I don’t have an ax to grind. I’m an age group listener and multiple qualifier but I am totally disgusted with Jack’s pot stirring and National Enquire approach to our sport. Most recently he tried to defend himself by “breaking the news” of recently accused triathlete, Imogen Simmonds of doping. My note has nothing to do with whether she is innocent or not, it is entirely about the shameless defense of his immature and unprofessional narrative and justifying himself by feeling it was his obligation to break the news.
The number of times he stated, he would never, or would not ever consider, or it would be unconscionable to blah, blah, blah. All that you have to do is listen to his podcast and interview with Taylor Knibbs and how he begged and tried to shame her into giving her power numbers. I was completely embarrassed how many times he tried to coerce and manipulate her. All that you have to do to create your own opinion of whether he may have tried to coerce Imogen into something she wasn’t ready to release publicly is to hear how many times he tried to get Taylor to state her power numbers. As if the majority of us age groupers really care about Taylor’s numbers. Futhermore, he tried to coach her how she should act and communicate and to reveal the “real” Taylor Knibbs (because of their off-podcast conversation).
Anyway, the defense of himself was so immature and blind to his narrative and the justification he tried creating for himself that I am not going to lower myself to listen to him anymore.
I am not on Instagram so I don’t know how to DM him. If somebody has contact with him, please consider forwarding this post. I will be listening to other more reputable sources going forward.
I agree. I liked his first few podcasts when he just asked questions about the athlete’s training. Now, it seems like he’s trying to get some scoop by asking “gotcha” questions. Chelsea Burns interviewed Taylor Knibb right after Jack did, and the interviews couldn’t have been more different. Taylor Knibb just sounded so much more comfortable with Chelsea. Idk, Jack needs to chill out. No one else creates as much drama as he does, and no one cares about the petty small stuff. I listen to his podcasts, but the worthwhile ones are few and far between now.
Obviously you have no idea how journalism works in any other sport. Some people need to get out of their triathlon echo chamber and pull their head out of their ass.
He just talks TOO MUCH, his show about Pro Tri News and Immo should have lasted 5 minutes max, he went on and on and on for an hour and he LOVES to speak about himself. Pro Tri News has its shortcomings (mainly their personnal links to some athletes like how they spoke about how Gwen should have made the OG when it was obvious that she should not) but they are dynamic and easy to listen
Oh thanks, we were all wondering. This is such a needed thread, you venting and declaring departure from @JackKelly-TTH’s group of listeners. Triathlon will be different now. We only had about 5 threads about Jack and only one about the Imo Simmonds debacle.
An ex-pro isn’t allowed to be a fan of elite triathletes?
He’s made his podcasting hobby into a success, and now you (who actively listens for free) are complaining about his tone or enthusiasm?
Protrinews is different - they call themselves a news source and consist of employees and husbands of the athletes they report on. They receive money from Ironman, a pharma company and other sponsors. Jack’s vested interests are nerd belts, electrolyte makers and his own curiosity. Not the same.
I stopped listening to his podcast regularly but I did listen to this latest on Imo given all that’s been going on. I genuinely thought it was pathetic.
We can all say whatever it’s no big deal, let the guy do his thing. But people who want to get into our sport will seek out content, podcasts or hey maybe they turn on a T100 broadcast. The fact that his voice is the one they might find, to me is quite literally a bad thing for our sport. It does affect us all as a community. I think it’s to that level, yes.
I am sure Jack would be the first to admit he tries to create drama in his podcast. I thought it was funny when Chelsea answered “you are just trying to create drama” when he insisted on the Canyon situation.
What I find interesting is T100 intentionally brought him on board. That was a sign T100 wants the drama.
Pat McAfee is a breath of fresh air and pure entertainment. He does a fantastic job interviewing folks and letting others speak. I love the guy despite him being a WVU alum.
Jack on the other hand, will ask a question but then continue talking for 2 min without letting his guest answer. And then he tries to create a story that just isn’t there or the speaker isn’t willing to dive into. I know he’s trying to dig sometimes but it’s pretty clear when someone isn’t going to go into details but he still tries to dig and it makes it a really awkward conversation. He acts like he’s an interrogator at times. If the guest isn’t willing to divulge, he needs to move on.
Do you follow any other sports? Every other sport I can think of has insiders that leak/report on doping and similar kinds of information. Hate @JackKelly-TTH all you want, but he was not in the wrong on the Imo story.
They tried to get some drama going between Geens and Pearson. Grasping at straws sometimes. Too bad Sam Long took that bait when they pushed it with him and Laidlow.
I hope we all get bored talking about Simmonds soon. So much speculation and so much drama based on pure speculation. We’ll know when the process is done.
One thing is sure: PTN are a bit in over their heads on the ‘ethics’ part. Specially Talbot, but he’s been going off the rails on social media lately anyway.
The Husbands and Boyfriends Club is not a news source and I wish people would stop listening to it. Kat Matthews career has given her husband a platform to essentially not work which is wild considering pro triathletes don’t make crazy money.
They’ve done extremely unprofessional things many times and yet they’re still somehow here.
On Jack, he’s annoying. I wish his platform never got this large…but even Triathlon Taren’s podcast got huge at one point.
