Episodes

Jan. 30, 2026

From Pro Card to Age Grouper: Carolyn Carter on Identity, Pressure & Loving Triathlon

In this episode of Be Fierce & Tri, Coach Jill sits down with former professional triathlete and content creator Carolyn Carter for an honest, relatable conversation about life after racing as a pro. Carolyn shares her journey from earning her pro card in 2022 to transitioning back to age group rac…

Jan. 24, 2026

Imposter Syndrome, Endurance Sports, and the Myth of “Belonging”

In this episode, Jill sits down with Sharon of Bib and Tiara to unpack imposter syndrome — where it shows up, why it’s so common, and how it impacts athletes, professionals, and especially women who are pushing into new spaces. From first triathlons and runDisney races to Ironman World Championship…

Jan. 19, 2026

One Week After Dopey: Post-Race Recovery, What’s Normal, and How to Bounce Back

One week after Dopey, many runners are surprised by how they feel — sore, tired, unmotivated, or emotionally flat. In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew of Be Fierce Multisport checks in with Dopey and Disney Princess athletes to talk about what post-race recovery really looks like, what’s normal…

Jan. 13, 2026

runDisney Marathon Weekend 2026: Dopey, Course Changes, Expo Wins & What Runners Really Experienced

The 2026 runDisney Marathon Weekend has officially wrapped — and we’re breaking it all down while it’s still fresh. Recorded just hours after the final runners crossed the finish line, this in-person roundtable brings together experienced runDisney athletes to reflect on their Marathon Weekend expe…

Jan. 7, 2026

Countdown To Dopey - Race Day! Be Present, Run the Mile You’re In

Race day is finally here. In Race Day of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew offers calm, grounding guidance for athletes standing on the brink of the first start line of the Dopey Challenge. Whether you’re listening on the bus, in the corrals, or the night before, this episode is a remi…

Jan. 6, 2026

Countdown To Dopey Day 1: Tomorrow’s Start Line: How to Stay Calm, Prepared, and Ready for Dopey Challenge

The day before the Dopey Challenge begins can feel overwhelming — excitement, nerves, doubt, and anticipation all collide at once. In Day 1 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew walks athletes through exactly how to approach the final day before the first start line with calm, confidenc…

Jan. 5, 2026

Countdown To Dopey Day 2: The Marathon Starts Before the Start Line - Recovery, Pacing, and Fueling

Marathon day during the Dopey Challenge isn’t just about the 26.2 miles — it’s about everything that happens before you reach the start line. In Day 2 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down how to properly recover after the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon so your body is ready to …

Jan. 4, 2026

Countdown To Dopey Day 3: 10K & Half Marathon Strategy for Smart Execution

Day 3 of the Dopey Challenge is where many weekends quietly unravel — not because athletes feel bad, but because they feel great. In Day 3 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down how to approach both the 10K and the Half Marathon with discipline, patience, and intention so you…

Jan. 3, 2026

Countdown To Dopey Day 4: The 5K Is Not Free Miles - How to Run the First Dopey Race Without Sabotaging the Weekend

The 5K is the most underestimated race of the entire Dopey Challenge weekend. In Day 4 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill breaks down why the runDisney 5K deserves far more respect than most athletes give it — especially if you’re racing all four events. While experienced runners may feel tempte…

Jan. 2, 2026

Dopey Countdown Day 5: Expo Strategy, Energy Management, and What to Avoid

Expo day is exciting — but for Dopey Challenge athletes, it can quietly become one of the biggest energy drains of the entire weekend. In Day 5 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill breaks down how to approach the runDisney expo strategically so you protect your legs, your nervous system, and your …

Jan. 1, 2026

Countdown To Dopey Day 6: Carb Loading Myths, Science, and Smart Fueling for Dopey Runners

Carb loading is one of the most misunderstood — and most stressful — parts of race week. In Day 6 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down what carb loading actually is, what it isn’t, and how to approach it calmly and intelligently without panic, force-feeding, or scale obsess…

Dec. 31, 2025

Countdown to Dopey Day 7: Transition to execution - Packing, Travel Stress, and Race-Week Decisions That Matter Now

With just one week to go until the Dopey Challenge, the focus shifts from training to execution. In this episode of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill dives into one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — race-week strategies: packing early and packing smart. We break down how early packing r…

Dec. 30, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 8: Race Week Runs Should Feel Easy -Why “Boring” Is Exactly Right

Race week is here, and if your runs feel slow, awkward, or unimpressive — you’re doing it right. In Day 8 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew breaks down exactly what race-week runs should feel like and why pushing the pace now can sabotage your performance later. This episode explain…

Dec. 29, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 9: Protect Your Energy Like A Race Resource

At nine days out from the Dopey Challenge, many runners start to feel unexpectedly tired, emotionally flat, or overwhelmed — even though training volume is lower. In Day 9 of the Countdown to Dopey, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why this is normal and why it doesn’t mean you’re losing fitness. Th…

Dec. 29, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 10: runDisney Dopey Travel & Logistics - Plan Early, Race Calm

Day 10 – Travel & Logistics: Plan Early, Race Calm As runDisney Marathon Weekend approaches, most race-week stress has nothing to do with running — it comes from logistics. In Day 10 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why travel planning, packing early, and reducing last-minute…

Dec. 27, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 11: Nutrition in the Final Two Weeks Before Dopey - Don’t Change a Thing

Day 11 – Nutrition in the Final Two Weeks Before Dopey With just under two weeks to go before runDisney Marathon Weekend, nutrition anxiety often ramps up — and that’s exactly when runners are most tempted to make unnecessary changes. In Day 11 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explain…

Dec. 26, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 12: What Actually Matters Now

Day 12 – Final Two-Week Training Priorities With just two weeks to go before runDisney Marathon Weekend, training priorities shift — and doing more is rarely the right answer. In Day 12 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains what the final two weeks of Dopey preparation should actu…

Dec. 25, 2025

Countdown to Dopey Day 13: The Dopey Taper Is Here — And Yes, It’s Supposed to Feel Awful

Day 13 – What the Taper Is (And Why It Feels So Awful) Taper is officially here — and if your legs feel heavy, your pace feels off, or your confidence feels shaky, you’re not doing anything wrong. In Day 13 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains what taper actually is, why it often…

Dec. 24, 2025

Countdown To Dopey Day 14: You're Ready (Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It)

n Day 14 of the Dopey Countdown, Coach Jill Bartholomew reminds athletes that the work is already done. After months of training, your job now is to manage energy, protect your body, calm your mind, and make smart decisions so you arrive at the start line rested, healthy, and confident. This episod…

Dec. 24, 2025

Every Mile Is Magical… Until It Isn’t: The Real Run Disney Dopey Experience

Run Disney races are known for the magic — but the Dopey Challenge is a whole different experience. In this episode of The Be Fierce & Tri Podcast, Coach Jill is joined by five-time Dopey finisher Tiff Gillota for an honest conversation about what the Dopey Challenge is really like. From early wake…

Dec. 15, 2025

Planning For Next Year's Race Season

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew and Troy Theodosiou discuss the intricacies of selecting the right races for triathletes. They explore various factors such as personal goals, race logistics, costs, and the importance of finding joy in racing. The conversation also delves into the challenges of ra…

Dec. 3, 2025

End Of Season? Jill & Thomas discuss the dos (and don'ts) in your recovery and planning for next year

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Try podcast, Jill Bartholomew and Thomas Skelton discuss the importance of the off-season for athletes, focusing on coaching strategies, goal setting, injury recovery, mindset, nutrition, and strength training. They emphasize the need for athletes to maintain a …

Nov. 24, 2025

2025 Disney Wine & Dine Weekend Recap

In this episode of the Be Fierce and Tri podcast, host Jill Bartholomew and her guests discuss their experiences at the recent Run Disney Wine and Dine Marathon Weekend. They share insights on the various races, including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon, and delve into topics such as race registrati…

Nov. 19, 2025

2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Race Recap

In this episode, Jill Bartholomew and Thomas Skelton discuss their experiences at the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain. They cover various aspects of the race, including swim conditions, transition challenges, athlete performances, and the dynamics of the bike and run courses. They also …