The Koa Sports Podcast

In the interests of fair play, Tim puts in place all the lessons from the past to ensure Greg doesn’t become riddled with a vigorous and highly contagious bug, after all there is $1500 at stake here. Caz joins us to chat about mass swim starts, open water swimming and recounts a few of her own experiences, good, bad and ugly.  Some great tips, also some great race stories from Kona and Frankfurt IRONMAN. Is it OK for middle aged men to chant at the tennis and wear team jumpers?  Should diving and gymnastics be an Olympic sport? All that and more as we work our way closer to start lines in season 2026. Join the Tribe www.koasports.com.au 

It’s very rare when the sequel is better than the original, and we will let the critics decide if that’s the case.  True to his word Tim dresses as a clown as we received confirmation that Zoot became the OMEGA division World Champions for 2025.  CEO of Zoot Doug Vargo joined Tim for a serious and considered chat about the World Title as well as what lies ahead for the gorgon that is Zoot in 2026. Gregs “No Alcohol” streak is over as he succumbs to the drink, 14 days was such a huge effort and one that he and the entire Koa Sports community should be proud of, well done mate. 2026 we go bigger and better, lets go! Join the Tribe www.koasports.com.au

We chased all year long and racked up almost 1 million points to earn our place onto the Division 1 global podium for 2025 and a massive congratulations to all our athletes who scored points across the season.  In the words of Tim Shaw from Demtel….. ‘But wait there’s more!’ A story from the past when a car parked inside Tim’s house and Greg’s journey is headed in the right direction. Another quality podcast to sign off in 2025 after a quality year of results. Join the tribe. www.koasports.com.au

Patrick Roberts delivered an extraordinary AG performance at IRONMAN Busselton in 2025, the fastest AG performance in Australia for the year. 8:18Swim – 49:22Bike – 4:27Run – 2:55 A complete performance and meticulous preparation.  In this episode Pat and his Coach Greg unpack key elements of the preparation, milestones and race day strategies.  You don’t’ need to be striving for an 8:18 for this podcast to be relatable, take a listen. Pat leaves no stone unturned and well and truly earns his qualification for the IRONMAN World Championship in 2026 on October 10. Join the Tribe www.koasports.com.au 

Coach Tim Franklin falls victim to Ransomware and may now be compromised as the hacker as hours of footage… allegedly, we catch up LIVE with Tim from Day 3 of the Adelaide Test in the Ashes Series.  Koa Sports is all about the numbers and we run the numbers on what finishing time you needed to be offered a slot to Kona at Busselton in each AG.  Uncle Greg continues to give his nephew sage advice about how to make easy money fast, #bincoin While most are searching for the line in 2025, Koa Sports is galloping to the line wanting more! Bring on 2026, but a few episodes to go yet, as the rest of the world put the queue in the rack and rests. Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

Koa Sports are the 2025 IRONMAN Asia Pacific Champions with an enormous team performance in Busselton on the weekend.  The fastest male age grouper Pat Roberts lead all day for an 8:18, 39 starters and 39 finishers, 11 to Kona, but who would have thought the highlight would come Saturday. That’s right, perhaps the highlight was an extraordinary punting performance from Tim at The Meadows, so much so The Esplanade Hotel TAB have requested a profile head shot so they can hang it in the toilets.  The Busso Beer Mile was run and done, check out our socials for all the great content! Go Red Join the Tribe. https://teamshop.cuore.ch/koa-sports⁠www.koasports.com.au

Caz has joined Koa Sports as a full-time coach, and we are thrilled to have her on the team with an athletic resume to behold, and coaching philosophy that is proven to get the best out of any athlete.  ​2 x Triathlon World Champion 2 x IRONMAN Hawaii World Championship6 x IRONMAN Champion30 x IRONMAN 70.3 ChampionChallenge Roth ChampionNoosa Triathlon Champion Caroline believes everyone’s journey is unique, whether you’re a beginner lacing up for your first run or a seasoned athlete eyeing a personal best. Her coaching philosophy is simple: start where you are, work hard, and celebrate every milestone. She’s not here to push you to be her; she’s here to help you be your best. From crafting training plans to sharing mental toughness tips, Caroline’s guidance is relatable and tailored, ensuring you feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Welcome Caroline and if you’re looking for a coach you know where to find us! Go Red www.koasports.com.au 

The team took out the Melbourne 70.3 on the weekend, to add to a ripping 3 months with Sunshine Coast, Western Sydney and Melbourne 70.3 TriClub Championships.  Standby as AusTri really start to get around us! Talkback is becoming a thing and not just on Australian shores, we’ve gone global.  The 70.3 World Champs was run and done, incredible Pro Racing it must be said. IRONMAN Busselton is nearing with every week, Greg’s partially torn rotator cuff has just recovered from 2024, we go again. Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

They say life begins at 40, but Tim sees that a little differently as he joined the 40 club last week, pondering what little as been achieved and really the point of it all.  At least he has his hair….. Noosa Triathlon, Melbourne 70.3 and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships to name a few events previewed and reviewed. Andy is in trouble, the story collapsed as 4 pythons are dragged from a neighbours roof. Lots to learn kids, be careful when telling fibs, it never ends well. Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

Greg unlike many Australians decided to explore the unknown, that is Southeast Asia.  A true pioneer, going off the beaten track where few have gone before.  Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to name a few, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing and police detention at the border crossing is just the start.   Noah Finnimore M18-24 AG Champion IRONMAN Malaysia tells the tale of his race and the after party, as he punches his ticket to Kona in 2026.  After a few weeks as Greg selfishly left the audience behind, we are back for the big run up to end 2025 with a BANG! Join the Tribe www.koasports.com.au

We say a prayer for Greg as he soon heads to Southeast Asia to ride his bike between historical temples and famous night spots.  Kona is ON and we chat to Bianca Connor who is on the island just 48 hours away from the cannon sounding along with 1500 AG females from around the world ready to take on the hardest single day endurance event on the planet, the IRONMAN World Championships Hawaii. Talkback is back, Melbourne Marathon, The Gong and Laidlow for Busso IRONMAN?  Cast your votes people, which theme song are we running with 1 or 2? Join the Tribe www.koasports.com.au

For the first time in Koa Sports Podcast history we opened the lines to the audience in our first edition of “talkback”, and thankfully we got a few brave souls to pick up the phone. The Zoot X Koa Sports party shirts make their debut in the studio, as well as Greg lowering his shorts to show off a new sample product coming soon.  15% of the podcast content was about the sport we all know and love. Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au KICKR STUDIO IN BALI - https://www.stillridebali.com/how-it-works

It was a whirlwind few weeks for Koa Sports athletes and coaches around the world, including the successful defence of both Sunshine Coast and Western Sydney 70.3 crowns, making it back-to-back titles as a club, pushing the trophy cabinet out to 15.  We reflect on all that the riff has to offer, plus catching up with Koa Sports M18-24 AG Champion Ben Barby from WS.  With two feet firmly planted Tim shares a draft acceptance speech and invites feedback, and Greg continues to push back towards 150 in time for his pedal around Cambodia. Spring has the Australian racing calendar in full swing…. LFG! Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

As the team recovers from its Sunshine Coast 70.3 triumph, there is no rest for the wicked, as Western Sydney, Belgrade, Maryland, and Cozumel play host to a raft of Koa Sports athletes ready to launch!  We are joined by National Boxing Superstar Lachlan Rose, who will be on debut at Western Sydney 70.3 for Koa Sports.  What make him more nervous, stepping into the ring or stepping into the 70.3?  Tim and Lachie share some great stories around the technique and history of boxing, both students of the sport.  Greg is taking control of a tour of Western Sydney, if this is our last ever episode.. take care…. It’s been a great ride! Go Red www.koasports.com.au

Pete Murray joins us in the Koa Sports Studio for the first time fresh off his Sydney Marathon World Major Race Call, getting selfies with Bruce and Kipchoge, Pete just got swept up in it all! Plenty of laughs as we rewrite Australian triathlon history and look forward to a bumper few weeks of racing with the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice, Sunshine Coast and Western Sydney 70.3.  Did you know Qantas has an alcohol curfew of 11am… outrageous! Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

As in 2024, Coach Tim was invited back (much to our surprise) by IRONMAN to brief athletes in the course for the IRONMAN World Championships this time in Nice, France, alongside kiwi counterpart Rob Dallimore.  A detailed look at race week and race day, plus some questions from the recorded audience following.  If you’re racing, be sure you’ll get some handy coaching insights. With the IRONMAN World Championships returning to Kona as a single day from 2026, this will be the last IRONMAN outside the big island for both men and women. Thanks to the team at IRONMAN for the opportunity once again. Ohana. Join the tribe. www.koasports.com.au 

After the bye week, we are back and refreshed ready to take on the remainder of 2025 and the racing calendar is stacked across the endurance world! Constructive feedback is the life of a coach, and we always have plenty for others and ourselves, it’s a two-way street.  Clayonti Fettilaniece joins us from a sodden Ballina and hands the phone to an IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, what a boon! Not sure when Greg is starting his breaking 85 journey, but we can be sure it hasn’t started just yet. Join the tribe. www.koasports.com.au

It was a week for the popcorn eaters this week on socials, a nasty break up in the world of Triathlon, more to follow we suspect!  Greg ruins his track record and has a nasty public encounter on two wheels, and he was doing so well.  These things happen and we hope just a minor setback on his road to peace and tranquillity.  Tim has increased his social media by 3000%, no doubt will lose interest and return to his ‘hermit’ lifestyle soon enough.  City to Surf, Cebu 70.3 and much more! Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au

No better way to warm up those cold and dark southern hemisphere mornings than the Koa Sports Podcast.  Nothing is off the table in this week’s episode, and we stick to our golden rule of politics and sport should never mix. A phone call from the world’s most powerful politician, is it AI or legit?  You decide! The Busso Beer Mile collab is locked in, Greg talks about his behavioural changes on the road as a cyclist, perhaps he is starting to hit puberty? All that and more.  Zoot store closes in a few days, get in! https://custom.zootsports.com/KoaSports27710

Doug Vargo the CEO of Zoot Sports joins us on the Koa Sports Podcast, an Aussie leading the charge for the most dominant brand in Triathlon Apparel globally by some margin!  They’ve undergone some recent changes and are now (again) the Official Partner of IRONMAN for Season 2025 and beyond.  With an IRONMAN TriClub boasting over 6,500 members worldwide (12x Koa Sports), we chat about the program and how being the “Pride of Jenni” fits for their brand moving forward. Not without plenty of hot topics, fishing, Costa Rica, ayahuasca, Collingwood and what’s a podcast without a good bet! The Koa Sports Zoot Store is OPEN, check it out today, closes soon. https://custom.zootsports.com/KoaSports27710 Join the Tribe. www.koasports.com.au