Introducing fisiocrem sponsored athletes Riley and Ryan, a competitive brother duo who excel in dominating their age group in triathlon events.

Riley and Ryan are currently competing in triathlon events with a specific focus on long-course races. Their competitions range from the Standard distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) to the full Ironman distance (3.9km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run) and everything in between. 

Riley and Ryan’s favourite running spots are always by the water. Living on the Gold Coast, they have beaches right at their doorstep. They enjoy running the paths and trails at Main Beach, The Spit, and through Macintosh Island and Surfers Paradise. With wide open paths and breathtaking sunrises, no two runs are ever the same.

Ryan says, “Have confidence and belief in yourself and set goals to keep yourself accountable.”

Riley and Ryan Billingham’s greatest achievements in their sporting journey include completing their first Ironman at Port Macquarie and securing podium finishes at the 2024 World Multisport Championships. They placed 1st and 2nd in the standard distance duathlon and 2nd and 3rd in the long-course triathlon.

⁠Riley and Ryan’s most memorable running experience was completing their first 32km session while training for Ironman Australia. This run included 6 x 3km intervals at race pace with minimal rest. It was a significant milestone for them, as it marked the furthest distance they had ever run and provided a crucial confidence boost, reassuring them that their training program was on track.

Riley and Ryan’s biggest supporters are, “Mum and Dad, who have spent countless hours travelling around Australia following us as juniors, and even more so now with events scattered across the country, along with the supportive network of the athletes at Team T-Rex Triathlon Club.”

For Riley and Ryan, getting into the right physical and mental zone is essential for race preparation. The most critical parts of their training are the key sessions, where they push themselves to train at race pace. These sessions provide valuable insights and shape their race-day approach. They emphasise consistency in training, ensuring they cover the full race distance while maintaining confidence and belief in their abilities. Ryan says, “You have to motivate each other and pick each other up when the going gets tough.”

Ryan says, “You have to motivate each other and pick each other up when the going gets tough.”

Introducing fisiocrem sponsored athlete Meg, a dedicated fitness enthusiast with a strong passion for running and gym workouts. 

Meg is currently hooked on both running and hitting the gym. These two activities complement each other perfectly, keeping her energised and grounded.

Meg says, “Every run feels like an adventure, but the Brisbane Half Marathon truly stands out.” As she crossed the finish line, her watch revealed she had achieved a 5-minute personal best time! She considers that a solid win!⁠

⁠Meg says her biggest supporter is, “My mum, who’s at every race with me, triple-checking that I have everything I need and cheering me on.”

For Meg, race day preparation is both a mental and physical challenge. The night before, she switches off from social media to focus all her energy on the event. She ensures her meal includes a balance of protein, carbs, and fats, including her usual 8 to 12 hours of sleep. Physically, she’s refined her approach over time to avoid getting sick before the race. It’s a delicate balance to get right.

Meg is drawn to trails through rainforests and near waterfalls. Running in her hometown of Cairns holds a special place in her heart. The paved and unpaved paths that she explores in her backyard, fill her with gratitude. Meg says, “There’s a calming energy in nature that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Introducing fisiocrem sponsored athlete Carmen, a dedicated mum pushing hard towards her goals and participating in multiple sporting activities.

Carmen’s favourite activities are running and functional training at her local F45. She has found a great balance in her fitness journey and is shifting her focus from triathlons to Hyrox. She says, “I’ve learned that missing training sessions is a normal part of life with young kids.”

Carmen’s most treasured run was the Two Oceans Half Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa. She was mesmerised by the natural scenery, especially as she watched the sunrise over the Table Mountains. However, Sydney holds a special place in her heart, as it is where she completed her very first marathon.⁠ 

Carmen’s biggest fitness achievement is completing her first marathon in 2023, the Sydney Marathon (42.2 km). It was an incredible experience, especially considering the challenges she faced along the way. During her training, she had to balance her preparation with the demands of raising three kids under five and supporting her husband, who had just started a new company. They also bought a new house and moved mid-training block. Carmen focused significantly on mentally preparing for the infamous 35 km wall that everyone warned her about, and she was proud that her grit and mental strength helped her get through the marathon without feeling like she hit that wall. On race day, she encountered a setback, spending 40 minutes hobbling to a medical tent to strap her ankle, yet she still finished under her goal time, with an official time of 5:42:07, despite a heatwave. Additionally, Carmen raised over $1,000 for ‘At The Ark Inc’ her charity of choice, making the journey even more meaningful. The support from Daniel and their kids (Leo, Isla, and Cruz), her coach Zac, and her friend Kylie, who ran alongside her, played a crucial role in her success. It was a day filled with challenges, but crossing the finish line felt like the culmination of her hard work and dedication.

Carmen says her biggest supporters are, “My husband Daniel, my children and my coach Zac. They all inspire me and keep fueling my passion for running. Along with my friend Kylie who cheers me on each race.”

Preparing for a race involves both mental and physical strategies for Carmen. Physically, she follows a well-structured training plan tailored by her coach, which helps her build the necessary endurance and strength. Mentally, she spends a lot of time visualising the race and focusing on overcoming any negative self-talk that may arise, silencing that inner critic.

Carmen says, “I remind myself of the hard work I’ve put in and the support I have from my family and friends.”

Introducing fisiocrem sponsored athlete Joel, an active runner and dedicated family man based on the Gold Coast. 

In 2017, while living in Tasmania, Joel experienced atrial fibrillation and briefly flatlined in the hospital. This resulted in him being on beta blockers and aspirin for 12 to 18 months, which led to a significant decline in his physical activity. He struggled to even mow the lawn without feeling exhausted, contributing to considerable weight gain. In 2019, his family relocated to the Gold Coast, where doctors cleared him to resume an active lifestyle. Inspired by the fitness culture, Joel embarked on his running journey, well after believing he would never be active again.

Joel likes to inject some humour into his race day routine to ease his nerves. In addition to that, he ensures he has trained sufficiently to meet his goals and has a solid race day plan in place. He approaches goal setting with a “good, better, best” framework, allowing for unexpected circumstances that may arise during a race. “On race day I make sure I have planned for details like finding parking, doing my warm-up, and knowing how to reach my start zone. All of which help reduce my anxiety.”

Joel grew up running in Launceston, Tasmania, a city rich with stunning landscapes ideal for jogging. “I lived near an area that connected several picturesque spots, creating fantastic running loops.” Some of these spots included: Cataract Gorge, Duck Reach Power Station, and Trevallyn Dam. These locations provided a variety of trails, ranging from paved paths to rugged terrain, featuring steep hills and numerous stairs. After heavy rain or during water releases for power generation, the sight of the powerful white water rushing over the dam walls was truly breathtaking. “However, coastal sunrise runs on the Gold Coast were equally spectacular.”

Joel says, “My wife and children. They are my greatest motivators and supporters, inspiring me to set an example of a healthy and active lifestyle. Also for accepting the need for more running shoes even though I just bought a pair.”

His wife puts up with the alarm going off every 10 minutes until he finally wakes up for his morning runs. She also drives the kids around during his races. Joel’s son, who is becoming quite fast, believes he will soon outpace his dad, which drives Joel to train hard to maintain his title as the fastest in the household for as long as he can.

The most memorable experiences in Joel’s life from running largely stem from the lifelong friendships he has formed through the sport rather than the running itself. “My best friend, who is also a runner, connected in high school in Tasmania where we frequently trained together.” They participated in national events, competing both alongside and against each other. Now, nearly 30 years later, their friendship, rooted in their shared passion for running, continues to thrive.

Introducing fisiocrem sponsored athlete Lauren, a nationally recognised Triathlete based in Queensland.

Lauren has been participating in triathlons for many years and enjoys the diverse challenges they present to both her body and mind. “I’ve found that if you just start, you’ll often complete something you didn’t think you could.”

Lauren’s greatest achievement so far has been completing the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville last week. This triathlon competition consisted of a 3km swim, a 115km bike ride, and a 30km run, all under the intense heat and humidity of Townsville. Lauren dominated her age group (Female 25-29) and placed 1st overall with a time of 6:18:18 to claim a podium finish. ⁠

Lauren says her biggest supporter is, “My family and friends, whose encouragement and selflessness are crucial to my successful triathlon journey.” On the sports side of things, Lauren’s training buddies, both near and far, motivate and push her to achieve her best. They also remind her of how far she has come and what she still has yet to achieve.

As a visual person, Lauren places her triathlon race suit and an A3-sized poster of her next race in her room. This way, during tough training sessions she can look at these items for motivation. Also, to physically prepare for a race, Lauren remains consistent with her daily training and focuses on the small details that make a difference.

Lauren says, “My favourite running destination would be Cairns or Townsville along the esplanade or a trail run in the bush/mountains. I enjoy the mix of both.”