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 racing, opening up about imposter syndrome, race-day pressure, and what it really feels like to compete alongside the sport’s fastest athletes. Together, Jill and Carolyn explore how success evolves over time, the challenges of balancing a full-time career with elite training, and the importance of keeping triathlon fun. They also dive into social media’s impact on athletes, accessibility in the sport, beginner advice, and how to stay motivated when things get tough. Whether you're new to triathlon or a seasoned competitor, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and perspective that will resonate with anyone chasing big goals.
In this episode, Jill and Carolyn discuss:
- Carolyn’s path to earning her pro card and racing professionally
- The realities of competing at the pro level
- Managing expectations and race-day nerves
- Imposter syndrome in endurance sports
- How Carolyn defines success today
- Balancing training with a full-time job
- Social media growth, plateaus, and mental health
- Advice for beginner triathletes
- Gear recommendations for new athletes
- Favorite and least favorite workouts
- Mental strategies for pushing through tough race moments
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.
Click here to schedule a consultation
Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!
Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.