In this episode of Masters on the Move, I sit down with Pieter Vermeulen — endurance athlete, Ironman finisher, and lifelong student of resilience — to explore a journey that began in 1988 during South Africa’s isolation years and continues today at provincial and international level.
With over 100 triathlons completed, 5 Ironmans, and 6 half-Ironmans, Pieter’s path has taken him from Olympic aspirations to qualifying for the brutal ICON XTRI, where only 250 athletes are invited annually. Representing South Africa, he narrowly missed the mountain cutoff and finished at the bottom of the field — an experience that reshaped his understanding of success, identity, and mastery.
But this conversation goes far deeper than racing.
We unpack:
This episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the discipline to keep moving forward — especially when the mountain still lies ahead.
If you’re a masters athlete, a triathlete, or simply someone determined to perform at a high level beyond midlife, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.