241 - Kayla Barnes

In this episode of The Everyday Ironman Podcast, we welcome Kayla Barnes, a dedicated educator, coach, and triathlete from Kansas who’s helping shape the next generation of endurance athletes. Kayla teaches strength and conditioning and co-sponsors a student-led triathlon club alongside former guest Chris Curtis. She shares how her grant proposal secured bikes for the team, and how partnerships and community support—like collecting gently used shoes and organizing open water swims—make triathlon accessible to her students.Kayla also explains how the emergence of “senior leaders” has boosted participation and motivation within the club, leading to their recent victory at the USAT High School State Championship. She and Chris hope to help other schools launch similar programs. Kayla also reflects on her own journey, from qualifying for the Boston Marathon to temporarily pausing her Ironman pursuits to focus on family.Click here to be a podcast supporter. #Triathlon #AgeGroupAthlete #HighSchoolTriathlon #USATriathlon #EnduranceSports #EverydayIronman #YouthTriathlon #CoachLifeSupport the show