At 50+, He’s Still Racing the World’s Hardest Triathlons

In this episode of Masters on the Move, I sit down with Pieter Vermeulen — endurance athlete, Ironman finisher, and lifelong student of resilience — to explore a journey that began in 1988 during South Africa’s isolation years and continues today at provincial and international level.With over 100 triathlons completed, 5 Ironmans, and 6 half-Ironmans, Pieter’s path has taken him from Olympic aspirations to qualifying for the brutal ICON XTRI, where only 250 athletes are invited annually. Representing South Africa, he narrowly missed the mountain cutoff and finished at the bottom of the field — an experience that reshaped his understanding of success, identity, and mastery.But this conversation goes far deeper than racing.We unpack:The evolution from chasing performance to cultivating longevityTraining smarter as a masters athleteScience-based nutrition and natural performance strategies for older menThe role of neuroplasticity and medicinal mushrooms in endurance performanceWhy fueling the brain may be as important as fueling the bodyThe powerful parallels between endurance sport and spiritual formationThis episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the discipline to keep moving forward — especially when the mountain still lies ahead.If you’re a masters athlete, a triathlete, or simply someone determined to perform at a high level beyond midlife, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.Get in contact and follow us - Send in your questions, show suggestions and comments (good or bad) to:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/17EN4yrAqp/?mibextid=wwXIfrInstagram https://www.instagram.com/motmpod?igsh=MW8yamF4cHBkZWpxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qremail [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.