As an accomplished triathlete, I have been honored to be involved in helping coach women train and prepare for their first triathlon. The women I train are in their 20s through 60s, and after an 8-week training program, everyone successfully completed the TrekWomen’s triathlon this past Sunday in Wisconsin. It’s a truly rewarding experience for me to see all these women reach their goal of finishing their first triathlon. Everyone established their individual fitness goals, whether it was is to exercise on a daily basis, to increase their level of fitness, to eat healthier in order to perform better, to feel better, get fit and to lose weight. After finishing their first triathlon, many of the participants now have “triathlon fever” and plan to do another triathlon next year to improve their time.

What's remarkable is that these women are actively participating in wellness, improving their health and the quality of their lives. As these women continue to maintain healthy lives, down the road, I am certain that health care expenses will be lower for these women due to their focus on wellness and improving their health.

Congrats to all the women athletes and I look forward to training with next year’s team!