In January 2024, Steph Clutterbuck officially transitioned to life as a professional triathlete. In just 10 months, Steph has already made waves in the sport, notably finishing second at Ironman Chattanooga. But her journey to pro status was anything but straightforward. In this blog, we dive into Steph’s athletic evolution, her challenges, and how using the LEVER system has become an integral part of her training routine.
From Swimmer to Triathlete: Rediscovering Her Childhood Dream
Steph’s journey into triathlon wasn’t linear. Starting as a competitive swimmer, she later transitioned into rowing, only to face a severe back injury that halted her dreams of making it to the Los Angeles Olympics. Feeling the weight of yet another retirement from sport in her mid-20s, Steph ventured into the corporate world. But something inside her wasn’t ready to give up on athletics.
On a whim, Steph signed up for her first Ironman in 2019. While she described it as “the worst day of her life,” within 30 minutes of finishing, she knew she was hooked. Fast forward to 2021, Steph began winning in the amateur field and gradually started to believe that maybe, just maybe, turning pro could be her next big move.
"I had given up the dream of being a sports professional twice, but somehow, at age 30, I found myself living that dream again. It’s something I’ll never take for granted." — Steph
Zwift Academy: A Catalyst for Growth
As part of her journey, Steph joined the Zwift Academy Triathlon Team, a program designed to discover and nurture elite triathletes. Through Zwift’s virtual training platform, Steph was able to refine her cycling and running form while connecting with a global community of athletes. The Zwift Academy played a significant role in her training and exposed her to new methods of performance optimization.
"The Zwift Academy was a game-changer for me. It wasn’t just about the training; it was about the community, the feedback, and the chance to learn from some of the best athletes around the world. That experience gave me the confidence to step up my game." — Steph
Battling Injury and Building Resilience
Throughout her athletic career, Steph’s biggest challenge has been overcoming her back injury. Herniated discs and nerve damage left her navigating constant pain, but instead of letting it defeat her, Steph turned to strength training to maintain her body’s health. She shared that managing chronic pain requires more than just traditional rehab—it demands a consistent, long-term approach.
"Strength training will be a part of my life forever. It’s not just about recovery from injury but about making sure I stay strong and injury-free in the long run." — Steph
Running: A New Frontier
Despite her impressive background in swimming and rowing, running didn’t come naturally to Steph. In fact, she avoided it for most of her life. When she started triathlon training, she was humbled by the difficulty. But with determination and guidance from a coach and physio, Steph began rebuilding her run form from scratch, meticulously focusing on her foot strike, cadence, and even pelvis positioning.
"I used to run on my toes because I thought it was the right thing to do, but that was causing me a lot of issues. It took two years of unlearning bad habits to finally get to a place where my running feels fluid and efficient." — Steph
Her breakthrough? Learning how to run efficiently and injury-free using the LEVER system. Steph explains, “I needed to run more without running more. The LEVER system allowed me to reduce the impact on my body while maintaining volume, which was crucial given my history of injury.”
Integrating LEVER: A Key to Success
For Steph, the LEVER system isn’t just about injury prevention; it’s a tool to optimize performance. She incorporates LEVER into her easy runs, post-race recovery, and speed sessions.
"After a hard bike or run, using LEVER allows me to focus on perfecting my form and reducing injury risk," Steph says. “I can run more without increasing the load on my joints, which is key for someone like me who has dealt with back injuries.”
Notably, Steph used LEVER just days after finishing Ironman Chattanooga, allowing her to return to running faster than usual without compromising recovery. This approach paid off in a huge way during her Chattanooga race, where she achieved a massive 17-minute marathon PR with a 3:05 marathon time.
Looking Forward: The Road to Kona
Steph’s second-place finish at Chattanooga earned her a coveted spot at the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Kona. With an exciting season ahead, she’s not just focused on increasing volume but also on quality and efficiency. By integrating LEVER into her training, Steph is paving the way for even greater success in 2025.
"Kona has always been a dream, and earning my slot this year with a canceled swim at Chattanooga felt like an extra challenge. But now I’m all in, and I can’t wait to show up on the world stage!" — Steph
As Steph continues to refine her form, build strength, and recover faster with LEVER, she’s proving that dedication, smart training, and the right tools can take you to new heights.
Follow Steph’s journey to Kona on her Instagram and stay tuned for more updates on how she incorporates LEVER into her daily training routine!
