After first learning about Ironman triathlons from his high school principal, a Kelowna-based student-athlete has topped the podium at yet another race and has dreams of gold on the world stage.

Less than two weeks after breaking the tape at the last ever Penticton Ironman, Zachary Bernier-Michaud's legs have recovered and he has thrown himself right back into full-time training and university courses, with the goal of another win at the Arizona Ironman in November. 

Bernier-Michaud grew up around the world and at 20 years old has learned to find comfort in uncomfortable and challenging situations.

"The last 10 km of a marathon is always brutal," said Bernier-Michaud after breaking the tape in the amateur division of the iconic Penticton Ironman. The popular long-distance Ironman triathlons are comprised of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run.

This year in Penticton, the swim was cancelled due to frigid lake temperatures and the race was delayed by more than 90 minutes, throwing a wrench into many athlete's plans. 

Bernier-Michaud, however, remained calm, took on extra calories and waited for the race to start, not wasting extra time worrying about things that he could not control. When it was time, he followed his coach's carefully crafted race plan to a T and won the amateur division of the race.

Bernier-Michaud was born in Montreal and as a baby, he and his family moved to Panama. A few years later, the Bernier-Michaud family moved to Germany and later Thailand.

While studying at the International School of Bangkok, as a high school student, Bernier-Michaud was introduced to triathlons for the first time. 

He remembers being inspired by his principal who was training for an Ironman while working full time. His principal taught him about long-distance sports and the culture that surrounds the 226.3 km races. 

Before long, Bernier-Michaud decided to go "all-in" on the sport.

After high school, Bernier-Michaud chose to settle in the Okanagan for his post-secondary education, in part because of UBC Okanagan's academic prowess, bolstered by the opportunity for training that the area afforded him.

Many elite athletes call the Okanagan home as the weather, geography and resources available make the sunny spot an ideal training location. Bernier-Michaud joined an elite group of triathletes in Kelowna and almost immediately found success.

His win in the amateur division and seventh-place overall finish at the Penticton Ironman is just the latest in Bernier-Michaud's dominance, and he is hungry for more.

In addition to training upwards of 25 hours each week, Bernier-Michaud is a full-time university student studying Health and Exercise Science at UBCO, a Residence Advisor on campus and an employee at the Running Room in Kelowna. 

Rather than being hindered by his athletic abilities, it is the financial aspect of racing on the world stage that has halted Bernier-Michaud's forward progress. Despite qualifying for the 2024 amateur world championships, Bernier-Michaud will not be competing in Kona due to the expenses. 

"Financially, triathlon is super difficult so being able to have a support team is needed to be a world champion," said Bernier-Michaud. 

He is currently supported by  and hopes to hit his stride with a professional calibre contract after graduating from university. 

"The biggest aspect for me right now is finding the right companies and people that believe in me and are willing to support me as I pursue becoming a competitive world-class, triathlete, and Ironman world champion," said Bernier-Michaud.

He plans to continue training to compete for gold at the 2025 Amateur World Championships in Nice, France and will then pursue a future in professional racing after graduation.

Follow the student-athlete's progress on .