Ironman champion ups her recovery game with CurraNZ

This month we’re proud to celebrate accomplished triathlete and coach, Merle Talviste, our Customer of the Month.

A formidable competitor on both sides of the Tasman and internationally, Merle’s string of major victories speaks for itself: Ironman New Zealand 2024 70.3, Ironman Australia 2024, Ironman Cairns 2024, and a third place finish in her age group (40-44) at the Ironman World Championship in Nice, 2024.

For Merle, the journey to the world’s toughest triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, began in New Zealand’s winter: “Preparation for one of the hottest long-distance triathlon competitions has started for me. I earned my slot in May 2025, racing the Port Macquarie Ironman and winning overall female. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to go back to the Big Island.”

As an athlete in her 40s, Merle knows the importance of recovery: “The long-distance training can be really hard on the body, and the recovery is key to keep performing day after day.”

She first discovered CurraNZ through podcasts discussing its recovery benefits and new research on performance in the heat: “I’ve lived in Dubai and Singapore, raced a fair bit in these regions, so I know how badly the heat can affect performance.”

After a month of CurraNZ, Merle is already noticing an impact: “I definitely feel the recovery aspects of the product. The training is ramping up, but I feel I can still show up every day ready to get the training done. I have also noticed that my heart rate has been more steady both on easier and harder efforts, making the training even more enjoyable.”

Next up, Merle is preparing for the Sunshine Coast 70.3 as a heat prep event before Kona: “I’m excited to test out the pre-race protocol, getting the legs tested out in the warmer climate before the main race of the year.”

We’re proud to support Merle on her world-class triathlon journey - and wish her every success on the Big Island!

For those of you needing some expert advice, Merle is also a coach for hire - LINK HERE