Mission Kona Podcast
Triathlon: where you can test your limits in 3 different disciplines one after the other! Swim, bike, run. One might say it's an addiction, but truly it's a lifestyle! Mission Kona podcast highlights age group athletes doing amazing things in the Triathlon space. Mike & Michelle Payne are husband and wife amateur triathletes, parents and self proclaimed coffee connoisseurs, both working in corporate America. Mike is also a Triathlon coach and recently qualified for Kona in October of 2024. Michelle completed her first half Ironman in 2021 and plans to race a full Ironman in the near future. This podcast is a journey to discovering what it takes to be competitive in triathlon, sharing stories, and finding the inspiration to go after challenging but worthwhile goals. We talk with age group athletes and explore how they got their start in triathlon, where they live, train and work, how they stay motivated, race recaps and more! Are you interested in growing and performing your best? TUNE IN! There is so much to learn from those who have worked (and continue to work) hard to be at the top of their game!
Mission Kona Podcast
#12 Couples Who Tri: Nicole & David Levenson, Ironman California 2022
This episode kicks off our new series - Couples Who Tri!
As Mission Kona Podcast co-hosts and a couple who does triathlon, Mike & Michelle thought it would be really interesting to hear how other couples navigate the sport together, what training looks like, how they came to the same sport... and SO MUCH MORE.
Our first couple, Nicole & David Levenson, recently completed 2022 Ironman California. And when we say completed, we actually mean CRUSHED it! Nicole finished 2nd in the 35-39 age group with a time of 10:00:50 in her second ever ironman distance race! This also secured her a spot to Kona in 2023. David finished 18th in the 35-39 age group with a time of 10:11:47 in his very first Ironman!
We enjoyed chatting with Nicole and David about their exposure to the sport, strengths, setbacks, successes, and failures that led them to an incredible race at Ironman California. You'll learn more about the course in CA, the unfortunate cancellation in 2021 due to extreme weather, and what makes it so special to share the love of the sport with your significant other.
Fun fact: Nicole is ALSO a sugar cookie decorator like Michelle! There could have been a whole podcast about that, but alas this is Mission Kona ;)
Follow Nicole & David:
@tri_dicole
@prettykittyillustration
Follow Mission Kona Podcast hosted by Mike & Michelle Payne:
· Instagram missionkonapodcast
· Do you know an age group athlete who has a great story to share? Send us a message on Instagram!
