Was it tough to pare down your stuff before you moved in?
TZ: I’ve spent so many years living out of a suitcase traveling as a pro that I get rid of stuff on a regular basis. And paring down is a big part of the show. They had us focus on what we use and what we need.
KZ: The process was more difficult and stressful for me. It took time deciding what’s important: The things we need for our job, the awards we want to hang on to, the sentimental things.
But any triathlete knows the sport requires a lot of gear. What will you do with your bikes, helmets, shoes and everything else?
KZ: We have a bike storage area outside on the back of the house. It’s one of my favorite features — it’s safe and secure, and there’s a great work space for basically anything we need to do bike-or tool-wise. Also, we have a pretty sweet coffee table that turns into a beautiful bike trainer station.
TZ: The designers took all of our equipment and our needs as professional triathletes into consideration. The place is only 8 feet wide and 28 feet long, but has great storage, like a space for our clothes and shoes underneath the staircase leading up to the loft where our bedroom is. But at the same rate, we wanted a home where we don’t have to think about triathlon when we’re in it. We didn’t want to stare at our bikes on the walls or have our gear everywhere.
Like a home away from work?
KZ: Exactly. We’re not really interested in displaying our awards and triathlon stuff. We’ll hang more meaningful items, like a portrait Tommy’s uncle painted of us as well as some other pictures that Tommy has taken.
What are some of your other favorite parts of the house?
KZ: The skylights above our bedroom loft. There’s a queen size air mattress up there — it feels super spacious!
TZ: There are also 13 windows, so we get great light. And I love the aesthetic of the interior. It’s comfortable and homey — not sparkling and modern. We get muddy sometimes, so we didn’t want it to be pristine.
Any room for house guests?
KZ: Yes! There’s a back area where we can have a guest sleep. In the future — maybe five years down the road — we’ll possibly convert that space into a nursery. Actually, there are three designated spaces in the house: A living area below the loft with a couch and a kitchen. We have an apartment-sized stove, cabinets, even a little table. And there’s a full bathroom with a tub. TZ: Actually, it’s probably more space than we get living in a single hotel room throughout the rest of the year.
The two of you obviously get along great, but we all need our alone time once in a while. Will you be able to get that in your tiny home?
TZ: The house is segmented pretty well. We have a pocket door that will close off the living room, plus a dresser that blocks the view of the loft. Or one of us can be hanging out in the kitchen while the other is taking a bath or hanging out on the couch.
KZ: We’ll definitely find our own space, even though we will be in the same proximity.
After your stint on “Tiny House Nation,” is your own reality show next?
KZ: For us, the big draw wasn’t to be on the show. It was mostly exciting to have an amazing contractor design a house specifically customized to our needs.
TZ: Who knows? The house is built on a trailer that we can tow anywhere we want, so maybe we’ll take this show on the road!
USATRIATHLON.ORG | USA TRIATHLON | 23
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