Rising Above: How Luke Willian Turned Setbacks into Olympic Opportunities

Prelude

Sometimes in life you have the privilege of meeting someone who truly inspires you, not just through their achievements but through their character, their story and their spirit. For me, that someone is Luke Willian.

When I first sat down with Luke for our series of interviews, I knew I was in for something special. But what I didn't realise was just how much his journey would resonate with me on a personal level. As an athlete myself (cough – did I just call myself an athlete), I've had my share of ups and downs. But listening to Luke's story, to the way he's faced every challenge with grit, determination and a smile, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of inspiration and purpose.

Let’s not forget what Trizone is all about – connecting with athletes, sharing their stories, and hopefully inspiring others along the way. And in Luke's case, I think we've truly struck gold, hopefully Olympic gold. Over the course of these articles, we'll dive deep into his journey, from his early years as an energetic kid in Brisbane, to his rise through the ranks, to his current quest for Olympic glory.

This will hopefully be less on races and results, this is a story about the human spirit, about the power of perseverance, family and chasing dreams no matter what. It's a story that I feel privileged to tell and one that I hope will leave you as inspired as I am.

So without further ado, let's start at the beginning, with a young boy from Brisbane who had no idea just how far his passion would take him.

The Making of a Champion

Before he was a world-class triathlete, before he was chasing Olympic dreams and inspiring a new generation of Australian athletes, Luke Willian was just a kid from Brisbane with a boundless energy and a love for sport. Born and raised in the sunny parts of Australia – yes, it’s warm in Queensland, Willian's journey to the top of the triathlon world began, as many great stories do, with family, friends and a burning passion for pushing his own limits.

"I grew up with my younger brother Joe and we'd pretty much do everything together," Willian recalls with a fond smile. "We'd be in the backyard playing for all hours a day." It was a lively and active upbringing, one filled with laughter, a little mischief and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood. But it wasn't always easy. As he tells it with a cheeky grin, "I was probably a kid that was a little shit in school. I wasn't the best because I just had too much energy."

That energy, however, would prove to be one of Willian's greatest gifts. When he wasn't tearing up the backyard with his brother, he was exploring every sport he could get his hands on, his curiosity and enthusiasm knowing no bounds. "We went through every sport under the sun," he remembers with a laugh. "I remember we were looking at rowing and mum's like, 'oh, the early mornings, don't like that.'" Little did they know then just how many early mornings lay ahead, each one a step closer to a dream not yet started.

It wasn't until a day in the school holidays that Willian found the sport that would change his life, that would set his soul on fire and his feet on the path. "One day in school holidays, I'm going to swim a thousand laps of the neighbour's pool," he says, his eyes sparkling with the memory. "And I just swam a thousand laps. It was only an eight-metre pool, so it was just me tumble-turn all day. But I always liked those little challenges for myself, as ridiculous as they are."

This love of a challenge, this hunger to push himself to the limit and beyond, would become the hallmark of Willian's approach, the driving force behind his relentless pursuit of excellence. And when he finally discovered the triathlon, thanks to his brother's interest in a school gym program, everything seemed to fall into place, like the final piece of a puzzle he didn't even know he was solving.

"We both got hooked on it," Willian reminisces, his voice brimming with a mixture of nostalgia and brotherly pride. "My brother, he was always the brainy one, you know? Sports weren't really his thing. But then he discovered triathlon and it was like he found his calling. And for me, it was the same. It was this incredible thing we could share, this journey we could go on together. But the best part? We weren't competing against each other, not really. I was a bit older, so we were in different age groups. It was like we were each other's biggest supporters, each other's teammates. We were in it together, but we also had our own paths."

As Willian progressed in the sport, his natural talent and fierce determination began to shine through, each race became a test for himself, to see just how far he could go. He started winning, moving up through the ranks, his dreams growing bigger with each passing milestone. But even as his triathlon career began to take flight, he never lost sight of the simple joys and unshakeable bonds that had gotten him there in the first place.

"I'll never forget winning my first Raby Bay Triathlon," he says, his eyes lighting up as if he's reliving the moment. "It was this incredible feeling, like everything I'd been working towards was finally paying off. And the best part? Winning that race meant I got to move up to the sprint distance. It was like this whole new challenge. And that's how it went, you know? One achievement after another, each one leading to the next. They were what kept me going, what made me realise that maybe, just maybe, I could take this thing all the way."

For Willian, these early years were also about family, about the tight-knit community that supported him every step of the way, that lifted him up and carried him forward even when the road got tough. "Mum and dad played a huge role," he says, his gratitude unmistakeable. "We ate so much. I remember mum would cook so much for us to to keep us going."

 It was this foundation of love and support that would sustain Luke through the ups and downs of his journey, that would give him the strength to keep going even when the finish line seemed out of reach. And as he looks back now, he recognises just how crucial those early years were in shaping the athlete and the man he would become.

"Triathlon also brought people together," he reflects, his voice soft with emotion. "Family would come and watch the race. You'd get to see family because of doing triathlon. Mum and dad loved that because we got to see family. It's how the whole family's being part of the journey, each victory and each setback a shared experience, a bond that could never be broken."

And what a journey it has been. From those early days in the backyard and the neighbour's pool, to the world stage of elite triathlon, Luke Willian has carried with him the lessons, the love, and the indomitable spirit of his early years. They have been the compass that has guided him through the toughest times, the source of strength and resilience that has propelled him to the pinnacle of his sport. 

So as we dive into the story of Luke Willian's triathlon career, let us not forget the boy from Brisbane who started it all. The boy with too much energy, with a love for a challenge, and with a family that would be with him every stroke, every pedal, and every step of the way. For it is in those early years that the seeds of greatness were planted, and it is from those roots that a champion would rise, ready to take on the world and inspire us all with his unbreakable spirit.

The Turning Point

 Triathlon success is often measured by podium finishes and qualifying for elite competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. But for Australian athlete Luke Willian, success has been defined by his unwavering determination in the face of setbacks and disappointments.

Willian's journey has been far from a smooth ride. In 2022 , he faced a devastating blow when he missed out on selection for the Commonwealth Games. This came on the heels of another major disappointment: not being selected for the Olympics. For many athletes, such setbacks could have been career-ending. But for Willian, they only fuelled his fire to come back stronger.

"It broke me," Willian admits, reflecting on the moment he received the call about the Commonwealth Games. "I came back and raced really well initially, but as I started competing around the world again, I found myself struggling to find my rhythm and my place in the sport.

But rather than succumbing to despair, Willian channelled his energy into self-reflection and rediscovering his love for the sport. "I was chatting to my friend a lot about it," he recalls. "Do you still enjoy training?” I said, 'Yeah.' “Just focus on that."

This simple yet powerful advice became a turning point for Willian. He realised that his passion for triathlon wasn't tied to external validation or accolades, but to the pure joy he felt in the process of training and competing. "I think the big thing is I've done it before, so I just needed to do what I've done before again," he explains. "It wasn't, in my mind, in the realm of impossibility. It was I've done it before, I just need to do it again on the day."

But Willian's comeback journey hasn't been a solo endeavour. He credits his incredible support system, including his family and friends, his coach Warwick and the BREWYD team, for providing the foundation of unwavering belief and encouragement that has carried him through the toughest times.

"I think my family has been a huge support," Willian says. "It's not even just my immediate family. It's my uncles and my cousins." This unconditional love and support has given Willian the strength to keep pushing forward, even when the path ahead seemed uncertain.

 Equally crucial has been Willian's partnership with his coach Warwick. More than just a technical advisor, Warwick has been a believer in Willian's potential, even when others might have written him off. "There's a faith here," Warwick explains. "It wasn't this, 'Oh, yeah, let's blindly hope.' It's, 'Okay. Some things didn't go right. Let's get after it. Let's not sit and wallow."

 This unwavering faith and commitment to the process have been key to Willian's mental approach. Rather than getting bogged down in past disappointments or future uncertainties, he focuses on being the best version of himself each day. "I  just want to make myself proud by just doing the best you can do, not outcomes, not whatever else happens, just be the best person you can be," he says.

This mindset has been bolstered by Willian's work with his sports psychologist, who has helped him reframe his goals and motivations. "It's quite profound," Willian reflects. "It's simple, it's a very simple philosophy, but it's quite strong."

"It's definitely like when I had that realisation with him, I felt like all the pain and thing I've been through was worth it," Willian says. "Because it was at the end of the day, when I missed out, I would still put my best self forward for selection."

As Willian looks ahead to the Paris Olympics and beyond, he carries with him the hard-earned wisdom and resilience of a true comeback kid. He knows that the road ahead won't be easy but he's prepared to face whatever challenges come his way with the same grit, determination and love for the sport that have carried him this far. 

The Unconventional Path to Success

 Luke's journey has been marked by a glaring absence of support from Triathlon Australia, the governing body for the sport in his home country. Despite his obvious talent and potential, Willian found himself on the outside looking in, excluded in 2019 from the very programs and resources that are meant to nurture and develop Australia's most promising triathletes .

 "I lost QAS funding and it was going towards interstate athletes who had moved to Joel," Willian explains, referencing the well-funded training program run by coach Joel Filliol. "I've been a Brisbane boy all my whole life. And then everyone just moves to these programmes that they set up and get all the support from QAS and then I'm forgotten about."

While Willian has had access to world-class coaching, the lack of comprehensive support systems and resources has presented significant challenges on his path to success. Unlike many of his peers who benefit from extensive support staff and established training programs, Willian has had to forge his own way.

Warwick, who has been a key figure in Willian's corner, is candid about the challenges Willian has faced due to Triathlon Australia's allocation of resources. "Triathlon Australia invested heavily in it’s program in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics," he explains.

It's a situation that highlights the disparities in support and opportunities within the Australian triathlon system. While some athletes have had access to well-funded programs and extensive resources, Willian has had to carve out his own path, often with limited institutional backing as he wanted to stay with his support network of family, friends and coaches in Brisbane.

But rather than being bitter or discouraged by this lack of institutional support, Willian has used it as fuel for his fire. "… proving someone wrong," he says with a smile. "You proving to them that they should have bet on you, that's pretty good."

This chip-on-the-shoulder mentality has served Willian well. While others might have crumbled under the weight of such blatant discrimination, he has thrived, finding ways to turn disadvantages into advantages.

Without the safety net of a big budget or a pre-established training plan, Willian and his team have had to be creative, resourceful and above all dedicated to the process. They've sought out unconventional partnerships, like the one with the BREWYD team, to provide the support and expertise that Triathlon Australia has failed to offer.

They've also had to be strategic in their approach to training and competition. Without the luxury of a large support staff or unlimited resources, every decision, every investment of time and energy, has to be carefully considered and optimised for maximum effect.

But perhaps most importantly, Willian's unconventional path has given in him the mental toughness and resilience that sets him apart from his more conventionally supported peers. When you've had to fight for every centimetre of progress, when you've had to prove yourself time and again in the face of indifference or outright opposition, you develop a certain unshakable confidence in your own abilities.

As Warwick puts it, "If you really want something and that's the truth of what you want, you'll find a way to get it through that." It's a simple philosophy, but one that Willian has embodied to the fullest.

The Road to Paris: Inside Luke Willian's Olympic Preparations

As the 2024 Paris Olympics loom on the horizon, Luke Willian and his coach, Warwick Dalziel, are laser-focused on preparing for the biggest race of their lives. For Luke, this means not just physically gruelling training sessions but also a carefully crafted regimen that balances hard work with mental and emotional well-being.

At the heart of Luke's preparations is his partnership with Warwick. Together, they have devised a training plan that is both rigorous and strategic, tailored to the specific demands of the Paris course. "The course will be a tough one," Willian explains. "The swim has some intricacies that we're starting to add into training."

To prepare for these challenges, Willian and Dalziel have implemented a program that includes increased strength, as well as targeted training to improve Willian's ability to close gaps and navigate in an instance. On the bike, they are focusing on positioning and tactical awareness, with an eye towards the wide roads and potential for breakaways.

But perhaps the most critical aspect of Willian's preparation is his run training. "It's obviously a big focus," he says. "100 km a week is the goal." This high-volume approach is designed to give Willian the endurance and speed he'll need to compete with the likes of Wilde, Pearson, Hauser and Yee.

However, Warwick is quick to point out that volume alone isn't enough. "You can't be overspeed for Hamburg and not be focused on Paris," he cautions, referencing an upcoming race. "You got to be working on your 10 km, not your 5 km. Everyone's still going to run fast in Hamburg. Don't get us wrong, but you got to be doing the following behind it that you don't shorten it up too much."

This balancing act between immediate races and long-term goals is a constant challenge in triathlon training. But for Willian and Dalziel, it's essential to maintain a sense of perspective and enjoyment along the way. "You got to not lose those parts of the prep," Warwick says. "I think it's really important. It doesn't get too serious. It doesn't mean the work doesn't happen, but we're going to make sure there's some fun, too."

This emphasis on enjoyment and camaraderie is evident in the way Willian and his training partners approach their sessions. Whether it's a gruelling 27 km run through the mountains or a leisurely coffee ride, there's always a sense of shared purpose and mutual support. "We got 16 of us going for  this afternoon at menu del dia with 3 courses in the beautiful Basque country," Warwick says with a smile. "You got to have that fun. You can't get too serious."

But make no mistake: when it comes time to race, Willian is all business. With the Olympic qualifying race in Yokohama, Luke was strong during the race but just faded in last 1 km but held on for 3^rd.  

"I'm just going to run as hard as I can and see what happens," Willian said post-race. "That's been the difference, really. I just run off the front and set myself on my own pace."

It's a bold strategy, but one that has paid off in recent races. And as Willian looks ahead to Paris, he does so with a quiet confidence and a steely determination. "I want to be proud of my performance," he says simply. "Again, that to me is leaving it all out there. Every bit of energy I've had out there." 

Leaving a Legacy: Luke Willian's Vision for the Future

 As the sun begins to set on another day of training, Luke takes a moment to catch his breath, to let his mind wander beyond the here and now. He's spent countless hours pushing his body to the limit, chasing his Olympic dreams with a fierce determination. But as he sits down with me for the final time with a cuppa tea and choccy bikky, he can't help but think about what lies beyond, about the legacy he hopes to leave long after his racing days are done.

"I probably didn't give up," Willian says, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "I could almost be stubborn with it. There's probably four or five times where I could have just given up and called it a day. But I kept going, kept pushing. That's what I want to be remembered for. That never-say-die attitude, that willingness to keep getting back up no matter how many times you get knocked down."

"I've been so lucky to have incredible mentors in my life," he reflects, his gratitude evident in every word. "People who have believed in me, who have shared their wisdom and their experiences. And now, I feel like it's my turn to pay that forward, to be that person for the next generation of athletes."

Willian's eyes light up when he talks about the potential of Australian triathlon, about the young talents who are just starting to make their mark. He sees in them the same hunger, the same drive that has fuelled his own journey and he can't help but feel a sense of excitement about what the future holds.

"I want to be there for them," he says, his voice filled with passion. "Not just as a competitor but as a mentor, a guide of sorts. I want to help them navigate the challenges, to share what I've learned along the way. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about winning races. It's about being the best version of yourself, about pushing beyond what you think is possible and inspiring others to do the same."

It's a philosophy that has been at the heart of Willian's approach to triathlon from the very beginning, a belief in the power of self-improvement and unwavering determination. And as he looks to the future, he knows that this is the message he wants to pass on, the legacy he hopes to leave. 

"The best guys in the world, they don't focus on anyone else," he says, his eyes narrowing with intensity. "They focus on being the best they can be, on pushing their own limits. That's what I want to instil in these young athletes. The belief that if you work hard enough, if you stay true to yourself and your goals, anything is possible."

But Willian's vision for the future goes beyond just individual success. He sees triathlon as a force for good, a way to bring people together and make a positive impact on the world. He dreams of a day when Australian triathlon is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and a spirit of camaraderie.

"I want to look back and know that I played a part in that," he says. "That I helped build something bigger than myself, something that will inspire people for generations to come. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, isn't it? Leaving the world a little better than you found it."

As the last rays of sunlight fade into the distance, Luke takes a final moment to reflect on his journey, the lessons learned, and the dreams he still chases. He knows the road ahead is full of obstacles and setbacks but armed with an unbreakable spirit and resilience, he is ready to embrace the challenges that come. With a deep breath and a fire in his eyes, Luke sets his sights on the future, knowing that his legacy isn't just about the medals or records. It's about the lives he touches, the dreams he inspires, and the indomitable spirit he embodies every time he races towards that finish line. And that, in the end, is a legacy worth fighting for.

My final notes/reflections

Interviewing Luke and crafting his story has been a wonderful experience. His unwavering determination, ability to find light in the darkest moments and deep commitment to making a difference in others has been without a doubt something that will carry with me for years to come. Luke's journey reminds us that with hard work, dedication and a never-say-die attitude, anything is possible. As I look to the future of Australian triathlon, I am excited knowing that athletes like Luke are ready to lead the charge and inspire a new generation. It's been a privilege to share his story and I can't wait to see the incredible heights he'll reach next. Luke Willian's story teaches us that the only limit to what we can achieve is the one we place on ourselves.