What does it take to be an "Iron-Mom?" The complete analysis, the data, and the dissertation

This week, we have a special interview with Iris Nafshi about her PhD study, which analyzed over 300 moms who also compete in Ironman. She wanted to answer the question: Among those who experience high levels of "mom guilt" how do they complete the training anyway? What does it take? But first, Katie, Kelly, and Joanne discuss the latest triathlon news: the 20-meter draft rule for pros, the new Supertri calendar and format finally announced, and can you guess what secret race Joanne is doing? Send us a voicemail to yourfriends@livefeisty.com or at And then Katie shares some of her insights on what it took to race at the top-level after having her first kid — and how, in some ways, balancing work now with two kids is even more challenging. What can everyday athletes learn from Dr. Nafshi's research? In her words: "My research found that athletic identity doesn’t compete with maternal identity, it expands it. So claim the space you need. Pursue something big unapologetically. The mothers who finished Ironman didn’t become less devoted to their kids, they became MORE of themselves. And kids don’t need perfect, self-sacrificing mothers. They need whole, fully-alive mothers who show them what’s possible. Be that mother." See the full dissertation: " Beyond Grit and Guilt: Uncovering the Psychological Resources Fueling IronMoms in Ironman Training and Racing " Join Feisty at the Grand Traverse in Duluth, MN on October 3rd! Use code FEISTY20 for $20 off when you register at Leave us a Voicemail:

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What does it take to be an "Iron-Mom?" The complete analysis, the data, and the dissertation is an episode from IronWomen podcast by Feisty Triathlon podcast.

This episode is 01:17:49 long.

This episode was published on Feb 6, 2026.

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