My entry into the multi-sport life was the River of No Return Pentathlon in the summer of 1986. My best friend Bill Driskill convinced me to be his teammate in the race with two weeks notice. After a half mile swim in the Russian River, a ten mile canoe journey downriver, a one mile uphill canoe portage, a 9 mile rolling run and a twenty mile road bike I was unable to move and unable to wipe the smile off of my face. Over the next 5 years Bill and I tried to figure a way to make a living teaching multi-sport to others. Bill got Total Body Fitness started in 1991 and I joined him in 1993. Total Body Fitness has grown into a multi-sport training, racing and travel company with a coaching staff and racing staff of over 40 people.

Going outside to play was the best part of growing up. Play was coming up with new games, designing obstacle courses, making skateboards, climbing trees, catching any thing we could, piecing together scraps for bike jumps, riding wheelies, playing sports, racing motorcycles, racing bicycles, finding triathlon and always looking ahead. As a TBF Coach, I get to share my passion and knowledge of play with others and encourage them to remove limits, set goals, get moving, have fun and enjoy life. The most rewarding part of being a TBF Coach is witnessing the change in the athletes as they gain confidence, build skills, stay motivated and develop a love for the multi-sport lifestyle.

My races for this year are Ironman China April 20, Auburn International Triathlon May 18th, Tri-For-Real June 8, Tri-For-Fun July 12, Vineman Half Ironman Triathlon July 20 and the Tahoe Sierra 100 on September 6th. My main goal is a sub-5 at Vineman Half.

I enjoy coaching to help others achieve their goals no matter what they are. My greatest achievement is my 50 mile trail run, AR 50 and will continue to train to improve my running. I enjoy triathlons and bike rides and hope to continue to help others. I am an ACE certified personal trainer and have coached with TBF since 2007.

Laurie first joined TBF in the fall of 2001 when she took her first class from TBF, a Mountain Bike Class. Courtney Cardenas and Mark coached the class and she was hooked! She was not a big fan of running and not really a swimmer at all, but can do both now. Laurie's first ever triathlon was the Danskin Triathlon in 2002.

What Laurie enjoys most about coaching for TBF Training is the thrill she gets when she sees the athletes in the classes complete their first Triathlon. Laurie motivates and inspires herself. To complete any endurance event is a win for me, she says.

While signing up for my first triathlon I stumbled across TBF's training program and decided to join. After my first class and the completion of my first triathlon (Golden State Triathlon, 2006) I was addicted. In 2007 I focused on improving my times and overall fitness. At the end of 2007, Mark asked me to help coach swimming.

My favorite part of coaching is watching the athletes run up the hill to T1 after their first half mile swim. The smiles on their faces is extremely rewarding. My best memories of triathlon are the finish line celebrations with my friends.

Coach Dustyn has been riding and racing for over 30 years, locally, nationally , and internationally. Most recently racing endurance road race events, winning the women's 12-hour world championship last November, held in Boreggo Springs, as well as the Silver State 508 mile 2-person relay. She has coached middle school and high school sports for 16 years. Recently retired from an 18 year career as a middle school PE teacher, and currently coaching with Total Body Fitness Women's Cycling program, focused on beginning and intermediate cyclists. Dustyn is passionate about sharing her love for cycling with new riders, and focused on building skills and confidence to enjoy riding out on the open road.

How I got started with TBF - For a few years, I wanted to get involved with triathlon, but knew I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. I had been involved in group workouts before and enjoyed having others to train with and the camaraderie. I found TBF and the rest is history!

What I enjoy most about being a TBF Triathlon Coach - Triathlon has renewed my love for swimming. Swimming is the sport about which most people say, "I can't". I want them to say "I can!" I love to sit at the finish line of a race and watch triathletes cross the finish line! It never ceases to be inspiring, no matter how many times I see it!

My first triathlon and best triathlon race moment - My first triathlon was a sprint in 2007 with TBF and I was on a high when I finished! I couldn't wait to do another one. My best triathlon moment was forgetting my concern over sharks during a triathlon swim in the ocean. There were two girls in my wave group kicking my butt and all I wanted to do was catch them! Sharks? What sharks?

A lifelong runner and long time cyclist, Spence took the plunge and joined the multi-sport lifestyle several years back. With the help of TBF he has become reasonably amphibious, making the swim phase of triathlons something that he now enjoys. Spence appreciates the broad variety of events multi-sport offers, and competes in sprint to iron distance road events as well as mountain bike off road triathlons. He has been a TBF assistant coach for three years and is currently a TBF Track Attack running coach. He especially enjoys sharing his experience and knowledge with those new to the sport of triathlon. "Triathlon can be enjoyed by anybody, at any age and at any fitness level, so what are you waiting for?"

I joined my first TBF triathlon class in 2005. I was immediately drawn to the Ironman training class and began preparing for the Vineman 70.3 that July. The TBF coaches and my fellow athletes, helped keep me motivated and pushed me to become a stronger triathlete for that first 70.3 and beyond. Over the years of training and competing, I have come to appreciate the variety triathlon offers between and within each of the disciplines.

I became a multi-sport coach in 2007 and I continue to find motivation and gain knowledge from all the athletes involved with TBF. What I appreciate most about being a triathlon coach is watching athletes of all ages and ability levels improve their fitness and become excited about an active, healthy lifestyle.

I come from a background of team sports, with basketball being my primary focus in college and even turning away interest from a European league team because I had a job and a child on the way! However, I continued to stay in basketball shape and played every recreational sport one could find.

I had general knowledge of triathlons, having watched some Ironman competitions highlights and this told me I would never do anything like this. However, in October of 2011, a co-worker told me he was going to do the Golden State triathlon with TBF at Discovery Park and he wanted me to come and cheer him on. I was impressed at the race, the number of participants, the diversity of participants, the ages, and of course I was concern at the lack of basketball player types involved.

So, at the start of 2012, this co-worker told me that TBF was having a free Duathlon. Without any training, we did this du-athlon and it was fun, but dangerous. I had a bike. I had a 1979 bike with suicide gears, original tires and rims, original everything. I had no idea of transition, pre race set up, bike check nothing. My co-worker asked how many psi to inflate my tires to and I knew I was out of my element. Anyway, he inflated my tires to the desired 110 psi and as soon as I jumped on my bike for the ride portion, the tire blew out. No, I did not have a spare, flat repair kit and I refused help from every other racer, I rode on that flat for the whole six miles! On the next run phase, as I passed people I could hear some say, “oh no, it’s the guy with the flat!”

My real first taste of a triathlon came that April for the Ice Breaker. Now, at least I have an idea what to expect on the run and the bike. I got new tires, Wal-Mart. Now, my concern was the swim. I can swim in a backyard pool but never in an open water race. I had no swim training and near freezing water. Mark Shaw announced that we should go get acclimated to the water, so I put my feet into the water and that was good enough acclimation for me, it was going to be cold.

One key thing happened at the race start. A guy with the bullhorn asked if anyone was racing their first ever triathlon and I raised my hand. This guy asked my name, and announced to the crowd that it was my first and everyone gave me a round of applause.

Now, back to the swim, I dove in head first with the intent on swimming, however, I went into shock due to the freezing water. I was frozen in place and hyperventilating. I remember hearing the guy with the bullhorn announce rescue swimmer and I knew someone was coming for me. When the kayak arrived, they went for the person next to me and I said “what about me?” and I was told that I was fine, just start swimming. So, I got my breath together and tried to swim again. Stop, same thing happened! I learned real fast that I could not put my head in the water. I did the modified breast stroke all the way home.
When I finished the race, again my name was announced and it was shared that it was my first time and everyone clapped again. What was more impressive was the guy with the bullhorn was ecstatic that I finished and greeted me by name at the finish line. He asked how the race went and if I would ever do it again. Then he told me about TBF and asked if I would be interested in volunteering for the next race. That guy was Bill Driskill.

After volunteering with TBF I soon worked my way up to a Staff position. I threw myself into the training and the sport. I completed two more short distance races in 2012. In 2013 I started doing sprint distance races and in 2014 I jumped up to Olympic distance. I enjoy the challenge, the action and the camaraderie of the TBF crowd. I have not found another entity that has offered me the challenge and the fitness that triathlon training has provided. In 2014, I decided to get my certification as a Personal Fitness Instructor. I am a certified Personal Trainer through the NCCPT. In 2015, I became a certified tri coach through USAT.

Initially, I wanted to be Coach Dan Foster’s assistant. He was leading track attack, boot camps and brick training. Now, I am leading track attack and brick training with a team of experienced, knowledgeable and fun coaches. Basically, I want to share the knowledge and excitement of this healthy lifestyle. I enjoy working with people who want to get into shape and then watching them transform into triathletes.

My racing goals for 2017 are:

1. TRI for Real Series
2. Auburn Triathlon
3. Constant, consistent training and nutrition.
4. 70.3 Santa Cruz AGAIN!

When I turned 50 I weighed 225 lbs. I got tired of being winded walking to the fridge. I changed my diet and started walking. Once down to 180 I started running. After a year of half marathons, I hit 155. I joined one of the TBF summer classes to give Triathlon a try. Since then I've raced lots of TBF triathlons, Wildflower, Escape from Alcatraz twice and finished Ironman Arizona.

TBF training helped me get where I am today. When they asked me to join as an assistant coach I was proud to accept. Thanks to TBF Training I can now help others reach their athletic goals.