How old are you?: 43
Instagram: mymidlifetrisis
Where do you live?: Texas
What is your history with sports and athletics?: After completing my Ph.D., I was feeling tired and old. I had done a few sprint triathlons, and one olympic distance, several years earlier and I loved it. However, after owning a business, growing my family, and pursuing my educational goals, I had long since abandoned racing.
While writing my dissertation, I experienced increased stress and became markedly sedentary. I gained over 50 pounds and experienced joint pain.
A few months after graduating, I started thinking about triathlon again. One evening, while sitting in my recliner and eating my third slice of lemon cream cake, I texted a friend of whom I had raced with in a few triathlons several years earlier. I asked him if a new local gym had a lap pool. He informed me that it did and I signed up that same week.
I remember sitting there that night and wondering if I was “too old” to get back to racing. I had thoughts that maybe that time of my life had passed me by. I couldn’t even run a mile at that time, so the thought of completing a triathlon was daunting. Still, I made up my mind that I would do it. I set a goal to complete a local sprint tri that was about three months out.
I completed that sprint triathlon that year and went on to do several races (Sprint and Olympic distances the following year).
I fell back in love with the sport. I lost nearly 60 pounds, have my energy back, and am a better husband and father because of triathlon.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?: I think what I enjoy most is discovering what my mind and body are capable of accomplishing. I am proud to say that I am 43 years old with zero health problems. I am not taking any medications and I feel amazing!
However, what is most important to me is that my children see me making health and fitness a priority in my life. I love seeing my son and daughter also making a healthy lifestyle part of their lives.
Recently, I’ve started running with my children and that is a gift I never even knew I wanted! Yet, it is one of my favorite things to do with them.
My proudest accomplishment is completing my first 70.3 triathlon this year completely on my own. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, my race was cancelled. I was disappointed, but was determined to complete that for which I had trained so hard. I got up on a Saturday and did the whole thing by myself.
It was terribly hot (nearly 100 degrees) with 20-25 mph winds during the run portion of the tri, but I finished it! The best part? My wife and kids made signs and cheered me on and my son even gave me a homemade medal he made for me when I finished.
That’s the best thing: my family seeing me set a goal, sacrificing for it, and completing it even in the face of adversity. If I’ve helped model that for them, then I really think I’ve done something!
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?: I’ve experienced several challenges. Last year a dog attacked me during a bike ride. I crashed going 20 mph as a result and had a concussion and two fractured ribs.
With a full time career, a wife, and two children who are both involved in sports, making time to train is always a challenge. I have to say my wife is a huge support. I couldn’t train for longer distances without her help and teamwork with our little family.
The current COVID-19 situation is also quite challenging. My first marathon was postponed from April to October and now may still be cancelled.
Yet, I see all these challenges as opportunities to help shape and illuminate my character for my children. I believe in my core that adversity is a gift and difficulty illuminates character. As a former child within the Texas foster care system, I experienced disappointment and adversity and I believe those experiences helped forge a resiliency in me that I hope to pass on to my children.
Look, life isn’t convenient. In fact, in my experience it is just the opposite. Life is unpredictable, challenging, and sometimes downright sad. However, it is within the difficult moments in life that one can really discover who they are. Will they quit or keep fighting? Will they open up and love others or become closed and hateful? Will they look for solutions or simply complain?
What is your “why?”: In my estimation, the best leaders are those who have been tested to the point they thought they might fail. After all, I believe it is only when you keep going on mental energy and grit alone, that you really discover how much more you can endure and, if you’re lucky, life will give you plenty of opportunities to gut it out!
I hope to teach my children this. I want them to welcome adversity and challenges in their lives and learn to be leaders as a result.
What’s next?: My short term goals are to run a sub 20-minute 5k in 2020 and complete a marathon (either at my race at the rescheduled Oklahoma City Memorial race in October, or on my own, if it is cancelled).
Long term? Continue to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and raise my kiddos with my wife. In the end, most everything I do is focused on being the best dad and husband I can give to my family.
Any fun facts about yourself?: I am a huge metal head! I’ve played guitar since I was 13 years old and still love to play. I own way too many guitars and amps!
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?: Tell that voice in your head that is saying you are too old, too out of shape, too tired, too busy, etc… to shut up! That voice is a liar! Get up, lace up, and go!
I would also say to find a coach, a friend, and a goal. You need something and/or someone to help you be accountable.
Any other comments or stories you’d like to share?: Life is for living! It is always moving and carving it’s way forward. No matter what! This is a good thing. Have you ever seen a stagnant pond? It’s moitionless and full of disease. I dont ever want to be like that. Let me always be a river! Full of life, always moving, and maybe even a little dangerous, haha!
