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Three-time ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand champion Mike Phillips reflects on a rollercoaster 2025 season, the role of nutrition and family, and what’s driving him as he returns to Taupō on 7 March to defend his title.
Q. Tell us about your history in the sport of triathlon.
I grew up playing just about every sport I could. I always had a background in swimming and cycling, and during university I discovered how much I enjoyed running and balancing all three disciplines. What began as a hobby alongside study and work quickly became something wanted to pursue seriously as I saw steady progress.
Pro Series. How does that impact your mindset?
Returning to Taupō is always special, especially as defending champion, but it comes with pressure. Each year is a clean slate; a stronger field, different conditions, and the need to execute on the day. I try to keep things simple and focus on what I can control.
“Beef and lamb are regular parts of my weekly diet because they provide the protein, iron, and nutrients I need to stay strong, recover well, and back up for the next session.”
IRONMAN New Zealand has been a major part of that journey. My first race in 2018 was overwhelming in the best way; the atmosphere, the support, and seeing Taupō buzzing made it a course I fell in love with. Winning IRONMAN 2019 in Taupō really set my IRONMAN career in motion.
Q. You’ve described 2025 as a rollercoaster. What have been the defining moments?
It’s been a year of highs, lows and learning to keep moving forward.
Winning my third ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand title was the perfect start and gave me great momentum. Then, at IRONMAN South Africa, I crashed late in the bike leg and left a lot of skin on the road. I bounced back with solid races in Korea and the Philippines, but another training accident left me with a broken hand and forced me to withdraw from the IRONMAN World Championships. That was tough, but being home for the birth of our daughter Isla was an incredible silver lining. It also gave me time to properly rest after a big block of training and racing — something I probably wouldn’t have allowed myself otherwise.
As my career has gone on, I’ve learned to be more proactive with managing injury and fatigue. Nutrition is a huge part of that. Getting enough protein and iron, often through beef and lamb, helps me recover well and avoid running myself into the ground.
Q. You’re returning to Taupō as the defending champion, and 2026 will see the race become part of the IRONMAN
The Pro Series adds another layer to my preparation and to the race itself. It will attract an even deeper international field and bring more media attention to the event, which is great for the sport of IRONMAN and triathlon in New Zealand. It raises the standard for everyone and will make for an exciting race in an incredible setting.
Q. How do you approach nutrition during heavy training blocks? What role do beef and lamb play? Nutrition and recovery become just as important as the sessions themselves. I’m burning huge amounts of calories, so it’s about fuelling enough, recovering well, and keeping my immune system strong.
Most of my meals are simple — a steak and lots of veggies are a staple on big days. Beef and lamb are regular parts of my weekly diet because they provide the protein, iron, and nutrients I need to stay strong, recover well, and back up for the next session.
Q. How has ANZCO Foods’ partnership with IRONMAN New Zealand supported the sport in New Zealand?
It’s awesome seeing ANZCO Foods get behind New Zealand’s premier triathlon event in such a meaningful way. They’re a natural fit — IRONMAN is built on nutrition, fuelling and recovery, and ANZCO lives and breathes that through their focus on nutrition and good health with New Zealand beef and lamb. They’re a great partner because they genuinely understand what the sport demands, whether you’re a seasoned professional or a weekend warrior lining up for your first triathlon, and they’re passionate about what their product offers everyday New Zealanders.
Their support lifts the profile of the race and our Kiwi athletes. And it’s pretty easy to back a product that’s already part of your everyday diet.
Q. What advice would you give the next generation of professional IRONMAN athletes?
Patience and resilience. The sport rewards consistency above everything else. Progress isn’t linear, but showing up every day matters. And don’t overlook the basics: sleep, nutrition, and a training plan you can stick to. It doesn’t need to be complicated — consistency is what counts.
Q. What continues to motivate you beyond defending your title at ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand in March?
There are still major races around the world I want to tackle and a level of performance I haven’t quite reached yet. Another shot at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and cracking the top 10 IRONMAN athletes in the world are on the list.
Becoming a father has also shifted my perspective. want to keep improving, but I also want to make sure I’m finding the right balance — for myself and for my family.