Rush Hour Redefined. TTF Athlete Profiles. Presented by:

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1 Rush Hour Redefined TTF Athlete Profiles Presented by:

JOHN LETTIERI (Olympic Distance Racer) Until his mid thirties, John Lettieri skied, and that was about it for sports.

By 44, John was over 350 pounds, up from tipping the scales at 200 pounds in his mid twenties. Unfortunately, John has lost a couple of close friends to heart attacks.

By April 2008, after only 5 months, he had lost over 75 pounds.

He finished near the back of the pack, but he now had the bug. He was addicted. He completed a duathlon every weekend for the next 6 weeks. He has since also done many Sprint, Olympic and five 70.

2 JOHN LETTIERI (Olympic Distance Racer) Until his mid thirties, John Lettieri skied, and that was about it for sports. At that time, while establishing a burgeoning business Hero Certified Burgers he was also taking on a lot of stress and weight. By 44, John was over 350 pounds, up from tipping the scales at 200 pounds in his mid twenties. Unfortunately, John has lost a couple of close friends to heart attacks. This stark blast of mortality led to reflection and eventually to a realization that, with a young family and a successful business, he needed some help. He went to his doctor. By April 2008, after only 5 months, he had lost over 75 pounds. Feeling emboldened by his initial weight reduction, and after some prodding from a close friend, he took on a duathlon for the first time. He finished near the back of the pack, but he now had the bug. He was addicted. He completed a duathlon every weekend for the next 6 weeks. He has since also done many Sprint, Olympic and five 70.3 distance triathlons. John still fights his weight. He still has a soft spot for sweets. But the healthy choices he now makes are also manifested in the Hero Certified Burgers menu. It is all natural. The beef is raised without antibiotics and has full traceability. Hero s approach is environmentally sustainable. John s total weight loss is over 120 pounds. His goal is to complete an Ironman at 50. He is now that age and was unsuccessful at his first attempt. But he is pushing hard towards Ironman Louisville in August Good luck, John! You are a true inspiration! INTRODUCING TTF SPONSORS We want to officially introduce and thank our leading sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Hero Certified Burgers Royal Bank of Canada Porter Airlines GEZA FENYO (Relay Team Member) TTF: Who is Geza Fenyo and what motivates you? Tell us about yourself. GF: In my teenage years, I lost my eyesight as a result of retina detachment. I haven't allowed my loss of vision to deprive me of the joy of sport. I have been tandem cycling for 13 years and I've participated in countless cycling events, of various distances, in Ontario. Since 2008, I've been competing with the Achilles Track Club and I have been proud to complete many running, triathlon and duathlon races. TTF: What is it about triathlon that you find attractive? Can you describe how your race will differ from that of others? GF: The triathlon is attractive and challenging because of the three different sports I must tackle in the competition. For me, it's the teamwork with my partner who guides me through the race that is important. I use a tandem bike, which involves a combined effort of two riders. There is a good deal of technique required to get the most out of high-speed riding on a tandem bike. Last year, I participated in the TTF Duathlon. This year I am trying something different competing on a relay team in the triathlon. My team has a competitive swimmer, a fast visionimpaired runner and his guide, and me and my guide on the tandem bike. It should be exciting. I am really looking forward to it. TTF: What are some of your goals? GF: My next race date is in July at the TTF! With my team, Team Velocity, I'm looking forward to the race and hopefully accomplishing a good result! I also would like to participate in more competitions and achieve top results in the future. TTF: What advice do you have for those who think completing a triathlon is impossible? GF: Training for a triathlon is intense, but it s certainly possible for anyone with the right preparation. Every day, more people are deciding to try it, to push their limits and have fun along the way. It s not always easy, but if you work on it and train hard, it s totally possible. This is a great way to bring individuals together who share a common sporting interest and to make lifelong new friends. 2

WARREN SLOAN (Sprint Distance Racer) In 2008, Canadian soldier, Warren Sloan, suffered a near-fatal motorcycle crash a few days before heading back to Afghanistan.

It has been a long road to recovery and he s surpassed what all the doctors and specialists believed was possible.

In addition to pursuing his own athletic goals, Warren volunteers to guide blind/visually impaired paratriathletes proving that anything is achievable with the proper support.

LEONA EMBERSON (Sprint Distance Racer) Leona Emberson was not active in sports until she tried goalball as a teenager.

Leona took up running to keep in shape for goalball and was again taken by the sport, which led to her begin competing in triathlon with her club for blind / visually impaired paratriathletes: Won

Since beginning to race triathlon in 2012, Leona has competed in numerous triathlons in Canada and the USA; including taking first place in her category in the New York City Triathlon in her first

When Leona is not competing in the sport, she acts as a mentor to encourage and support more women with vision loss to get actively involved in the sport of triathlon and has been honoured for her

3 WARREN SLOAN (Sprint Distance Racer) In 2008, Canadian soldier, Warren Sloan, suffered a near-fatal motorcycle crash a few days before heading back to Afghanistan. Even after nearly a half-dozen surgeries to repair the damage, the injuries left him with mobility limitations and partial paralysis in his right leg. It has been a long road to recovery and he s surpassed what all the doctors and specialists believed was possible. His athletic background was in strength sports (powerlifting and strongman); however, those sports were no longer an option post-injury and he has now started his first season as a Paratriathlete. In addition to pursuing his own athletic goals, Warren volunteers to guide blind/visually impaired paratriathletes proving that anything is achievable with the proper support. Although still new to the Paratriathlon Community, Warren is highly respected both on and off the course. LEONA EMBERSON (Sprint Distance Racer) Leona Emberson was not active in sports until she tried goalball as a teenager. Trying a sport developed for blind athletes sparked Leona s competitive spirit, propelling her to compete at the provincial level and support the development of the National Team. Leona took up running to keep in shape for goalball and was again taken by the sport, which led to her begin competing in triathlon with her club for blind / visually impaired paratriathletes: Won with One. Since beginning to race triathlon in 2012, Leona has competed in numerous triathlons in Canada and the USA; including taking first place in her category in the New York City Triathlon in her first Olympic distance race. When Leona is not competing in the sport, she acts as a mentor to encourage and support more women with vision loss to get actively involved in the sport of triathlon and has been honoured for her athletic and advocacy achievements by receiving the 2012 Celebration of People Award in Sport. JOHN YOUNG (Sprint Distance Racer) John Young was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of disproportionate short-stature. In simple terms, he is a littleperson (LP). John is the only LP to complete more than 20 triathlons including three Half Ironman distance races as well as a marathon, three half-marathons and numerous road races. John s ultimate dream is to be the first LP to complete the Hawaii Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. He was also the first male LP in the history of the Boston Marathon to run the prestigious race in 2013 and will return in 2014 to complete his marathon journey alongside all of those impacted by the tragic ending to 2013 s race. Accolades aside, John s greatest sense of pride comes from being a father to his ten year old son also an LP. Through John s racing, he is able to teach his son what is more important than being the first one across a finish line: Challenge Yourself. Set Goals. Achieve Those Goals. Never Worry How You Measure Up Against Others. The greatness that John demonstrates as an athlete, and as an advocate, has earned him the well deserved nickname of The Titan. 3

SHARON DEVELLIS aka SPEED SKATING MOM (Sprint Distance Racer) TTF: Who is Sharon? Who is Speed Skating Mom? SD: The Sharon part is a mother, wife, freelance writer.

The experience has changed my life on so many levels. There is a freedom in trying something new and being so fundamentally bad that there is nowhere to go but up.

But it also opened my eyes to how people really want to see you succeed, which has made it easier for me to go out and attempt even more new things like a triathlon. TTF: Why take on a triathlon?

It was hard, as in I may have thrown up in my mouth a few times, hard.

I mean it s downtown Toronto! I get to ride my bike on the DVP! I won t even drive my car on that hot mess of a highway.

TTF: What would you say to those who think doing a triathlon is impossible? SD: I m the ultimate poster girl for if I can do it, anyone can. I m a typical mom.

4 SHARON DEVELLIS aka SPEED SKATING MOM (Sprint Distance Racer) TTF: Who is Sharon? Who is Speed Skating Mom? SD: The Sharon part is a mother, wife, freelance writer. The Speed Skating Mom part happened when at the age of 41, I decided to take up short track speed skating even though I had only skated three times as an adult. The experience has changed my life on so many levels. There is a freedom in trying something new and being so fundamentally bad that there is nowhere to go but up. And when I mean bad, I mean, I get my butt kicked by 9-year-old skaters it s quite humbling. But it also opened my eyes to how people really want to see you succeed, which has made it easier for me to go out and attempt even more new things like a triathlon. TTF: Why take on a triathlon? Why the TTF? SD: At first I didn t want to take on a triathlon AT ALL. I didn t think I had it in me but then last year I did a summer session of dry-land training hosted by our speed skating club. It was hard, as in I may have thrown up in my mouth a few times, hard. Realizing that I could push my body to do more than I thought it could made me realize I might actually be able to race in triathlon and, you know, not die. And what better race to try than the TTF? I mean it s downtown Toronto! I get to ride my bike on the DVP! I won t even drive my car on that hot mess of a highway. Plus, it s an urban racing dream think of the easy access to mimosas after the race. Also, I m assuming there won t be any 9-year-olds racing in the triathlon, so already I m a winner! TTF: What would you say to those who think doing a triathlon is impossible? SD: I m the ultimate poster girl for if I can do it, anyone can. I m a typical mom. I work, take care of the kids, cook, clean all of the stuff everyone has to do. I was also your typical exercise 5 days a week for 30 minutes person, and to be honest, that was sporadic at best. I had run a few races in the past but my times are slow my last 10 km race was an hour and ten minutes. My kids leave me in the dust when we bike, and I couldn t swim very well. In fact, I had to take a Begin To Swim class that started in the beginning of January my first class, I couldn t swim 25 m. The hardest part for me isn t the training, it was putting myself in the mindset that this time I m using to train is important for me. I can t take care of everyone else if I m not also taking care of me. And guess what? Nothing has ever fallen apart because I went out for an hour to run. TTF: We hear you're a fan of wine? SD: I don t even know why there s a question mark after this. It s more a statement of fact than it is a question. It should really have an exclamation point, or three. More of a We hear you re a fan of wine!!!!!! TTF: What are some of the lighter moments you've had in Speed Skating? SD: Lighter moments? Are you asking me about my weight? I think one of the funniest things that ever happened to me in terms of speed skating was when I discovered that an Alaskan speed skating website described my blog as The funniest speed skating blog out there, which coincidentally is probably written by the slowest speed skater who s blogging. LEARN MORE ABOUT SHARON For the record, I think it s way easier to get faster than it is to get funnier. 4

KATE GUSTAFSON (Olympic Distance Racer) TTF: How did Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) employees participate in the 2012 TTF? Was it a fun experience? What are you forecasting for 2013?

In all, 27 MLSE employees came together to race and fundraise for the Foundation, led by former Toronto Marlies Head Coach, Dallas Eakins. It was an unforgettable day for all of us.

TTF: Did the TTF bring together disparate MLSE Groups (in terms of ages, departments, etc.)?

5 KATE GUSTAFSON (Olympic Distance Racer) TTF: How did Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) employees participate in the 2012 TTF? Was it a fun experience? What are you forecasting for 2013? KG: Last year, the MLSE Foundation team took to the Toronto Triathlon Festival with a vengeance. In all, 27 MLSE employees came together to race and fundraise for the Foundation, led by former Toronto Marlies Head Coach, Dallas Eakins. It was an unforgettable day for all of us. This year we have a great crew of athletes participating in the Sprint and Olympic distances as well as a number of relay teams representing the MLSE Foundation. TTF: Did the TTF bring together disparate MLSE Groups (in terms of ages, departments, etc.)? KG: The MLSE Foundation team is made up of a diverse group of people some are seasoned athletes and some are new to the sport of triathlon. It s fun to compare training notes, support such an incredible event and promote health and fitness across the company. TTF: What is the MLSE Foundation? Why do you love your job? KG: The MLSE Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to develop lasting dreams on the playing field. Due to various factors, many kids today don t have the opportunity to experience the benefits of sport. Lack of funding, poor facilities, shortage of programs, and leadership these all contribute to the problem. The MLSE Foundation refurbishes local hockey rinks, basketball courts and soccer pitches, and funds programs that provide kids of all abilities with more access to sports. Week after week, the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, Toronto Marlies and MLSE Foundation are out in the community creating positive social change and I have the privilege of sharing these stories as MLSE s Community Manager. What s not to love about that?! TTF: What's your athletic background? Why triathlon, and specifically, why the TTF? KG: I currently train with Nicole Stevenson s elite running group in Toronto. For the past few years, I ve developed into a competitive distance runner with numerous top 10 finishes under my belt. To date, I ve run dozens of road races and eight marathons. Additional athletic achievements include playing Women s NCAA Division I Hockey at Union College in Schenectady, New York. I m fairly new to triathlon training after completing my first Olympic distance triathlon last year at TTF. I love competing and having such an incredible event in my city provides exposure to a sport that traditionally takes place in more rural settings. I m learning a lot about the sport of triathlon from friends who have excelled in the sport and I look forward to another incredible event day in July! In addition to triathlon training, I currently lead MLSE s weekly circuits at the Air Canada Centre and Ricoh Coliseum. I aim to inspire and push my colleagues to set big fitness goals and work hard to make them a reality. 5

KEEP YOUR SEASON GOING

KEEP YOUR SEASON GOING You ve already crossed one finish line in Coeur d Alene, ID, aim for another this season. Congratulations on your finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d Alene. You ve already accomplished