Episode 09: Franko Vatterott – The Business of Triathlon - Triathlon Research Radio

Summary: Get an up-close look at the business side of triathlon with Triathlon Research founder Sam Cook and Franko Vatterott, owner of Retul: the Triathlon industry’s premier bike-fitting company in this episode of the Triathlon Research Radio podcast. 00:01 - Mark Allen Intro / Camp Promo 01:13 - Podcast Intro 01:36 - Sam Introduces Franko Vatterott of Retul 02:28 - Franko’s Résumé 02:46 - Franko on Bike Fitting 09:51 - The Triathlon Team Model 14:00 - Recruiting Craig “Crowie” Alexander 20:10 - The Business of Triathlon 21:21 - The Beginnings of Retul 22:13 - “3D” Bike Fitting 27:46 - The Brand vs. The Client (Solving Problems) 29:00 - The Retul Philosophy 31:39 - Helping People Reach Their Goals 32:20 - When Your Job is Your Passion 32:51 - Mutual Goals 33:09 - More Crowie Stories 40:18 - “As the Crow Flies” 43:47 - Winning and Losing with Grace 44:37 - Different Athletes, Different Attitudes 45:07 - What Would Crowie Do? 46:15 - Making a Living in Triathlon 49:59 - Franko’s Dream Team 53:24 - Triathlon and Social Media 54:18 - Sam’s Shameless Plugs 55:19 - Retul at Triathlon Training Camp 56:58 - Info on Training Camp 57:22 - Wrap-Up [Click To Tweet] Transcript Mark: Hi this is Mark Allen 6th time Ironman Triathlon World Champion and author of the art of competition. Do you want to transform your entire experience in the sport of triathlon? If you do come put that transformation in place at the Triathlon research High performance Camp in Boulder Colorado from August 25th to 29th. I’ll be there for the closing day of this amazing camp and I can’t tell you how excited I am, to be a part of it. I’ll be presenting some thought provoking insights from my most recent book “The Art of Competition”, where I will show you how you can get more out of the sport and how you can transfer those principles to all areas of your life. I’ll also be there for the entire days for the work out for the grand finale of your five days exploring and experiencing new levels in your triathlon performance. If you sign up for the triathlon research camp you’ll get a free copy of my book, which I’ll be happy to sign for you at the diner that we’ll all share together on the closing day. The Triathlon Research Camp is going to be incredible, to take part on this once in a lifetime experience go to triathlonresearch.org/camp, but please hurry as spots are going to be limited so that we can provide you with the best possible personal coaching experience. Sam: Hi Triathlon Research listeners this is Sam Cook the founder of Triathlon Research and I’m having a very interesting Podcast today with someone from the hidden side of the sport. Not an athlete or coach but someone who is really bit to a lot to advance sport on business side. Both as a business owner in the world of bike fitting with Retul but also as a manager for professional tri-athlete so, without further ado I’m just going to introduce Franko Vatterott, and Franko tell me if I, butchered your last name? Go ahead and correct me if I did that and just introduce yourself. Franko: Hi Sam. Yep you got my name pronounce right thank you. Sam: You’re welcome Franko: So yeah, I wear a couple different hats in the endurance sports space. One of them is, I work at Retul and I’m one of founders at Retul here and also I operate the human interest group which is professional sport management company specializing in triathlon. Sam: Alright Franko I just wanted to dig in a little bit before we get into, I think we’ve got some really cool stories for people on the podcast so listen to relating to your management of not just any professional athlete but “Crowey” Craig Alexander 3 time Ironman world champion with the course record at Kona and go through some of his adventures with bike fitting. I guess we’d call it, but before we get into that with Crowey and just talking about your behind the scenes to view the sport talk us through how you got into the industry.