Nutrition
As a pro athlete, it's important to feed your body with the right nutrients all the time. You need to treat your body right.
"Before turning pro, I would eat whatever I wanted," Stensland said. "I would buy a bag of bagels thinking it would last all week, but it lasted till noon. That's when I started to become aware of what I was putting in my body."
More: Nutrition Notes for Triathletes
Experiment with what your body likes before your race. Some food sits better than other foods, but figure out what fuel is best for you during training periods.
Efficiency
Make the most of your time. "Get the most amount of work done in the least amount of time," Stensland said.
You train to improve your skills, not to make sure you can swim, bike, and run. Each time you train, make sure you are pushing yourself to boost your performance.
More: Dave Scott's Guide to Efficient Swimming
Not only does efficiency revolve around training, but around your daily life. When you're at home, make sure you spend your time running a household efficiently. This way you don't miss out on training time.
Everything you do needs to maximize the most out of your time.
Travel
The beauty of competing professionally is you get to participate in a sport you love and see new places.
"I combined two loves, tris and travel," Stensland said.
You're on the road quite a bit; seeing new places and meeting new people. Know how to adjust quickly to time change and scenery.
More: 10 Best Triathlon Cities in the U.S.
If you're like Stensland and looking for more of a challenge, look into taking your triathlons to the next level.
Do your research and understand there is a commitment you need to make to yourself. Just like Stensland did.
"Be confident when you nail your performance and be open to learning," Stensland said. "Surround yourself with the best and enjoy the ride."
More: 10 Biggest Triathlons in the U.S.
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