From Age Grouper to Pro: Carolyn Olsen on DNFs, Kona & Chasing the Dream
Professional triathlete Carolyn Olsen joins Jill Bartholomew for an honest conversation about what it's really like racing at the professional level—and why, despite the podiums and pro card, the same challenges every age grouper faces still exist. Carolyn shares her journey from completing her first IRONMAN® 70.3 to qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, winning IRONMAN Texas as an amateur, and ultimately earning her professional license. Along the way, she opens up about mechanical failures, DNFs, overcoming setbacks, racing through adversity, and what keeps her coming back to the start line. Jill and Carolyn also discuss: Carolyn's path from age grouper to professional triathlete Lessons learned from Kona, Lake Placid, Boise, and other iconic races Why DNFs don't define an athlete Open water anxiety and strategies for managing race-day panic The realities of racing professionally versus competing as an age grouper Why coaching, consistency, and patience matter more than chasing volume The importance of community, resilience, and remembering why we race Whether you're training for your first sprint triathlon, your next IRONMAN®, or simply looking for motivation to keep chasing big goals, this conversation is packed with practical advice, honest stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Learn more about coaching, bike fitting, and training plans at Be Fierce Multisport: https://befiercemultisport.com
Professional triathlete Carolyn Olsen joins the podcast to discuss her journey from age-group athlete to professional racer and the lessons she's learned along the way.
From qualifying for Kona and winning IRONMAN Texas as an amateur to overcoming mechanical failures, DNFs, and race-day adversity, Carolyn shares the highs, lows, and realities of competing at the highest level of long-course triathlon.
Jill and Carolyn also dive into:
- What separates professional racing from age-group competition
- Why a DNF is not the end of your story
- Managing open-water anxiety
- Building confidence through experience
- Why coaching matters more than simply training harder
- Finding perspective when races don't go according to plan
This episode is a reminder that every finish line—and every setback—has something to teach us.
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If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.
We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!
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