In this episode

Nikos Triantafyllidis, aged 25–26, recounts childhood swimming, returning at 18 and entering triathlon in Katerini alongside Iordanis Papadopoulos.

The discussion centres on his MS experience, the Portugal 70.3 where he walked the run, his relationship with TRIMAN and a 24-hour sea-swimming project with a documentary.

Detailed show notes

Swimming, Katerini and first triathlons

He works as a mechanical engineer and project manager on offshore projects. He swam from three or four, tried karate and pankration and returned to the pool at 18. In Katerini, Iordanis Papadopoulos gave him a bike and introduced him to triathlon.

Jenny met him at a five-kilometre swim in Halkidiki: he started around fifteen minutes late and finished second, first by elapsed time. He says he never did truly targeted triathlon training until before the Ironman in Vouliagmeni, where he visited every portable toilet on the run.

Multiple sclerosis and Portugal

He has multiple sclerosis. He describes being diagnosed within the past five years and an undiagnosed first episode at twelve. In his case, it began with optic neuritis; the latest episode affected his right leg. The account focuses on his own experience, treatment and return to exercise.

Three or four weeks before the Portugal 70.3, his leg buckled during a long session at the velodrome. He took cortisone and saw a very high heart rate during exercise testing. In the race, he swam normally, pushed the final bike kilometres and walked for around three hours on the run. No other medication is named.

The TRIMAN experience

He and Iordanis are like brothers. From crutches at his first sprint, he moved into setting up transition areas and TRIMAN operations management. In 2026, he will be there as Nikos and a volunteer; continued involvement in organising is not confirmed.

24 hours in the sea

He is preparing a 24-hour swim and documentary. The initial idea was 30 May, World MS Day; experienced swimmers persuaded him to move towards late June because of the cold. He retains the date for a 12-hour pool trial. He swims 5–6 days weekly, around 4,000 m each time.

He wants skippers and a kayaker on the boats rather than close family. External speakers, not headphones, to help him stay awake. He wants a message of perseverance rather than a super-athlete image.

Key takeaways

  • Multiple sclerosis is discussed through a personal account, not a clinical lesson.
  • A race can be completed by walking when the body cannot run.
  • The 24-hour sea swim is being planned with support and a date change for water temperature, not as a spontaneous bet.
  • Triathlon’s small community matters when someone needs a reason to get off the sofa.