'Do it for my girls': Triathlete conquers sport's most gruelling test to inspire next generation

With every gruelling stride across the 226.3km course at Ironman Cairns, Kirsty Nichols, a proud Muran (Iwaidja) and Kungarakun woman, had with her two unwavering reminders of why she was taking on one of the world's most challenging one-day sporting events.

Displayed on the laces of her running shoes and on her bike frame were the words: "For Mali. For Yokes".

These are the names of her two daughters: Mali, 16, and Ayoka, 12.

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"Every time I looked down and I thought, 'I don't know if I can do this', I had a little reminder of my 'why'," Nichols told Wide World of Sports.

"One step, another step and another step, and I knew if I kept taking steps forward, I would eventually see them because they were waiting for me on the run course."

Last month, nine Indigenous athletes crossed the finish line at Ironman Cairns, doubling the number of First Nations people to complete an Ironman triathlon in a matter of years.

Nichols joined six other First Nations athletes from TRIMOB's IRONMOB program, completing their first full-distance course: a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run through Far North Queensland.

Crossing under the finishing arch in the heart of Cairns 15 hours, 22 minutes and 40 seconds after entering the water in Palm Cove that morning, Nichols added her image to redefining what is possible for First Nations communities in endurance sport.

While the event was an uncomfortable experience of physical and mental extremes, Nichols repeatedly told herself that she would run down the famed red carpet and take her place as an Ironman for herself and for her daughters.

As the sun went down and the crowd lined along the Cairns Esplanade thinned, Nichols drew on her 'why' for strength.

"Having the girls there on the day with my mum to witness and experience the whole Cairns community coming together to support all of the athletes, that was pretty special," she said.

"Right at the end, when I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I have like two Ks left to run and I can't do it', Mali, who doesn't like running, said to me, 'We're going to run to the end, hey Mum'.

"I just burst out crying.

"They had been out all day supporting and waiting for me to cross the finish line, so I have no words for that. It was very, very special."

Remarkably, before joining the IRONMOB program, Nichols had never participated in a triathlon.

TRIMOB is a triathlon club and charity organisation that empowers First Nations people to improve their health and wellbeing by participating in endurance sports through swimming, cycling and running.

Its culturally grounded IRONMOB program assists First Nations athletes to complete their first Ironman triathlon within a 14-month journey.

"My 'why' was really about my daughters and showing them that no matter what, you can dream big and achieve your goals with hard work and dedication," Nichols said.

"There are a lot of ceilings put on us as Blackfellas, and sentiments around what we can and can't achieve in this lifetime, and that was a real driving force for me to be like, 'This sport might not have traditionally been for me or someone like me, but with the support of TRIMOB, and after going on this journey with other Mob, I can do it and do it for my girls, and show them what is possible'."

TRIMOB's mission in action was on full display when Nichols inspired Ayoka to try a triathlon for herself in the lead-up to Cairns.

"One of my friends runs a super sprint triathlon every Friday night on the Gold Coast, and one time I convinced Yoks to come and she did her first triathlon," Nichols said.

"Being able to convince her to give a triathlon a go and then getting both of my daughters up to Cairns for the weekend was like seeing it all come together, and then having them watch me was priceless."

An Ironman triathlon itself is a colossal undertaking, with training and preparation a huge time commitment. Then there is navigating the family juggle.

"There is a fair amount of sacrifice when you're training," Nichols said.

"As a single parent, those big hours of training — you're leaving in the morning before the kids wake up, then coming back buggered but feeling good because you've hit your training goal, and just having them see that.

"It was really tricky. I tried to make time for them whenever I could within my training."

Having achieved her own personal challenge, Nichols hopes her story encourages more First Nations mothers to get involved in triathlons and test themselves.

"I want mums like me, that might not think they can do an Ironman, to give it a go, or even just get into the sport through swimming, cycling and running," she said.

"Have the courage to join a group or just get outside and start — everyone starts somewhere.

"Five or 10 years ago, I don't think I would have believed that I had it in me to do this, but if I didn't take that first step — buying a second-hand bike on Facebook Marketplace — I would never have got there and to where I am today.

"I hope that other Mob who are mums apply for IRONMOB and take that journey on for themselves because it can be done and it's remarkable having your kids watch you grind and achieve."

TRIMOB is now seeking its next group of First Nations people to challenge themselves through the IRONMOB program, with applications open until July 13.

The next IRONMOB group will be supported through the 14-month program to take on Ironman Western Australia in December 2026.

You can apply to TRIMOB at www.trimob.org/ironmob-program.