1. Tell us a little about yourself and your athletic background

I'm Nico Raybaud. I keep a daily balance between work and sports, leading a healthy and reasoned lifestyle. I'm lucky enough to have grown up at the foot of the Vercors Natural Park, near the meander of the river. With a university degree in agri-food, I followed my studies in parallel with my first high-level rowing course. From rowing, I switched easily to cycling. I quickly obtained brilliant results on granfondo, notably on the Haute Route, the Taiwan KOM Challenge and the Mongolia Bike Challenge. I am proud to ride for the most iconic bike brand of its decades, Specialized.

2. How did you get interested in triathlon?

The first reason I got into triathlon is my health. I fractured my malleolus and to re-educate myself I had no choice but to start swimming. I've been swimming for only 3 years and I quickly discovered I was good at it, certainly because of my rowing background. The second reason is related to athletes who have inspired me. Finally, it is for me about becoming a complete athlete, being resilient and surpassing myself.

3. How did you feel when you took part in the Ironman event?

My first IRONMAN was a real success and surprise. I knew I was tough but didn't think I was that fast in running. Without any pretentious ambition, I started with the idea to give everything, to regret nothing and to finish the race with the desire to go back. I achieved perfection with my first marathon in 3h18 after the 180 km bike and 3.8 km swimming. A dream!

4. How did you prepare?

The craziest thing is that I didn't do any specific preparation. I think that my motivation and my "sport addict" side helped me a lot. I did some xterra triathlons in Belgium, Switzerland and Luxemburg which helped me a lot in the preparation of the Ironman.

5. What do you consider as a "normal" training day?

What is a "normal" day? (Laughs) A large majority of people think I am an alien with my work and the regular training I do. I train an average of 16 hours a week. It's not so much, but when you add the 38 hours of secular work per week, the workload becomes quite heavy. That's where it's important to have a good rhythm and a healthy lifestyle.

6. Do you have a daily ritual concerning your well-being and diet?

My crunchy and tasty ritual with a mix of oats and cocoa beans. On a daily basis, I eat local products, from sustainable and nature-friendly production. I'm a "flexitarian" type of person, but with a predominantly vegetal and raw taste.

7. An APP or a book that you recommend?

I have a whole library to recommend. But if I had to pick one, it's Henry David Thoreau "Walden". For the app, Strava! You're going to know all about my training ;)

https://www.strava.com/athletes/5988823

8. Is food important to you?

We are what we eat. It's vital! We must not forget that a lot of people are starving in the world. We have a duty to eat responsibly and sensibly with what the earth offers us at any time of the year. 

9. What do you think of Super Vegan Fitness?

I was already a convinced consumer of Iswari products, especially the Awakening Bowls. The Super Vegan Fitness range stands out for its blends of natural ingredients with recognized nutritional properties. Its use in powder form makes it easy to consume, they can be added to many recipes and the products taste great!

10. Do you have a favorite product?

My favorite product (laughs). It's Hydrate Coconut Water! For its taste and naturally its benefits! I'm a coconut water fan. The galenic nature of Super Vegan Hydrate makes me love coconut even more!

11. Do you consider important the existence of a sports brand that defends the 100% natural standard?

This truth is important and should be applied to any food industry. The organic market has developed rapidly in recent years. There is more transparency on the origins and the reasoned production of raw materials. We are living beings made from the soil and it is in my opinion unnatural to feed ourselves with synthetic food. 

12. What place impressed you most as a cyclist?

Mongolia is a country that has profoundly changed my view of humanity and why we are on this planet. Beyond the magnificence and vastness of the steppes, it is a nation that lives with ancestral traditions and is protected from the western fog in which our society wants us to live. This country has made me realize that we can get lost and we do not take enough time for ourselves and others.

13. Five exercises that you recommend to everyone who is thinking of starting triathlon

1. Learn the technique before you want to go fast. Go to a club. Make sure you eat right. With high-performance equipment, it's good. 
2. But if you don't use the right fuel, you won't make any progress.
3. Having a goal
4. Practice progressively
5. Treat yourself

I don't think there's any exercise that's better than the others. It is above all the state of mind that makes progress.

14. How can we accompany you in 2020/2021?

I like to be accompanied by passionate people who are attached to the values of a company. No matter how famous they are, big or small. Iswari and Super Vegan Fitness are motivated to help everyone adopt a natural and reasoned diet. These are the values that will accompany me.

15. 3 words that characterize you. 

Calm - Passionate - Philanthropist

16. An athlete you admire.

There's a lot of them. The first one is in rowing and today my friend is Jean-Christophe Bette. Craig Alexander and Lucy Charles in Triathlon. Yes, there are also women I admire ;) Finally, Julian Alaphilippe and Peter Sagan who gives a breath of fresh air to modern day cycling!