“I COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT IT HAPPENED TO ME”

My journey started as a collegiate swimmer invited to swim in a relay triathlon. But after watching my biker and runner friend finish the race, I thought “I could do all that myself”. 

Which is exactly what I’d do the next 30+ years – 

But before I’d get there, it nearly all ended because of my blind love. 

After finishing my first-ever Ironman in 1997, I was hooked. 

But because the internet didn’t exist back then, I had to learn about overtraining the hard way, I didn’t rest and decided to join my friend’s bike training.

Before I knew it, I could barely walk without losing my breath 

… And BAM a year flew by and I was in the worst shape of my life.

Thankfully I managed to climb out of that hole and win Kona 2008.

However, I will never forget that look in the mirror when I saw how far I let myself go. 

Which was part of my ‘why’ for starting t2coaching 25 years ago 🙂

Learn more about me below!

Introduction

Hi, my name is Wendy Mader. I’ve been swimming since my teenage years and competing in races since the 90s (30+ years now). I was born and raised in Colorado but now live here in Georgia. 

Fun fact

A fun thing about me is that similar to you, I love pushing myself and using insane sports like trail running, triathlon, and so many more to do so. Which, fortunately, I’ve managed to make a living off of for the last decades. 

Training history

Over the years, I mainly stuck to self-coaching because I loved figuring out challenges myself. But as you saw in my story above, this is 100% an approach that only a young aspiring athlete could afford to do.

However, as I gain more wisdom as a coach and person, I’ve found clever ways to help athletes figure out the challenge. Which you can learn about in my philosophy.

My “Why”

Honestly, this sport has given me many crazy stories you simply can’t get from a desk. 

So I’m excited to share my understanding so you can start bringing those metals and shirts home that prove you CAN push yourself. Something many adults will die without knowing. 

Race Finishes 

• 21-time Ironman Finisher
• 10-time Kona World Championship Finisher 
• Overall Amateur Winner in Kona 2008
• Finished Run Rabbbit Run 100 mile Trail run in 2011
• Finished the Georgia Death Race in 2022

25-Years of Official Coaching Achievements

• Certified Ironman Coach 
• Race Director Pelican Fest Triathlon (2009-2013)
• Race Director t2coaching Indoor Triathlon Series (2000-2015)
• Multisport Wellness Program (2008-2015)
• Aquatics Coordinator at the Fort Collins Health  Club, 2000-2015
• TRX, Insanity and ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• BeachBody coach
• Guided Turkish’s first-ever Kona qualification (Tashin) 
• <please put in any more notable athlete achievements>
• Head Coach and founder of Team Trifecta and t2coaching, LLC
• Head Coach Northern Colorado High School Triathlon Team
• Head Coach Rocky Mountain High School Swim Team (boys and girls) (2009-2015)
• Head Coach of City of Fort Collins 
• Coached Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s “Team in Training”(2002)

WORK WITH ME!