Are You Outsourcing Your Nutrition to AI?

If you're a time-poor triathlete juggling training, work and life, it's tempting to let an app or AI tool do the thinking for you. From macro calculators to pre-loaded meal plans, these tools promise simplicity and structure - two things every busy athlete craves.

But there's a catch.
And if you’ve ever followed a plan and still felt flat, heavy or unsure whether your nutrition is actually working, you already know something’s missing.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

• Why AI and nutrition apps are only part of the solution

• The real-life dangers of blindly trusting tech with your fuelling

• How one athlete caught a major app instructed under-fuelling issue thanks to his education

• What triathletes actually need to build long term performance confidence

AI Feels Fast and Easy - But Is It Right for You?

You’re not using nutrition tech because you’re lazy. You’re using it because you’re busy. You want fast answers, done-for-you...

From Couch to Ironman in Five Months: Why Nutrition is the First Discipline

Triathletes are no strangers to going all in. But what happens when you throw yourself into Ironman training with zero experience and think you can out-train a poor diet?

This is exactly what Daniel Walker did. In true Type A style, Dan went from never having done a triathlon to crossing the Ironman Cairns finish line in just five months. But training hard wasn’t enough. It wasn't until he addressed his nutrition that things finally started to click.

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned age-grouper, Dan’s story is packed with lessons about why fuelling smarter is the real game changer.

The All-In Athlete Mentality

Dan is the definition of all or nothing. With a background in MMA, dirt biking and elite-level cricket, he thrives on picking a challenge and going full throttle.

So when a mate inspired him with a 70.3 finish, Dan didn’t waste time. He skipped sprint and Olympic distances altogether, and withi...

Triathletes, you train hard, invest in gear and follow structured programs, yet you might still be underperforming on race day. Why? Because you're relying on generic nutrition advice that doesn’t match your unique physiology.

This blog dives into the power of "N=1" – the scientific principle that you are your own experiment. Your sweat rate, carbohydrate tolerance, GI function and training load are completely different to your mate's. If you're still copying their fuelling plan or winging it on race day, it's time to stop.

What is N=1 and Why Does it Matter?

N=1 is research lingo for a study of one. In this case, you. Your:

• Sweat sodium losses

• Carb and fluid needs

• Gut tolerance

• Food preferences

• Lifestyle and goals

...all shape what your ideal nutrition strategy should look like. Even if you're the same age, gender and race distance as someone else, their plan won’t necessarily work for you.

4 Key Areas to Personalise Your Nutrition Strategy

1. Hydrat...

Smash Your 70.3 PB (Even When Life is Total Chaos)

Are you a time-poor triathlete juggling family, work and training?

Meet Brian Joseph – a full-time professional, dad of three and Triathlon Nutrition Academy (TNA) graduate who recently shaved 45 minutes off his 70.3 PB. All while navigating a year of sleep deprivation, sick kids and a wife travelling for work.

In this post, you'll learn how he:

• Trained for back-to-back Ironmans while parenting a toddler
  
• Transformed his nutrition strategy to fuel smarter, not harder
  
• Used TNA tools to plan, prep and perform under pressure
  

If you're doing your best with limited time and energy, Brian's story proves what’s possible with the right fuelling strategy.

From Raw Vegan to Real Results

Before joining the TNA program, Brian's nutrition was all over the shop. He tried everything – raw veganism, internet hacks, winging it.

But with training loads increasing and energy tanking, he knew something had to give.

"I wasn’t showing up for m...

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) have quickly gained attention for their dramatic effects on weight loss and appetite control. But what happens when these medications enter the world of endurance sport? For triathletes and other athletes training long hours and pushing performance boundaries, the physiological impact of GLP-1 drugs could carry serious consequences. In this blog, we explore what GLP-1 medications are, how they work, and why their use in endurance athletes deserves careful consideration. Whether you're managing a medical condition or simply curious about emerging trends in performance and body composition, this article unpacks the current science, risks, and takeaways for the triathlon community.

What Are GLP-1 and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Medications? 

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone (an incretin) released from the gut after we eat. It helps regulate blood sugar by increasing insulin (when glucose is present) and reducing glucagon,...

If you're a triathlete, you've likely heard of James Lawrence — aka the Iron Cowboy. Completing one Ironman is impressive. Doing 100 of them, on 100 consecutive days? That's next-level bonkers.

But what does it actually take to fuel such a feat? And what can everyday age group triathletes learn from it?

We sat down with James on the Triathlon Nutrition Academy podcast to uncover the gritty, behind-the-scenes details of how he fuelled his Conquer 100 mission. Here's what we learned.

1. Consistency Trumps Perfection

James didn’t stumble into the Conquer 100 overnight. It was 15+ years of groundwork — showing up daily, doing the small things well, and building an unshakeable foundation.

"We made a lot of mistakes along the way. But all of that mattered. Eventually, you wake up one day and realise more is possible."

His approach to nutrition was no different. While there were times it went sideways (more on that later), the key was relentless consistency.

2. Real Food Reigned Suprem...

Training with Type 1 Diabetes? Here's What You Need to Know

For triathletes living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), training isn’t just about nailing swim-bike-run. There’s a fourth leg that adds another layer of complexity: glucose management.

This blog dives into key takeaways from Episode 216 of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy podcast, where Dr Sam Scott – exercise physiologist, researcher and ex-Head of Research for Team Novo Nordisk – shares practical, science-backed insights to help athletes with T1D stay active, stay safe and perform at their best.

Why exercise with T1D is a unique challenge

"Exercise is one of the best things we can do for our health, but for people living with type 1 diabetes, it adds an extra layer of planning and complexity."

If you're an endurance athlete with T1D, you're managing much more than your training program:

• Timing of insulin and meals
  
• Impact of exercise type, intensity and duration on blood glucose
  
• Heat, altitude and hormonal fluctuations
  
• C...

A new chapter for Dietitian Approved.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! Kelly Estes has joined Dietitian Approved as our Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Kelly isn’t new to our community. He’s a Triathlon Nutrition Academy alumnus and passionate advocate for triathlon nutrition education. Now, he’s stepping into this key leadership role to help us scale with intention and continue delivering world-class nutrition education for endurance athletes across the globe.

About Kelly

Hailing from Idaho, USA, Kelly recently returned to triathlon after a successful career in the nuclear industry, where he held senior leadership positions at the Idaho National Laboratory. His previous roles include Director, Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), Business Affairs Division; Deputy Director, ATR Life Extension Program; Manager, ATR Production Control; and various leadership and project management positions.

Kelly brings decades of experience in operations, project management, and strategic planni...

Triathletes, are you sidelined with an injury? You train hard, race harder, but when injury strikes, it can feel like everything comes to a screeching halt. That was Brian's reality after tearing his ACL in a backyard basketball game. But just nine months later, he’s back in the saddle, smashing 90km rides and prepping for Ironman 70.3 races. So, what helped him recover fast and come back stronger? Nutrition.

In this blog, you'll learn:

• How strategic fuelling accelerated Brian's ACL rehab
  
• The common mistakes he made early on
  
• How he now fuels smarter for training, recovery, and performance
  
• The mindset shift that helped him go from couch-bound to race-ready
  

Let’s dive into Brian’s nutrition-fuelled comeback.

The Injury That Changed Everything

What started as a fun Dads vs Sons basketball game ended in a torn ACL for Brian. Already deep in prep for 70.3 Chattanooga, his injury meant hitting pause on training, racing, and life as he knew it.

"The identity hit was huge," Brian ...