Feisty Triathlon · Feisty Triathlon podcast

Adventure Doesn't End As You Age with Mel McQuaid (Replay)

·1 hr 35 min·5 clips

Mel says coaching is an experiment: try an approach, see the results, then learn from it.

1. Feisty Triathlon’s replay with Mel McQuaid centers on her path from school to professional endurance sport and coaching. 2. Kelly and Joanne host Mel McQuaid, a former multi-time Xterra world champion and triathlete, because her career spans cycling, mountain biking, and Ironman racing. 3. The episode asks how Mel kept racing, learning, and improving across multiple disciplines over many years. 4. Mel says she skipped a grade, entered International Baccalaureate, and reached university a year early. 5. She explains that she was studying biochemistry and chemistry when an indoor triathlon in Chicago changed her plans. 6. Mel describes coming back from that Chicago race “hellbent” on being a triathlete. 7. She says she was then recruited to a provincial cycling team for a junior games pathway. 8. Mel says that cycling launch eventually led to a national-team place in her second year. 9. She says she realized professional sport was possible after seeing Canadian athletes like Alison Sider and Leslie Tomlinson. 10. Medicine moved to the background once she saw a professional athlete path in front of her. 11. Mel says coaching and training are like an experiment: try an idea, watch the results, then learn from them. 12. She ties that approach to setting a goal, chasing improvement, and studying what changes performance. 13. Mel says she still enjoys learning and that she enjoyed school. 14. She also says she is happiest when she is training and improving rather than forcing a single favorite discipline. 15. Mel says she trains with a Victoria group built by 94 Forward, alongside younger ITU athletes. 16. She describes that pool setting as a place to bring a level head and a good attitude. 17. The interview has a reflective, conversational style, with Kelly asking direct questions and Mel answering in practical detail. 18. The energy stays calm and personal, with career milestones and training philosophy taking priority over race-day drama. 19. Listeners interested in career pivots, coaching, and long-term triathlon development. 20. Skip if you want only race results or fast-breaking triathlon news.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about reinvention, training craft, and staying in the game.

Melanie McQuade's conversation is a grounded look at an athlete who has kept remaking herself. It begins with Feisty banter, then gets more interesting as it traces her path from medicine toward triathlon, provincial cycling, the national team, and mountain biking.

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Why you'd press play

Want a candid triathlon chat about age, coaching, and still chasing one more line?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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