Cody Beals has announced his retirement from professional triathlon, bringing a 13-year career to a close with a candid reflection on success, illness and burnout.

The Canadian, who won his first three full-distance IRONMAN races, revealed that he had struggled to recapture his best following two difficult years with his health.

But despite never finding the “storybook ending” he pursued, Beals says he leaves with few regrets – and gratitude for a sport which changed his life far beyond the racecourse.

“My friends, it’s time to close this chapter,” he wrote in a statement on social media.

“My unlikely 13 year career as a pro triathlete showed me the world and even more about myself. What a privilege it’s been to have you along for the ride.”

Three full-distance starts, three wins

Beals bows out with 12 professional victories and more than 30 podium finishes, having spent 10 consecutive years inside the world’s top 100, including seven in the top 50.

His breakthrough at the full distance was particularly memorable. He won on his IRONMAN debut at Mont-Tremblant in 2018, followed that with victory at Chattanooga and successfully defended his Mont-Tremblant title in 2019 to make it three wins from three starts.

“For a moment around 2018–19, when I won my first 3 IRONMANs in a row, I glimpsed the peak of the sport just up ahead,” he reflected.

His final professional victory came at IRONMAN Lake Placid in July 2022, the last of 12 wins across his career.

Yet his retirement statement placed as much emphasis on what triathlon had helped him confront as on what he had achieved.

“Off the course, triathlon helped me reinvent myself, purge angst, and gain confidence in who I am and who I want to be,” he explained.

“It began as a way to outrun challenges like compulsiveness, self-isolation, disordered eating, perfectionism and coming out. But the sport eventually helped me face them.

“There’s no hiding from yourself in the depths of a training block and in the lonely back half of an IRONMAN.”

“I chased a storybook ending”

That honesty extended to his account of the closing years of his career, with Beals acknowledging how difficult it had been to rediscover the form which had brought those early successes.

“The last act of my career was as brutal as the early years were charmed,” he wrote.

“I wasn’t the same athlete after spending most of 2023–24 sick and pushing myself to the brink. In hindsight, maybe I should have walked away then. But I was stubborn.

“I chased a storybook ending that I never quite caught despite striving harder than ever.”

That search for a final flourish was something Beals had spoken about openly before. In September 2025, he admitted that “triathlon keeps breaking my heart”, detailing a gut infection and multiple rounds of treatment during 2023 and 2024, followed by fatigue and gastrointestinal sensitivity.

There had still been glimpses of his best, including second place at IRONMAN Chattanooga in 2024, just 20 seconds behind Sam Long. But the sustained return to form he worked so hard for remained elusive.

Nevertheless, his decision to retire comes with a sense of appreciation for being able to choose his own moment.

“It’s a gift to be going out on my own terms with few regrets, good health and the sponsor roster of my dreams.”

Time for a first real break

For now, Beals’ next chapter will begin with rest and the opportunity to make room for the people and interests which life as a professional athlete often pushed aside.

“What’s next? My first real break – time to slow down and recover deeply from burnout,” he said.

“I want to say yes to other people and things for a change – family, friends, creative projects, community involvement. I’m recommitting to simple living and minimalism, which were in tension with triathlon at times.”

He also thanked his partner James, his parents, manager Steph Corker, sponsors, coaches and training partners, giving a special mention to fellow Canadian professional Jackson Laundry.

His closing thanks went to the wider triathlon community – “the community that made this unexpected and audacious adventure possible.”

Fellow athletes pay tribute

Beals’ announcement immediately prompted many messages of support from fellow professionals, with Matt Hanson recalling their time together in training and at races.

“Congrats on the great career, Cody. It was always great training with you and catching up post race. Enjoy the next chapter and hope we are able to stay in touch,” he wrote.

Skye Moench added: “Congratulations, Cody! You did amazing things and should be very proud. I appreciate that our paths crossed many times at the races.”

Ben Kanute echoed Beals’ plans to take a well-earned break, writing: “Congrats man! Great career! Enjoy the time slowing down!”

And Renee Kiley offered an encouraging verdict on what comes next: “Congratulations Cody. You will love retirement it’s fun.”