Name: Sean Bannon

Triathlon background

I completed my first triathlon at 19 and trained during the COVID-19 pandemic to fulfill my dream of becoming an Ironman. Since then, I’ve competed across a range of distances and have recently been drawn toward longer endurance efforts and events.

How old are you?

24

What do you think will be the toughest moment during the event?

Swimming the Channel in a fatigued state. By that point in the race, it becomes less about physical ability and more about managing body temperature, effort, staying composed, and continuing to move forward despite the conditions. At that point, I’ll be relying on the muscle memory of technique I’ve built over my lifetime.

Favourite discipline (run, cycle, swim) and why?

Swimming! What draws me to open water swimming is its unforgiving, unyielding nature. The elements are unmoved by effort or intention, so my success depends entirely on preparation, resilience, and ability to keep moving forward despite what I can’t control.

Why do you push yourself to this level?

Why not? Life is limited, and I want to make the most of the time and health I have. Pushing myself is a way to explore my limits and fully engage with that opportunity. I also do it with the mindset of “for those who can’t,” which gives it a deeper purpose beyond myself.

What made you want to take on Arch2Arc?

Arch2Arc had been on my radar for years, but I didn’t feel ready and knew I had to build toward it. From Ironman to the English Channel to completing the Triple Crown, each step over the last few years has been an intentional part of that progression and preparation for a challenge like this.

Favourite post-training meal

Trader Joe’s teriyaki chicken and fried rice, a diet root beer, and coffee Oreo ice cream for dessert.

How can people follow or support your journey?

People can follow along on Instagram (@seantbannon), where I’ll be sharing updates throughout the journey. I’m also using this effort to raise awareness for the importance of lifestyle medicine, and for those who want to support further, donations to my GoFundMe to help offset race costs are greatly appreciated! (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sean-bannon-achieve-the-arch-to-arc-triathlon)

Least favourite discipline?

Hamstring stretching and IT band rolling. Not exactly a discipline, but definitely the part of training I enjoy the least.

What does finishing Arch2Arc mean to you personally?

Finishing Arch2Arc would represent something I’ve been building toward for years. Through college, graduation, and now starting medical school, I’ve experienced a lot of growth beyond sport.

My interest in medicine comes from a desire to both understand and improve health, not just through treatment but through prevention and lifestyle. Endurance sport has been a parallel path, teaching me discipline, resilience, and the importance of long-term consistency.

Hidden talent outside of sport

Rollerblading

What do you do for work?

I’m a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, working on translational oncology trials. I’ll be starting medical school this fall, with the goal of building a career centered around medicine, research, and lifestyle-based prevention.

What does a typical training week look like?

I typically train around 20 hours per week, including 4 swims, 3 runs, 2 rides, along with strength training and mobility work. Most of my training is done after work hours.

I train six days per week, with a rest day on Monday, and build volume throughout the week, peaking from Friday through Sunday where I complete the majority of my training.

To mimic race conditions, I’ll do a long run Friday after work, often finishing late at night, followed by a long swim Saturday morning, and then another long swim and bike on Sunday.

Nationality / where you’re based

USA

One word your friends would use to describe you

Positive

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by people across different parts of my life. My mom, and my uncle and godfather Fred, have shaped how I approach challenges and perspective. The patients I work with inspire me every day through their resilience and strength. I’m also inspired by the Arch2Arc community and being around others pushing their limits toward a shared goal.

What keeps you going when things get really tough?

When things get really tough, I rely on a few simple mantras to stay grounded. I remind myself not to make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings, and that I have a 100% survival rate through everything I’ve faced so far.

How are you preparing differently for this compared to other races?

Training for this event has required me to think in larger, multi-week blocks rather than individual sessions, with a focus on consistency and cumulative load over time.

It’s also pushed me to rely more on others. I’m building a strong crew and support system that I’ll depend on throughout the effort. At the same time, I’m placing a greater emphasis on technique, form, and nutrition. Those fundamentals are what will make the difference over multiple days.

Any unusual or extreme training methods?

Simulating race conditions as much as possible like doing long runs late on Friday nights after work, followed by early morning cold-water swims. It’s less about anything extreme and more about preparing for the physical and mental demands of the event.

Have you ever wanted to quit during training? What got you through it?

Yes. There are definitely moments during training where I’ve wanted to quit. In those moments, I try to take a step back and remind myself how fortunate I am to be in a position to do this. There are so many people who would give anything for the opportunity. I also remind myself those moments pass, and staying steady through them is part of the process.