From Bonking to PBs: How Edward Transformed His Ironman Performance Through Nutrition

If you're training hard but not seeing the results you deserve, Edward Walsh's story is about to light a fire under you.

Edward is no average age group triathlete. He's a full-time emergency physician juggling 12-hour night shifts, on-call chaos and family life - yet he still managed to take 65 minutes off his Ironman time, drop 12kg and finally unlock consistent, injury-free performance. How? He stopped winging his nutrition.

In this blog, you'll learn:

• The biggest nutrition mistakes Edward made before joining the Triathlon Nutrition Academy

• The simple but powerful changes that helped him drop body fat without compromising lean mass or performance

• How he fits high-performance fuelling into a hectic, time-poor lifestyle

The Breaking Point: Bonking, Burnout and 'Just Wingin' It'

Before joining the Academy, Edward's nutrition was...well, let’s say "unstructured".

"I'd eat a ba...

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...

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,...

Electrolyte drinks are everywhere right now.

They're popping up on podcasts, in influencer morning routines and on supermarket shelves.

But are they really necessary for everyone?

I recently spoke with the Australian Financial Review about this exact question for their article, “Electrolyte Drinks: The Simple Rule for When to Consume Them” (note: google the title to access the article if you don't have a subscription).

Here’s the key takeaway:

•  For most people, plain water is perfectly adequate for hydration. Electrolyte drinks are only beneficial when you’re exercising for long durations (think four hours or more) or sweating heavily in hot and humid conditions.

As I explained in the article, your sweat rate and sweat-sodium concentration are highly individual.

Some athletes lose much more sodium than others. If your training clothes often have white, crusty marks or you can wring out your top after a session, you might be a salty or heavy sweater.

That’s when it’s worth...

I’m thrilled to share some big news with you – Dietitian Approved has officially partnered with AusTriathlon as their trusted nutrition education partner.

This means triathletes across Australia will now have access to evidence-based, practical nutrition strategies designed to help them train harder, recover faster and perform at their best.

Why This Partnership Matters

Triathlon is a sport I love and live. Since lining up for my first race in 2009, I’ve been immersed in the community as an athlete, as Sports Dietitian for Triathlon Australia for six years, and now through the work we do every day at Dietitian Approved.

Over the years, I've seen many athletes train hard but leave their nutrition to chance. And that’s where the biggest performance gains are often hiding.

By teaming up with AusTriathlon, I can help more athletes stop winging it with their fuelling and start seeing the real benefits of a personalised, evidence-based approach to nutrition.

What Athletes Can Expect

T...

18 years ago, Kathleen dipped her toe into the world of triathlon, then life, winter training and family demands got in the way. When she finally returned, she knew she needed to do it differently.

She didn’t want to spend another season second-guessing her nutrition or dealing with stomach issues mid-race. So, before even toeing the start line again, Kathleen signed up for the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.

💬 “I joined before I did my first sprint triathlon because I knew I couldn’t figure this out on my own.”

No More Gut Issues. No More Guesswork.

Before joining TNA, Kathleen thought she was doing the right thing (like eating a big salad before a long run 🙈). But every time she went past 8 miles, her gut disagreed.

💬 “I believed a big, healthy salad was the best thing to eat before a half marathon. It wasn’t.”

Working with Taryn and applying what she learned in the Academy, Kathleen identified exactly what was going wrong and made simple changes that made a massive difference.

✅...

When Kelly Estes returned to triathlon after years away, he quickly realised that training alone wasn’t going to cut it. He had tried to piece together his nutrition using articles, YouTube videos and podcasts, but nothing quite clicked.

💬 “I didn’t find that sweet spot until I found the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. It’s made a world of difference.”

From Guessing to Clarity

Before joining the Academy, Kelly was stuck in the all-too-common cycle of trial and error. Trying different gels, bars, powders, and hoping something would stick. It left him second-guessing whether he was doing the right thing and unsure if his fuelling strategy was actually helping or hindering his performance.

💬 “Having a good nutrition program takes out the guesswork… I became better at being a consistent triathlete with my training.”

Training Smarter, Racing Faster

Since joining the TNA program, Kelly has seen real results, not just in race performance, but in his everyday energy, recovery and body compo...

You’ve got all the gear. Your bike’s dialled. Your training plan is on point. But you’re dragging yourself through every session, and that spark you had at the start of the season? Gone.

You're constantly tired. Recovery is slow. Motivation is slipping.

Or maybe you’re still going through the motions—green boxes in TrainingPeaks, ticking off sessions—but when it comes to your nutrition, you're winging it. Buying every new gel and powder that hits the shelves hoping something sticks.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the hard truth: your nutrition is probably holding you back.

Most triathletes don’t have a solid, structured plan to fuel their training. But when you get it right—when you fuel properly for the right session, recover like a pro, and stop guessing—it changes everything. You’ll train harder, recover faster, and race like the athlete you know you can be.

Here are five red flags your nutrition is letting you down—plus what to do about it.

1. You’re Always Tired

Yes, triathlon tra...

Ever wonder what actually goes on in my Triathlon Nutrition Academy (TNA)? Well, you’re in luck! In this episode, I invited three inspiring athletes – Ben Meyer, Tony Hampton, and Kathleen Gilton – to share their experiences. We delve into how the program works, the issues they faced when they started, and the differences they’ve seen in their performance.

Transforming Performance Through Nutrition

Ben Meyer: From Exhaustion to Energy

Ben was a marathon runner before diving into triathlon, making running his strongest leg. However, his subpar nutrition left him exhausted by mid-race, especially during the run. Through the Academy, Ben mastered periodised nutrition, learning to eat more during intense training periods and scale back during recovery phases. This strategy has been a game-changer, enabling him to smash personal bests while maintaining consistent energy throughout races.

Kathleen Gilton: Tackling GI Issues Head-On

Kathleen returned to triathlon after a hiatus but strug...

Achieving a 64-minute personal best in any triathlon is no small feat, and today, I’m excited to share how one of our incredible athletes, Steve Duquette, smashed his previous record at last year’s Sunshine Coast 70.3. As a dedicated member of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy, Steve’s journey is packed with insights that can inspire and guide triathletes aiming to elevate their performance.

A Race Day Full of Challenges

When you hear about such a massive PB, you might think the stars aligned for a perfect race. But Steve’s Sunshine Coast 70.3 was anything but easy. From choppy waves that felt like a washing machine to blinding sun that knocked him off course, Steve faced it all. Yet, his meticulous preparation and razor-sharp focus carried him through.

Steve’s success wasn’t just about overcoming physical challenges—it was about implementing a strategy that left nothing to chance, especially when it came to his nutrition. Here’s how he did it.

The Power of Community

Steve credits m...