Still Racing, Still Growing | Leslie Knibb on 35 Years of Triathlon, Motherhood, and Never Stopping

A first triathlon. A breakup. A lifelong love story with endurance sports that nobody saw coming.

Before triathlon became one of the biggest endurance sports in the world, Leslie Knibb was standing on a start line in Chicago in 1990 just trying something new. She ended up finishing near the top of the race, beating the boyfriend who introduced her to the sport, and unknowingly starting a triathlon journey that would stretch across more than three decades.

In this special Mother's Day episode of Tri Beginner's Luck, Leslie reflects on the many versions of herself she has been through in triathlon: beginner, competitor, mother, coach, mentor, Ironman finisher and community builder. From racing through the Northeast triathlon scene to stepping away during motherhood and later returning to complete Ironman Lake Placid, Leslie shares what it looks like to evolve with the sport instead of walking away from it.

The conversation also explores the heart of triathlon culture and why so many people stay connected to it for life. Leslie opens up about coaching beginners, helping grow youth participation through USA Triathlon, supporting first-time athletes with the DC Tri Club, and watching her daughter Taylor Knibb rise to the highest levels of the sport.

Whether you are a triathlon beginner, training for your first sprint, or chasing your next Ironman 70.3, this episode is a reminder that the beginner mindset never leaves us. Sometimes the biggest win is simply staying connected to what lights you up.

Join the Tri Beginner's Luck Community: Enjoyed this episode? The best way to support the show is to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Follow us on Instagram: @TriBeginnersLuck. Connect on Facebook: Tri Beginner's Luck Page. Questions or feedback? Send your questions to tblpodbiz@tribeginnersluck.com, and we may feature them on a future episode.

Let's tri this!

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