The host of the talk show Deux hommes en or , Jean-Philippe Wauthier, sweated through 113.1 km at the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, which was held in Mont Tremblant last June: 1.93 km of swimming, 90.1 km of cycling, and 21.1 km of running. He even qualified for the World Championship! What is the secret to his success?

Was this your first Ironman?

Jean-Philippe Wauthier : "No, my third. In 2012, I first did it as a team with two old buddies . We split the three events: cycling, running, and swimming. I found that experience to be fun : it's in Tremblant, the weather is nice, the people are cool , and it's an atmosphere of fit people. We then said to ourselves: next year, we'll all do the whole thing! So this year was the second time I did it alone..."

Have you always been athletic?

J-P.W. : "No, I have no talent in sports! I'm not a good skater, I was never good at soccer, I managed in tennis, but I didn't pursue it... So, for about fifteen years now, I've been a cycling guy. The fun thing is that you don't need talent, but rather endurance, mental strength, and self-denial. I've done cycling trips, in the Alps, for example. I've always been a good roller-climber. And today, after two intense years of training, I'm very light and I can maintain a solid cruising speed for a long time."

Among the three Ironman events – running, cycling, swimming – which do you like the least?

J-P.W. : "It's swimming, because it's like golf: you have to invest thousands of hours of training to improve! In running, if you push 100% harder, you'll go 100% faster. In cycling, due to the wind among other things, it's more around 80%. But in swimming, it's 30% at most, because only technique can make you go faster. And besides, the time you can gain through training is minimal ... This year, by training two to three hours a week, I only managed to cut one minute from my swimming event. In short, I hate it!"

How do you train for the triathlon?

J-P.W.: "This year, that's all I did! I trained up to 25 hours a week, in blocks of two to three hours a day, in the morning or evening, depending on my schedule. I often did bike-run or swim-strength training blocks, for example, and during the winter, I rode six hours a week indoors on my trainer. For the first time, I trained more seriously with a professional coach, who managed to bring out a potential in me that I hadn't suspected. Having a coach is an investment, but it pays off a lot!"

Why do you think triathlon-type events are becoming increasingly popular?

J-P.W.: "The need to be in shape is part of the era we live in, because we are increasingly informed about health, among other things. But running, cycling, or swimming just for fun can become boring. Having a goal is more motivating and adds a little spice to life. So, participating in a triathlon can be a beautiful personal accomplishment. And even if it's accessible to everyone, few people actually do it, which is rewarding."

Have you ever made a beginner's mistake?

J-P.W. : "Getting lost in the goal and putting all my eggs in the triathlon day. Last year, that's what happened to me. Because I was afraid of being undertrained for the event, I overtrained, trained poorly, and injured myself running. I ruined all my efforts for something silly! You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket and remember that it's not the destination that matters, but the journey that takes you there."

Were you happy or disappointed with your results?

J-P.W. : "Last year, since I was injured, I wanted to finish under 5 hours 30 minutes, and I finished in 5 hours 19 minutes. I was happy! This year, the idea was to do better, and the goal set with my coach was 4 hours 45 minutes. Under 5 hours, that's serious stuff! Ultimately, I finished in 4 hours 38 minutes, which is crazy! Plus, that time qualified me for the World Championship, which will bring together about 2,000 athletes in September in Tremblant. It's beyond my expectations... I'm now in the elite! Unfortunately, I won't be able to participate because I'll be working."

The biggest challenge for someone training for an Ironman?

J-P.W. : "Discipline: you have to eat well, follow your training plan, and remember not to drink too much alcohol so you're not trashed the next morning!"

What advice do you have for someone who wants to do an Ironman?

J-P.W. : "Don't do it just any old way. The body is susceptible to injuries. You can't go quickly from 0 to 10 hours of training per week; it's not possible. Otherwise, you'll get injured... and I can confirm that it lasts a long time and it's really boring!"