Alex Yee vs. Hayden Wilde: The Mindset Behind an Incredible Olympic Comeback

What if the moment that nearly ended your career became the fuel for Olympic gold?

This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Yee — Olympic triathlon champion, British icon, and one of the most humble athletes in sport today.

From a near-fatal bike crash in 2017 to his unforgettable battle with Hayden Wilde at the Tokyo Olympics, Alex shares the highs, the heartbreak, and what it takes to chase greatness — without losing joy.

We unpack:
🚴 The accident that nearly ended it all — and the comeback that shocked everyone
🥇 What really went through Alex’s mind during his Olympic gold medal moment
🌊 Reconstructing his swim stroke to conquer the Seine in Paris 2024
🧠 How he manages pressure, self-doubt and unexpected delays on the world stage
💑 The dynamic of training (and living) with his partner
💭 Why Alex is more motivated by growth than medals
⚡ Inspiring the next generation — and what triathlon’s future looks like

This episode is a masterclass in mental resilience, elite performance, and finding power in purpose.

🎧 Subscribe, rate & share The Runna Podcast for more raw stories from athletes who go the distance.

🎁 Try the Runna app free for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://www.runna.com/

📱 Follow us for behind-the-scenes content:
Instagram →   / runna  
TikTok →   / runna  

⸻

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:48 - What got Alex moving as a young athlete?
00:02:22 - Getting into triathlon
00:04:11 - When did you realise you could be great?
00:06:30 - First time using cleats
00:07:05 - Becoming a professional athlete
00:09:27 - Triathlon at home
00:11:37 - Most memorable Olympic moment
00:13:43 - The moment he broke away from Hayden Wilde
00:15:47 - What makes triathlon so difficult
00:16:37 - The crash in 2017
00:18:34 - Mentally navigating injury
00:20:32 - Favourite sport in triathlon
00:22:54 - Training for the Seine River
00:24:56 - What Alex wants to achieve in the next 10 years
00:26:45 - The future of triathlon
00:29:33 - Coaching Tip of the Week
00:30:21 - Balancing weaknesses & confidence
00:32:40 - Crocs or flip-flops?
00:34:42 - Biking or swimming?
00:37:10 - Would You Rather
00:38:41 - Triathlons with jellyfish?!
00:41:02 - Alex’s dream race