When I was 35, about to be a father for the first time, I had reached a crossroads in my life. Continue on a path of letting stress define who I was and putting that energy into unhealthy pursuits or look deep inside myself and realize that I now had a child to nurture and love. With this choice in mind, I did my first sprint triathlon when my son was a month old, the Mystic YMCA sprint. I was immediately hooked. Triathlon is a completely different type of sport. Never had I experienced such amazing support for not only winners but for also the last finisher across the line. I saw people of different ages, races, and genders all striving to meet their personal goals but enjoying the journey together. Few other sports offer that level of inclusion and shared camaraderie. Now as a more seasoned athlete, I keep discovering new and different approaches to the sport and continue to meet amazing human beings. I find inspiration every day in just getting the training done and getting into that zone. In the wake of 2020 I have a renewed appreciation for how great triathlon is and how fortunate we all are to participate in it! Good luck to everyone in 2021!