It’s been a minute.

I’ve been off the training and race circuit since 2021 and watching my fitness disappear. Fitness gave way to increased body fat and depression. Sure, COVID stopped the world of triathlon and racing for a little while, but the truth of the matter is that I was also burned out and not ready to step forward. I didn’t want to admit it because racing triathlon is such a huge part of my identity. So was carrying the flag. What made things more complicated was that my work with the IRONMAN foundation started to let me know that what Lisa Anderson and I were doing with the Gold Star Initiative was ready to take the next step and become its OWN nonprofit, but that prospect was too scary to pursue at the time. More on that soon! So I failed to adapt and kept plugging away at life and expecting everything to just work itself out.

After come discussion with the IRONMAN Foundation team it became clear that our visions were growing apart. This was a gift, I just didn’t know how to receive it at the time. I was afraid starting a nonprofit and really taking charge of something new and additional in life. Thankfully, my partner in the GSI, Lisa Anderson, was ready to move forward. But before we get there, I’ll catch you up on what I’ve been doing since racing IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio in the summer of 2021.

I started hunting. I started coaching my son’s little league baseball team. I traveled. I spent time with my family. I stayed sober. Throughout this journey, my sobriety has been a non-negotiable. While I still carry some regret and shame about getting out of shape, I am proud to say that I hit eleven years sobriety last summer and and still going strong. I’ve told people time and time again that I am not a proponent of sobriety for everyone. Some people do just fine with alcohol and or drugs. I know I am not one of those people, so abstaining from everything except coffee serves me well.

Catching up to this week. I just officially started my Kona training and wow, does it feel good to be back. I’m 30 pounds heavier at the moment and the exercise and nutrition plan will help me shed a lot of body fat so I can wear all the cool spandex gear us triathletes are always sporting.

While I shake off the rust in my swimbikerun game, I will be focusing on the purpose for racing Kona. This year I will be carrying the flag in honor of a fallen Marine, Lance Corporal Nick Anderson. Along the way I will posting, writing, and podcasting more about Nick and who he was in this life, how his death affected his family, friends, and community, and how it ultimately has led his mother Lisa and I to create the healing opportunities we have seen with the Gold Star Initiative.

Upwards and onwards. Let’s get this show started.