Fuelling the Olympic Dream: A Q&A with Eva Goodisson

In the world of elite triathlon, the difference between a podium finish and a did-not-finish (DNF) often comes down to what’s in your bottle. We sat down with New Zealand powerhouse Eva Goodisson to discuss her transition to the Gold Coast, recovering from a two-year injury battle, and how she uses the Fixx Nutrition range to power her 2028 Los Angeles Olympic ambitions.

The Q&A

Fixx Nutrition: Eva, thanks for joining us! You’ve just hopped out of the pool after a massive morning. Can you walk us through what a typical Tuesday training block looks like for you on the Gold Coast?

Eva Goodisson: It’s been a big one! I started with a 15km run session down in Southport, followed by a gym session, and then a "short" 2km swim to finish. In triathlon, the volume is high because you’re balancing three sports, but being here on the Gold Coast with world-class facilities and a great squad under Dan Atkins makes the lifestyle pretty hard to complain about!

Fixx Nutrition: You grew up as a competitive swimmer in Hawke's Bay before finding your feet in running. What was the "lightbulb moment" that led you to triathlon?

Eva Goodisson: I was a breaststoker, which actually isn't very helpful for triathlons! I had some success in the pool but never quite reached the level I wanted. At 14, I tried a school cross-country race and ended up winning a national title in the 3000m. Running felt relatively easy compared to the miles I’d put in the water. Someone suggested that if I could swim and run, I should just pick up a bike. It’s taken me nearly a decade to actually enjoy the cycling part, but the challenge of the multisport life hooked me.

Fixx Nutrition: You spent four years in the U.S. on a track scholarship at UC Davis (University of California, Davis). You mentioned that period was a massive learning curve for your nutrition. What changed?

Eva Goodisson: The U.S. college system can be notorious for overtraining and a "thinner is faster" mentality. I had three foot stress fractures in my first few years because I was restricting my fuel. The lightbulb moment was my third fracture; I realized if I wanted to make the Olympics, I had to stop getting injured. I started reading Dr. Stacy Sims and working with professionals to understand that for female athletes, timing and volume of nutrition are non-negotiable. I learned the hard way that you can't "overfuel" in this sport - you’re burning so much that if you don't stay on top of it, your body just breaks.

Fixx Nutrition: Speaking of fuelling, how do you integrate Fixx into your heavy training weeks to stay injury-free?

Eva Goodisson: Nutrition was the missing piece for my recovery. On my long rides and swims, I rely on the Fuel X Pro electrolyte and carb mix. I aim for about 60 grams of carbs an hour. For the big Saturday sessions where I have a hard run off the bike, I use the Gel X Pro caffeinated gels. That extra hit of caffeine gives me the "umph" I need to transition from the bike to the run. Being on the Gold Coast, the heat is a major factor, so staying on top of hydration with the electrolyte mix is critical to prevent cramping.

Fixx Nutrition: Finally, the big goal is LA 2028. How does the next two years look for you as you chase that New Zealand Olympic spot?

Eva Goodisson: The qualifying period opens in just two months! It’s a two-year window from May this year to May 2028. My focus is consistency, chipping away at the training, staying healthy, and hopefully getting selected for the Mixed Team Relays. New Zealand punches so far above its weight in triathlon, so the internal competition is tough, but that just makes us better.

Eva’s Fixx Nutrition Staples

During the interview, Eva highlighted the specific products she uses to maintain her high-volume load and prevent the injuries that previously sidelined her:

 

---

 

The "Day on a Plate" Summary

• Pre-Training: Simple carbs (Toast with jam/peanut butter) and coffee.

• Intra-Training: Fuel X mix (60g carbs/hr) + Gel X Pro for intensity.

• Post-Training: High protein/carb recovery (Bacon & egg sandwich + smoothie).

• Recovery: Protein shake + a balanced large dinner (and ice cream for the summer!).