I think most of us share the sentiment that the last three or four years have been…ummm… interesting. For me, professionally, I took a position that dropped me squarely into the middle of the zeitgeist. I say this in somewhat vague terms to avoid rabbit holes and tangents, but the downforce pressures I experienced were due in large part to the urgency and nature of that particular client and their particular product. The resulting work/life calculus created an unbalanced equation for me (read: unhealthy).

This past January (right smack in the middle of training for another go at IMTX) a rather nasty mystery infection took the form of a mass in my chest. Work stress + training stress + virus equaled my body executing a “force quit” (alt + command + esc for you Mac users). Things were bad enough to necessitate taking leave from work. And amidst all the different doctor appointments, thoracic scans and hours of Netflix, I picked up this book from Chip Conley titled “Learning to Love Midlife”.

In it, Chip lays out a blueprint for changing the midlife narrative from “crisis” to profound awakening. But what does any of this have to do with The Triathlife? Well in my Slack App mind there is a channel called “The Triathlife - what is it”? It’s an exhausting thread and Chip’s book quickly became the topic du jour. My brief work sabbatical coupled with Chip’s book created a kind of nexus event for me. And as soon as I set down to focus on it, I had the mission statement for The Triathlife written in a matter of an hour (only after vetting several drafts through the crackerjack staff here at The Triathlife Industries, Inc).

For the longest time, The Triathlife existed in my mind as many things simultaneously, hence Schrodinger’s Triathlife (dropping sciencey things again folks!). I had brainstormy thoughts and ideas but didn’t have the time or courage to take the next step. There are several themes within Chip’s book that resonated with me, the largest being community. More specifically to me…a community for like-minded midlifers. But why not a club you might ask? There’s a difference. And I think I can articulate why...

I want to be be part of something larger than myself. Something that appeals to my sense of health, fitness, lifestage and fun. I want to connect with others that feel the same. Wanna join me? Follow along here and hit that subscribe button here.

In response to last weeks “newsletter” (Oklahoma) community member Nathan, sent me this clip from “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Steve Martin does as only Steve Martin can (“Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma!”) Thanks for the movie ear worm, Nathan!