Bevan James Eyles is one of the co-hosts of the Kiwi IM Talk podcast when he isn't working as a group fitness instructor. The talkative Kiwi isn't a shabby triathlete either. We turned the tables on him and asked a few questions.
Slowtwitch: Bevan, does it seem odd being on the other side of the mic?
Bevan: Not really. I‘m a talker and I always have been. So I’m more than happy to tell you every aspect of my life. It all started in 1977…
ST: Well, we’ll try to keep it short and painless.
Bevan: And then in 1983 Van Halen brought out Jump, this was a sliding doors moment in my life where I knew I wanted a life where I would wear tight clothes. Hence in my time I’ve been a triathlete and an aerobics instructor. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
ST: Let us talk about the past first though. When and how did you first meet John?
Bevan: I had been using a local coach - Mark Elliot, he was Bevan Docherty’s coach for a long time, Mark didn’t have time to coach me anymore (I obviously wasn’t that great), he recommended John to me as a coach and after doing some research I decided to go with Coach John Newsom. The good thing about John was that we were close in ability to so we very quickly became training partners. That’s where our relationship started.
ST: Who of you two came up with the IM Talk idea?
Bevan: I’m a bit of a geek at heart so I’m often an early adapter with technology. When podcasting first came out I started listening to podcasts when I was out training, I loved them because it helped to fill in the time and make my training more effective. After a while I thought to myself, I could do this. I knew that I could produce the audio and website and I also felt no one was doing a Ironman Triathlon podcast. I asked John if he was interested, which he was. We decided to try it for a couple months and see what happened. Who would have thought it would turn into what it is today.
ST: How has the IM Talk podcast changed from when you first started?
Bevan: In a way it hasn’t changed much. IMTalk is just two mates having fun talking about something they love, that is still the same. I often sit there when we are recording and smile to myself because I am doing what I love doing.
The thing that keeps growing is the size of the community. The IMTalk community is pretty massive now and it seems to just keep getting bigger. We really noticed this in Kona last year, we thought the odd person would know us but it seemed to be that everywhere we went someone would stop us for a chat. I love what it has turned into, IMTalk has become a part of many athlete’s training week.
ST: How often do you have guests and who in your view was most memorable/fun?
Bevan: I have a curious mind. I love getting deep with people and finding out what really makes them tick. So for me my favorite interviews are the ones with people who are really honest. The great thing for us is that most of the pros are very open.
My memorable ones are: Dave Scott, he didn’t like the fact that I called him old. Plus he loves given me a hard time. Macca, he’s just so open and has such a deep love of the sport. Peter Reid, he was our first big interview. This was when we realized that IMTalk could be a big thing. Anytime Molina’s on: He’s just a top guy.
I was a little disappointed with our Mark Allen interview. He told his stories, which are great, but our audience had already heard them and we wanted to get a deeper triathlon interview out. Plus I felt we were a little too easy on Bob Babbit. I think we had too much respect for him and we didn’t challenge him when we had some areas we disagreed on. In saying that he was a great guy.
To be honest our sport is blessed with so many great people, there are so many names I could put down here.
ST: You mentioned enjoying interviews with people who are honest. Have you encountered dishonest folks during interviews?
Bevan: I don't think there's been anyone who's been dishonest but some people aren't as willing to be totally open. Those interviews never come off well, people want to hear about all aspects of an athletes make up.
ST: Are you aware that because of you and John several folks now refer to Jordan Rapp as Rappster.
Bevan: I didn’t know that, but I’m lovin it! We tend to give people nicknames, Rappster is one of our better ones. Would you want to be called ‘The Jersey Modifier’? John came up with that one.
ST: So what is your nickname then and what is the story behind it?
Bevan: I'm really well know for my whole name, it's a group fitness instructor thing. But on the show I have been known as Mully over the years. John isn't the most up to date with fashion and when I was going with the mullet haircut a few years ago he decided to start calling me Mully. It suck, when I do races I still get people yelling 'Go Mully'. I have to admit I've still got a bit of hair at the back, it's just cool.
ST: You are actually a Pro Triathlete yourself when you are not hosting IM Talk. Tell us more.
Bevan: I’m not actually a pro. I did a few races as a pro but I was more of a good age grouper who crossed over the line just to get the feel. Due to my other career and the fact that I’m a father I never considered taking the steps it takes to go to that level. I really respect guys who give up everything they have to chase the pro dream, especially because it’s such a hard sport to make a living in. I’ve seen Chris MacDonald go from being a good age group who gave up everything to becoming a Ironman winner. That shows some amazing self believe!
ST: How do you manage doing your podcast when you are traveling for a race?
Bevan: While I don’t travel that much for racing I do travel a lot for my job as a group fitness instructor. We make it work through Skype. Technology has made this all very easy.
ST: What result are you most proud of?
ST: My last Iron distance race in Roth. I really wanted to go sub 9 in this race as I had been chasing it for a few years. I was on target for most of the day and I had kept it pretty conservative but as always the going got tough in the last 15km of the run. I got to the point where I knew I wasn’t going to get the sub 9 but instead of plodding home I killed myself to come in with a 9:05. I always considered myself to be a mentally tough athlete and this was my strongest day.
ST: Do you think the distances in Roth are correct?
Bevan: Yeah I do. I've done it twice and both times my speedo came in on 180km. When you're out there riding it doesn't feel like it's short. It is fast but the roads are amazingly smooth and because it's rolling you can make up some speed on the downhills. I would recommend Roth as a race for two reasons: 1. It's such a well supported race, the crowds gave me goosebumps. 2. WTC need some competition and the Challenge Family seem to be the only one out there right now that can get in the ring against them. The more competition there is in the sport the better it is for both the pro and age group athletes.
ST: Talk about your weekly training currently.
Bevan: I’m having some down time right now. In saying that, down time for me is still around 16 hours of exercise a week. My job is doing exercise so I teach lots of classes and I ride my bike for transport. This always keeps me pretty fit.
ST: Well, is John your coach?
Bevan: Not anymore, he was in the past. John’s a great coach because he knows triathlon but he also thinks about the whole picture for the athlete. I think a good coach needs to have this understanding. I imagine I was a hard athlete to coach because of the 12 classes I taught at the gym each week. John managed to always make it work.
ST: What race is next for you?
Bevan: I’m thinking of signing up for the Christchurch Marathon. I would like to do a sub 2:40 Marathon. I’m two minutes off that, so this could be the race. I also want to do the New York Marathon next year so this would qualify me. I really want to do one of the big marathons, they seem pretty special.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Bevan: I keep an eye on what’s happening in the Rugby but that’s about it. I do like sport I just don’t have that much time to follow it.
ST: What foods do you like and dislike?
Bevan: Peas and Mushrooms, they are just wrong.
ST: Earlier you talked about Van Halen, so please tell us about your music taste.
Bevan: I play piano and guitar, music is the other passion in my life. It’s been one of the nice things about pulling back from Ironman, I’ve been able to bring music back. I practice for around 1-2 hours every day. I’m not playing in a band right now but I’m aiming to get back into it next year.
When it comes to my music taste I like most types. I do appreciate someone who has good words, Ben Harper is a fav that comes to mind.
ST: What was the last book you read?
Bevan: I’m a prolific consumer of books but I tend to buy them as audiobooks. For example, I listened to three books over the last two weeks. These were: Open by Andre Agassi. I really loved how he was so honest, it was refreshing to hear.
Linchpin by Seth Godin. The marketing guru was encouraging us to be indispensable in everything we do, I definitely try to be that.
How we decide by Johan Lehrer. A fascinating, well researched book about how we make decisions. It show us the ways we make decisions and how important emotion is a part of this. It’s a real shift in thinking. If you liked Preditably Irrational by Dan Ariely, which I highly recommend, you will like this one.
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Bevan: I really base my life on my values and passions. My values are Love, Honesty, Growth, Freedom, Happiness and Health and my passions are Fitness, Music and People. So I’m sure I’ll be doing stuff that enhances these. Who knows, I may be a rockstar triathlete ;-)
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Bevan: I have a 12 year old daughter who is at such a great age. I love the energy she brings to my life. Plus I have the best partner in the world, the IMTalk listeners know all about my feelings for her. John would say that I go on about it too much ;-)
If you haven’t heard of us check out the show at www.imtalk.me
Ed: An interview with John Newsom, the other host of IM Talk, will come soon.
