Want to race faster? Finish stronger? Stand on the podium? Tune into QT2's podcast series 10 Tips to Crush Your Next Triathlon. In this series, we will be joined by our coaches to talk about all that goes into performing well on race day. And it all starts at the beginning - picking your race. For Episode 1, we welcome QT2 Coach Jackie Miller. Jackie walks through the various factors you should consider in picking the right race for you.

Learn more about QT2 Systems at www.qt2systems.com

QT2 Systems. Thirty-eight coaches. One set of goals: helping athletes of all abilities reach their own potential.

At QT2 Systems, our mission is to help others achieve goals, cross finish lines, gain healthier minds, bodies, & spirits, and have some fun along the way. With a proven set of QT2 protocols, each of our coaches utilizes their unique coaching style to help guide athletes of all levels to the finish line - helping make dreams come true along the way. In our newest podcast series, get to know the people behind the training plans as we introduce you to the coaches of QT2 Systems.

Episode 25 features Coach Reem Jishi. Reem grew up as an athlete, and was a three sport varsity athlete in high school - soccer, indoor track and outdoor track. In college and later law school, academics took priority and exercise became a more casual piece of her life. Upon graduating from law school, Reem moved to NYC to work in a large law firm. This meant working 80-100 hour weeks, and exercise was not in the picture. As she approached her thirtieth birthday, she knew she had to make a change. At the urging one of the partners at her firm, she decided to sign up for a half distance triathlon through Team in Training. This first triathlon sparked a flame that is still burning today. Over the past twenty five years, Reem has participated in countless triathlons, including representing Team USA on four occasions at the Age Group ITU World Championships, and racing in both the IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONMAN World Championship events. Reem also raced on the U.S. Professional Cycling circuit, and has done numerous run events from 5K to Marathon.

In 2010, Reem decided to retire from Corporate America and pursue her passion of helping others achieve their dreams. She opened up a fitness and coaching studio in upstate NY where she offered in person training opportunities. In 2018, Reem joined QT2 Systems as a coach and an athlete. As a coach, Reem works with a variety of athletes - from newbies to veterans, in running, cycling and various multi-sport activities. For Reem, what's most important, is that the athlete is excited about pursuing their athletic dreams. Training and racing should be a stress reliever, not a stress creator.

Learn more about the Coaches of QT2 Systems at https://qt2systems.com/pages/coaches-registered-dietitians-and-staff

Have you ever wondered about the life of a professional triathlete? In this podcast series, we interview current and retired QT2 Systems Professional Triathletes, exploring the path to earning (and maintaining) a pro license, the nuts and bolts of training and racing, and the ups and downs along the way. The guests also share how being a pro triathlete shaped their lives, and what advice they would give to their younger selves.

Episode 9 features Jennie Hansen. Jennie's journey from newbie triathlete to professional triathlete was a rapid one. She raced her first triathlon in the fall of 2009. Just two years later, she finished as the second amateur at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships and earned her pro card. Jennie raced as a pro from 2012 through 2023, always as a QT2 coached athlete. In her early years as a pro, she took the overall win at IRONMAN Lake Placid, racked up multiple podium finishes and toed the line at the IRONMAN World Championships. After struggling with injuries for several years, she decided to retire from the pro field after her 2023 season.

But rather than leaving the sport of triathlon, Jennie opted to race as an age grouper. Through this move, she has been re-energized in the sport. She raced frequently, including three IRONMAN finishes in three months - IRONMAN Lake Placid (2nd in AG), IRONMAN World Championship (top 15% in AG), and IRONMAN California (2nd in AG). She'll be back to the IRONMAN World Championship in 2025. Listen to Jennie's story about her decision to turn pro, the changes in the pro ranks over time, how she dealt with injuries and set backs, and her experience coming back to the age group field.

Learn more about QT2 Systems at www.qt2systems.com

Contact QT2 Systems at https://qt2systems.com/pages/contact

Have you ever looked back at a day in your life, and said "WOW - I Can't Believe I did That!"? In this podcast series, listen to QT2 athletes tell the stories of how they achieved goals that they once never dreamed possible.

Season 2, Episode 8 features QT2 athlete Jason Howard, coached by Bob Richter. Jason's journey in the sport of triathlon began just eighteen months ago. In the spring of 2023, Jason, a long-time runner, was sidelined with a broken foot. Under doctors orders, until his foot fully healed, he could only participate in closed chain exercises. Jason used this set back as an opportunity to try something new and he signed up for his first sprint triathlon. Jason bought a bike and hit the pool, and only a few weeks later, he finished he was a triathlete. Buoyed by this accomplishment, he participated in several triathlons over the next few months, capping off his season with the Oilman middle distance race. The following day, already thinking about his next goal, the Houston Marathon, Jason did a short easy run. Unfortunately, his body was not ready for the effort, and he injured his other foot, this time the peroneal tendon.

In the spring of 2024, with bigger goals on his mind, Jason hired Coach Bob Richter. Together, they plotted out a schedule for the season, targeting IRONMAN California has is A race. With much to learn, Jason put his head down and did the work. In October, he was ready to be an IRONMAN. The day started out well, with both the swim and bike playing out better than expected. The first seven miles of the run also went well, and then his foot gave out on him. He could not even walk without intense pain. At that point, Jason was not sure he could continue and considered dropping out of the race. But he willed himself to continue. After several stops and starts, the pain eased up and Jason knew that he could complete the race. This was Jason's GREATEST MOMENT. Crossing the finish line sealed the deal.

To learn more about QT2 Systems, visit https://www.qt2systems.com

Have you ever looked back at a day in your life, and said "WOW - I Can't Believe I did That!"? In this podcast series, listen to QT2 athletes tell the stories of how they achieved goals that they once never dreamed possible.

Season 2, Episode 7 features QT2 athlete Lori Comber, coached by Courtney Kutler. On October 19, 2024, Lori crossed the line of IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina in a time of 5:39:08. Setting a huge PR and smashing her season time goal by more than 20 minutes. Even more special, she crossed the finish line with her friend and triathlon partner Erica, making it a storybook ending.

As a child, Lori never imagined this day. Growing up on a farm, Lori was an overweight child and started smoking when she was 15. In high school, she could not run a mile. In her early 20s, Lori made the decision to take steps to get healthier. She started with a spin class at the local YMCA, and before long, she was a regular. After seven years of near daily spin classes, she decided to give outdoor cycling a try. She bought a bike and signed up for AMBBR through Team in Training. She found a new love, and over the course of the next few years, rode whenever she could. At 35, Lori married and started a family. With less available time, Lori put down her bike and decided to start running. As her kids got older, she decided that she wanted to give triathlon a try. After a few races, she met her future triathlon partner Erica. Together they raced their first IRONMAN 70.3 race in 2021 (deferred from 2020). Lori continued with the 70.3 distance the next couple of years, improving with each one, but not able to put together the race she wanted. Working with Coach Courtney Kutler, 2024 would be her breakout year. She set a private goal to beat the 6 hour mark. She did it!

To learn more about QT2 Systems, visit https://www.qt2systems.com

Have you ever looked back at a day in your life, and said "WOW - I Can't Believe I did That!"? In this podcast series, listen to QT2 athletes tell the stories of how they achieved goals that they once never dreamed possible.

Season 2, Episode 6 features QT2 athlete Anthony Chillemi, coached by Reem Jishi. As a younger adult, Anthony was a two pack a day smoker. In his early 20s, he couldn't run a mile without feeling like he was going to be sick. One day, he decided to quit smoking and start running. He started by running recreationally, and with time started run racing. A few years later, he began competing in triathlons. In 2017, started working with QT2 Systems Coach Tara Strassburg, and finished with an impressive time of 10:18 at IRONMAN Lake Placid. Around this same time, Anthony got married, bought a house and bought a business. Life was about to get more hectic.

After taking a few years off from formal training, Anthony was itching to get back into it. Knowing that his time was more limited, he decided to focus on running. He came back to QT2 in 2021, this time working with Coach Reem Jishi. His goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon and break the three hour mark. Over the next couple of years, Anthony made impressive gains. In March of 2023, he ran a 3:04:31, officially qualifying for the Boston Marathon. However, that time would not be strong enough to secure a spot at the 2024 race. This miss, made him more determined than ever. On October 13, 2024, Anthony ran a near perfect race at the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon, finishing with a time of 2:55:16, a PR of more than 9 minutes. This was Anthony's Greatest Moment.

Listen to Anthony tell his story of how he achieved this goal.

To learn more about QT2 Systems, visit https://www.qt2systems.com

Have you ever looked back at a day in your life, and said "WOW - I Can't Believe I did That!"? In this podcast series, listen to QT2 athletes tell the stories of how they achieved goals that they once never dreamed possible.

Season 2, Episode 5 features QT2 athlete Isaac Ou, coached by Anne. On December 31, 2021, Isaac registered for IRONMAN Arizona. At the time, he was just twenty years old. He had never participated in a triathlon. He didn't know how to swim. He didn't own a bike. Less than eleven months later, Isaac crossed the finish line of his first IRONMAN in a respectable 13:01. In 2023, he started working with Coach Anne Basso, racing both IRONMAN Lake Placid and IRONMAN Arizona that year. Isaac bettered his time at IRONMAN Arizona by a whopping two hours!

For the 2024 season, he set his sights higher and longer. His GREATEST MOMENT was completing the Starvation Extreme Triathlon in August. This race presents challenges from beginning to end with a largely self supported 2.4 mile dark swim, a 100 mile bike with 9754 feet of elevation gain, and a 25.3 mile run with 7,543 feet of elevation gain. Only 34 participants finished the race that year. 55 did not start or did not finish. Listen to Isaac tell his story of the day, and how he crossed the finish line of one of the most challenging triathlons out there.

Isaac capped off his 2024 season the following month with the Double ANVIL ultra triathlon (4.8 mile swim, 224 mile bike, 52.4 mile run). For 2025, he is registered for the Quintuple ANVIL (12 mile swim, 560 mile bike, 131 mile run)!

Isaac was obese growing up, and is clinically diagnosed with autism and OCD. He believes that his his brain is wired to complete extreme endurance events. Now fitter than the vast majority of people will ever be, he has found his home in the ultra triathlon community, and is continually exploring and pushing to places he never imagined. His story has just begun.

To learn more about QT2 Systems, visit https://www.qt2systems.com

Have you ever looked back at a day in your life, and said "WOW - I Can't Believe I did That!"? In this podcast series, listen to QT2 athletes tell the stories of how they achieved goals that they once never dreamed possible.

Season 2, Episode 4 features QT2 athlete Mariana Lara, coached by Dave Zimmet. On July 20, 2024 Mariana crossed the finish line at IRONMAN Lake Placid. It was a race she will remember for a life time. Not because it was her 15th IRONMAN finish. Not because of her time. Not because of her World Championship qualification. But because this was the race she beat cancer's butt.

Mariana has been drawn to personal challenges and adventures her entire life. Over the past almost two decades, she has raced countless triathlons, including 4 IRONMAN World Championship finishes. In the summer of 2023, she was doing prep work for what she thought would be a minor procedure when her pre-screen MRI revealed that she had Stage 1 ovarian cancer. Life changed for her on that day. After having major surgery to remove the cancer in the fall of that year, she still had a long road to recovery ahead. One day at a time, one step at a time, she made it to the starting line of IRONMAN Lake Placid. Crossing the finish line was her Greatest Moment.

To learn more about QT2 Systems, visit https://www.qt2systems.com