I am who I am today because of women. It’s that simple. Through all of life’s challenges, it has been women who empowered me through life’s difficult times and showed me that I am worthy, stronger than I know, and supported beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
I am racing the Ironman World Championship in Kona for Women for Tri because I want to give back to my female triathlon community for what they have given to me. I want every woman to see me and think “If she can do it…I can do it too!” And then I want to show them how.
I am raising money for Women for Tri to create more communities and spaces where women can get the type of support I have received. I want every woman to know how strong and powerful she can be.
My triathlon journey began after my last pregnancy. Upon having my youngest, I was 198 pounds, feeling miserable, and depressed. I felt completely unsupported and as if I was drowning in a sea of responsibility where self-care was a very foreign concept. My women friends were often experiencing similar unhappy situations but the thought of challenging their future, taking care of their increasingly unhealthy bodies, and finding happiness seemed like something we didn’t care about or have time for. I wasn’t willing to accept that.
So, in 2008, I joined a workout program with mostly women (called Resolution Shape Up) at my gym and got a coach. Shortly after came triathlon. And my life was changed forever. Just like that.
I will never forget the first time my coach made a casual comment referring to me as an athlete. I burst out laughing. The concept of me being an athlete was so foreign to me. But within just one year of starting with three cardio/weights sessions per week as part of my gym program, I was racing half marathons and doing sprint triathlons. I also lost over 50 pounds and 55 inches.
The first group of women that changed my life were the women from Resolution Shape Up. Up until this program, I didn’t have a lot of female friends in my life as I worked in the male-dominated music industry and struggled finding female friends. It was startling at first how much we immediately and unconditionally supported each other and how life-changing it was to have that in my life. I remember after one of our first sprint triathlons, after finishing the race, to my own surprise, I broke down in uncontrollable tears. That day, I met one of my closest friends to this day, her name is Wendy. She rushed to hug me and asked what was going on. I told her that I was just feeling so overwhelmed because triathlon was the only good thing in my life right now. She responded saying, “I know exactly how you feel.” That moment, to share those emotions with another woman and to know that I wasn’t alone, is emblazoned in my memory. I had never felt that kind of connection before and could never have anticipated how powerful and moving it could be to share that bond with a female friend. I am forever grateful to her and to that group of women for showing me my first experience of what the power of a community of supportive women can do to lift your spirit during difficult times.
As I learned more about triathlon and discovered different teams. I found I truly identified with the Coeursports team. It is a team founded by women that creates the most amazing women-specific athlete clothing with a mission to encourage and empower women in triathlon. I became part of the team in 2017. This community has, once again, completely changed me. I used to think I was a strong woman before I became part of this team, but I had no idea what I was capable of before I met them –what women are capable of together.
I chose to be active through triathlon, but every woman’s journey to physical fitness and body strength is different. Nonetheless, what we all share when we take care of our bodies together, is growing pride and confidence in ourselves, a supportive community surrounding us, and a more positive outlook on life. I became a stronger woman and a more resilient mother thanks to my active lifestyle. I am constantly grateful for how my physical fitness has absolutely transformed me as a person, and with it my family and community.
I have been trying to qualify for IRONMAN Kona for years. I came really close last year in Cozumel but just missed the age group slot. I was training for IRONMAN Boulder to try again and was in the best shape of my life when on May 8th, 2018, I was hit from behind by a pickup truck in Boulder during one of my last 100 mile training rides. My helmet saved my life, but I had 3 fractures in my pelvis, a fracture in my scapula, six broken ribs and a punctured lung. I am very lucky to be alive today.
It has been an emotional journey since the accident and a difficult experience for my family. I am getting stronger every day and am already getting back to training. It wasn’t clear for a while if I’d be able to accept this Women for Tri Kona slot and have enough time to heal and train. But my doctors and my coach think I can do it. And NOTHING will stop me now. Even if I have to walk that marathon, I will finish IRONMAN Kona for Women for Tri because it is one of my deepest passions to do so.
I am honored to have been chosen by Women for Tri to represent our community at the IRONMAN Kona World Championship in October. I look forward to sharing my journey and hope you’ll join me by donating to my efforts and following my story aimed to inspire women around the world because we are all strong, we are all capable, and together, anything is possible.