Triathlon has a way of meeting you exactly where you are and then asking you to grow. In this episode of Tri Beginner’s Luck, Tammy Dotson shares what it looked like to start triathlon after 40 with no swim experience and no idea what she was doing. Her first sprint swim took 47 minutes in frigid conditions, with Raynaud syndrome leaving her hands and feet numb throughout the race. What could have been a one-time attempt became the beginning of something bigger. She kept showing up, found community in groups like Trianimals and FastChix, progressed to the Olympic distance, and eventually qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships, where she discovered just how powerful and supportive this sport can be.

Her journey to the 70.3 distance was not linear. A DNF at Ironman Gulf Coast after red-flag swim conditions could have ended her dream, but resilience carried her forward to finish Challenge Daytona. Along the way, she redefined success as arriving at the start line healthy and crossing the finish line strong. For Tammy, triathlon became less about podiums and more about discipline, consistency, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing hard things.

After a 2022 craniotomy for a brain tumor, wellness became nonnegotiable. Nutrition, recovery, and holistic care are now the foundation of her training and her life. Out of that season came her SHINE philosophy, Spread Hope, Inspiration, and Encouragement, and a commitment to help others believe it is never too late to begin. This conversation is a reminder that triathlon is not reserved for the fearless. It is built by people willing to start, even when the water feels cold and the path feels uncertain.

Let’s tri this! 

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