On October 11, 2025, Natalie Grabow made history: at 80 years old, she became the oldest woman ever to finish the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona — crossing the line in 16:45:26 .

In this episode, I get real about our journey together — how we built this result, what it takes to stay competitive with age, and how her mindset, training, and perseverance make her a standout. We unpack:

• 🏁 Our history — how I came to coach Natalie, the evolution of our relationship, and how trust grew over time
• 📆 2025 race season & lead-up to Kona — what we prioritized, lessons from each build, and how we peaked at the right moment
• ✨ The 3 distinguishing qualities that set Natalie apart from other age-group athletes
• ⏳ Training volume & structure — how many hours she trains, how we distribute sessions across swim / bike / run
• 🔄 Age-adjusted tweaks — recovery strategies, load management, and other shifts we’ve made to honor her longevity
• 🧠 Mindset & resilience - all about her GRIT.

Whether you’re aiming for Kona yourself — or coaching masters athletes — this episode gives you a blueprint for longevity, performance at any age, and how to build toward what looks impossible.

Did you like this episode? I suggest you rate and give me a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Did you hit the follow button? I would love you to stick around.

Note: Coach Michelle is only taking 1-2 additional athletes for 2026 and it's on application only basis. Send her a DM @CoachMichelleLake to learn more.

Website | Follow Michelle on IG