Finding Joy in the Journey From 5K Struggles to Ironman Confidence with Lia Belardo

When Lia Belardo moved from New York to Philadelphia in 2009, she could barely run a mile and was navigating endometriosis and PCOS while working a stressful finance job. Today, she has completed seven Ironmans, 20 half Ironmans, 25 marathons, 10 ultramarathons, and has built community everywhere she goes, from Philly run crews to a Meatless Monday vegan run club. In this episode, Lia unpacks how a “longest mile” with her dog, a cheap entry-level bike, and a late-night learn-to-swim class at a women’s tri club turned her into the kind of athlete who signs up for a 70.3 in a taxi, then figures the rest out.

In this conversation, Lia shares the ups, downs, and surprises of building a triathlon life from scratch, including learning to swim in adulthood, navigating early race day nerves, and embracing her identity as a proud Athena athlete. She offers real talk about doing triathlon on a budget, from janky bikes to late-night pool sessions to buying only what you truly need. Together, she and Michanda explore the importance of community support, the power of inclusivity in the Athena category, and the freedom that comes when athletes stop trying to “look the part” and simply show up as themselves.

Lia also reflects on the beautiful and sometimes messy growth that happens when you follow curiosity, honor your body, and trust the journey more than the results. She shares her dream of connecting with new communities in Utah, her heart for donating medals to children with cancer, and her hope for a sport where every athlete sees themselves reflected on the start line. This is a joyful and encouraging episode for anyone who has ever wondered if they belong in triathlon. You do. And Lia’s story proves you already have enough to begin.

Let’s Tri This

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