In this episode I bring you a very strong woman who I am fortunate to call a friend. Finding herself diminished in a romantic relationship and close to 300lbs not so many years ago, Leslie fell into a mindset of low self esteem and self-sabotage. She shares her story of lifting herself out of the darkness and after only a few visits to the gym, signing up for her first half marathon. Questioned by the registrant, who thought for sure she meant to sign up for the 5k distance, Leslie encountered her first of many subtle prejudice-like speed bumps about her size and athletic capabilities. She brings a unique perspective based on her experience as a competitive and much decorated triathlete and duathlete who races in the athena category (women weighing 165lbs or more).

Deemed in the multi-sport community as an athena advocate, Leslie is the founder of the Athena Triathletes 1,300+ member facebook group. A social network family she describes as her "soul". She is beyond dedicated, competitive, intelligent and beautiful inside and out. Despite being a compact version of her previous self she shares openly about her inability to always believe in herself and what she often sees when she looks in the mirror.