Triathlete on the Move: Michelle Magnani’s Journey with Recovery and Firefly

Meet Michelle Magnani, a dedicated triathlete who’s embraced the thrill of multi-sport training after a collegiate career marked by challenges and resilience. A former track and cross-country runner at Oklahoma State University, Michelle’s path shifted when injuries led her to discover the joy of swimming and cycling. Now, she’s not only excelling in triathlons but has also developed a rigorous recovery routine to stay at her peak. From balancing intense daily training with smart recovery techniques to leveraging her Firefly devices for faster, more effective muscle recovery, Michelle is redefining what it means to compete—and thrive—as a triathlete. In this interview, she shares insights on recovery, travel tips, and what’s next in her inspiring journey.

What inspired you to become a triathlete?

I was inspired to become a triathlete after numerous injuries in college where I ran track and field/cross country at Oklahoma State University. During the periods I couldn’t run, I found peace in the swimming pool and cycling outdoors. I began to realize that I was having a lot of fun with the other sports as well as enjoying the process of trying to improve all three disciplines

How does recovery play into your daily routine?

Recovery is a huge part of my sport. If I can’t recover then, I may get injured or sick and all the hard work that I put in is not absorbed. As a triathlete, I am always trying to maximize every minute of my busy day. I usually have 3 sessions a day, which means only a few hours in between to rest and recover for the next activity. For me, that means getting some carbohydrates in immediately after every session and then getting off my legs. Additionally, I throw on my Firefly’s to help speed up the recovery process. Whether I’m on the couch, running errands or at my part time job, I no longer feel restricted in my recovery.

Do you have any advice for other athletes about how to best use Firefly for long-haul travel & pre/post competition?

For long haul travel I like to where my Firefly’s the entire duration of the flight. I usually put them on just after security (otherwise TSA gets a little wary of the device on your legs haha) and then I wear them until I get to the hotel. This allows me to arrive with fresh legs and takes away some of the mental and physical stress that travel brings on.

The days leading up to my competition I will use my Firefly’s after training sessions while I’m lounging in the hotel room, out for coffee, or at the pre-race briefing.

After my competition, I usually have a shower and then slap my Firefly’s on to minimize any soreness or fatigue that a race might bring on. They really are a game changer when I’m racing back to back weekends and I need to recover and get ready to go for another big race that might be across the country!

What is next for you?

I have just finished my long season of racing and am now taking a little break. I will then have a few weeks where I exercise for ‘fun’ and by feel before my coach starts to write me a training plan for the 2025 season. I had no major injures this year and I’d like to credit some of that because of Firefly!

You can follow along with my journey on Instagram: michelle_magnani and on my website at www.meeshnation.com