TRI-for-Hope supporting Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network
TRI-for-Hope supporting Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network
Why Participate?
Bipolar Does Not Define You
After years of battling mental health obstacles, starting to find myself again by going back to college and running my first triathlon (Driathlon), and stumbling upon a holistic approach to treating bipolar, I began researching the effects I was experiencing after that first race. The positive feelings and new energy I had were not just from the accomplishment of finishing the race. Training actually helps to regulate the bipolar chemical imbalance I had been struggling with for so long. I continued my training and set out to accomplish a lofty goal in the summer of 2024: 11 medals for the 11 years my mental health obstacles controlled my life. I signed up for 10 triathlons and an 8.2-mile swim around Mackinac Island. Life threw a new obstacle at me on my way to every finish line, but I was unstoppable. By September, 11 medals hung on my wall as a testament to the fact that obstacles can be overcome by making the choice to
keep going.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
Hard Work Pays Off! Michigan Rehabilitation Services Championship Award 2024
“Obstacles are not set into place to defeat us, or to cause us to give up on our goals and dreams,” said Brandon Hillaker, the Saginaw District 2024 Champion Award winner. “Obstacles are set into our lives to overcome and to learn valuable lessons through the journey. There’s a plethora of services out there to overcome our obstacles; to give us the tools we need and the skills we need to overcome them. Michigan Rehabilitation Services is one of these services.”
Thank you for your support!
The Tri for Hope is a 355-mile triathlon from Hell, Michigan to Paradise, Michigan. This has never been done before. July 25, 26, and 27 I will bike 285 miles from Hell, MI. to Mackinaw City. I will then swim 5 miles across the Straights of Mackinac to St. Ignace. I will then get out of the water and run 65 miles to Paradise. The inspiration for this grandiose goal is in the name itself...Hope.
It took hope to complete my 11 medals for 11 years (10 triathlons and a 9.5 mile swim around Mackinac Island) in four months in the summer of 2024, and it will take hope to accomplish this goal.
The goal for this ridiculous, grandiose triathlon is to raise $20 per mile for the Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network. I need your help to get me out of Hell and to Paradise.
I'll go as far as the donations take me 😉.
If you are having thoughts of suicide please dial 988 or reach out to someone, anyone.
Have HOPE that tomorrow will be better..