IRONMAN Insights - meet Shane Backstrom

We're highlighting a few employees representing ANZCO Foods this year so you can get an insight into the crew's training and nutrition leading up to the big day.

Meet Shane Backstrom

Electrician at ANZCO Foods Canterbury
Competing in IRONMAN 70.3

What motivated you to join the ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand 2026 team?
I have always wanted to do an IRONMAN. The idea of pushing my boundaries and getting out of my comfort zone is something that appeals to me. Having ANZCO’s support and a team around me to help me achieve my goals made it far easier to step up and take on the challenge. 

How are you balancing training with work and everyday life?
Planning and making the best use of my time every day is key to be able to make life carry on with the added burden of training. It is really important to me that I don’t forgo family time, and I try to get them involved when possible. I’ve also had tremendous support from my colleagues and supervisors at the Canterbury site, who understand what I have committed to and are backing me to do my best in Taupo in March. 

How has your approach to nutrition and good health changed since starting this journey?
Training for IRONMAN New Zealand has meant probably making the biggest change I have ever made to my nutrition. I am really focused on eating a balanced diet and have been trying to cut out fast food and sugar. IRONMAN nutrition is not just about fuelling the body for or during training but also about recovery post-training, and I have been making a concerted effort to eat the right sort of foods after each session to improve my recovery and help my keep up the consistent volume of training that has been required. 

Tell us about being part of the ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand race team.
It has been great to be able to share the small victories in my training as well as the inevitable hardships with my ANZCO colleagues, and it has been motivating to see what they are up to and how their own journeys are progressing. It’s been important though, not to get too hung up with comparing what I am doing versus some of the other guys who are putting in some massive effort! There has been so much knowledge and advice shared by those that have been through this before, and the words of encouragement have been really valuable.  

What are you most looking forward to on race day on 7 March?
To be honest I’m not sure what to expect! Everyone says the swim in Lake Taupo is beautiful and am looking forward to that part of it. Overall, it will be exciting to see how my body responds and if all of the training I have done pays off. Luckily for us first timers, Rick has been providing us with a solid training plan that gives me the confidence that the work will have been done, so I just have to go out there and make it happen!  

What would you say to a colleague thinking about joining the team next year?
Just do it! I have learned so much about myself during the past few months and have changed the way I do things, both in terms of my mindset and physically, which will become part of my life beyond this race. I intend to apply again for next year, so I look forward to having some new teammates on board!