The Mount Isa athlete has lost nearly 120kg after competing in triathlons, and spends most of her time training for the next challenge; including Dirt n Dust, and the Noosa Olympic Length Triathlon.

Elle appeared on Sunrise on Wednesday to talk about her determined slog of training to get to Cairns.

Other news media picked up on the story while Elle was holidaying on the coast.

“The Today Show and Sunrise both contacted me, and I had a couple of interviews with national newspapers and magazines.”

Elle puts her success down to setting regular goals, such as Noosa’s olympic length triathlon and Dirt’n’Dust triathlon.

Surprisingly Elle found the Cairns Ironman – 2km swim, 90km ride, 21km run – easier than expected.

“I thought the ride was going to be a lot harder than it was. It was quite hilly but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.”

“It was a crazy day, so many people and such a huge distance so it was spread out all over the place.”

“Mum and dad were there watching the whole thing, trying to track me on the Iron Man app so they could see where I was.”

The determined woman already has her sights set on the next challenge, a full Iron Man in Busselton.

“It's happening, I have set it in, I am determined to hear the words "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" as I run down that red carpet!”

Confidence in her coach assures Elle she will succeed, again.

“I know it’s going to mean a lot of hard work and giving up a lot, visiting friends, no late nights.”

The full Iron Man in Busselton will take place on December 6, three days after Elle’s 30th birthday.

The gruelling event consists of a 4km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run.

Elle will also compete again in the olympic distance triathlon in Noosa this November.

“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to see what happens from here.

“I know that I can do it, the effort will be pretty intense.

“I hope my boss is on board with this, because it’s going to make things difficult if they’re not!” Elle said.