Kerala's Suresh Sam Chandy is now an Ironman on six continents

'It’s his sixth continent. You are an Ironman of all six continents, Suresh Sam Chandy!'
As the commentators' words filled the air at the finish line of the Ironman triathlon in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, Thiruvananthapuram native Suresh Sam Chandy had three words on his mind: 'Finally, it's over!' Just a few minutes before touching the finish line, the 43-year-old's brain was strangely quiet, amid a flood of memories. 

Suresh Sam completed his first Ironman in Denmark in 2018. In 2023, he finished three Ironman races across 3 continents - in Asia, Australia and North America - in 58 days. It was apparently a rare feat even among the global Ironman community. Ever since, he has been nurturing the dream of being an Ironman on six continents. Last year, he won his fifth in Brazil. As he got his final medal in Africa in April, every early morning training sessions, doubts he ever had, injury scares, lonely moments, the swimming pool he trained in, the stadium and the roads where he ran... all of them formed a collage in his mental album. Ironman triathlons are ultra-endurance races that combine a 3.8 km open water swim, a 180 km cycle, and a full 42.2 km marathon run, back-to-back.

The athlete's dad, Adv Sam Oommen, who was the former MLA of Punalur, passed away when Sam was two years old. Ever since, his world has been his mother. "Around the finisher line, I felt like I had hit the rewind button on my life... growing up largely on my own, navigating challenges without a support system, managing every aspect of this journey independently. I wasn’t thinking about the medal. I was thinking about the journey," he says. The athlete, who works at Ernst & Young in Technopark, shares how he kept himself motivated, his health tips, his dreams, and more.

Tell us about your preparation for the final Ironman. What did you eat, and how did you train?
My training happened in the margins of the day — early mornings and late nights during the peak of tax season at my work! It involved a disciplined mix of swimming, cycling, and running — along with strength training and recovery. But equally important was managing everything around it — sleep, nutrition, and injury prevention. I also focused on 'brick' workouts, where I run immediately after cycling to simulate race-day fatigue. Nutrition was simple and practical — not fancy. Balanced meals with carbs, proteins, and hydration were key.

Do people get in touch with you for Ironman tips? How do you guide them?
Yes, quite often. I tell people that the Ironman is 80% mental. I try to guide them to find a 'why' that is stronger than the physical pain as they prepare for such an event. I also guide them on:
* Building a strong base
* Being consistent rather than intense
* Respecting recovery
* And most importantly, enjoying the process

When you look back at the past years since 2018, what do you feel kept pushing you to achieve this incredible feat?
What kept me going was not just ambition — it was something deeper. From a young age, I didn’t have a strong support system to lean on. That meant I had to build my own internal strength. Over time, that became a habit—moving forward regardless of circumstances.

Ironman became a reflection of that mindset. Even when there were health challenges, mental fatigue, or difficult phases in life, I kept going because stopping was never really an option I had trained myself to consider. I have a deeper need to constantly evolve! It was about continuing the journey I had started within myself.

What all did you give up to become a six-time Ironman?
I gave up comfort, routine, ease, and the idea of a balanced lifestyle. There were long hours of early morning training, strict discipline around sleep and food, and a very limited social life. But more than that, I gave up the option of taking things lightly. Every day had to be structured. Every decision had to support the larger goal. There are also mental sacrifices — pushing through days when motivation is low, when the body is tired, when results don't show immediately. But I don’t see them as sacrifices anymore. They were conscious choices aligned with a bigger purpose.

What is your favourite Ironman triathlon out of the six and why?
Each Ironman I finished had its own story, but the final one in South Africa will always be special. It was the toughest course too.. with a challenging and dangerous sea to swim, where two people died some years back while doing Ironman. The finish line in South Africa for me also represented years of consistency, discipline, and belief coming together in one moment. That finish line carried the weight of all the previous ones.

You are also into motivational speaking and managing your trekking group, ITREK, amid all this!
I feel the most energetic when I am speaking on stage to an audience. Motivational speaking is something I do regularly — it allows me to share experiences from my life with thousands of people. Meanwhile, ITREK, with its 700+ members, is more than a group — it’s a people's movement promoting healthy living, protecting nature, and community work. My time management comes down to prioritisation. I plan my days carefully — training, work, speaking, and community initiatives all get their due.

Did your professional environment play a part in achieving this feat?
Yes. I work as a Certified Public Accountant (USA) at Ernst & Young in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. Our work during busy tax seasons is quite demanding. Managing Ironman preparation alongside that required understanding and flexibility from my colleagues, too. They were supportive and accommodating, which made it possible to pursue something this demanding alongside my career.

How does your club travel with the triathlons, and how many countries have you covered so far?
That’s one of the most beautiful parts of my Ironman journey. So far, I’ve visited around 30 countries. I try to make the most of every trip. When I travel for an Ironman, I don’t look just at the race day. I also see the trip it as an opportunity to explore regions around it.

It’s not easy to pack up and travel across the world frequently. Each trip involves time, effort, and planning. So I make a conscious effort to visit countries near my event venue as well. Even outside of Ironman, I tend to travel this way. I like to maximise each trip and experience multiple places — because I enjoy exploring the world. You could say I’m a 'country collector' in that sense.

But beyond the numbers, travel adds a different dimension to the journey. Every place brings a new environment, people, and perspectives — and that enriches both the experience of racing and life itself.

Could you share a few health tips for people over 40?
1. Consistency matters more than intensity- Show up regularly!
2. Prioritise strength training — not just cardio
3. Focus on mobility and flexibility
4. Respect recovery and sleep
5. Eat simple, balanced food — don’t overcomplicate
6. Most importantly — stay active in a way you enjoy

What is your next aim?
Going forward, I wish to be more of a people enabler. Through my journey, especially the challenges I’ve faced alone in life from the age of 2 years, and the resilience I’ve built over the years, I’ve learned that most limitations are internal. I want to take those lessons and use them to empower people — to help them do more, live up to their true potential, and become better versions of themselves.

This vision extends through my work in motivational speaking and through community leadership. Our ITREK group is a community promoting healthy lifestyles. Alongside fitness and outdoor activities, we are also involved in humanitarian efforts—supporting communities, engaging in environmental initiatives, and contributing to causes that make a real impact on the ground.

For me, it’s not just about individual transformation, but about building stronger communities that grow together. At the core, my goal is simple: To enable people to believe in themselves, take action, live up to their potential, and come together to build stronger, more compassionate communities, touching more lives.

In the past, you had kept your 'adventures' hidden from your mom. Does she finally know about your achievement?
Managing her anxiety would have become another Ironman challenge for me, and that's why I never told her about my triathlons. She recently read about the achievement in the newspapers. Now she is happy (smiles).