Today we are SPOTLIGHTING one of our newer members: Nuno Sousa, who will be competing in IRONMAN TEXAS in April.
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
Mid 2023
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
My first race was a sprint in Belgium in 2009. This was just one month after deciding to do a Triathlon. The swim was in a pool and I had to rest between laps since one mont earlier couldn’t barely swim. Used a mountain bike
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
I was on a weigh lost journey after reaching 220lb (at 5’9″) in 2008. First started mountain biking, then running and in 2009 met a Ironman pro athlete that told me that anyone could do an Ironman. At that time anyone that could run a marathon was an alien to me, let alone completing an Ironman. After that conversation I started watching Ironman videos and that’s when I realized that actually anyone could do an Ironman. That’s when it started. One month later I did my first Sprint, and 8 months later, in 2010, I did 5 x 70.3 in a 6 months period. In 2011 did my first two full distance. After that, I stopped tris for a few years and dedicated to ultra running, having completed the Utra Trail du Mont Blanc, El Cruce de Los Andes, among many other races. In 2016 returned to Ironman and completed another 17 fulls since, for a total of 19 full and 20 x 70.3.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Ironman Florida, completed the last 7 and that’s where I have 5 of my 6 fastest
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Completing Kona in 2022. It was a dream for many years and qualified through the Legacy program and completed 10 of the needed 12 races between 2016 and 2019. Completing Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in 2014 was the toughest race ever, 25h total time under pretty rough conditions, due to heavy rain and floods all night.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
My first ever mountain bike race was a humbling experience. Signed up for a 40 mile race a couple months after starting riding thinking that was flat, being in Belgium. That’s when I found out that Belgium is actually hilly in the Ardennes. Toughest day ever, pushed my bike most of the day since I was nowhere prepared to be there. Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, Ultra Trail Cape Town and Cruce de Los Andes (multi stage race) were all very tough races. UTMB is definitely the toughest, finishing once out of three tries and when you start there is no guarantee that you will finish. DNF twice due to injury.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
My favorite food is FOOD. After a race normally I cannot look at food for hours since I’m a bit sick of gatorade and gels. Normally I eat whatever is available a few hours later. Don’t really have a go to food
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I’ve been married to Fabiana since 2000. We’ve met in Brazil, both our sons were born in Rio and they are 12 and 19 yo. The oldest is now at UT Dallas, Electric Engineering major. They are both beautiful like their mother and smart and humble like me 🙂
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’m Portuguese, raised in Lisbon, and have lived in Brazil, Belgium and in the US since 2025. I’m a Mechanical Engineer and have worked in the Oil & Gas industry since I graduated.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m into the heavy type of Heavy Metal. Normally people say they couldn’t tell. Another fun fact is that I was actually born in Cape Town, South Africa, but only lived there for a year or so.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I have known the team for many years and always liked how active you are at The Woodlands races and have the coolest kits out there.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Can’t really tell a favorite one. but I do read a lot, mainly audio books during my trips. I’m pretty eclectic as long as they are about real stories, biographies, history, etc. Not a sci-fi or fantasy type of fan
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
There’s a Japanese place close to my house that I like going to just because my youngest son loves it. If he loves it, I love it
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
Being able to continue doing these races and actually being faster in my 50’s than I was in my 40’s is a huge inspiration. I feel that this is what keeps me “young” and is a probe of that. I fear that if I stop, I’m losing this part of my life that keeps the balance between family, work and sport. I keep saying that I’m retiring but I never do. I’m still chasing that PR.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
Signed up for Ironman Texas, Maryland and Florida. Trying to get back in shape to do Texas and hope to build fitness to have a good race in Florida. Maryland is a deferral from last year and not sure yet if I will do it. Ironman Florida is the main objective
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
I haven’t had the chance to meet the vast majority of the members. I only know a few that live close to me in Cypress. I’m really looking forward to meet and feel the heat of the cheer leaders at Ironman Texas.
