On November 29, 2022, I lost my dad. For me and my family, this day came without any warning signs, highlighting just how isolating suffering from mental illness can be. 

I lost my best friend, my inspiration, and the person who always pushed me to be the best version of myself. One of the many lessons he taught me is that there is no shortcut for hard work. 

There are many reasons I love triathlon, but most of all, it reminds me of the lessons my dad taught me. Training for triathlon requires discipline, consistency, and hard work, all of which are traits my dad exemplified in everything he did. My journey into triathlon has also been an incredible outlet to relieve mental and emotional stress. Long before last November, and certainly since, spending time in the pool, on the bike, and on the road has given me the opportunity to process many of life's challenges, while also being able to work towards my next big goal...

On September 16th, I will be competing in Ironman Maryland, a 3.8km swim, 180km bike, and 42.2km run, all in one day. With your help, I hope to raise $22,600 ($100 for each kilometre I will cover in the race) for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). CMHA provides advocacy, programs, and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. 

With your donation, we are one step closer to providing much-needed support to those battling mental illness.