What I love about myself: I love that I continue to create a multi-dimensional life that satisfies my mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. By day, I am a program officer at a local foundation, working to strengthen our community. By night, I am a triathlete working to strengthen myself and find new limits in my training and racing. Through my Tri to End Homelessness campaign, I combine both sides of my identity.
My biggest challenge in accepting my body and beauty: Maintaining perspective. Life is so much bigger than my dress size!
My biggest support in learning to appreciate myself: My family, my coach, my collection of numbers from completed races!
Beauty is: Sweating, spitting, grunting like a wild animal,(sometimes swearing!), digging deeper than I knew I could as I pump my arms and legs and lungs and spirit up the last hill in a race to cross the finish line, reborn.
Why I am strong: I can run, bike, and swim all day long.
Why I am beautiful: I can run, bike, and swim all day long for a purpose greater than myself. I’m Tri-ing to End Homelessness by raising awareness and funds for Genesis Home – a shelter for homeless families with children in Durham, NC. In 2008, I’ll be completing my first half-iron distance triathlon and raising $7,300 in recognition of the 70.3 miles I’ll be covering on race day.
What women must know: As George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Change is ALWAYS possible. You are the one you’ve been waiting for.