D.O.B: 26-July-1981
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Taree, NSW, Australia
Resides: Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
San Diego, CA, USA
Bend, OR, USA
Nickname: Ticka, Tik, Macca, Jimmy
Marital Status: Girlfriend – Amanda Balding
Place of Birth: Taree, NSW, Australia
Resides: Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
San Diego, CA, USA
Bend, OR, USA
Nickname: Ticka, Tik, Macca, Jimmy
Marital Status: Girlfriend – Amanda Balding
(www.amandabalding.com)
Year Started Triathlon: 1995
Brothers and/or Sisters? Sister - Jacque
How did you get into triathlon and what did you do prior to becoming a professional triathlete? I started Triathlon through interest. I grew up watching the Foster Ironman each year near my hometown. I just started out doing it for fun and as I got results I started racing professionally in Australia in 1999 as an 18 year old and an International in 2001 at 20 years old.
Strengths: Swim/Bike
Most rewarding aspect of your sport: Seeing all the hours of hard training, pain and personal sacrifice pay off when you have achieved a goal.
Biggest achievement to date?: Not quitting in the 2006 Hawaii Ironman when I had a painful stress fracture in my knee.
What is your Ultimate sporting goal: To win the Hawaiian Ironman
What are your career goals after sport?: Own my own business, travel the world and retire young!
Advice for young kids competing in triathlon - Just have fun with the sport. Triathlon is a very physically demanding sport so be careful to stay healthy, injury free and never over train. Be patient with results, learn from your experiences and always maintain good sportsmanship.
Sport and lifestyle role model(s):
Favorite ride(s)
Year Started Triathlon: 1995
Brothers and/or Sisters? Sister - Jacque
How did you get into triathlon and what did you do prior to becoming a professional triathlete? I started Triathlon through interest. I grew up watching the Foster Ironman each year near my hometown. I just started out doing it for fun and as I got results I started racing professionally in Australia in 1999 as an 18 year old and an International in 2001 at 20 years old.
Strengths: Swim/Bike
Most rewarding aspect of your sport: Seeing all the hours of hard training, pain and personal sacrifice pay off when you have achieved a goal.
Biggest achievement to date?: Not quitting in the 2006 Hawaii Ironman when I had a painful stress fracture in my knee.
What is your Ultimate sporting goal: To win the Hawaiian Ironman
What are your career goals after sport?: Own my own business, travel the world and retire young!
Advice for young kids competing in triathlon - Just have fun with the sport. Triathlon is a very physically demanding sport so be careful to stay healthy, injury free and never over train. Be patient with results, learn from your experiences and always maintain good sportsmanship.
Sport and lifestyle role model(s):
1. John Maclean (Wheelchair athlete) He is an example that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Watching the footage of him racing the Hawaii Ironman for the first time in 1995 is something every person should experience. He is so mentally tough and never gives in despite the dreadful weather, heat and dark! It will literally bring a tear to your eye! Thanks John for the inspiration!
2. Rick & Dick Hoyt. If you ever have a chance to watch the footage of the 1999 Hawaii Ironman you will understand why. I have so much admiration for Dick and his determination to get Rick across that finish line in Kona! I got to talk with Dick Hoyt in Hawaii 2006 after they didn’t make the swim cut off because of the bad tides. They inspire me to dig a little deeper when it gets tough out there!
3. Laird Hamilton (Surfer) He has devoted his life to riding the worlds biggest and most deadly waves. He is the greatest “waterman” in the world. His waves at Tahiti’s Teahupoo are simply amazing!
Hobbies / Interest: Surfing, Golf, Tennis, Photography, Traveling, adventuring and exploring the World.
Favorite Triathlon race(s)
2. Rick & Dick Hoyt. If you ever have a chance to watch the footage of the 1999 Hawaii Ironman you will understand why. I have so much admiration for Dick and his determination to get Rick across that finish line in Kona! I got to talk with Dick Hoyt in Hawaii 2006 after they didn’t make the swim cut off because of the bad tides. They inspire me to dig a little deeper when it gets tough out there!
3. Laird Hamilton (Surfer) He has devoted his life to riding the worlds biggest and most deadly waves. He is the greatest “waterman” in the world. His waves at Tahiti’s Teahupoo are simply amazing!
Hobbies / Interest: Surfing, Golf, Tennis, Photography, Traveling, adventuring and exploring the World.
Favorite Triathlon race(s)
Hawaiian Ironman
Escape from Alcatraz
Wildflower
St. Croix Ironman 70.3
Noosa
Bali
Favorite ride(s)
Cape Tribulation, Far North QLD, Australia
Crooked River Highway, Bend, USA
Numinbah Valley loop, Gold Coast, Australia
Latigo Canyon/Rock store loop, Santa Monica Mtns, USA
Akuna Bay loop, Sydney, Australia
McKenzie Pass, Bend, USA
Col du Galibier, France
Three Peaks loop (Springbrook, Beechmont, Tamborine) Gold Coast, Australia
Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia
Favorite run(s)
Favorite run(s)
Deschutes River Trail, Bend
Mesa Trail, Boulder
Favorite foods: Sushi, Ribs, Seafood, Thai, Gourmet Pizza and Mexican
Luke's Music: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon, Wolfmother, Ben Harper, Donavan Frankenreiter, Xavier Rudd, Issac Paddon & the Tides, Max Judo, Jack Johnson, G Love, Otis Redding, The Killers, Chemical Brothers, The Streets, Jurassic 5
Favorite Movie(s)
Favorite foods: Sushi, Ribs, Seafood, Thai, Gourmet Pizza and Mexican
Luke's Music: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon, Wolfmother, Ben Harper, Donavan Frankenreiter, Xavier Rudd, Issac Paddon & the Tides, Max Judo, Jack Johnson, G Love, Otis Redding, The Killers, Chemical Brothers, The Streets, Jurassic 5
Favorite Movie(s)
ACTION: Top Gun, Fight Club, The Departed & Any Given Sunday
COMEDY: Talledaga Nights, Napoleon Dynamite, Old School & Anchorman
CLASSICS: The Shawshank Redemption, Remember the Titans & Pulp Fiction
Most Regrettable Triathlon Experience: 2002 ITU World Cup, Geelong, Australia. Was involved in a crash when another rider clipped my front wheel. Olympic champion and race favorite Simon Whitfield crashed over the top of me and broke both his wrists! A few months later he went on to win the Commonwealth Games Triathlon, so all was good!
Thoughts for the future and life beyond Triathlon: I’d love to stay involved in the sport in some way, mainly through developing the kids and passing on my knowledge and experience to them. Also ensuring they are educated in road cycling safety and are aware of the dangers and rules.
I’d also like to help resurrect some of the “Old School” weekend triathlons that seem to have disappeared over the years and bring back the atmosphere and vibe that only Noosa and a handful of races still have.
I also have an interest in business and would like to become involved in some way in the future. As well I am becoming increasingly interested in Real Estate and its opportunities.
COMEDY: Talledaga Nights, Napoleon Dynamite, Old School & Anchorman
CLASSICS: The Shawshank Redemption, Remember the Titans & Pulp Fiction
Most Regrettable Triathlon Experience: 2002 ITU World Cup, Geelong, Australia. Was involved in a crash when another rider clipped my front wheel. Olympic champion and race favorite Simon Whitfield crashed over the top of me and broke both his wrists! A few months later he went on to win the Commonwealth Games Triathlon, so all was good!
Thoughts for the future and life beyond Triathlon: I’d love to stay involved in the sport in some way, mainly through developing the kids and passing on my knowledge and experience to them. Also ensuring they are educated in road cycling safety and are aware of the dangers and rules.
I’d also like to help resurrect some of the “Old School” weekend triathlons that seem to have disappeared over the years and bring back the atmosphere and vibe that only Noosa and a handful of races still have.
I also have an interest in business and would like to become involved in some way in the future. As well I am becoming increasingly interested in Real Estate and its opportunities.
