Search
shop

Jan Frodeno on the process of developing the “mentality of a champion”

Jan Frodeno shares his thoughts on a champion's mentality and what it takes to be great.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Jan Frodeno retired from professional triathlon this season as one of the greatest athletes to ever grace the sport, as the German waved goodbye at the men’s IRONMAN World Championship in Nice.

Looking back on his career in a video recently released by the PTO, the PTO World #5 reveals what it means in his eyes to be a champion and the mentality you need to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

With an Olympic gold medal and multiple IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship titles to his name, nobody knows better than Frodeno what it takes to achieve greatness.

“You have to find your calling”

Reflecting on the journey to embodying what it means to be a champion, Frodeno pointed out that it was not something that he had always had, but rather something that had developed throughout his career.

Jan Frodeno PTO Tour US Open 2023 Milwaukee
Jan Frodeno wins the PTO Tour US Open in Milwaukee (Photo – PTO).

“I think I developed the mentality of a champion for sure. When I won the Olympics, I would have said yeah I won the Olympics, but I wasn’t necessarily a champion as such, because as a champion you stand for a little bit more in the sport.

“Despite this not sounding very humble, I do think that I am a good ambassador of the sport and I take people along on that journey to a certain degree.” 

Whilst a number of the best athletes have a champion mentality, the 2023 PTO Tour US Open winner said that each individual’s journey to that point is very unique.

“Champion mentality, I think is a tricky one, because it’s very individual. You can’t apply something across all athletes. To a degree, we are all running from something and when you do that, you have to find your own calling.

“You have to know what it is that makes you get out of bed when it’s all closing in and you just want to rest and your legs are so sore and you keep on pushing.” 

What makes the G.O.A.T tick?

For Frodeno, his personal motivation came from a desire to make it to the top, combined with a need to change his circumstances and find his limits.

“For me, it’s been a complex mix of trying to be at the top, feeling self worthy, feeling that I want to supersede myself and finding my limits. However, it’s also something that changes a lot on the way.

“I just used to want to change my stars and have different circumstances and make it as such, whereas financial motivation nowadays is none, it’s something that doesn’t motivate me, if anything it sabotages me.

“Therefore, it’s interesting to keep on analysing that, because after 20 years as pro, you need to reinvent yourself and you need to refine that reason. Otherwise you’re going to have a short space of time and once you fulfil whatever you’re running from, then the journey is probably coming to an end.” 

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Paris 2024 Women's Triathlon podium - Cassandre Beaugrand, Julie Derron, Beth Potter
GOLDEN opportunity for the sport as first medals of LA2028 will be women’s triathlon
Gordon Ramsay 703 Luxembourg 2025
‘I’M BACK and Cooking!’ – Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay celebrates triathlon return
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
Start list for IRONMAN Lake Placid REVEALED – and it’s stacked with world class names
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz 2025: Olympic star wins by MORE than half an hour for first full-distance win
Matt Hauser Linn Jeffcoat Willian Australia win Mixed Relay WTCS Hamburg 2025
WTCS Hamburg 2025 Mixed Relay World Championship: Hauser anchors Australia to glory
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...