Did you ever feel like you were failing at something you loved? I almost let a bad start ruin a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with whale sharks. Here’s how I overcame my struggles and ended up face-to-face with these gentle giants.

Fitting in was never easy for me. I have been involved in teams and clubs since I was a young girl. I got along with everyone, but still felt alone. I saw others sharing inside jokes and making plans outside of the group. I really wanted to have those connections, too.

Continual learning is a core value in my personal and professional life. Each year I choose one conference to attend where I can enhance my skills as a coach. When I read that USA Triathlon’s Endurance Exchange is “a community-driven platform that fosters collaboration, innovation, and inspiration” it aligned with my goals for this year so I was all in! I’m excited to share what I learned with you.