In this episode

Nikos Barboudis, 36 and a father of two boys, moved from professional football to amateur triathlon. In football, his career depended on coaches, agents and luck in brief appearances; in triathlon, he likes having greater control over improvement.

Within six months, he raced his first 70.3 in Marbella. Middle-distance races in Greece and abroad followed, second at the 2025 national middle-distance championship at TRIMAN, and a first Ironman-distance entry in Italy as a gift from his wife. He closes with R3ZN, the team he formed in recent months.

Quick navigation

  • 00:00 — Football and stopping
  • 10:27 — A first 70.3 in Marbella
  • 17:53 — TRIMAN and the 2025 national championship
  • 27:16 — 70.3 strategy and training
  • 41:10 — A first Ironman in Italy
  • 50:45 — Fuelling and supplements
  • 57:06 — R3ZN and the half-marathon
  • 01:05:35 — Team vision, Marbella and closing remarks

Detailed show notes

When your career is not entirely in your hands

Nikos Barboudis began football very young, inspired by his uncle, a professional abroad. He signed his first contract at 15 and played professionally until 28–30. He says talent alone does not determine your football career: you need to be seen, promoted and meet the right person at the right club. A coach’s decision can end a career; five minutes on the pitch may be “your chance”.

He did not stop because of injury. After returning from Cyprus, a Greek agreement fell through and he remained in limbo for months. At 29, offers were below his earliest contracts. He made a deliberate decision to stop, found work in sporting goods and tried triathlon after a year of beach volleyball.

From spinning straight to middle distance

He had no swimming background beyond two or three childhood years. He started with running and spinning. His first triathlon was Marbella 70.3 within six months. He did not know the elevation; he opened at 3:50, cramped badly and fell apart. As soon as he finished, he wanted another race and a coach.

He lists Marbella, Valencia, Navarino, Vouliagmeni, Marathon, Ayia Napa, the Utah World Championship and TRIMAN. He pursues annual improvement within an amateur’s available time.

TRIMAN 2025: targeting four hours, finishing second

He wanted a flat race close to four hours. At TRIMAN 2025, his front hydration system broke in a pothole. He took two gels immediately on the run and held a manageable tempo without walking, finishing in 4:02–4:03. He does not present himself as a top athlete; some athletes were absent that day.

A first Ironman as an anniversary gift

His Emilia-Romagna Ironman-distance entry was a gift from his wife. He is increasing distance while lowering watts and pace: from 11–14 hours for 70.3, he is targeting 22–23 for the full, no more. Indoor cycling allows morning training before the children wake. He has qualified for the Marbella 70.3 Worlds and is weighing up Ironman Greece too.

R3ZN: another reason to be active

He formed a team in recent months. R3ZN is pronounced “reason”: another reason to make sport part of daily life. Most current athletes are marathon runners; two do triathlon. He imagines a team offering sponsorship, equipment and support like those abroad, bringing runners into triathlon. He is self-coaching for his own Ironman-distance race; if it goes poorly, he wants more experienced long-distance guidance.

Key takeaways

  • Others may determine a football career; triathlon improvement depends more on the year’s work.
  • Middle distance requires a fluid and gel plan, plus improvisation if equipment breaks mid-race.
  • Ironman-distance volume must fit family life; more hours do not mean better preparation if home life suffers.
  • Fuelling that suits you is worth more than the season’s fashionable supplement.