Finding Your Finish Line with Mike Reilly

Mike Reilly is the legendary Ironman announcer, and he's just published his second book, Finding Your Finish Line. This is his second time on the show, and I'll put a link to our first conversation below.

We recorded this in Oceanside, Southern California, in a restaurant with a dish named after Mike on the menu. He only found out when he saw it. He told me his first book was a collection of stories he hoped would inspire people without preaching, and that he never agreed with the title because it had "my" in it. This one is about you finding your finish line, not only at a race or event, but in life.

In this episode, we talk about why starting is harder than finishing, what Mike says to himself to get through the emotional finishes, the late finisher he ran down to help, and what he's learned from almost half a million people crossing the line.

In this episode:

• Why the second book took twice as long to write, and why the title changed from "my" finish line to "your" finish line
• Why starting is often harder than finishing, and why if you're standing still you're moving backwards
• Mike hates the word retirement: "On Monday, you got to start something new"
• The difference between standing still and taking a deliberate pause, and why your last finish line is the foundation for your next
• Finish lines outside racing: a friend's divorce, one day at a time, and small wins
• What Paula Newby-Fraser told athletes the night before a race, and why Mike says an Ironman is a metaphor for life
• How Mike gets through the emotional moments on the microphone, and the late finisher he ran down to help
• Why Jan Frodeno asked how age-groupers do it for 16 and a half hours, and one trick for race day: thank a volunteer

 

Killer quote: "The biggest finish lines are the ones we try to find in life."

Get your copy of Finding Your Finish Line: https://a.co/d/02cdRFy1

Find out more about Mike Reilly at his website: https://mikereilly.net/

Also mentioned:

• My first podcast with Mike - Finding My Voice - https://simonward.podbean.com/e/simon-ward-and-mike-reilly-part-2/
• My conversation with Simon Butterworth, who came to Mike's book signing: The Oldest Finisher at Ironman World Championships 2026

https://simonward.podbean.com/e/simon-butterworth-kona-return-at-79-the-oldest-finisher-at-the-ironman-wc-2026/

Over the years, the SWAT Inner Circle has helped hundreds of athletes find their finish line. If you’re looking for yours, we’d love to help. New members join at £65 a month. No minimum term, cancel any time. Details at simonward.co.uk/swat-inner-circle

 

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