Chat With A Ninja: Jen McMillan, Tri Pioneer
From Tri Pioneer to Comeback Warrior: Jen’s Inspiring Journey
This interview first appeared in the March 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
Since the early days of Australian triathlon in the 1980s, Jennifer McMillan has been a true trailblazer, completing Ultraman Australia, racing tandem with her friend Chris, and returning stronger than ever for the Hervey Bay 100 Aquabike just months after major surgery. A loyal SSG member since the very first Qualm Swim in 2019, Jen brings grit, warmth and decades of stories to our swim-focused club. Here’s her quick chat on passion, comebacks and giving back.
1. How did you first get involved with SSG Multisports, and what keeps you coming back to our swim-focused community at Suttons Beach?
My first encounter was in 2019 when I heard about the crazy plan to swim from Shorncliffe Jetty to Woody Point Jetty for the first Qualm Swim. I messaged Greg Mc to ask how I could get involved. He was cautious and basically said, “Prove you can swim well enough first so you dont endanger the group! Fair enough, he didn’t know me. I had just finished Ultraman and done an English Channel relay, so I turned up, showed them what I could do, and joined the swim. Like a stray dog, I never left! The welcoming, supportive vibe at Suttons keeps me coming back every week.
2. You've been around the triathlon circuit since its early days in Australia. What sparked your passion for the sport, and what's changed most since those pre-technology times?
In my late teens I was training for my second dan black belt in karate when I got injured and had to switch to swimming and running at UQ. A guy at the pool handed me a brochure for the first All Women’s Triathlon in Mooloolaba and asked if I could ride a bike. I borrowed my cousin’s old Peugeot 10-speed (complete with kickstand!) and loved it. That was around 1984 and I’ve been hooked ever since. The biggest change is all the gadgets: heart rate monitors, GPS, power meters, smart trainers and instant results on your phone. Back then we waited for a dot-matrix printout! As an engineer I’ve loved watching it all unfold.
3. From marathons to multisport, what's your proudest racing achievement so far, and how did your recent recovery play into tackling Hervey Bay 100?
Without doubt, completing Ultraman Australia in 2019. Three days of 10 km swim, 421 km ride and 84 km run. I turned myself inside out to finish each day within 12 hours and crossed the line with my crew in tears. That medal meant everything. After my surgery last year the doctor said I’d be back on the bike quickly, so I entered the Hervey Bay 100 Aquabike and even teamed with Chris for the 50 the day before. It was tough and I was cooked, but I got both done. Not the smartest recovery plan, but I needed something to aim for.
4. Riding a tandem bike with Chris sounds like an incredible partnership. What got you started, and what's a memorable moment from those rides?
I’ve owned a tandem for years from our family touring days. A few years ago I went to tandem camp and it changed my life. Chris and I met after that and eventually made my old tandem work for her height. We climb well together and have done time trials, the Tour de Brisbane and state champs. Our friendship is about more than bikes. We share dogs, country roots and music. The best moment was riding my new custom Czech tandem home from the shop. People kept stopping us, smiling and asking about it. We had the biggest grins the whole way!
5. Most famous or memorable opponent you've raced against (perhaps from the early tri days or a standout SSG story?)
Early on I raced against names like Liz Hepple and Miles Stewart, but they had no idea I existed! My huge fan-girl moment came at Ultraman when Stephen Foster (legendary Australian Ironman athlete) held my hand down the steps on the boardwalk at the finish. Later at the awards dinner he chatted with me about my speech. That was pretty special.
6. Favourite bands or playlists for training? Do you have a go-to song for tough ocean swims or long rides?
I have the same playlist for about ten years and just keep adding to it, everything from Meat Loaf and AC/DC to musicals and Pentatonix. No single favourite, but certain songs pop up when I need them. For long rides or tough swims I often recite “The Man From Snowy River” in my head. It’s rhythmic and keeps my cadence up.
7. Favourite pastime outside triathlons (maybe family adventures)?
I’m a sucker for too many hobbies: reading, cooking for people I love, playing with the dogs, riding my bike collection, learning Italian, playing piano and photography. Definitely not wind trainers!
8. Claim to fame, besides your engineering background or epic comebacks?
Most of my claims to fame are engineering-related. I was once on “The Shak” explaining how to build bridges (when I worked on the Ted Smout Bridge) and I built the bikeway along the Gateway Motorway. Im also famous among cycling friends for loving Christmas way too much. Too much Christmas is never enough!
9. Favourite Australian sports star, and why (as a veteran triathlete, perhaps an endurance icon)?
Dylan Alcott. He’s not only a Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair basketball and the only male quad singles tennis player to win the Golden Slam, but he’s used his Australian of the Year status to push for real inclusiveness in advertising, music festivals and everyday life. He’s intelligent, articulate and genuinely impressive.
10. Pre-race ritual no one knows about (especially for big events like Hervey Bay 100)?
I don’t really have one, maybe just braiding my hair and laying everything out the night before and taking a photo. That’s about it!
11. Biggest regret in sport, if any, or a lesson learned from a tough race?
My biggest regret is not going long earlier when I was younger and faster. The best lesson came on Day 2 of Ultraman when my bike malfunctioned early. I was convinced my race was over, but I let go of what had happened, reset my computer and rode my power plan from scratch. I nibbled away at the time goal kilometre by kilometre and scraped in with 15 minutes to spare. Its never over until you give up.
12. Dream job if not in triathlons or engineering (something adventurous from your Hervey Bay roots)?
Travel photography. I adore the visual world and architecture.
13. Favourite quote that keeps you motivated during training or races?
“First half, don’t be an idiot. Second half, don’t be a wimp. It stops me going out too hard on the bike and reminds me to keep pushing right to the end.
14. If you had one wish for SSG Multisports in 2026, what would it be?
That we never lose the magic of being inclusive and supportive. SSG is a very special group and that atmosphere needs protecting.
15. Advice for new SSG members, especially women or families balancing training like yours?
Were told we can have it all, but not all at once. The pie that is our life can only be cut into so many pieces before nothing feels satisfying. Sometimes we need to cut the pie into fewer bits so we can do justice to the ones we keep. There are seasons for crazy dreams. Just make sure you keep a slice for them and come back to it when life allows.
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