Triathlon legend Jan Frodeno isn't afraid to push his limits. As an Olympic gold medalist and a three-time Ironman World Champion, Frodeno has repeatedly demonstrated his grit and perseverance, securing his place in triathlon history. Shokz is excited to welcome him to the team! We recently sat down with Jan to delve into what drives him, how his approach to triathlons has evolved, and the power of staying "Open" during training.
Shokz: How did you first get into triathlons? What drives you during a triathlon?
Jan Frodeno (JF): It all started in Cape Town back in 2000. It was a small community of crazy people pushing each other, and I fit right in. Triathlon became a part of who I am and what I love.
Shokz: How does competing in a triathlon make you feel?
JF: I am a triathlete. It's part of my identity. There's the incredible community spirit, pushing each other as we compete in the most beautiful locations in the world, but also the fierce competition that defines any Olympic or World Championship win.
Shokz: What significance do successes and defeats hold for you? How did you deal with setbacks and what motivated you to keep going?
JF: Success is why people know who I am. Defeat is why I managed to be successful. Defeat has always been painful for me, enough to rethink and question what I was doing, allowing me to adjust my course.
Shokz: How has your approach to triathlons evolved throughout your career? Have any specific events or experiences influenced your approach?
JF: Over the years, I've found myself changing, so I've needed to adjust my approach to keep digging deep enough to strive for the top. It's gone from simply wanting to be able to afford a sports car to a deeper search for who I am and where I want to go, to being a dad and a role model for my kids.
Shokz: Can you give us insight into your competition preparation?
JF: The older I became, the more I preferred to find calmness in movement before the race. Music played a big role in getting me in the zone and visualizing success. In the time before a race, I found it important to be patient as my energy levels came up and fatigue lessened. It's a crazy mind game of keeping it all together before the gun goes off.
Shokz: How did mental strength contribute to your success? Did you have specific techniques or routines to help you stay focused and motivated during races or training?
JF: Mental fortitude determines whether you're a Tuesday afternoon training world champion or a Sunday prime-time world champion. It's so important to thrive in stress and frame it as something positive. I used to get quite nervous, but somehow always managed to turn it into fuel. Channeling anger was also very powerful as it's a seemingly endless trough of energy.
Shokz: What message would you give to aspiring triathletes?
JF: Realize that living as a professional is the biggest privilege. It's very limited in terms of how long you can do it, so make the most of the time and go all in.
Shokz: How has your life changed since retiring?
JF: It's an ongoing journey, and mostly positive. Of course, there are moments, but I've been ready for this step for a while. I still love sports and being active, but not so much managing injuries like I've had to for a while. My family is wonderful, and I enjoy my time with them while my projects within the sport keep me close to the community.
Shokz: What new goals have you set? How do you plan to stay involved in sports or dedicate yourself to new projects in the future?
JF: We've launched a triathlon, so I can still enjoy the sport – more of a triathlon adventure with navigation and off-roads called Sgrail. Commentary work keeps me close to the professional side of things, which I can appreciate through a different lens.
Shokz: How important is headphone quality during training? What features do you value most?
JF: Massively important! Shokz has been my go-to headphones for outdoor or indoor, high-sweat activity for years. They help me push through when I would otherwise ease up, but also enjoy a podcast while spending a few hours just pedaling along, all while still hearing the surrounding world.
Shokz: How do you use Shokz headphones now outside of triathlons?
JF: I have dedicated a lot of time to learning, mostly through audiobooks since it's an easy way for me to absorb information. Shokz headphones allow me to combine my passion for the outdoors while continuing to listen to any audio. Honestly, I don’t leave the house without them since they’re easy to forget once you’re wearing them.
Shokz: How will the Shokz collaboration benefit both parties? What are you most excited about in this collaboration?
JF: Music and audio are increasingly popular in sports, especially cycling. Shokz offers the best quality while keeping athletes safe with open-ear listening since they can still hear traffic and what’s going on around them. I'm especially excited to promote the Shokz OpenSwim, as people don’t realize what a game-changer audio is during a swim workout.
Shokz: What does "Be Open" mean to you?
JF: “Be Open” could be my life mantra. Keeping your ears, eyes, and mind open is what really allows us to grow. Whether it's safety on a bike, awareness of someone trying to tell you something (and you being able to hear them), or being in nature and enjoying a fuller experience with motivating music and the ability to hear your surroundings.
