Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast
The Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast is your gateway to unlocking the power of resilience, determination, and unshakable grit. Through captivating interviews with endurance athletes, we dive deep into how they conquer challenges and push beyond limits to achieve greatness. Tune in for practical strategies, mindset shifts, and motivational stories that will fuel your own journey of transformation. Whether you’re an athlete or someone striving to break through life’s barriers, this podcast will inspire you to rise above and unleash your true potential. The strength to thrive is already within you—now it's time to ignite it.
Grit2Greatness Endurance Podcast
Every Body Tri with Kate Watt Kuo
Today, we're diving deep into the world of triathlon with the incredible Kate Watt Kuo. As founder of the YouTube channel Every Body Tri, Kate has become a powerful ambassador for triathletes of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. She's not just an Athena triathlete; she's a trailblazer who is revolutionizing the sport by creating a community of strong women and partnering with Team Zoot in designing and developing inclusive tri-suits for all bodies. Join me as we explore Kate's journey, her impact on the triathlon community, and how her story has empowered individuals to embrace their athleticism and stop waiting for "perfect" to start their journey.
Get ready to be inspired!
To know more about Kate and follow her journey, check her out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/@EveryBodyTri
Ready to start your own triathlon adventure! Email me at april@grit2greatness.co for a FREE 2-month trial with TriDot triathlon training. Let's get you on the path to creating your great today!
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Today's podcast features an athlete who I find truly inspirational and I can't wait to share her story. Her name is Kate Watkwo and she is the founder of the YouTube channel Every Body Try, where she documents her journey as an Athena triathlete, showing that triathlon is for everyone, regardless of age abilities or size. Age abilities or size. I've loved following her, as she has been an incredible ambassador for the sport, bringing a crew of strong Athena women and changing the game with Team Zoot by creating a line of plus-size tri-suits that before were not in existence. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating and not feeling like I belong in the sport when erroneously comparing myself to others, kate has helped me embrace my athleticism and my strength, and for that I am forever grateful.
Speaker 2:Kate, welcome to the Grit to Greatness podcast. Thank you so much. I'm really happy to be here. I came across you on my YouTube excursions into triathlete stories and I just immediately was drawn to you because of your authenticity and just how inspirational you are. Plus, you're in Colorado, so I get to see some really great different trails that you've been on and stuff that has inspired me. But I want to hear more about your triathlon journey and what inspired you to get started.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I've wanted to do a triathlon since I was really young. Actually, my mom did triathlons, and growing up there was a triathlon that actually started right in front of our house, and so she would set up her transition area in our driveway and other people would as well and I got to sit on the porch and watch her come back and transition, and then the start line and the finish line were not far away. So it was a pretty young age that I decided I wanted to do a triathlon someday, but I wasn't. I didn't consider myself athletic at all growing up. I was a figure skater in. I learned to skate pretty young and then, you know, was more serious about it in high school but definitely never thought of myself as an athlete or thought seriously about pursuing triathlon. And then it was actually the summer that I had graduated from law school and I was studying for the bar, and I thought this is the perfect time to do triathlon. Oh my gosh, yeah, I really. I was afraid that I was going to spend the whole summer studying and having zero balance and anything else in my life, and so I wanted to give myself a reason to keep working out, and at this point I I would have considered myself, you know, fairly athletic.
Speaker 1:I. I rode my bike a lot, I would occasionally run. I didn't swim that much and that's really, I think, most people's barrier in terms of the three sports to getting in, but I knew how to swim. I grew up on the ocean, so I was not I'm not afraid of the water. I had that as an advantage. But I I just wanted to give myself a reason to stay focused on being active, because that's a really big part of what keeps me mentally and emotionally regulated and well.
Speaker 1:And so I did a sprint triathlon in Longmont, um. And so I did a sprint triathlon in Longmont, colorado, and I remember race morning I was like what am I doing? Why did I do this? Why did I sign up for this? I feel terrible. And I was like, okay, it's fine, I'm just gonna be one of those people that trains, likes to train, but hates racing, and I'll never have to do another one if I don't want to. And then I got into the race and I finished and I was like okay, it turns out I also love racing. When's the next one? So that is uh. That is how I got into it.
Speaker 2:That's funny. I feel like I can absolutely uh. That resonates with me because I felt those feelings before of questioning why am I doing this again? And this really sucks. I've never doing one again and then a day later removed your your back in it like looking online to find your next race.
Speaker 1:Exactly I keep telling people. Um, when I most recently was doing the Oceanside half Ironman, that about like mile 30 on the bike, I was thinking to myself, why can't I just be a normal person that like goes to a workout class three times a week and calls it good? And now I'm like why am I doing this? But yeah, and then immediately you're like no, I want to do it again actually.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's like a, you get addicted, it's like a bug, absolutely. Um. So when did you start in triathlon and and what were some of those initial challenges?
Speaker 1:you faced entering the sport. Yeah, so, like I said, I started in 2018. Um, you know, I it's funny because I I look back now I was, um, like a hundred pounds lighter when I did my first triathlon and I think back to that time and just all of the mental body image challenges that I had going into it. Um, just feeling like, especially and you can maybe relate to this especially anything in Colorado, especially.
Speaker 1:Boulder you know, I mean there's I didn't even think about that there are so many fit people in this state and so many people that look fit, and I think that can be really intimidating. It was definitely a heck of a place to start this sport in terms of, yeah, feeling like you don't belong or just so. I think that that was a barrier. I think, you know and a lot of people talk about this, like financially it's it felt like you know a lot. I had just graduated from law school. I had no money to my name, right. And then you know you, most, most lawyers take off from work or doing anything the summer that they're studying for the bar, and so it's like you have. You know you've got no income in coming in. It's just whatever you've managed to save or borrow or however. You know you're getting by. Um, and so I, you know I already had a bike. I did it. I did my first sprint triathlon on like a hybrid bike that I brought with me to Colorado.
Speaker 1:And I try to remember I think I wore a bathing suit and like leggings like capri leggings over the bathing suit. I'm pretty sure that's what I wore. I'm trying to remember if I wore that the whole time, but I must have Um. And then I put a probably put a cycling Jersey on over it, um, and then I think I took the cycling Jersey off after the bike and just threw on like a run tank top, um, and even at the time I was just so convinced that nothing, no tri suits would fit me, number one. And then, number two, how expensive they were. Just the time I was just so convinced that nothing, no tri suits would fit me, number one. And then, number two, how expensive they were. Just the time I was at in my life I felt like they were all would have been way too expensive.
Speaker 1:And I didn't know if I was going to stick with the sport. Right, and I think that's a common thing. You get into it, you don't know, are you, am I going to do another one? Am I going to be one and done? And oh, I checked that box and that's good. So, yeah, I think the the financial and just the body image barriers were probably the biggest things. And swimming, swimming is so hard.
Speaker 1:Yes, and I and I was like it was not, I didn't have a coach, right. I mean, I like looked up some sprint training plan online and and was just doing that. I don't. I, you know, I didn't have a Garmin back then, I think I had an Apple watch, I don't know. I don't even know how slow I was going, but, um, I don't know, I may have been doing like four minute 100s, I have no idea, Right? I mean, just I think I was.
Speaker 2:When I think back to my swimming form then, um, and and I'm not a great swimmer now but even like that difference it would be probably kind of horrifying. Actually, I love that you shared that you didn't have everything, have everything perfect to enter, and I think a lot of people I mean, I feel like for me especially, I had this idea that I had to be the perfect size or I had to have the perfect bike, or I had to have the perfect form in order to be considered a triathlete or to even enter into any type of race. Because of that self-judgment and, um, I love that you didn't allow that to hold you back. Um, you figured it out with a hybrid bike, a swimsuit and a good attitude. You were able to tap into something that not a lot of people can say that they've done, and I I admire that greatly.
Speaker 1:Thank you, and I do think it's easier to do that at a sprint and I don't know if you've had that same experience, but I think that with the sprints there's a lot more people who are just doing it to say they've done a triathlon or this is their first one and they don't think they're going to continue, and so I think there's a lot more in the sprints there's a lot more um, you don't feel alone as much, you know, not having the best bike or the right equipment. Uh, and I think back, I also knew nothing about nutrition. I used to only put water in my water for training rides and then, like wonder why I felt terrible after um, you know, and then, and then I think one of my aunts who who cycles and lives out here, was like, oh, I put, like sometimes I put lemonade in my one of my water bottles. I was like putting lemonade in one of my water bottles, like diluting the lemonade with water. I mean, yeah, I just again.
Speaker 1:There's so much that I have learned about sport and triathlon, um, in the years since first race. But I do think it's really important, if it's something you want to do, to just go for it and start with what you have. Like I said, even in Colorado I see a lot of people at the sprint distance especially, and even at Olympic distances, that are just going for it with what they have, even if it's like a mountain bike. I've seen people on mountain bikes out there. You know, um, or I don't know, cruiser bikes beach cruisers.
Speaker 2:And yeah, yeah, yeah, amazing. Uh, haven't seen electronic bikes yet, but yeah it might be illegal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was just kidding.
Speaker 2:Um, oh, there was something I was going to say with that. Oh, so my first sprint triathlon didn't go very well. I, uh, uh, I ended up going the wrong way on the bike course and had to yeah, yeah, and I didn't realize it until I was like halfway out, because I was already so far back from everyone yeah.
Speaker 2:So I ended up having to drop out and it was kind of like this big punch in the gut as far as like, oh, did I, should I do another one, or is this? Do I want to be embarrassed like this again? And um, it was kind of a uh, a good reminder to one know the race course, but also like yes, it is.
Speaker 2:It's not something that just comes easily, like for all the newbies out there, like you think that they're, the course is going to be well-marked, but sometimes it's not. And and and ingenuity or intuition doesn't always play a good hand, um, but thankfully I didn't let that keep me back from signing up for another one. And on the next one I actually went to Minnesota, my hometown, and did my first, uh, olympic distance and had a good like Cinderella story out of there. But yeah, it can be challenging when you, you, you are feeling like a brand new person and you don't know what's expected and you're looking around and people are sizing you up and, especially in Boulder, I can't imagine, um, especially in Boulder, I can't imagine, um, kind of the, the other level of of fitness that comes with that Um, but I love that you shared that. I did mention in your intro that you are an Athena triathlete. Can you tell me a little bit about what makes someone an Athena?
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I mean, I think it's important to note that not all races have that category. It is an age group category, so to speak, um, and it's also completely optional. So even if you qualify for the category, you don't have to race in it. Um, I think I've always raced in it I can't really remember Um, but but it's optional Um, but it is for, so for women it's um. The Athena category is 165 pounds plus Um, and I think you know there there's a lot of like sort of controversy around that number and why that?
Speaker 1:number and, um, you know I, I personally, I'm five foot seven and I personally wouldn't I've never been near 165 pounds. I mean I've been near it. I guess I've never been 165 pounds, um, and I looked pretty straight sized at even above that number Right and so, um, you know it doesn't take into account height.
Speaker 1:So there are women who are like five, 11 or six feet tall and they look fit and skinny, you know, and they qualify for the category because that's just the cutoff and that's the number that they've decided. I'm not an expert, in kind, of how they came to that number. I know that I think it used to be 160 and they raised it, but the 165.
Speaker 1:And there is also a correlating men's category as well, the Clydesdales. But correlating men's category as well, the Clydesdales, and I think you know, ultimately, I think the Athena category is just a recognition that it takes more energy to move more mass. Yes, and so you know, I've placed in the Athena category right, which, like you know, I may not have had an opportunity to in my normal age group because my age group I'm 33. So that's a pretty competitive age group and so, and I'm competing against women who are just, you know, in terms of gravity right, they're moving a lot less weight. So I think it's an acknowledgement of that.
Speaker 1:And you know, I think some people, I've heard some people say like, oh, it's insulting, you know, to have this category and why they don't have categories for other things, you know, other than weight. I personally don't find it insulting. I think, like I said, it's not no one's forcing you into that category. Um, that's, you know, your choice to opt into it or not.
Speaker 1:I personally do, because my first race actually I remember my first race I did it because they had a first timer wave, but the first timer wave was close to the Athena wave and there were some really awesome women at the time I don't know if they still are there in Boulder Athena women who were racing and were just super encouraging and awesome and that wave they were like cheering themselves on and other you know. I mean, they were just had a lot of camaraderie, which is why I ended up joining it the next race, um, but I think it's. You know, there's a Facebook group, uh, for Athena triathletes and I think it's just a nice uh way to kind of categorize, um, you know, and and find camaraderie with other athletes that maybe you can relate to a little bit more.
Speaker 2:Wow, I love that because I I'm nowhere near one 65 either and I'm also a five, seven and I it does feel like a welcoming in for those that might again feel like this sport is only for a certain type of or certain body type and, um, I do love the name athena. Yeah, it's such a great way to capture women's strength, yes, and, and smarts, and just warrior spirit spirit, and I, I think, like who wouldn't want to be associated with the category?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah that just amps me up too when I think about that, like this special category for strong, badass women yeah, I, I love thinking about it that way.
Speaker 1:Yes, um.
Speaker 2:So, coming to back to your YouTube channel, I love that name. Everybody try. I think it is very uh inspiring and it's very uh speaks to the statement that this is for everyone, regardless of age, weight, um disability or ability. And um, I wanted to ask you what motivated you, cause I feel like this is going out on a limb, representing something that um might get some pushback or might get some they hate, right I think that, um you being able to speak on this platform, what, what motivated you to create this?
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, first I will say it took me I think three years from the time I first thought I wanted to create a YouTube channel about this until when I actually did, and a big part of that was just, it's a big, it's really difficult to want to put yourself out there. I think it's really hard to be frank, to be fat on the internet, like everybody's got an opinion and you know there there are.
Speaker 1:I mean, I will say there have been so many wonderful supportive people like yourself who are so amped up by the message and they love it and they're inspired by it and and thankfully I really haven't had that many comments that have been negative, but there have been a few. And but I think when I set out to start this channel, when I thought I wanted to, all I could think about was, oh, I'm going to receive all of these negative hate comments. That was really top of mind. I feel like I went into it thinking it's going to be really tough. Like immediately there's going to be hate comments, right, and so it took me a long time.
Speaker 1:I think the reason that I kind of settled on that title or that channel name Everybody Try was I feel like I sort of fit into this unique uh space as a fat person on the internet where I don't hate my body and I'm trying to. I'm not like trying to shrink my body, that's like you know, that's not my number one goal, um. But I also don't believe that all intentional weight loss is bad, right, and I think that that's a hard place to fit in the internet. It feels like when you see fat people on the internet, um, it's either just purely body positivity there's, you know exactly. It's either complete body positivity and any intentional weight loss is toxic and bad and we can even talk about that, um. And then there's the opposite, which is trying to lose weight like a diet sort of channel, or totally being focused on.
Speaker 1:Yeah exactly, and I didn't want my channel to be about weight loss or weight gain or you know I wanted it to be about. Anybody can do this sport. You can take the first step. You don't have to wait until you are the perfect number or your goal weight Any anybody can you know, sign up for. Decide to start training for a race, even not even sign up, right, but just decide I'm going to go for a run or I'm going to take a walk and consider that my entry into training for a triathlon, entry into training for a triathlon.
Speaker 1:You know, I I actually never really knew about the world of vlogs on YouTube until I met my husband and he was really into watching YouTube and he kind of introduced me to this whole world that I really had, no, I knew nothing about, and he used to watch a lot of like fan life channels, live aboard, sailing channels, and he got me really into both of those things. And then I was, like you know, following these fan lifers and these liveaboards and I thought there's got to be a, there's got to be triathlon on YouTube, right, there's got to be like people who do triathlon and blog about it on YouTube. And I searched and the first one I found was that triathlon life Um, you know, probably the one of the top and still my most favorite channel, and I just got so much inspiration from watching Eric and Paula talk about their life and their triathlon journey. I think it's so, um, inspiring and cool to to see an inside look into what their lives look like, and they seem like really wonderful people who are really passionate about the sport. But I felt like there's a lot I could relate to and also a lot I couldn't relate to. Right, I'm probably never going to run a six minute mile and so I think, you know, I just thought, well, I want to find where the bigger women in triathlon are on YouTube, and I couldn't find any. And I thought, well, there's got to be people out there like me who are inspired by vlogs about triathlon on YouTube but want to hear from somebody who can more closely relate to some of the things that they are working through in this sport.
Speaker 1:And so, after, again, I think it was like three years of talking about it and telling people in my personal life that I, you know, wanted to do this, that I actually pulled the trigger and decided to film. I mean, I probably have so many clips of myself right Failed attempts where I was, you know, trying to start this, and then I it just. It's a little bit overwhelming and it's really awkward to learn to talk to the camera. At least it was for me. Well, the other day one of my best friends from college texted me and said oh, I watched your latest video. I definitely can tell you're getting more comfortable on camera. And I was like, oh, the best compliment because it's so hard, it's so hard. But yeah, that's kind of how I came up with that name and why I decided, you know, that would be the direction for my channel.
Speaker 2:So when you were creating your first video and getting it ready to publish, what was it like? Hitting the button sending it forward into YouTube land for everyone to see?
Speaker 1:So I think there was. I was really proud of myself honestly, because I had talked about it for so long. I was so proud to put it out there. And then, almost immediately, the second thought was oh my God, I got to do this again, like and again, and again and again. I want to create a channel Like it just felt like so much hype went into it and so much like went into putting out the first one, and then it was like wait, I got to do this again.
Speaker 2:It's a full-time job now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, one. And then it was like wait, I gotta do this again. It's a full-time job now. Yeah, like, yeah, um. And so, yeah, the first thought was wow, can't believe, you finally did it like I. I was proud of myself for sticking to the promise I made to myself to do it, um. But then, yes, I thought was oh, my god, I gotta sustain this now and and tell, keep telling stories.
Speaker 2:Yes, I think about that and how. Um, that's one thing I do love about being a triathlete is there's always a story to tell. Yeah, there's always something going on, whether it's a good thing or it's a bad thing, or it's a new problem, new challenges, like it just keeps you alive. A new problem, new challenges, like it just keeps you alive. So it's really a fun thing to share with others and and used for inspiration. And I had a very similar start to you as far as my uh looking for triathlon inspiration, cause I started in 2019 and, um it it's always been, uh, since I was 12, I wanted to do an Ironman and in 2019, tulsa was the. It was the first time Ironman was coming to Tulsa and I was stationed in Kansas at the time, but COVID hit.
Speaker 2:So I was like try, I was starting off on this new journey. I signed up for Tulsa and I started training and, um, I came across Eric and Paula's, um that triathlon life. I came across Lionel Sanders. I came across like all the the big names and and I use that a lot for, like, my motivation to train. But, um, it all worked out because, even though Tulsa was canceled, it kind of like gave me enough time to really take it seriously.
Speaker 2:And then when we got a station in Alaska Ironman, Alaska came and it was just the perfect, perfect storm, if you will, of all the things coming together to be able to do that race. So absolutely yeah.
Speaker 1:And what a cool right Like, what a cool race and location, and then that ended up being the only one that a great story yes, I.
Speaker 2:I just feel like the universe absolutely conspired on that, because yeah we, I, I deployed like a month later and, um, peter and I, my husband, we were, uh, we found out that we were moving to colorado when I was coming back and I was just like thank God we did this, because we it would not have worked out any other time. And then, obviously, with it only being a one time event, it just seemed unreal that it all came together. So I count my blessings.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the stars align.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yes, um, I do want to go back to something that you said earlier about the not having the tri suits that that fit your body, and I absolutely can relate.
Speaker 2:I remember trying on my first tri suit and feeling like a can of busted biscuits, I know, and I'm like, do I really have to run in this and see everything moving and like just very very self-conscious and just didn't feel like it was made for me, and even though I had all the strength I needed and the ability I needed to perform successfully, I still feel like I didn't belong because I didn't look. I didn't look the way I thought I should look. And that brings me to my next question for you, and that is, um, linking up with team suit, that um plus size tri suit line is such a significant positive win for inclusivity. Can you share with me the process on creating this line and what you've seen, how it's impacted uh, the triathlon community?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I would love to.
Speaker 1:Um, so actually we're going to this is going to bring us back to that triathlon life again. Um, because I was at the pool and um, uh, this was, I think, february of last year, so February of 2023, and all the lanes were full and there were, um, a group of three women in the last two lanes and two of them are swimming together and one was swimming alone. And the one that was swimming alone was super friendly. She's a really good friend of mine. Now Her name is Amy and she said, do you want to share a lane? And I was like, yeah, thank you so much. And I hopped in and I put my water bottle down and it was that triathlon life water bottle and she also was a big TTL fan and she said, hey, that triathlon life and we became friends and we started training together and she was on team zoo and her partner her now wife, was also on team zoo as well and she really wanted me to join and I love Amy very dearly and she's really inclusive and really always wants more people to do the things that she enjoys doing and very welcoming and bringing you know, bringing people in, and so she really wanted me to join.
Speaker 1:But really one of the only rules that Zoot has to be on their team is that you wear their team kit at races, and they did not make a team kit that fit me. So I just kind of was like, oh well, you know and I can't, um. And so Amy, not being one to take no for an answer, went to Zoot and um. You know, I think she had heard this feedback from others as well. She's also um in the Athena category as well, but she does fit into their kind of straight sizing, and so she took it on herself to kind of represent the Athenas and approach Zoot and said you know, this is we really love team Zoot, but we really want some more options for women who are not fitting into your regular sizing. If you've ever bought anything from Zoot, the sizing can be a little skewed to the smaller size and so, whereas normally I would fit in something that was an XL or an XXL, there's just no way I would have fit even into their XXL items.
Speaker 1:So we approached them with that, or Amy approached them with that, and they were really awesome and responsive and they said you know, we've actually been trying to do this for a while but we haven't had the response that we needed in terms of they needed people to kind of be a fit model and take someone's measurements and try to figure out what that sizing should look like. And they wanted to create excuse me, they wanted to create a whole different sizing chart because they felt like there are people who've been buying Zoot for a really long time and they know that they're a Zoot medium or a Zoot large and they didn't want to mess with their current sizing because those people then would have to figure out what's their new size and you know it could. They didn't want to disrupt that and so they wanted to do similar to what blue 70 has done with their wetsuits, where they created an Athena wetsuit you know, athena large, athena extra large. So they did something similar and they created the Athena small, athena medium, athena large. So they took my measurements and that became the Athena medium and then they scaled that to also include an Athena small and an Athena large as well, and so they launched and for this year, for 2024's team, they had an option to buy their team kit in the Athena sizing and Amy and I tried to help get the word out to the Athena groups that they could sign up and join the team and buy one of these amazing kits that.
Speaker 1:You know I also had tested the suit and gave feedback Right. So I felt, you know, positive about the fit and hope, obviously that other people felt that way, and so we had quite a few women uh, join the team, this year at least. In, you know, just in the, the Zoot mountain region, we had a lot of people join saying this is the reason that I joined the team, because they finally made a suit. Uh, that's my size and I think you know, and in speaking with the other women it's like everyone can really relate to this. But you know, when you can't find a kit that fits you comfortably or sort of what you alluded to before, where you feel like what I call the sausage casing effect, you it's really uncomfortable.
Speaker 1:It's really and it's important to be as comfortable as you possibly can be while you're suffering in a race um, yeah, and mentally 100. There's that mental aspect of look good, feel good, right, that's the thing for a reason.
Speaker 1:So I think that having to feeling like, oh, I can't find a suit that fits me, so I'm gonna have to just put throw together whatever I think can make me through the transitions without chafing or you know, there's all sorts of things to think about, right, when you're like practical for triathlon and I'm like, well, I'm gonna wear a bathing suit the entire time, right, like you don't want to be wearing a bathing suit, you want to be wearing a chamois of some sort you want to be wearing something that's not going to chafe in all the wrong areas, right? So I think um or right up exactly.
Speaker 1:So I've been, um, really thrilled to see the amount of women who have said this is changing the game for me. This is allowing me to be comfortable at races, um, but I think it goes beyond that, right? This is allowing me to be comfortable at races, but I think it goes beyond that, right. I think it's also Zoot saying you belong, and team Zoot's motto is Ohana and Ohana means family, and family means everybody.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I think that's been a really cool thing to be a part of. The people at Zoot that I've gotten to work with are amazing. You know, I'm still in communication with them because they want to expand their options of things that they offer beyond just the tri-suit, so there's a couple other items that they're looking into offering in the Athena sizing. I think that's all really exciting. You know, I do not see feedback of people saying like, oh, one tri-suit is not enough and they need to go further. But I think Zoo is committed to, you know, to going forward further, frankly, and it just takes time. You know they're a small company and you know they're they're trying to figure it out and it's not easy.
Speaker 1:But I applaud them. I'm so grateful for them and for their whole team, who has been just amazing and supportive about this project and has made me feel like I belong in triathlon. It's easy to feel. For someone like me, it's easy to feel like I don't belong, especially talking to a clothing manufacturer, a sports clothing manufacturer. But they have just been amazing and I'm so thrilled that we're able to, you know, help in whatever small way I did with that project.
Speaker 2:And you look great in it. I love your. The pink suit Like it looks so good on you and I just think they did a great job of of of flattering you and yeah, really listening, so shout out to team Zoot, that is just awesome. Yeah, you got me. I will definitely be looking at their suits. Yes, now that they got some better sizing, yeah, yeah, you got me.
Speaker 1:I will definitely be looking at their suits, yes, um, now that they got some better sizing.
Speaker 2:Yes, um, where I'm going to go a little deeper with you, kate, and I'm I'm. I'm going to ask this because I've struggled with this. Um, I, I have absolutely used triathlon to try to lose weight and, honestly, when I talked about wanting to be an Ironman, I had an idea of what that looked like physically, and when I didn't cross the line, looking the way I thought I was going to look one, I did let it go Like I was extremely proud of myself. I let it. I did let it go Like I, I was extremely proud of myself. But if it, if I would have stayed in that mental, uh, frame of like I can't do this until I look a certain way. I just think about all the things that I would have missed, all the opportunities and the experiences and people I've met, um and I think about.
Speaker 2:I'm sure there are people that can relate where triathlon seems like a means to reduce yourself and um, for someone, um that I know you relate to me and and um having problems with disordered eating. How are you managing to have a healthier relationship with your body and with food? Because you have to eat. You have to eat, uh to train, to perform, um, how are you managing that, that balancing, if you will, of not letting yourself go to a place of starvation or deprivation or suffering because you're, you're dealing with those demons or suffering?
Speaker 1:because you're, you're dealing with those demons, yeah, um, well, look, first of all, I've also tried to use triathlon to lose weight. The cliff nose version is it's a terrible way to lose weight because you need to fuel your body to do this sport and you're not gonna be able to do it, especially the longer distances. But, look, I have struggled with this and I, as I shared with you earlier, I also have a history of disordered eating. I have, you know, been on diet. I've been on every diet.
Speaker 1:I have, you know, thought about dieting relentlessly since I was, I don't know, like 10 or 11 years old. I've lost weight, I've gained weight and no matter what I look like, I have the same negative thoughts about my body. And I think realizing that, uh, such an epiphany for me. Like the answer is not lose weight. You know, um, there are, like I said earlier, I mean, I believe that there are. It's valid if people want to lose weight. I don't have a problem with that. I have at times wanted to lose weight. I, um, you know, I think it's really hard to get away from that in our society of feeling like I should be smaller. There's this ideal that I'm not fitting into. Um, you know, when I get comments about my weight, it can be difficult, you know. I think it's a conscious choice to do it, afraid, oh my gosh To do it uncomfortable.
Speaker 1:And I think sometimes there's this misconception that people who are putting themselves out on the internet in their fat body and they're not they don't seem ashamed by it, right Like someone might watch my video and think she's putting herself on the internet in this body and doing triathlons in this body and she doesn't seem bothered by that. And I think you know, even for me and I really strive I don't relate too much to body positivity but I really strive for body neutrality and I think that and I try really hard to just be grateful for all the things my body allows me to do, but it doesn't mean that I don't also have those thoughts about my own body sometimes, because I definitely do, and that that is so ingrained in us by society, especially as women, that we should be small to be fast, small to be fit, small to be athletes. And I think it's really hard to get away from that. And so for me, I made a commitment to myself to do it scared. I don't always feel like I belong, I don't always feel good how I look in a bike kit, right, or a tri kit, but I don't want to wait for some day when I may or may not ever lose X amount of weight to do the thing that brings me so much joy and fulfillment?
Speaker 1:Um, you know I, being active is such a big part of who I am, um, being an athlete, right, and it's taken a, it's taken a long time for me to call myself an athlete out loud, um, but I, I am an athlete and so I will call myself that Right, and so I think you know, yeah, just just powering through those moments, it's really, it can be really hard. I think one of the challenges I have and I was actually just talking to my tri coach about this is fueling like in a race, because I just have this thing and it's so silly where I'm like I don't want people to see the fat girl eating Right, like what are the? What are people thinking when they see the fat girl on the bike eating? Um, and you know I'm like laughing about it because it's it's like it's real.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's real.
Speaker 1:But it's also like who, okay, yeah, yeah, people are going to think what they're going to think, and yeah, um, I think one of the things that has been the hardest fought but also most rewarding lesson I have learned in my life is to let people have their opinions yes goodness, just let them have their opinions and it doesn't. It's not a reflection on me. Um, and a lot of times, especially with weight, you know, a lot of people are projecting their own stuff. We're all um. I don't know about all of us.
Speaker 1:A lot of us have been damaged by diet, culture and um you know body image worthiness yeah yeah, and just equating self-worth and, um, I'm the same person that I was when I was a hundred pounds less. I'm, you know, just as deserving about, you know, just as deserving to do all the things I want to do and to achieve my goals. So, um, I think that has helped me. Triathlon helps me put that into perspective, especially when I look at you know, um, like a couple of weekends ago, I rode my bike a hundred miles for the first time and I did that, and I did it bad and it was hard, but I don't think it would have been easy if I were not bad. No, a hundred miles is hard regardless. I don't think it would have been easy if I were not bad. No, 100 miles is hard regardless. I don't think it's ever easy, right, so I go slower, right, but it's um, when I first started cycling a lot here, um, my husband always used to say it doesn't get easier. You, you just go faster.
Speaker 1:Um and so you know, yeah, I think triathlon has been big and helping me be grateful for all the amazing things that my body can do. And, um, you know, I may gain weight, I may lose weight, but at the end of the day, that's not what I do triathlon for either way. And triathlon is just adding to my life, regardless of what size I'm at.
Speaker 2:Yes, I think that is such a great perspective.
Speaker 2:Instead of always taking something away, you're allowing triathlon to give you back, to add to, and you think about those experiences, your achievements, how much you've grown in your strength, in your mental toughness, like all those things that, those benefits that come with looking at triathlon as a way to build resilience versus a way to punish yourself or make yourself smaller, which is that that, to me, is reducing someone, which I just has helped me really rethink how to approach triathlon personally as well, and I just love that you shared that, because I'm sure there's people that can resonate or relate to um those feelings. And what. Something that really helped me, too, was I've seen my performance increase over the last since 2019, like I'm a lot faster, stronger, more capable. I, I, I now mountain bike, I do Xterra and I that didn't seem like a possibility, you know, just even two years ago, and now it's like it's a part of my identity and I just um, I think about if I would have just stayed in that, that mental framework that I'm using triathlon to accomplish an ideal.
Speaker 2:That's just not healthy. I, I, I would have missed that. I would have missed this whole new side of us, and what a waste that would have been. And I think that can be such a blessing. To give people permission to focus on performance or to focus on adventures and experiences and friendships. Versus a scale number or a body fat percentage, it's just so arbitrary, or a body fat percentage, and just so arbitrary. So I love that we have that in common and it's just again so inspirational to see you living that way and um, and really inspiring people to just do it, to do it, even afraid to just start. Oh yeah, I get goosebumps.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know. The other thing I want to say about this, I guess, is, um, weight loss. It's so hard, right, I think a lot of people they think, like, eat less and move more and and you'll lose weight, um, and there's, there's just so many messages that we're always getting from society about this, right, and like, very, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, yeah, kind of mentality around it. Um, and for a lot of people it's not easy. Uh, there are a lot of other factors. There's hormones there. I mean, there's a lot of other factors that go into, uh, the size or the weight that somebody is.
Speaker 1:And I think, you know, I've had to go on this whole journey about that and about learning that this isn't some moral failing on my part. To be in a bigger body, right, and it's. You know, it's not that I lack self-control. You know, I had this epiphany with myself where I was like I'm a lawyer, I can ride my bike a hundred miles. I like I do triathlon, right, like all of these things require mental fortitude and toughness and self-control and discipline. Um, so if I were truly able to just apply discipline to that area of my life, then I would be successful. Um, but it is. You know really about so much more than that and there's so much else at play.
Speaker 1:Um, and I heard this, I actually heard this Tik TOK and I wish I knew the handle, uh, the guys, the username, um, who's Tik TOK it was? But he, uh is like a kind of a body builder type fitness guy and he puts out these videos on TikTok and he was talking about, I guess he got a comment from someone saying like, oh, you know, you're just like showboating with all your support for fat people, right, like you're just trying to get points when you're like kind about this issue and weight loss and all of that. And he said you know, I don't usually get personal on my TikTok, but I got permission from my sister to share this personal story. He said, you know, my sister has struggled with weight her whole life. And he said, you know, I haven't.
Speaker 1:I don't know what that's like, I've always been sort of, you know, leaner. And he was doing professional bodybuilding competitions at one point and I don't know a ton about them, but I know a little bit about them and you know, part of the goal, other than just building muscle, is getting as lean as you possibly can, which involves a lot of restrictive eating, and he was talking to his sister in one of these right and he was talking to his sister in one of these right and he was talking to his sister in one of these periods of very lean, very restrictive eating and he said you know, this is torture.
Speaker 1:He said I'm hungry all the time. He's like I, I eat and immediately I'm like tapping my fingers on the counter Like when's my next meal. And she said now, you know how I feel all the time. Wow, and he was like right, he always had empathy and all the things for his sister. But I think it can be really hard for people who have not struggled with weight to understand what it's like to be someone who's in sort of a chronically obese body. And you know, I have. As I said, I've gained weight, I've lost weight. I lost 100 pounds in my early 20s and I gained it all back. I gained a lot of it back in my early 30s and it's because I spent so long in a very restricted eating and I mean I was starving. I was literally like I would have to go to bed so hungry that all I could think about was food in order to lose any weight. And I think at one point your body just says I'm not doing that anymore, and so here's all the way back, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And it's why so many people can't be successful in weight loss. And you know I'm not an expert in this, but I I feel like it's important to talk about, for there are so many people who are like otherwise, wonderful, empathetic people, who like, then see a fat person and think, get it together, exercise self-control. You must be lazy, you know, um and I. Just if I could change even one person's mind about how they view fat people, that would be such a huge win for me, because I really think that if people really knew what it was like, they would feel very differently towards fat people opposed to have be a lawyer, to be a triathlete, to to have this much um going on where you're successful, to say that you're completely off the edge on this other side.
Speaker 2:It just doesn't make sense, right? So the evidence to me supports that there's other things going on. Yes, the preponderance of the credible evidence. Change your freaking mindsets. People Stop judging Be curious.
Speaker 1:Yes, I love that Be curious yes.
Speaker 2:Okay, you're just so great, kate. I I so appreciated talking with you. Um, I do have a couple more questions for you. I actually, as you were talking, I did want to talk, um, or ask you about something that I struggle with. Um, because I still deal with feelings of insecurity around my body. Um, but every time I'm amping up and gearing up for race week, that includes, uh, eating more calories and filling up glycogen stores and getting ready to perform, and I I'm always gaining some weight when that happens, and it's such a mind, and I and I know that we just spent a good chunk of time talking about how this shouldn't matter, but I'm being again very honest that it is. It is a mind. Uh, I'm trying not to swear, but it messes with me.
Speaker 2:Um, I mean, usually and I've done, you know I've I've loaded, uh for the last uh three or four races, I've done and I've had really great results. So there's nothing that's ever come out the other side saying why are you even scared of this? But it always happens and I I don't know if you feel the same way or if you've dealt with that or or what you've done to just let that go.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this is actually really apropos because I've been having a lot of these thoughts. Um, I am a week from tomorrow. I'm doing the triple bypass, yes, um yeah, which is a ride here. For people who don't know, it's a ride here in colorado. It's a road ride, it's not a race. No one like wins, um, but it's an organized ride and it goes from evergreen Colorado to veil.
Speaker 1:It's 118 miles and over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, so you go over three mountain passes, basically. And, um, I attempted this ride last year and I made it I don't know like 45 miles in. Uh, and a big part of why I failed to complete it last year was a lack of fueling. Yeah, and so I. I think when you attempt a race and then you don't finish it, it can be, can mess with your mind. I was gonna, I was gonna curse you, sorry your mind, in terms of trying it again, again and foster more feelings of doubt. And I had a call with my coach and we were talking about this right and just sort of mindset leading into this, and I talked to her about how you know, last year I felt like this is embarrassing to admit, don't kick me out of the endurance club, but I had a cliff bar for breakfast.
Speaker 2:What was I thinking?
Speaker 1:But for me, like I get so nervous, and for me nerves and anxiety means upset stomach and it means like the last thing I want to do is eat, and so I have to figure out a way around that. And I have, over the last year, really worked on that. But last year I just, I don't know I was nervous going into it. I was expecting to do it with my brother and then he got injured and had to back out. So I was like looking at doing this unexpectedly alone and had all these feelings of nerves. And then I got on the bike and, after eating, just a lift bar for breakfast. I didn't take anything for like the first two hours because I was so, like I said before, I didn't want to be the fat lady eating on the bike Right and especially the triple bypass.
Speaker 1:I mean, you see almost no overweight riders on that ride, because it's all climbing and it's all climbing too Right, and so people feel like oh, I'm you, you know, if I'm even a little bit overweight, like I'm.
Speaker 2:I'm not gonna yeah climb yeah yeah.
Speaker 1:So, um, I just was, and people were like people who were not everyone, obviously, but there were quite a few people who would pass me and say things that I know were well-intentioned, but like things like oh, good for you for being out here, yes, um, and as my and as my coach said, you're out here doing the same race. Like, good for you for being good for you too, we're both doing the same race here. Um, and sorry, I just cursed, so I hope you could edit that out.
Speaker 1:But, um, you know it's, I was getting a lot of those comments and I could hear them approaching, so I could hear that they weren't saying it to other people and I just I let it mess with me and I think what I have learned is I'm not going to let what other people think sabotage my race. And when it comes to you know, my coach had said to me when I talked to her this week, the three days leading into the race, you need to be eating like you have to eat and you have to eat carbs, and then, and guess what, nothing that you eat on race morning or during the race.
Speaker 1:Your body isn't storing any of that Like your body is burning turning and burning that, right, um, and so that helps me. I mean, again, we're all a work in progress. I I am not perfect at any of this. I still, like I said, sometimes if I'm on a really tough climb and I love climbing on my bike, it brings me so much joy. I love being in the mountains, I love pushing myself, I love suffering in that way, right, I just it's my thing. I really love descending, I think that's what I feel most alive when I am free falling down a mountain Right.
Speaker 1:And so to me it's it's like if someone picked me up and dropped me at the top of a mountain. Let me fall down it. I would not feel that same sense, it would not bring me that joy, because it's it's like if someone picked me up and dropped me at the top of a mountain. Let me fall down it.
Speaker 1:I would not feel that same sense, it would not bring me that joy, because it's the sense of accomplishment that you feel like just me and my legs and this bike got me to the top of this mountain and now I'm gonna fly down it and, I think, reminding myself like I have to do this fueling in order to make it through this race. And it's just like with training, right, like part of what holds me accountable in training when I don't want to do it, is knowing that if I skip out on a workout now, or or I, you know, just didn't have the right day and I don't want to do it, it's going to feel good now but it's going to hurt me on race day, like I'm going to be paying that for that on race day.
Speaker 1:And I think having that same mentality with fueling, like if I don't do this now, I'm you know that's going to impact.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're going to impact my race. I'm going to future Kate is not going to be thanking me at all. Um, and you know, I feel like I always say like I'm always screwing over future Kate, like I am never planning for future Kate, and I really want to change that. Right, I want to support future Kate in finishing the triple bypass this year. Right, I want to support future Kate in finishing the triple bypass this year.
Speaker 2:So, um, you know, I'm doing it scared and practically I'm not weighing myself on those days because, because, why, why? There's no benefit?
Speaker 1:There's no benefit. There's no benefit and I'm not like. I think sometimes it can be mental where you're like oh my gosh, does my Jersey fit tighter now or am I like that's like you?
Speaker 2:hit it. You hit it on the head. I'm not going to fit my suit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you literally start having these completely irrational thoughts over the like. This is Lycra people, it stretches right. So, over the course of three days, there's no way you're gaining so much weight that you're not going to fit into your kid, like that's just not happening. So I think, like I like to obviously maybe you can tell why I use humor with myself or other people a lot, but like giving myself that reality check of like, okay, kate, like come on, be for real like you're. You don't you're being, you're doing too much with the negative thoughts right now and and um, your thoughts dictate so much of your success, um in racing and in life, that I really, like you, don't want to gaslight yourself and just like you know, it's important to acknowledge, right, like I'm not saying don't feel negative about being overweight or don't feel bad about your body. It's like I feel that way too Sometimes. That's human, that's normal. But, okay, you acknowledge the thought and now let's move on from it and redirect um into a more positive way of thinking.
Speaker 2:Yeah, my mom has a really great saying that I like to think about. When, when I have a negative thought like that, she says you can, you can let the birds fly over your head, but don't let them make a nest in your hair. Oh, I love that. Yeah, so thinking about, okay, my suit's still going to fit, like, let it go.
Speaker 2:And I learned something too from one of my old tri coaches. She had said that when you, when you're prepping for race week and you're fueling for race week, it is a very good sign that you are gaining weight, because it's a indication that you are, um, storing the fuel that you need to tap into, like you said, on race day, because those, what you're eating on the bike or during the run, um, as it's, it's like a tissue on a fire. It's going to go quick, but you have those stores available that are going to get you to the finish line with your head still up. And I think that did help me too. And just the irrationality, challenging, interrogating reality, I think can really help. Like is this really true?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think, um, you know, I can have like very rigid thinking sometimes about things and just, I think, challenging my thoughts, that's such an important thing to do, like, is it okay? Like you, like you said, like the, the birds can fly over, but they don't need to make a nest, right, you don't have to, um, and you don't have to let your thoughts define you. Um, it's like what people say about meditation. I always fancy myself someone who could get into meditation, but I haven't been successful yet. Um, but I have meditated, I've attempted to be someone who meditates and it's. You know, I've listened to so many great meditations that say you know, you're not. The idea is not to like chastise yourself for thinking thoughts when they come up in meditation, you acknowledge the thought and you let it go, and I think that's important for this, you know, for all of this mental mindset for these things, right, Is it's?
Speaker 1:I'm not telling myself don't have that thought. I'm saying, okay, you had that thought, but is that based in reality or is that a little irrational? It's a little irrational, you can move on from it.
Speaker 2:Yes, it's okay, Let it go Exactly. So one of my last questions for you, Kate what advice do you have for listeners who might be interested in starting training for triathlon but feel intimidated by the sport, whether it's finances or it is body image?
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, for me and maybe it was just easy for me to say, cause I'm on the other side of like having jumped into that pot but, um, just start, and it could be taking a walk right, like, if it depends, I guess, right where you are in your like fitness journey. But, um, I think it's okay to have small goals. It's okay. I mean, so many people want to like jump in and do an Ironman as their first triathlon and if that's like your thing, no hate, that's fine. You know, I, I get, I understand the allure of yeah.
Speaker 1:Ironman branded braces um, but it's also okay to start smaller absolutely um, it's not fun yeah, and like I'm a type a personality, right, like I understand the desire to like go full balls to the wall, like in 100%, like you, like you know, um, do the toughest thing I can possibly think of. But I think it's yeah, just knowing that, like lots of people start by doing something small, whether that's a sprint or even a super sprint. You know they have some people just have like even shorter than a sprint. Um, yeah, just just get to the pool. Join a community.
Speaker 1:I think, you know, joining any kind of triathlon community is something that I didn't do for a long time because I felt self-conscious. Right, For me, it was like it's really hard it even still is to put myself out there to a group as an athlete, as a triathlete, Like I'm not, I'm probably not going to like show up to a group run because I know that I run really slow and so like that's probably not going to be a good experience for me. I hope that changes. I hope that more people get into the sport and that there's, you know, more diversity of pacing and things like that. But I think it can be really difficult. You know one of the Athenas that joined the Zoot Mountain team. She said to me, like I promised myself I was just going to put myself out there and keep putting myself out there. Because, yeah, and I was so inspired by that, honestly, because that's something that I really struggle with. You know, if Amy had not brought me into the fold of Team Zoot, I don't know that I would have joined and like gone to a meetup.
Speaker 1:Even. You know, if they were like meeting up for a cup of coffee, like I think sometimes it can just be really hard to show up, and I think, just show up as you are, and I think that's something that I hope, in whatever small way, I can change by using whatever platform to show people that there can be diversity, there can be body diversity in this sport. You know, in terms of financial, I think that's really tough, but you don't need the fanciest bike. No, Um, you know I don't have a TT bike. I don't see myself getting a TT bike anytime soon, maybe in the future, but, um, I ride my road bike and I love my road bike. Um, and you know, that's another thing that draw.
Speaker 2:Sorry to interrupt you, kate, but that's another thing that drew me to you is I also use a road bike. I've been doing triathlons since 2019, and I love my road bike, and I just don't see myself investing in a time trial bike unless I'm I switched over to mountain biking, right, you have to give yourself the chance to experiment with it, right? So you, you have to give yourself the the chance to to experiment with it, and it is kind of a big risk to invest so much money right out the gate if you're not even like two years down the road. This isn't what you want to do yeah, look, I think there's a balance.
Speaker 1:I think there's something that, like we said earlier, like look good, feel good. Right, there's something to feeling like I have the gear, I'm real like I'm doing it. Garment yeah Right, I got my garment. I got my aura ring Like I'm ready to go. But I think I think it's important to acknowledge that you don't have to start that in that place, and I didn't start in that place. I had an Apple watch, I think. Maybe I had a Fitbit.
Speaker 1:honestly, for that, but I don't remember Right, not even like the, the, the one with the screen. They have now just like a yeah, it was the brand yeah Right. And so, yeah, I mean you don't need the latest gear, like I said, especially in the sprint distance, and even an Olympic. You see a lot of people on all different kinds of bikes. I do think the bike is one of the biggest limiters. It can be the biggest expense.
Speaker 1:And the wetsuit yes, I did not use a wetsuit the first two races that I did that right, first one or two, I think it was the first two, and I just did later season races and I didn't need a wetsuit, um, and of course, like what it may have made me a little bit faster, you know, but my goal I, I would say I'm not a very competitive person with other people. I'm competitive with myself, like how far can I push myself? Can I beat what I was yesterday? Um, so it doesn't bother me to be like not racing for the podium, um. So if you're not trying to be the fastest, if you're like I want to do a triathlon just to try it out and I just want to finish right, which is where I've always been at every Um, then it's okay to not have all arrow everything right. It's okay to ride a road bike and, um, even when I did Oceanside the half Ironman in Oceanside, oh, there were a lot of people on road bikes. Um, and so, yeah, I think you should do what makes you happy and what makes you comfortable.
Speaker 1:And if buying a tt bike is going to make you like not want to ride, or if you can't afford it or you don't want to divert money to that, then yeah, just uh, kind of work with what you have, I guess, is what I would say. I think also, um, just practically speaking, there's, you know, especially with online selling things, online wetsuit, I mean, they have terrible resale value. So you can find like a good wetsuit for pretty cheap on like Facebook marketplace or so I think there's like I don't want to deny it is an expensive sport, I don't want to that. That is just the way that it don't want to that. That is just the way that it is. But, um, I do think there's ways to do it, that you don't need the fanciest gear and that it could be a little more affordable.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you for that, kate. So what is next with, uh, your triathlon goals and and what's next for everybody, try.
Speaker 1:Yeah, uh, well, like I I said, I'm doing the triple bypass week from tomorrow so to hear about that yeah, so I've been definitely more focused on that, for sure, um, more focused on riding, um, so I I guess I'll we'll say for everyone who who hasn't followed my channel that I was not able to complete the run at Oceanside because I have some really bad and persistent plantar fasciitis in my foot and um, it's been a big bummer and I'm trying to rehab it and figure out, kind of what, what can I do to make it better? I just, um, I am working with professionals. I um just started a new kind of therapy, um, with it and that seems to be making a difference, but, um, yeah, so trying to figure out, sort out that injury. Uh, so it's been good for me to spend more time on the bike.
Speaker 1:Um, it's also the thing I love most in triathlon, so, um, yeah, so that has been really positive and has made me really happy, but I still want to be a triathlete, so I've got to get back to running at some point, um, and I'm just feel really motivated to finish a half Ironman. I am hoping that I potentially can do the New York 70.3 in September. Um, I grew up in New York and the race is not too far from where my parents still live, or the house I grew up in. So, um, yeah, I'm hoping that that can be a reality, but also just trying to be patient with my body plantar fasciitis I mean.
Speaker 1:I feel like everyone, and their mom has had plantar fasciitis at some point. Um, and it can just be so hard to shake. Yeah, um, I actually got a comment on one of my videos that was like you have plantar fasciitis because you're fat, basically, um, and I'm like I I know some professional triathletes who have plantar fasciitis like I hate to break it to you, um, but you know it's, it's one of those things where it's like that could be a factor. I don't know right, it could be the cause. I have no idea. There's not really a good way to tell what causes it's?
Speaker 1:coming from um. My chiropractor and I have a theory on where it's coming from and um. Actually I used to have sesamoiditis, and so we think that that is contributing to um, like I've learned a new pattern or it's a inflammation in the balls and the ball of your foot.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:So I have really like weak, kind of like arch and big. I don't have a lot of power through the big toe on that foot, and so we are. Theory is that I kind of inadvertently my body learned a new way to walk on that foot, that um compensated for the pain that I was feeling drivingently.
Speaker 1:My body learned a new way to walk on that foot that compensated for the pain that I was feeling driving through the big toe, and so now that has caused weakness through that area and now has caused plantar fasciitis. So there's a lot of like rehab exercises that I'm doing Now. I've been talking too long about plantar fasciitis, though, so I'm trying to figure out that injury. I'm hoping to do 70.3. Um, I'm actually doing a gravel try in August.
Speaker 2:Are you serious? The stage coach, stage coach.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, Um, back to my friend, my tri friend, Amy. She um sort of bullied me into doing it. Everyone loves Amy, she's great now. Now I had to do this gravel try oh my gosh which is fine, because I have a gravel bike and I love riding it and, yeah, I think it'll be. I think it'll be different. I don't think I can do xterra because I'm afraid of mountain bikes, because I had a pretty dramatic mountain bike crash, oh my gosh years ago, and now I'm like, oh heck, no, I'm not getting back on that bike.
Speaker 1:So I think this is like a nice middle ground for that, so I've got that going on, um, yeah, and then what's next for the channel?
Speaker 1:I mean, if I could get myself to stick to a regular posting schedule, like that's, that's what's next for me on the channel. It's like it's disciplining myself so that future Kate can have more videos on the channel, because it's so hard fitting it in with everything else in life. I feel like working and then training. It's like another part-time job, but I really feel like it's meaningful and it seems to resonate with people and so I want to keep putting out content. And, um, I think the next video I put out will be about the um 100 mile ride that I did on the suffer fest. That that was and you'll see me lose the will to live at mile 70, but rally and finish, um, and so, yeah, that's that's what's next for the channel.
Speaker 1:And then just kind of documenting. I hope to document the triple bar pass and then that gravel race and kind of some of the training leading up into that and see if I can heal my foot and finish this half iron man. Because, yeah, like you have said, it's like now. I'm like oh, I thought there's a good comeback story here, right.
Speaker 2:I didn't.
Speaker 1:I didn't finish that first one but, like my coach says, the only failure is in not getting back up after you get knocked down. So I'm motivated and I want to get that done.
Speaker 2:Yes, truth to the coach. Yes, I love that, I'd love that you are, are are still looking for ways to stay involved in, to feel that triathlon bucket or that endurance athlete bucket. Um, I think you are a great storyteller, kate, and it would be a shame to see, uh, to, to, to not see your story and to not be able to like experience all your wins and even the setbacks with you. So I hope that encourages you to keep posting and sharing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, um, thank you so much for this conversation and for your authenticity, for for how just kind you are. Um, you've really really inspired me in in more ways than I can share and I just am. I'm really grateful for that, and I'm sure there's a lot of people listening that can say the same, so I will share with you. If you have inspired someone to do triathlon. I think that's such a cool win from today. So, um, thanks again, Kate, for everything. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Grit to Greatness podcast. If you want to follow Kate's adventure and check out her story, go to her YouTube channel at Everybody Try. And thanks again, kate, for the incredible episode.
Speaker 2:I also wanted to take some time to share that. I am excited to announce that I am now partnered with TriDot as a triathlon coach, and the great thing about TriDot is that it uses your biometrics and data. It's data-driven AI that creates a perfect plan for you for your triathlon adventures. I have a code for two free months. If you want to give TriDot a try, all puns intended Just hit me up at aprilatgrit2greatnessco. Thanks again, and continue to create your great Thank you, thank you.