Hot Tub Tri Machine

Ursula and The Beast

A podcast catering to the everyday triathletes, swimmers, cyclists and runners. Chatting about training, goals and all the things…just like you do in a hot tub after the race or in the carpark after swim squad. Sometimes it’s non-sense - sometimes it’s a breakthrough.

  1. Oct 11

    Kona Kaos

    Episode 19: Kona Kaos The 2026 Ironman World Championships in Kona promised high drama, but what unfolded on the Big Island was pure, unadulterated carnage. In this episode of the Hot Tub Tri Machine, Ursula and The Beast dive deep into the absolute chaos that defined this year's race. From the moment the cannon fired, the island threw everything it had at the world's best athletes. The hosts break down the brutal, unforgiving conditions that included blistering heat, oppressive humidity, and those infamous, bike-swallowing winds. Race strategies were left by the wayside as top contenders were forced into survival mode. Grab your recovery shake and jump in the tub, and listen to Ursula and The Beast recap the spectacular blowups and the heroic finishes from another historic day of racing in Kona. There was shouting, gasps, tears, laughter and goosebumps. https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/ironman-world-championship-kona-2026-live-updates Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Garageband

    Kona Kaos

  2. Oct 4

    Fangirling with LATriathlete

    Episode 18: Fangirling with LATriathlete Carolyn Carter, better known as LA Triathlete, joins Ursula and The Beast in the Hot Tub for a candid, funny conversation about triathlon, racing, and finding joy in sport. She shares how stepping away from pro racing opened the door to an off-road chapter filled with gravel riding, trail running, and her first ultra marathon - a demanding 50K she’d happily do again. Carolyn weighs in on what’s overrated and underrated in triathlon, from disc wheels and recovery boots to strength training and practice swims. She explains why a professional bike fit and good running shoes can be worthwhile investments, while beginners can save money with used bikes and simple, accessible race nutrition. The conversation also covers her favourite and toughest races, her advice for athletes who feel intimidated by the sport, and how she keeps going on difficult days: focus on the finish, remember the comforts waiting afterward, and try to have fun. The girls share their Kona podium predictions before wrapping up with some ridiculous triathlon “would you rather” scenarios. This episode is a warm, practical listen for new triathletes and experienced age-groupers alike. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need the most expensive gear or a perfect race to belong in the sport. Links Carolyn Carter LATriathlete Instagram https://www.instagram.com/la_triathlete/?hl=en Read the full story of Stacey Duffy’s ride around Australian https://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/news/stacey-duffy-completes-record-breaking-ride-around-australia/ Article on 1000 consecutive ultra marathons - Shannon-Leigh Litt https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361041547/1000-days-1000-ultramarathons-and-somehow-shannon-leigh-litt-isnt-finished Article: Exercise before surgery improves outcomes and shortens recovery time https://theconversation.com/exercise-before-surgery-improves-outcomes-and-shortens-recovery-time-new-research-292597 Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Riverside and Garageband

    Fangirling with LATriathlete

  3. Sep 30

    From Couch to the Surf with Hilary Topper

    Episode 17: From Couch to the Surf with Hilary Topper Open-water swimming is where triathlon gets real, and Hilary Topper has spent years helping beginners stop panicking and start thriving in it. If the thought of cold water, rough conditions, sighting, or that first jump off the pontoon makes you tense up, in this episode of Hot Tub Tri Machine, Ursula and The Beast welcome author, endurance athlete and open-water swimming advocate Hilary Topper. Hilary talks about conquering one of the biggest hurdles for many triathletes: getting comfortable in the water when there’s no pool wall, no lane rope and absolutely no hiding! Hilary shares the story behind her new book, Unlocking the Open Water Swim: The Beginner’s Guide to Success in Open Water Events, and her own remarkable journey from “couch potato” to confident open-water swimmer — starting to swim at 53 and eventually tackling long-distance challenges, including an 8.3-mile swim around Mackinac Island. Topics will range from dealing with cold water, rough conditions, sighting, breathing, race-day nerves and that slightly terrifying moment when you realise you actually have to jump off the pontoon and swim! Hilary shares practical tips for staying safe and calm in open water, along with the mental strategies, gear and training techniques that can help nervous swimmers build confidence. If the thought of swimming in open water makes your heart rate rise before you've even started, this episode is for you. Hilary proves that you don't have to be a lifelong swimmer, or even think of yourself as an athlete, to become an open-water swimmer. links to the books:   Unlocking Triathlon: The Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon: https://amzn.to/4h195qG From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete: https://amzn.to/4fue7t2 Unlocking the Open Water Swim: The Beginner’s Guide to Success in Open Water Events: https://amzn.to/4hJIlLu Australian release will be January. Here’s the link to use: https://woodslane.com.au/products/9781782553014?_pos=1&_sid=3fb6f9a56&_ss=r Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Riverside and Garageband

    From Couch to the Surf with Hilary Topper

  4. Sep 18

    Angelina’s winning reflections on her 70.3 DNF

    Episode 16: Angelina’s winning reflections on her 70.3 DNF Those Queens of Chaos, Ursula and the Beast, are back in the hot tub with their first European guest: Angelina, a Scottish mother and age-group triathlete whose journey from inactivity to endurance sport is anything but ordinary. Angeline is a vibrant and authentic character who has grown an inspired and inspiring Instagram following. Angelina shares how she learned to run and entered her first triathlon despite barely being able to swim, owning no bike, and never having raced before. She talks candidly about attempting Ironman Bolton, missing the bike cutoff by just three minutes.  She reflected on her effort and came up with a list of simple things she could do differently next time. She returned stronger, more knowledgeable and with an unstoppable attitude at Challenge Almere. Along the way, she reveals how sport helped her rebuild her identity, maintain sobriety, and inspire her daughters. Ursula and the Beast explore the barriers that hold women back from triathlon, including confidence, money, time, and motherhood. Funny, honest, and packed with hard-won lessons, this episode proves that anyone can start from zero and become an athlete. Angelina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelina.i.daly?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Riverside and Garageband

    Angelina’s winning reflections on her 70.3 DNF

  5. Sep 8

    Endurance, Exhaustion & Everything In Between

    Episode 15: Endurance, Exhaustion & Everything In Between In this episode of Hot Tub Tri Machine, Ursula and The Beast sit down with endurance athlete James Carter for a candid conversation about what it really takes to go the distance. From first-time marathons and open-water swims to 25 marathons, Ironman-distance races, and back-to-back ultramarathons, James shares the highs, lows, and hard-earned lessons from his endurance journey. The discussion goes beyond training plans and finish lines, exploring the impact of diet culture, chronic fatigue, body image pressures, and the challenge of balancing ambition with recovery. With plenty of humour along the way, James recounts race-day mishaps, including lost contact lenses, navigational disasters, and the realities of pushing the body too far. James also speaks openly about inclusion in endurance sport and the importance of supportive communities that make athletes feel welcome and seen. Together, Ursula, The Beast, and James unpack why nutrition, sleep, and recovery are just as important as training volume. The result is an inspiring and honest episode that reminds listeners that endurance sport is for every body, progress is rarely linear, and resilience often begins with self-acceptance. Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Riverside and Garageband

    Endurance, Exhaustion & Everything In Between

  6. Aug 25

    Passion, Pedals and Power with Ben Litchfield

    Episode 14: Passion, Pedals and Power with Ben Litchfield This week on the Hot Tub Tri Machine, Ursula and the Beast are joined by cycling tragic turned cycling aficionado Ben Litchfield for a deep dive into all things two wheels. Ben’s love of cycling began as a young boy growing up in Sydney and eventually took him to Europe, where he lived and trained with amateur cycling teams at a time when Europe was the Mecca for aspiring cyclists. Ben shares what it was like to pack up, head overseas and immerse himself in the European racing scene — and what he learned from those years on the road. The conversation explores how training and nutrition have changed dramatically throughout Ben’s time in cycling, from the old-school approaches of his racing days to the increasingly data-driven sport we see today. The girls also get stuck into one of cycling’s favourite debates: how important is power really? Ben shares his thoughts on power meters, data and the exciting advances in technology that have transformed the way cyclists can train, analyse and understand their performance. Ben’s passion for criterium and road racing also features heavily, with plenty of discussion about the tactics, intensity, skill and sheer enjoyment that make racing bikes so addictive. To finish, Ben shares his top advice for new cyclists — whether they’re just getting started on their first road bike or thinking about taking the plunge into racing. It’s a conversation packed with cycling stories, old-school wisdom, modern data and plenty of bike chat — exactly the kind of conversation the Hot Tub Tri Machine loves. Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Zwift Companion app - https://www.zwift.com/int/companion Zwift - https://www.zwift.com/ Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Garageband

    Passion, Pedals and Power with Ben Litchfield

  7. Aug 12

    Keri Mandell is Limitless

    Episode 13: Keri Mandell is Limitless Seven marathons in seven days, across seven continents, is hard enough. Keri swaps the finish-line fantasy for the raw reality behind the World Marathon Challenge, Ultraman racing, and the mindset it takes to keep going when your body is screaming to stop. Ursula and The Beast sit down with Keri to unpack the fear, grit, and strategy behind some of the hardest endurance events on earth. From her first triathlon, where she panic-paddled through open water and fell off the bike, to becoming an Ultraman athlete, Keri shares how she turned “I’ll never do that again” into a life built around going way beyond comfort. Links Limitless: What I Learned Running the World in Seven Days Release date: 1 October 2026 Use this link to pre order the e-book for kindle: https://a.co/d/08IU4uCX The Kindle edition is just $4.29 AUD($2.99 US), and you don’t need a Kindle to read it. You can just download the free Kindle app on their phone, tablet, iPad, or computer. Challenge Roth Tours https://www.tritravel.global/tour-type/challenge-roth-tours/ Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Join the Hot Tub Tri Machine Podcast club in Zwift and join our virtual group ride events. Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Riverside.fm and Garageband

    Keri Mandell is Limitless

  8. Aug 5

    Roth, Racecations, Resilience and Recovery (Part 2)

    Episode 12: Roth, Racecations, Resilience and Recovery (Part 2) In Part 2 of their conversation with Jo, Ursula and The Beast dive into her incredible experience racing at the world-famous Challenge Roth. Jo shares the story of her race day, reflecting on the highs, the challenges and the unforgettable atmosphere that makes Roth one of triathlon's most iconic events. The adventures don't stop there. Jo also takes Ursula and The Beast behind the scenes of the Tour de France, recounting her unique opportunity as a guest of Visma | Lease a Bike. From riding in the team car to spectating Stages 6 and 7, Jo offers a perspective on professional cycling that few fans ever get to experience. The conversation then broadens to Jo's passion for travel and adventure. From endurance events around the world to memorable experiences such as runDisney, Jo shares why she is driven to make the most of every opportunity and pursue experiences that challenge, inspire and excite her. As they dream about future adventures of their own, Ursula and The Beast make the most of Jo's wealth of experience, gathering travel tips, race insights and plenty of inspiration for what might be next. This episode is packed with adventure, endurance sport and a genuine passion for living life to the fullest. Don't miss the conclusion of this fantastic chat with Jo. Links Challenge Roth Tours https://www.tritravel.global/tour-type/challenge-roth-tours/ Run Disney https://www.travellingfit.com/event/walt-disney-world-dopey-challenge/ Paula Findlay on The Triathlon Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/paula-findlay-ari-klau-their-ironman-training-confessions/id1595443343?i=1000778727790 That Triathlon Life Podcast https://thattriathlonlife.com/ Allison Jackson Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aliactionjackson/?hl=en Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift https://www.letourfemmes.fr/en/ Send your “Age Group Ask” questions or your “Shout Outs” to hottubtrimachine@gmail.com. Follow Hot Tub Tri Machine (https://www.hottubtrimachine.au/) on Spotify, Apple Podcast and our instagram page. Music made with Suno; Graphics made with Chat gpt; Recording and editing in Garageband

    Roth, Racecations, Resilience and Recovery (Part 2)
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About

A podcast catering to the everyday triathletes, swimmers, cyclists and runners. Chatting about training, goals and all the things…just like you do in a hot tub after the race or in the carpark after swim squad. Sometimes it’s non-sense - sometimes it’s a breakthrough.

Information

  • Creator
    Ursula and The Beast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ursula and The Beast
  • Show Website
    Hot Tub Tri Machine

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