Today’s episode is a special one — because I’m sitting down with not just one of the most exciting names in triathlon right now, but also a good mate of mine: Youri Keulen.

If you follow the sport, you’ve seen him charge from a being a wildcard to a win at the T100 in Singapore last year, push limits on some of the biggest stages, and race with heart and full commitment. This season he has demonstrated that he belongs on the biggest stage in triathlon. But behind the results is a guy who’s honest, driven, and deeply grounded in what he’s doing — even when the road gets rough.

We’re talking pressure, passion, and what it really looks like to chase something relentlessly — all from a guy I’ve shared rides, laughs, and plenty of training with.

Today’s guest has lived through the highs of collegiate athletics, and the lows of losing that sense of identity — only to come back stronger, faster, and more grounded than ever.

After playing university basketball on a scholarship, he found himself navigating life after sport, with all the physical and emotional challenges that come with it. But through struggle, he found purpose, and through a single spin class, he rediscovered the power of movement.

Since then he lost over 22 kilograms, become a passionate cyclist, and dedicated himself to sharing his journey to inspire others, especially in underserved communities, to take control of their health and happiness. Now, from his new home in Spain, he’s using his bike to explore the world and help others do the same.

Some tell stories with words. Others with pedals and pain. But today’s guest does both—with a camera slung over his shoulder and a bike—either a gravel, road, or now even a triathlon bike—aimed at adventure, challenge, and the stories that unfold when comfort is left behind.

Meet Tristan Cardew—filmmaker, photographer, and ultra-endurance cyclist. From the dusty trails of the Atlas Mountains to the vibrant streets of Girona, Tristan has built a reputation for capturing the raw, honest beauty of life on two wheels. His YouTube channel is packed with immersive storytelling, and his own adventures stretch across some of the world’s most unforgiving landscapes.