09/03/2026
Giving growth.
When talks amongst friends started about doing the Chicago triathlon this year, I couldn’t help to instantly think “but I already did it”.
Honestly I’m usually enticed by new adventures / challenges, and frankly this one just seemed to be the opposite as I originally completed it 4 years ago.
So when considering this experience the question wasn’t if I could do it, but instead could I find a reason to give me enough drive to do it again.
Enter my reason….giving someone else the gift of growth.
On a Canadian backpacking trip last year one of our guides told us how every year him and his partner get each other birthday gifts that push the other person to grow.
At the time I just had entered into a new relationship, and this was the vibe I really wanted to incorporate into it.
The thing that I liked most about the idea though was the intention put forth behind picking the right thing, and then doing it together to support the other person.
So when I got back I pitched my partner the idea, and she was open to it which was all I needed to hear to give me go ahead.
Long story short as Alyssa Jenkins birthday approached I thought this former athlete with a swimming background would relish in the challenge of a triathlon.
And her genuine excitement when I told her what I signed her up not only solidified that, but instantly brought new life into this experience for me as I shifted into the “supporter” position.
Over the next 3 months as we trained I watched her slowly start blossoming in ways I had yet to see before, which only grew my attraction to her.
Even witnessing her excitement and positivity on the morning of the event, in the midst of battling food poisoning for a week, was a true testament of who she is as a person.
And I couldn’t have been more proud of her as she crossed the finish line like a warrior who just got back from battle, with tears in her eyes, and nothing left in the tank, as in that moment I knew she would never forget who she became in this process.
In the end I feel like I really wasn’t the giver in this experience, as the gift of connection I received from this is far great than I could have ever imagined.