389. Brent & Kyle Pease, Ironman Duo Team

"I started crying. It was so intense. I was shaking with fear. And I just look up at Kyle, and I say, 'I want you to know that being your brother has been one of the greatest joys of my life. And I promise you, no matter what happens today, I'll give you every ounce of energy that I have. And all I ask is that you do the same.' And he looks back at me and says, 'You got it.' And then the cannon fires." —Brent Pease

In 2010, Brent Pease completed his first Ironman triathlon. That night, his younger brother, Kyle — who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child — asked if someone in a wheelchair could do an Ironman. Brent said yes, and the rest, as they say, is history. Growing up, the Pease family was insistent that Kyle be able to do whatever his brothers were doing. They would play games, make up the rules, and adjust them as they went along, making sure the game was fair for everyone. Inclusion, the brothers say, was always a part of their lives. (One of their mottos is "where there's a wheel, there's a way.") Today, Brent and Kyle are known around the world as one of the most competitive duo teams at triathlons and marathons. They've completed major marathons (they talk about the 2015 New York City Marathon on this episode — have your tissues ready), and they've competed together at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. (They became the first push-assisted team of brothers to do so. Proof indeed that someone in a wheelchair absolutely can do an Ironman.) They are also the founders of the Kyle Pease Foundation, whose mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports. It's an honor to have them on the show, together, today.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

• What it was like growing up in the Pease family (5:00)
• "Can people in wheelchairs do an Ironman?" (9:00)
• On starting to run — and race — together as a duo team (17:30)
• What it's like racing triathlons as a duo team (29:30)
• Kyle talks about what racing feels like for him (40:30)
• Looking back on the 2015 New York City Marathon (48:30)
• What it was like competing at the 2018 Ironman World Championships in Kona (1:01:15)
• What Brent and Kyle decided to do after Ironman 2018 (1:12:30)
• How the Kyle Pease Foundation was affected by the pandemic, and what they need right now (1:15:15)
• All about Jesse Itzler's Everesting challenge, "29029" (1:18:30)

What we mention on this episode:

Beyond the Finish, by Brent and Kyle Pease

29029 Everesting

Follow Brent & Kyle:

• Instagram @walkingwithkp

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