Ava Jih-Schiff and the Rise of Gen Z Triathletes
Podcast: Happy Hour with HaleyPublished On: Tue Jan 27 2026
Description: Are more young people racing Ironman? Twenty-four year old Ironman athlete Ava Jih-Schiff raced her first Ironman with only two months training and a year later was targeting the Kona age group podium. She tells us what's drawing young people to the sport, the barriers that still exist, and how watching her mom race lit her endurance sport fire! Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:39 Youth in Ironman Triathlons06:12 First Ironman Experiences09:44 Beverage Talk and Youth Culture11:09 Training and Early Experiences16:25 Ironman Costs and Experiences21:41 Ava's Journey in Ironman Racing22:53 The Evolution of Ironman Registration24:16 Ava's First Ironman Experience26:40 The Thrill of Ironman Racing31:11 Preparing for Kona: Expectations vs. Reality36:14 Reflections on Performance and Privilege40:30 The Journey to Cozumel: A Back-to-Back Challenge46:03 Finding Balance: Racing vs. Enjoyment51:24 Ava's Relationship with Her Mother and Coaching53:26 The Journey of a Young Athlete55:18 The Competitive Landscape of Ironman56:49 Growing Up in a Triathlon Family59:41 Transitioning from Synchronized Swimming to Triathlon01:04:20 The Challenges of Racing and Nutrition01:09:40 The Possibility of Going Pro01:12:35 The Future of Triathlon and Community Engagement
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