Never Too Late to Dream Big

I began my 11th season on TeamUSA with a clear vision and three challenging goals. My vision is to stay healthy and fit by eating right and exercising regularly while maintaining mental strength. A motivator for me is to earn the right each year to represent TeamUSA as a multi-sport athlete, primarily triathlon and duathlon. As we age and simultaneously progress in our life and career, it is easy to neglect our personal health. Leveraging competitive sport remains a keen way for me to remain focused and on vision. I want to do everything within my control to remain vibrant for family and life.

For 2025, I set the bar as high as I could

I headed into the season with three goals which I shared broadly in the YouTube series below. I added to the series throughout the year with updates on weight, performance and results. Making TeamUSA/Staying Fit with Age

1. Drop weight from 190 to 160 pounds (Jan-Jun)

2. Earn a top five or podium finish at the TeamUSA national championships (USA/June 8)

3. Earn top 25 finish at the world championships (Spain/June 20)

Thanks to my wife Simran Marx, I was able to shred 30 pounds and enter the national and world championships at 160 pounds. She held me accountable with routine weigh-ins, nutritional counseling and encouragement. Being lighter enabled me to improve my performance. I surprised myself placing second at the TeamUSA national championships for athletes aged 50 and above. Facing the best duathletes in the world this weekend in PonteVedra Spain, I was not sure how I would stack up but remained focus on my goals. It paid off. I placed #23 at the world championships, meeting my top 25 goal.

What I learned on the journey.

• We perform to the level of our training, not expectation. You have to put in the work. Same for relationships and career. It is not all about hope. It is more about doing.

• Accountability fuels performance. I always struggled with my weight. It wasn't until I became fully accountable to someone that I stuck my nutrition plan.

• Transparency helps everyone improve. My video updates showed everything. I did some of my weigh-ins in my spandex uniform. Not flattering! Those following can see the changes. It helped me stay on point and also helped others begin their own journey towards wellness.

• Avoid naysayers and toxic people. The dream killers. Those who allowed circumstances to beat joy out of them and now they act out. Be a role model but silent.

• Sickness is not always the end. I had cancer. Twice. Widow maker. Once. Knee surgery. once. Use these life realities to build resilience.

• It is never too late to dream and dream big. I never imagined being a CIO. I never imagined running my own company. I never imagined bouncing back from divorce. I never ever thought I would be a podium finisher for TeamUSA or top 25 in the world.

I share all this to demonstrate that with vision and goals and a good support system, you can do just about anything you set your mind to. For years I struggled with weight. For years I was discouraged with my performance. I know many struggle with the same. Again, be it sport or work or relationships. If you invest in a plan, you can achieve dreams you may have given up on. So go for it. Make the plan. Establish measurable goals. Share the plan. Get accountable. Dive in.

For 2026 I already set new goals to retain my vision.

1. Drop another few pounds to 155 (Dec 25)

2. Take first place at the national championships (USA/Jun)

3. Place top ten at the world championships (Abu Dhabi/Nov)

What dreams do you have? What dreams have you given up on?