TriAptitude Coaching

Warning- this is a long post.  Spoiler- it boils down to this- live your life, be proud of yourself, do not ever underestimate your worth and reach for your dreams because you can attain them with hard work and self-belief.  Be the energy you want to attract. Love yourself and love others. Be grateful for the wonderful people in your life who afford you the opportunity to realize your special self.

An incredible thing happened in the past week- I was asked to join Team Betty 2017. I applied online a few months ago thinking that this was the year for me to reach out and apply for teams and some sponsors.  I love Betty Designs and have drawn a lot of inspiration from the team on race day around the nation. I also thought it would be a nice way to integrate my coaching with Mile High Multisport with an international woman’s endurance team. Honestly, I never thought I would be chosen.  Not that I do not have the qualities which represent a Betty- I certainly do- but, because there are so many other inspiring, positive, badass women out there in the world who want to be a part of this team as well. Imagine my surprise when my friend Susan McNamee tells me via messenger (as I am doing PT exercises with my Mom in Cincinnati)- “Your name is on the list. I see Courtney Culligan on the list!!” Pretty exciting!

Of course my Mom was like, “Team Betty??  You are a Betty?  What does all this mean?”  I explained to her the easiest way I could- I showed her the website and talked about self-confidence, support, success in sport through friendship and role modeling. I told her about being able to expand my personal tribe of family and friends and integrating more of my racing and coaching life into friendships with women all over the world. I shared with her my decision 5 years ago to believe in myself as a wife and a mother and to build on this feeling in other areas of “me” through triathlon. I told Mom that I finally decided that I could follow my dreams and actually believe that I could attain them. Five years ago, I did my first triathlon and felt like I was going to die at the finish line.  This year, I have qualified for two World Championship races. It has been an amazing journey. For those who know me intimately, they will tell you that I have struggled in the past with self-doubt, worry, anxiety, anorexia.  I often refer to my early to late 20’s as a black hole of doubt, fear, loneliness.  But, as is true in life, if you face those issues head on and decide to truly focus on a positive improvement, incredible things can happen. For me, it was a voyage of many years – ups and downs- gradual improvements and a refocusing of priorities.  Becoming a wife and mother was perhaps the greatest and most important change which led to a happier and more fulfilled me. Triathlon has reinforced that self-confidence and happiness for me.

I am seriously blessed with incredible people in my life- my family is supportive and loving in my endeavors. I have a husband and three sons who are very proud of what I do.  I have friends who love me even if some of them think I am a bit insane to train the long miles and hours that I do. I am part of an incredible coaching group Mile High Multisport – a fantastic team of coaches who are some of the best in Colorado- and I have felt like a part of the MHM family since the very beginning.  Pete Alfino asked me to be a MHM coach and believed in me.  I am so grateful for his encouragement and advice and belief in me as an athlete and as a member of his coaching staff. I have a talented, smart, witty, vivacious and loving coach – Kathy Alfino- who has helped me every step of the way in this adventure.  I would not be where I am without her.  Love you, Kath. I have talented, strong and determined athletes who are a pleasure to coach.  They have brought so much friendship, happiness and excitement into my life as we have worked together to find success in their training and racing. And, now I also have an expanded tribe of women around the world who are a true force of positive energy.