Oceanside Laughs and Cheese Curds | Fiery Embers Guest: Kaitlin Carew
If you think endurance sports are all about paces, power meters, and podiums, think again. On the Fiery Embers podcast, host Jason Bahamundi takes a refreshing detour from the usual data-driven narrative to spotlight the human side of training and racing. In this episode, Jason welcomes Kaitlin Carew, a physical therapist and high-performing triathlete, who just placed 5th overall female at 70.3 Oceanside. What follows is a laugh-filled conversation packed with everything from the Oceanside hill-induced race surprises to pancake mascots and the great cheese curd debate.
Oceanside Hills and Racing Thrills
Fresh off the challenging climbs at 70.3 Oceanside, Kaitlin shares how she underestimated the bike course and found herself digging deep on three major ascents through Camp Pendleton. But instead of focusing on wattage or splits, Kaitlin paints a picture of scenic beauty, resilience, and a mindset rooted in growth. We come to realize the best parts of racing aren’t about the numbers. It is about being present in the moment.
The Cheese Curd Chronicles and Pancake Glory
Once the tri talk wraps up, the episode dives headfirst into the delightfully absurd. Kaitlin—Wisconsin-born and Oregon-living—drops a bombshell: she doesn’t like pizza. Jason’s reaction? Shocked, bewildered, and a little betrayed. But fear not, she redeems herself with a deep knowledge of cheese curds. Once that story ends, she chats about beating a pancake-themed mascot named “Flap Jill” in a local 5K. The prize? A year’s supply of pancake mix.
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From Physical Therapy to Pop Culture Racing
Beyond the podium, Kaitlin balances life as a hospital-based physical therapist. This helps her bring a practical and human-centered approach to training and recovery. Her racing mindset? It’s not defined by heart rate zones but by TV show energy. She describes a race day that starts like New Girl, builds into Parks and Rec, and finishes with the chaos of The Office fire drill episode. It’s a metaphor that endurance athletes everywhere can laugh about—and totally relate to.
Why Humor Belongs in Endurance Sports
What makes this episode special isn’t just Kaitlin’s impressive race resume. It’s her ability to remind us that endurance sports don’t always need to be serious. Sometimes we need to laugh at the fact we pay to suffer, wake up early for “fun,” and obsess over gear while forgetting to actually enjoy the ride. Fiery Embers proves that humor, community, and the occasional cheese curd are just as essential as any training block.
Listen, Laugh, and Remember the Why
Going from the climbs on the Oceanside 70.3 course to the laughs about squeaky cheese curds, this episode will lift your spirits. Kaitlin embodies the concept of Fiery Embers. In this podcast we aren’t concerned about going faster and more interested in what makes you laugh.
🎧 Listen to the episode, laugh with us, and tell us—are you Team Waffle or Team Pancake?
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