515 : The Ultra Podcast

Larry Ryan

515: The Ultra Podcast invites you inside the world of the 515km Ultraman distance. Hosted by Larry Ryan, we go beyond the race results to explore the lives of the remarkable athletes who make up the global Ultra family. Whether you are an Ironman with aspirations for the 515km distance, a seasoned veteran of Ultratriathlon, or simply looking for inspiring stories to fill your training hours, this show is for you. Join us for deep-dive conversations, epic stories, and practical takeaways for your own bucket list. For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.comIf you like what you hear on the podcast and want to support more content, consider visiting my BUY ME A COFFEE page to show your appreciation :https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan

  1. 5D AGO

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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. 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 ZealandKenilworth BakeryPeak Energy GumHervey Bay 100 T100 TriathlonUltraman MexicoShout outs and mentions in this episode: Tiff DahlJen McVeayAlex LunaBeñat OliveiraSimon Cochrane Steven KellerKellie RidgesDave CarrollMax AllansenTeaghan Roatz Anthony VloedmansVishesh MadanAndrew WheatleyPeter HodgsonAnthony LucasCraig JacksonAngus aka Bango DraperElans Anton Jen MacMillanKate BevilaquaNatalie ElderAlana SharmaPaul GiddingsMatt O’BrienKathleen SwallingAri LittonHayley FryAndrew TroutNick MallettMel CockshuttTim BelsteadKirsty SheehanSupport the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    2h 14m
  2. APR 8

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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       UB 515 Website  Previous appearances by Alex (S4E6) (S5E9) Resources mentioned in this episode: BR145Fodaxman IM BrasilShout outs and mentions in this episode: Alexandre RibeiroPaulo CalilCory FoulkSergio CordeiroCurtis TylerLeslie TylerSteve King Andrius LunaSandro Tanaka75 – Bernardo Tillmann78 – Erick Duarte99 – Aline Luftmann135 – Fabiano Peres147 – Dejalmo Almeida149 – Evandro Dutra169 – Marcelo Noia187 – Juan Armenteros200 – Eduardo Filho208 – Pedro Walfir220 – Igor Maciel225 – Luciano Bressy233 – Rian Tavares236 – Rafael Aragon241 – Rubens Gonçalo244 – Cléber Santos245 – Rodrigo Gregório246 – Diogo Brumm248 – Ana Heide249 – Luiza Machado250 – Marcele Salaverry251 – Diego Vidal252 – Julius Bomfim253 – Kildare Cardoso254 – Juliana Ennes255 – Fabi Silva256 – Tatiana Debiasi257 – Dankar Maridor258 – Rodrigo Arraes259 – Rafael Ruhl260 – Julio Tiliaque261 – Kalleb Potenza262 – Mauro Lima263 – Flavio Santos264 – Gabriel Brás265 – Fernando Oliveira267 – Victor Latarulla269 – João Paulo Morisson270 – Wagner Nishizawa271 – Renan Delavald272 – Pamela Oliveira273 – Roger Barroquello2Support the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    1h 19m
  3. MAR 20

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 ZealandLord of the RIngsIM TaupoTaupo 70.3Harry PotterZwiftMyWhooshR.I.O.T.  Zwift Team5 Passes Race Lake Taupo Cycle ChallengeIM World ChampionshipsTarawera Ultra Taupo MarathonWellington MarathonChrist Church MarathonQueenstown MarathonChrist Church 100km road championshipsShout outs and mentions in this episode: Simon CochraneJeff MorrisMax LittonAri LittonAnna Russel Taylor SwiftGracie AbramsTilly LittonMichael PhelpsKate BevilaquaFiona Gallagher Kylie BrownFat Cat RonFergus and CharlieSupport the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    1h 7m
  4. FEB 27

    S8E6 -- Ohana Guest | Peter Hudson

    Send us Fan Mail 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 ChampionshipsLiving the Warrior Code (Documentary)  LinkIM Coeur d’AleneUM New ZealandShout outs and mentions in this episode: Jeff Morris (S7E11)Shane Duffy (S4E5)Matt O’Brien (S8E5)David KalinowskiMike Coughlin (S2E7)Erica RIley (S8E2)Beñat Oliveira (S7E6)Brittney Litton (S8E7)Scott McDermott (S1E9)Adam Fox   Gary Wang (S2E6)Staci StuderChristian Isakson (S3E5)John Domandl (S7E7)Daniel Merange Dayle JordanMel KempJason ClarkShae HamiltonKim JenkinsGillian WinterfordTiffany DahlSteve King (S1E1)Support the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    1h 6m
  5. FEB 6

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 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)Ultra 355 AustraliaCupcake  CartelIndipacShout outs and mentions in this episode: Casey NeistatJeff Morris (S7E11)Andrew TroutJohn Domandl (S7E7)Tony HortonNikki FoxMichael Wakeman   Belinda SansomKim JenkinsJanita RayTroy RidgleyMichelle Barratt Nick Mallett (S2E12)Carl GilliesKate Bevilaqua Support the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    56 min
  6. JAN 16

    S8E4 -- Beyond 515: Shanda Hill’s Ultra Triumphs And Farewell

    Send us Fan Mail A world record in 225 hours. Stitches on a gym floor. A typhoon, a temple, and a white bucket that might save your race. I sat down with IUTA Hall of Famer, Shanda Hill, to unpack the mindset, methods, and meaning behind one of the most audacious ultra tri careers ever—and the moment she chose health over history. Shanda breaks down the true shape of a DECA continuous: 10x Iron distance where the clock never stops and every decision is magnified. She shares the practical systems that carried her—soup-based fueling that works in cold pools, a hydration check using a white bowl to protect kidney function, and a sleep strategy tied to safety and weather rather than ego. We talk oxygen therapy, cold-water immersion, and why time management can beat raw speed across 38 km of swimming, 1,800 km of cycling, and 422 km of running. The stories are wild and human: riding through a South African deluge, resetting in Brazil to chase a record, crashing in France and getting field-stitched by a fellow racer, and learning the hard way in Poland how one pedal choice can sabotage your stabilizers. Along the way, Shanda spotlights the ultra community—race directors who make impossible events happen, rivals who lift the bar, and athletes finishing doubles and decas with broken bones and unbroken resolve. If you’re training for Ultraman, DECA, or your own endurance goal, you’ll leave with clear, actionable insights on fueling, electrolytes, recovery, and the mental game that keeps you moving loop after loop. Contact Shanda at : https://www.shandahillultra.com/ Resources mentioned in this episode: IUTA Hall of FameTaiwan Ultra DecaBretzel Ultra Triathlon (Colmar, France)Desenzano del Garda (Triple Deca)IUTA World Cup Ultra Tri South Africa (Deca)Ultra 520K Canada Brazil Ultra Tri (Deca)Double Ultra Triathlon EmsdettenPoland Ultra Triathlon (Deca)Triathlon Triple LensahnDouble Deca MexicoSwitzerland Double DecaVirginia Triple Anvil UB515 Shout outs and mentions in this episode: Jacs SpenceStarting BlockRancho VignolaEve-volve WellnessReatha RousseauSteve BrownBlaine Ponte  Leah GoldsteinSergio CordeiroWorld record holder decaDeca Dave Clamp  Jorge Rodriguez Mark hohe dorstBrad KelleyGustavo Vieira Lia SterciucHarriet ClampMarius Butuc (S8E1)Anelia ButucMing Ye Ronny Rossler Norbert LuffenbergerTyrese HillMicheal WardBeto Villa Wayne Kurtz Laurent QuignetteHeidi Lindemann Jade MeddersPaul BedardDaniel Oliveira Tomasz Lus If this conversation fired you up, follow the show and share it with a friend who loves big goals. Support the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    2h 16m
  7. 12/26/2025

    S8E3 -- Ultraman World Champion 2025 | Max Kniazev

    Send us Fan Mail A champion’s story doesn’t start at the finish line. Fresh off winning Ultraman Hawaii, Max Kniazev opens up about rebuilding from a collarbone ligament rupture, balancing newborn-dad life, and crafting a pragmatic plan to race smarter in heat and wind. We get into the mechanics of durability: how a naturally low heart rate at high power shapes his ultra identity, why shorter cranks opened his hip and cut drag, and how a custom 3D-printed cockpit with rear-aligned bottles shaved the little costs that add up over 515 kilometers. Max explains how he trained the gut to handle 120–135 grams of carbohydrates per hour using a starch-based mix (Vitargo), and why he practices fueling even in short swim sessions. He shares the exact salt and magnesium rhythm he used to skirt cramps, plus ice tactics that kept core temp in check when the island turned harsh. Day by day, he walks us through winning choices: holding back in the swim after lost shoulder strength, stacking steady watts on day one, solving a mid-ride electronic derailleur scare on day two en route to a stage record, and using simple marathon math on day three to let rivals come back without ever redlining. Max also lays out what’s next. He wants a fair-play shot at the 515 world record on the same Ultraman Australia course, not just a fast loop, with an audacious long-term vision for sub-19 under ideal conditions. Between now and then, he’s sharpening the sword in XTRI events and aiming for Norseman while keeping the “ultra mindset” front and center: choose long goals, stack stable steps, and let the mind lead the body.  If you care about endurance strategy, bike aerodynamics, heat management, or the art of pacing 84 kilometers, this conversation is a masterclass built on lived miles and honest numbers. Max previously appeared on the podcast in (S1E4) and the Season 4 UMAZ race wrap up. Youtube movie “1 minute less” mentioned. This Instagram post has Max describing his bike. Resources mentioned in this episode: Ultraman HawaiiUltraCzech 515 (S5E5)Ultraman ArizonaSiberman 515UM Australia Double Ultra Triathlon EmsdettenVitargo NutritionFinding Ultra  by Rich RollNorseman Xtreme ChampionshipShout outs and mentions in this episode: Mia KniazevOlesia Kniazev Petr Vabrousek   (S2E2)Richard Thompson Shane Duffy (S4E5)Simon Cochrane  (S4E8)Javier Sola​​Tadej PogačarDave Matheson (S3E6)Bob Babbit S6E12Cameron WurfMike Coughlin (S2E7)Billy Rickards (S7E1)Steve King (S1E1)Sheryl Cobb (S2E6)Dave CobbTerumasu MatsudaUltra Chamba (S6E11)Jeff ParrSupport the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    1h 16m
  8. 12/05/2025

    S8E2 -- UM Australia Athlete in Profile | Erica Riley

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to chase Ultraman while working 12-hour shifts in emergency care? We sit down with Erica Riley—critical care nurse, coach, and multi-time ultradistance triathlete—to unpack the systems, habits, and mindset that make high performance sustainable in a busy life.  From 3 a.m. Zwift rides to meticulous time boxing, she shows exactly how to build consistency without sacrificing your health, your job, or your relationships. Erica takes us inside the toughest days of lockdown, when PPE, quarantine hotels, and strict radius rules forced radical creativity: ocean swims inside a five-kilometer bubble, stacked run commutes, and eight-hour trainer marathons. That crucible led her to Ultraman and a new goal—to not only finish but compete—under coach Tim Franklin of KOA Sports. We explore the art of crew selection, live-stream storytelling, and keeping a tight bond with the UM Australia Ohana. Nutrition and strength become Erica’s quiet superpowers. Longtime plant-based, she refined protein intake, embraced whole foods, and saw clear changes in lean mass and visceral fat. Race fuel is simple and effective: Infinite custom blends, salty chips when the gut turns, and a well-timed orange Fanta for mood and carbs. Off the course, her secret weapon is reformer Pilates—45 minutes that deliver strength, mobility, posture, and injury prevention for time-poor athletes who need durability as much as speed. We also dig into coaching. With Synergy Sports Coaching, Erica builds plans for real people—shift workers, parents, and professionals—using TrainingPeaks as a living diary. She treats sessions like meetings you won’t miss, teaches sleep hygiene around rotating rosters, and helps athletes fit training into life, not the other way around. Along the way, she shares favorite races (hello, Cairns and Nha Trang), a brutal and beautiful lead-in at Alpine Ascent Extreme, and the mindset work that turned perfectionism from procrastination into fuel. If you want practical tools to train smarter, eat better, and perform under pressure, you’ll find tangible tactics you can use today. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s juggling big goals, and leave a review to help more athletes discover the show. Contact Erica : @synergysportscoaching on Instagram Resources mentioned in this episode: UM AustraliaUltra 355 AustraliaKOA Sports CoachingThe Proof PodcastAustralian Alpine Ascent Extreme TriathlonHappy Thoughts Tri TeamTraining PeaksChallenge Nha TrangIM CairnsIM BusseltonInfinite NutritionKenilworth Country BakeryUM New ZealandKing’s Canyon CruiseShout outs and mentions in this episode: Nestor Alejandro Ochoa RiveraTim Franklin Simon HillHayley FryJackson Gash Andrew Trout  Simon CochraneSupport the show 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 Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast Insta : @515theultrapodcast Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

    54 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

515: The Ultra Podcast invites you inside the world of the 515km Ultraman distance. Hosted by Larry Ryan, we go beyond the race results to explore the lives of the remarkable athletes who make up the global Ultra family. Whether you are an Ironman with aspirations for the 515km distance, a seasoned veteran of Ultratriathlon, or simply looking for inspiring stories to fill your training hours, this show is for you. Join us for deep-dive conversations, epic stories, and practical takeaways for your own bucket list. For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.comIf you like what you hear on the podcast and want to support more content, consider visiting my BUY ME A COFFEE page to show your appreciation :https://buymeacoffee.com/larryryan

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