Talent should determine who rises to the top in sport – but in triathlon, opportunity often comes with a price tag. The cost of coaching, equipment, travel, competition, and more can create invisible barriers that separate those with resources from those with potential.
Parker Spencer, head coach of USA Triathlon’s Olympic and Paralympic development program Project Podium1 and Manager of the Supertri Stars and Stripes Racing Team, has seen it firsthand. He has even opened his own wallet to help cover the costs for young athletes who otherwise would not have the chance to test themselves against the world’s best – funding things like flights to key races along with support for injury recovery, medical care, and training continuity. He doesn’t charge a coaching fee nor take a percentage of prize money.
These are the kinds of investments that can change an athlete’s career path.
“I do it without expectation of return,” Spencer said. “But I also hope the success of Project Podium will show the global triathlon community that this approach works. Success inevitably raises the question, ‘What are we doing differently?’”
Investing in People, Not Just Athletes
Spencer’s belief in removing barriers to opportunity isn’t new. Long before Project Podium launched in 2018, he was already opening his home – and life – to young athletes chasing big goals. At one point, four young men from Mexico, Italy, France, and Spain were living in his home. He and his wife had only been married a year, yet they were suddenly hosting a makeshift international training hub.
His investment went far beyond coaching. He helped athletes learn English, navigate life in a new country, and adjust to an unfamiliar culture. That holistic, human-first approach remains a cornerstone of Project Podium today.
“I wake up every day thinking about how to help these guys chase a dream,” Spencer said. “But I also think about what kind of positive impact I can have on their lives – because they’re not just athletes trying to podium. They’re young people figuring out who they are in the world.”
Though funded by USA Triathlon and centered on American athletes, Project Podium still welcomes international talent. (Importantly, only U.S. athletes receive USAT funding;2 international athletes cover their own costs, with Spencer often stepping in personally to help bridge financial gaps when needed.) The squad currently includes three non-Americans, two of them Canadian: Mathis Beaulieu and Blake Harris.
“I do still really believe in the American Dream,” Spencer said. “If you have the talent, and you’re willing to go all in, I believe you can come to the U.S., work hard, and accomplish what you truly want to become.”
And that same level of investment is often reflected back by the athletes themselves – in their buy-in, commitment, and the way they show up and contribute to the squad.
“International athletes often have the deepest buy-in,” Spencer said. “They leave behind their homes, their families – everything familiar – to fully commit to the program, and to their dreams.”
Why Project Podium Matters for Canada
Though Project Podium is a U.S.-based program, its impact ripples internationally. For example, if a Canadian medals in Los Angeles in 2028 as part of Project Podium, it could increase investment in triathlon in Canada.
This direct support, along with the example Project Podium sets, could pave the way for the next generation – “future Mathis’s,” as Spencer puts it – helping talented athletes access the support they need without having to rely on chance generosity.
And that reference is intentional. When Canadian Mathis Beaulieu joined the program, he was in a challenging place, his raw potential overshadowed by unmanaged injury, disrupted training, and financial strain. His talent was clear, but his path forward was not. Spencer saw the potential and offered to help before it was too late.
Beaulieu has long demonstrated standout metrics in metabolic testing, and he’s now on track to be a genuine 2028 medal contender. “Physiologically, he’s got everything he needs to be one of the best,” Spencer said. “When he was deciding to join, I told him: ‘If you follow my direction, I think you can be really good, and I will give you everything I’ve got.’”
And Spencer is quick to highlight that Mathis hasn’t just been a beneficiary, he’s been an amazing addition to the team, embodying the reciprocal commitment that drives Project Podium’s success. It’s a partnership where support flows both ways: the coach invests wholeheartedly, and the athlete shows up fully, dedicated not only to their own dreams but to the collective strength of the squad.
“Mathis has been an incredible training partner to Reese, and to everyone on the squad, pushing athletes to new levels,” Spencer emphasized. “He elevates the environment for the American athletes and for everyone involved.”3
Project Podium’s Model as a Broader Vision
The results speak loudly. In 2025 alone, Project Podium athletes have stood on 29 podiums across nine different competitors. Spencer describes last season as a turning point. “I really feel like I’ve learned what it takes to be one of the best,” he said. “Last year we could confidently say we were the best U23 program in the world. And this year we’re doing even better than last year.”
At just 35, Spencer views himself as a long-term player in triathlon. “The sport is still young,” he said. “I think I can be a pioneer in helping reshape how it looks. And that’s what I want to do.” He is already looking beyond Los Angeles in 2028 to Brisbane in 2032 and beyond.
But Spencer’s vision isn’t just about the future – it’s about taking concrete steps now. He prioritizes opportunities that are critical to athlete development, like ensuring his U23 athletes get the chance to race in the Supertri series, where he manages the Stars and Stripes Racing Team. “I believe participation in Supertri is essential to athlete development,” he said. “You not only hone your tactical skills, but you get a chance to line up against the legends like Alex Yee.”
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Overall, Spencer’s approach powerfully challenges the status quo and offers a vision for a new path forward. He is shining a light and taking a leadership role in demonstrating that, when financial barriers are removed and athletes receive proper support, talent and determination can truly shine.
Footnotes:
1. While Project Podium officially launched under Parker Spencer’s leadership in 2018, it evolved from earlier USA Triathlon initiatives such as the Elite Triathlon Academy in Colorado Springs and the Collegiate Recruitment Program in Arizona.
2. Canadian athletes do not receive direct funding from USA Triathlon. However, access to Project Podium’s services is offered in kind, thanks to Parker Spencer’s advocacy for including a percentage of international athletes when the squad was founded. Spencer also frequently contributes out of pocket to help cover expenses on a case-by-case basis.
3. Parker Spencer proposed that including international athletes would enhance the squad by pushing top American athletes and raising the overall training quality – something a single-nation group can’t always achieve. Mathis has exemplified this by being an exceptional training partner to American standout Reese Vannerson, helping push the group as a whole to new levels.
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