How old are you?
37
Where do you live?
Grand Rapids, MI
What is your history with sports and athletics?
I grew up with 7 brothers and sisters so I learned to be competitive at a young age. All of my older siblings played sports and I wanted to be just like them. I played basketball, volleyball, and ran track at a small High School.
Basketball was my number one passion so I went on to play ball at a small Catholic University with my sister that was a year older than me. Not only did we play basketball together in college, but we also participated in track there, too. I ran the 800m dash and did a couple relays and she threw disc.
It doesn’t get much better than having a sister who is also your teammate. We always had each other’s back and wanted to see each other exceed in everything we did.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
I grew up a very shy kid so sports were always my outlet. Sports helped me gain confidence, learn how to be a good teammate, and taught me if I wanted something in life I have to put the work in. I also love how being an athlete helped me connect with others and build relationships with people with similar interests and goals.
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
After college, I continued to run and race. After having my first two kids I developed some patella tendonitis in my knee. I wasn’t able to run or race, which was very difficult for me not being able to do something I loved so much.
Faced with the fact that I wasn’t getting any younger, but I still wanted to challenge my body I decided to purchase a road bike and quickly fell in love with cycling. I remember thinking too bad I don’t know how to swim, a triathlon looks like fun.
In 2015 my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful big surprise, we were expecting twins! My twin pregnancy was considered high risk so I did not do any strenuous exercise during the pregnancy, but I understood the importance of staying active. I did yoga and pilates while being pregnant, hoping it would help me have a good delivery and bounce back quickly afterwards. My pregnancy went great and my twins were huge! They were 6 weeks early, but weighed in at 6.5 and 7 pounds.
I gave my body a lot of grace after having my twins because honestly it was physically the hardest thing I have ever done. I remember not being able to do one single push up, but I built back up slowly. I started back with 15 minute HIIT workouts. Then once those felt good I moved up to 20, then 30 minutes.
I work full time as an elementary art teacher so it wasn’t easy to balance work and mom life, but I got good at squeezing my workouts in at the crack of dawn and fell in love with early morning workouts. My goal of doing a triathlon started to creep back into my head once I was feeling strong again.
So in 2019, at the age of 35 I made my New Year’s resolution to learn to swim! I thought to myself, “if I ever want to do a triathlon I have to start now!” I took 6 lessons with one of the teachers in my building who was also the elementary swim coach and I watched a lot of videos on YouTube. Swimming was very slow going and humbling for me. I looked absolutely ridiculous. I could barely swim one length of the pool and had to use a nose plug. There were many times when I just wanted to quit and give up, but every couple of weeks I would reach a new goal and that kept me motivated to stick with it and keep going. I met some amazing and supportive people along the way and later learned to open water swim with confidence.
Then last year I competed in my first triathlons with a small group of friends. Yes they were virtual because of Covid, but I did it and I have fallen 100% in love with triathlons. I worked with my PT who is also a triathlon coach and I completed a Sprint distance and an Olympic distance. I felt so confident and comfortable completing my Olympic triathlon that I signed up for a half Ironman 70.3 this year! I know this is a big challenge for me, but I am a big believer in dreaming big!
What is your “why?”
My why is to be a strong, fearless role model for my 4 kids. I want them to know with hard work they can do anything. And I want to stay strong and active as I age to keep up with them and triathlons are helping me to do that!
What is your favorite gear or training equipment?
This year I got asked to join the 2021 Betty Squad. Not only do I love their mantra and their gear, but it has also connected me with so many amazing women. I have learned so much from them. We help to support one another, challenge each other, and hold each other accountable. It is am amazing squad of women.
What’s next?
I am focusing on gaining a lot more race experience this spring and early summer doing some Sprint and Olympic triathlons, but my main focus is my half Ironman. I’m excited and a little scared about this race, but that is the thing about goals they should scare you a little and excite you a lot!!!!!
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
Don’t wait just get started! The sooner you get started the sooner you can reach your goals. And don’t worry about that others think, this journey is not for them, just stay focused and keep after it!