This week we have a broadcast of Mark Allen’s podcast Real People of his 
interview with chef Leo Di Canio.
“Just about every triathlete, every athlete, wants to improve, to have breakthrough moments that alter their lives forever. I had many of those during my career racing triathlons with most coming at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. But many of you probably look at me as having some sort of gifted toolshed of athletic talent that few have. Okay, I do have skinny ankles and a big heart! That served me well. But what if you are NOT a thoroughbred yet still want to have those incredible experiences that say “I Did It”!
In this episode of Real People I talk with someone who did all of that and more. His name is Leo Di Canio. He’s the Iron Chef for MarkAllenCoaching.com and an athlete that I’ve coached for a number of years now. He recounts an incredible 3-year climb up the fitness ladder going from zero training and no experience in triathlons to testing the waters in a sprint race where he finished dead last to just recently winning the Iron distance in the Clydesdale division at the HITS Championships in December 2015!
Leo shares some valuable insights into how he went from just trying to be a finisher to changing his mindset, his training, and his strategy to become a champion in his division. His journey is nothing shy of incredible and a story I know everyone can relate to. Put on the headphones. You are in for a real treat!”
Leo grew up in a home where food was a passion. Years later, Leo would apprentice for 3 years in Italy where cooking Italian food became his specialty. He then went on to college where he received a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and then went on to graduate at the top of his class at the School of Culinary Arts in Atlanta Ga. In early 2010, he began running 5Ks and by December of that year completed his first Marathon in Las Vegas. That year he also completed his first sprint triathlon.
In 2012, he teamed up with Mark Allen and began a journey to race every distance in triathlon including Ironman Florida 2013. In 2014 he finished his second Ironman and was awarded the HITS Endurance Athlete of the Year in his division. Then in December 2015 Leo went on to won the HITS Championship Iron Distance race in his division. In October 2014 he released a book about his incredible journey to becoming an Ironman titled, “I Will Be Iron” at IWillBeIron.com. His passions are his family, triathlon and to create delicious meals that are both nutritious and simple. Being a triathlete himself, Leo knows that triathletes are some of the busiest people around. His goal will be to create great meals that are full of flavor and nutrition, but easy to cook for yourself and your family.
