become the athlete everyone is now chasing, why their race predictions completely missed the mark again, and what Alex Yee, Hayden Wilde, and the rest of the field need to do to respond. On the women’s side, they dive into Tilda Månsson’s breakout WTCS victory over Beth Potter, debate Potter’s post-race reaction, and discuss whether Månsson has officially arrived as a long-term contender. There’s also discussion around Gwen Jorgensen’s comeback at 40 years old, the rise of the next generation of European athletes, and how Olympic qualification battles are already beginning to heat up for LA 2028 and beyond. Outside of racing, the boys unpack the bizarre reality of the Enhanced Games, James Magnussen’s transformation, and whether the entire concept is really just a giant pharmaceutical publicity stunt.

Chengdu Recap & Yokohama Preview | Unfunded S2 EP12

Brought to you by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton break down all the action from the Chengdu World Cup, including Luke Willian’s win, Laura Lindemann’s comeback victory, and the growing concern around just how fast World Cup racing has become. The boys dive into Australia’s mixed team relay performance, the increasing importance of relay strategy for Olympic qualification, and why Great Britain’s depth is becoming scary for the rest of the world. They also preview WTCS Yokohama, discussing the highly anticipated return of Alex Yee to triathlon racing against Matt Hauser and Miguel Hidalgo, plus their podium predictions for both elite races. The episode also covers Australian debuts for Bradley Course and Rachel Hill, Japan race experiences, relay tactics, and some controversial discussion surrounding motorbike interference and doping in triathlon.

Lockie's Season Over? | Unfunded S2 EP11

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton return for Season 2 Episode 11 to unpack a huge week in triathlon, headlined by Lockie’s devastating grade three sacral stress reaction diagnosis that sidelines him for most of the 2026 season. The boys dive deep into the mental and physical toll of bone stress injuries, how the injury developed, the recovery timeline, and the challenges athletes face when their entire season is suddenly stripped away. They also discuss the importance of having purpose outside triathlon, balancing elite sport with business ventures, and why so many athletes struggle mentally during long injury layoffs. The conversation then shifts to the Chengdu World Cup in China, where the boys preview the sprint-distance course, break down the men’s and women’s fields, and debate whether aggressive swim-bike groups can stay away. They discuss contenders including Luke Willian, Tyler Mislawchuk, Brayden Mercer, Max Stapley, Laura Lindemann, Kate Waugh, and rising Australian talent Aspen Anderson, while also sharing stories about racing in China, chaotic street food experiences, and the unique atmosphere of Chengdu racing.