Shows
515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E13 -- Inside the Ultraman Florida Rift: Disqualification, Licenses Revoked, and What Comes NextSend a textA champion crowned, then stripped. A director ousted. A brand reorganized. We trace the real timeline behind the Ultraman Florida shake-up—starting with a handlebar-mounted, voice-activated camera and ending with revoked licenses, refund confusion, and a newly relaunched qualifier under different leadership. As hosts who’ve watched this community grow, we unpack the roles of Ohana Loa, Sheryl and Dave Cobb, and former race director Jen McVeay, and explain how board decisions moved from private meetings to public fallout.You’ll hear how conflicting accounts took shape: was Stephen Keller offered a path t...
2025-10-2421 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E12 -- Inaugural Ultraman Mexico with Van SanchezSend a textThe countdown to Ultraman Mexico is on—and the mountains are calling. We sit down with race director and former teenage Ultraman finisher, Van Sanchez, to map out exactly what athletes and crews will face across three days at altitude in Zacatecas. From a 10-loop open-water swim to a punchy run that climbs late and drops into a party finish. The field is stacked and global: Mexico, the United States, Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Argentina. You’ll hear about iconic veterans like Juan Antonio Crave...
2025-10-1646 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E12 -- Inaugural Ultraman Mexico with Van SanchezSend us a textThe countdown to Ultraman Mexico is on—and the mountains are calling. We sit down with race director and former teenage Ultraman finisher, Van Sanchez, to map out exactly what athletes and crews will face across three days at altitude in Zacatecas. From a 10-loop open-water swim to a punchy run that climbs late and drops into a party finish. The field is stacked and global: Mexico, the United States, Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Argentina. You’ll hear about iconic veterans like Juan Anton...
2025-10-1646 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E11 -- Details on the new 515 Race | UM New ZealandSend a textNews of the UM brand's expansion into New Zealand broke earlier this year during the UM Australia Livestream event, hosted by 515. Remarkably, the new event sold out immediately—even before athletes knew any details about the course. To share how Wanaka was chosen as the host site and fill in the details, I'm joined by Race Director Jeff Morris.Resources mentioned in this episode:UM AustraliaUM New ZealandIM TaupoChallenge WanakaCardrona HotelRuby Fresh WetsuitsRuby Island SwimNorsemen X TriShout outs and mentions in...
2025-09-2640 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E2 -- Age-Less at Ultraman Florida and UMAZ Athlete in Profile: Andy YerglerSend a textPart one of this episode is a Ultraman Florida recap. First, I am joined by the youngest ever competitor to complete Ultraman Florida, Jacob Beldick. Followed by the newest 60-69 age group world record holder, Dougin Walker. Both athletes share their stories about the 2025 race. One is told from the front of the field and the other from the rear, but they both had amazing experiences.In part two, I have an Ultraman Arizona (March 21-23, 2025) athlete preview including Andy Yergler who is...
2025-03-141h 52515 : The Ultra PodcastS7E1 -- Ohana Guest : Billy RickardsSend a textBilly RIckards is a veteran 515 racer that helps others to get to the finish line as an amazing crew person. He lives Aloha, Ohana, Kokua within the Ultra Fam. As a person who has chosen to call Hawaii home; it only makes sense that he has a strong connection to the island values.Do you like dolphins? Then you have even one more reason to tune in to this episode.Resources mentioned in this episode:Dolphin QuestLavamanHonu 70.3Ironman World ChampionshipsUltraman World ChampionshipsUnstoppable: The Smart Training Met...
2025-02-211h 02515 : The Ultra PodcastS6E13 -- Ultraman Florida 2025 Preview + Athlete in Profile (Nick Gillombardo)Send a textJen McVeay joins me in this episode to preview the field of athletes toeing the line at 2025 Ultraman Florida, February 14-16th. We are joined by to 2 time Ultraman Champion Steve Keller.Steve offers the perspective of previous champion, current athlete, and current coach. Steve has embarked on a special journey that he reveals in our conversation. First to Five Youtube Page : https://youtube.com/@firsttofive?si=VrnzTnC0vs7cr4OjFollowing the preview, I am joined by another of the 2025 athletes, Nic...
2025-01-311h 40515 : The Ultra PodcastS6E10 -- UMWC Athletes in Profile -- Mark Moody & Keri MandellSend a textHappy Thanksgiving USA!When Thanksgiving rolls around 515 athletes know that it is time for the Ultraman World Championships.In this episode I speak with two athletes who will be competing in this year’s race.Mark Moody is an EMT from Bellevue Washington who holds the 60+ age group record at Ultraman Canada. He has crewed numerous times at 515 races around the world and is now ready for his own adventure on the island. He doesn’t take things too seriously when at these events, except...
2024-11-281h 18515 : The Ultra PodcastS6E4 -- The World’s First Female Uberman Finisher : Melissa UrieSend a textShe’s Iron. She’s Ultra. She’s Epic. After being the second woman ever to complete the Epic 5 in 2017, Melissa Urie set out for an even more superlative title – Uberman. With the help of her amazing crew, Melissa was able to become the first female finisher of Uberman in 2019 (and set the swim record while doing so) in an overall time of 135 hours 55 minutes or 5 days 15 hours 55 minutes.In this episode, Melissa shares her spirit for participation in these Ultra events and throws in lots of tips learn...
2024-07-261h 23515 : The Ultra PodcastS5E12 -- Ultraman Arizona Champion 2024 : Michelle VesterbySend a textIn this episode, Danish professional Ironman triathlete, Michelle Vesterby, talks about her recent win at her first 515 distance event – Ultraman Arizona. Michelle has competed nine times at the Ironman World Championships in Kona and now may be looking at a November trip to Hawaii. Michelle’s motto, “Keep Smiling”, was tested in Arizona, but her crew helped to keep her on the course and set UMAZ record times, for women, for each of the three days.Resources mentioned in this episode:Ultra Tr...
2024-04-1255 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS5E9 -- 515 Round Table Discussion : The State of Ultra TriathlonSend a textOver 150 years of experience are on the podcast today. A big list of big names in the Ultraman/515 world join me for a round table discussion. All of my guests bring unique experiences and backgrounds as we establish some history of the sport before discussing its current state and where we see it moving in the future. Resources mentioned in this episode:Ultra TriFest CanadaUltra 515 World Wide ChampionshipsUltraman HawaiiUltraman World ChampionshipsUM Arizona UM Florida Ultraman Wales (UMUK)Ultra MX 515UM Canada Ironman Canada UltraCzech 515 Ultraman Israel Sahara Triathlon...
2024-02-091h 30515 : The Ultra PodcastS4E9 -- The Architect of El Plan – Armando ArmelliniSend a textThis episode features Armando Armellini an athlete who has competed at numerous IM events, Epic 5, and 7 Ultraman events since 2016, including 4 consecutive Ultraman’s in 2022. He is the architect of El Plan (a way to pace 515 distances) and was the first person to attempt to complete all four UM branded races in a single year.Armando lives Aloha, Ohana, and Kokua. In his day job as an executive coach he puts these into his practice. Recently, Armando has been certifying in triathlon coaching and hopes to blend that into his current occupation as a one...
2023-06-021h 17515 : The Ultra Podcast515 Special Edition -- UMAZ Champions (Cynthia Bartus & Max Kniazev) and Ultraman Record setter Shane DuffySend a textThis is the final Special Edition from Ultraman Arizona for 2023. In this episode, I catch up with the two winners at the awards night to speak about how they felt about the race.Cynthia Bartus, age 45, from Pennsylvania, is the 2023 women's winner and Maxsim Kniazev is the NEW WORLD RECORD holder and winner on the men's side.I also speak with Shane Duffy from Australia who now has completed five of the six races in his quest to become the fi...
2023-03-2245 min515 : The Ultra Podcast515 Special Edition -- UMAZ DAY 3 Race RecapSend a textFrom Phoenix, Arizona this is your day three race recap of Ultraman Arizona 2023. Find the Day 1 & 2 Recap here. Unfortunately, Jen McVeay was busy with her duties as race director and was unable to contribute to this recap.What a day three it was. It lived up to the hype, producing a new World Record time for the 33 year old Max Kniazev.There will be one more Special Edition episode available in this series when I speak with Max and...
2023-03-2211 min515 : The Ultra Podcast515 Special Edition -- Ultraman Arizona 2023 Day 1 & 2 RecapSend a textToday is a special edition episode for the Ultraman Arizona 2023 race recap of Day 1 and Day 2.Joining me today to bring you the recaps are Assistant Race Director Chris “JB” Holzner and this year’s race announcer Chris Clark.Continue to follow the race and get more information at :Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ultramanarizona/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/UltramanArizonaCome back for the Day 3 recap Special edition.Resources mentioned in this episode:Ultr...
2023-03-1911 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS4E5 -- UMAZ Athlete in Profile : Shane DuffySend a textI am joined in this episode by Shane Duffy from Australia as my Athlete in Profile for the 2023 Ultraman Arizona race. This is the second episode released this week, as I also do a Race Preview with UMAZ race director, Jen McVeay and the voice of 515 everywhere, Steve King. Listen to that episode here.As you will hear in this episode, when Shane starts something new he jumps all in. A personality trait that has led him to attempt to...
2023-03-1050 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS4E4 -- Ultraman Arizona 2023 Race PreviewSend a textUltraman Arizona 2023 takes place from March 17 - 19. I have returning to the podcast, race director, Jen McVeay, and the 515 announcer extraordinaire, Steve King to preview the athletes competing in this year's race. It is a smaller field with just 3 women and 19 men, but some great athletes will be vying to set the official race records in their respective age groups and overall, as last year’s race (the inaugural) had to cancel the swim due to poor water conditions.Join us as we disc...
2023-03-101h 06515 : The Ultra PodcastS4E2 -- Ultraman Florida 2023 Race PreviewSend a textRace director of Ultraman Florida, Jen McVeay, and the voice of Ultraman, Steve King join me to preview the athletes attending the 2023 version of the race on February 9 - 11. We discuss some of the athletes' race resumes and connections to the Ultra family.In the second part of the episode I have a conversation with one of the athletes - Amy Jo Jenkins from Arkansas. This will be Amy’s first 515 distance event and she shares some of the anxieties of a rookie 515 athlete who...
2023-02-061h 12515 : The Ultra PodcastS4E1 -- Ultraman Florida Athlete in Profile : Francesco MagisanoSend a textFrancesco Magisano is my Ultraman Florida athlete in profile. At ten months old Francesco was diagnosed with eye cancer and by age 16 things went completely dark with blindness for him. He found his way to sport through Achilles International, a global adaptive sports and advocacy organization serving people with disabilities. That has led to him working for Achilles as the director of the New York metro region where he also leads a Saturday run group in Central Park. He will be the first blind athl...
2023-01-271h 02515 : The Ultra PodcastS3E11 -- 2022 Ultraman World Championships Race PreviewSend a textIt has been 3 long years since the Ohana has had the opportunity to have a family reunion on the big island at the Ultraman World Championships. Sheryl and Dave Cobb are happy to be hosting 40 athletes from 15 countries at this race once again. Sheryl gives us the roster of athletes and Steve King joins us to share his insights and statistical knowledge of a field that he says may be the strongest that he has seen compete at a single race. There are plenty of stories to...
2022-11-2149 min515 : The Ultra PodcastS3E1 -- Epic Deca athlete Julian SummersSend a textIf doing a 515 race or five 140.6 distance races in five days isn’t enough of a challenge, why not try the Epic Deca (the 10 year anniversary race of Epic 5) which will be ten 140.6 distance races in 10 days. That’s what my Ohana guest, Julian Summers, has decided to do. This race takes place from May 10-19th.In the second part of the podcast today I finish my Steve Brown conversation from the previous episode. Steve tells some Steve Brown Stories to reflect on the 30...
2022-05-061h 05515 : The Ultra PodcastS2E11 -- Ultraman Arizona PreviewSend a textSteve King and the race director of Ultraman Arizona, Jen McVeay, join me to preview the long awaited inaugural running of the race taking place March 11-13. We discuss the themes that cross through a number of the athletes as we introduce you to some of the racers and their crews.Tallahassee resident and Big Sexy Racing athlete Jamie Harris (2018 and 2019 Ultraman Florida Champion) is my Athlete in Profile. We have a great discussion about her previous races and some of her personal challenges during the pa...
2022-03-041h 27515 : The Ultra PodcastS2E10 -- Ultraman Florida Race PreviewSend a textEpisode Summary:Fan favourite and the voice of Ultraman, Steve King, plus co-race director of Ultraman Florida, Jen McVeay, join me to preview the 44 participants planning to take on the UM Florida race coming up this weekend (Feb 11-13). Follow the UMFL at Facebook or InstagramSteven Keller, 2020 Ultraman Florida Champion, is my Athlete in Profile for the inaugural Ultraman Arizona race which will be taking place in March. Steve King, Jen and I will be back in Epi...
2022-02-081h 27515 : The Ultra PodcastS2E8 -- Connecting the dots – Ohana style (with guests Jen McVeay & Jeremy Howard)Send a textOver the next few episodes I will be profiling athletes from the upcoming Ultraman Florida and Ultraman Arizona. My first conversation today is with Jen McVeay who is the co-race director of UM Florida and Race Director for UM Arizona. We discuss how she became a part of the Ohana and why she chose to bring Ultraman to Arizona.Steve King talks about “El Toro”, Inaki de la Parra. Inaki has been the champion at UMUK and the...
2021-12-311h 21515 : The Ultra PodcastS2E6 -- If it’s November . . . Postcards from KonaSend a textCOVID changes a lot of plans. This episode was going to be a conversation with Dave and Sheryl Cobb to preview the Ultraman World Championships race. Still we had a great conversation about previous races and they shared how they came to be the caretakers of Aloha, Ohana, Kokua on the big island.Keeping with the Kona theme, I also speak with the 19 time participant, Gary Wang. In fact, although he lives in California, he did our Zoom from Hawaii.Steve Kin...
2021-11-191h 18
Pursuit of the Perfect Race3 - Ultraman Florida - Rich ReedIn this episode I talk with Rich Reed. Rich has an enormous amount of respect for the distance and is very grateful for the experience that Chuck Kemeny and Jen McVeay put on in Florida. This race is the same race that was discussed in episode number 2 with Jamie Harris. Ultraman consists of a 6.2 mile swim, 263 mile bike ride, and a 52.4 mile run. These distances are broken down over three days with 12 hour cut offs each day. He gives major props to his coach Cody Elder from Endurance Concepts for helping him reach this milestone in his life.
2018-03-0756 min