Performance Plan

Performance Plan

Triathlete Susanne Davis wants to inspire your fitness journey

Posted on January 01, 2018

It’s no secret that January is for many, a time to refocus on personal health and wellness. The key part of a resolution is, obviously, the goal. For some, it’s dropping a few extra pounds; for others, it may be tackling a bigger challenge: A new sport, a race, or maybe even, a triathlon.

If something as extreme-sounding as this swim-bike-run sport sounds impossible, a few minutes chatting with Susanne Davis just might change your mind. While the Carlsbad resident is petite in physical stature, Davis is a true elite athlete and an intimidating competitor. She is a seven-time Ironman World Championship participant in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (and standing world-record holder for amateur women over 40) who estimates she’s competed in more than 500 triathlons in the past 20 years. Beyond her impressive sports resume, it’s Davis’ megawatt smile and infectious positivity that could tempt even the most reluctant weekend warrior athlete to consider her sport.

Despite being temporarily sidelined with a broken arm after a tumble from a mountain bike last fall, Davis has her sights set on a comeback in mid-2018. She says she’d like to set just one more record before she retires now that she’s entered new territory in the 45-to-49 age group. However, Davis admits that her real drive in this later stage in her career comes from inspiring others looking to push themselves to new limits. In addition to teaching a spin class at the YMCA in Encinitas, Davis is a personal fitness coach, and is in the process of building a team to create a community for athletes who share the same fitness goals.

“I think I’ve achieved what I want to in Kona, and I just want to share that knowledge with others,” she explains. “The personal goal now is to either help someone else achieve that dream, or influence my kids or other people in the community to get inspired to either do a triathlon or just achieve something they thought might be on their bucket list and they’re not sure how to do it. I’m pretty good at making a magical goal happen.”

She doesn’t cater only to that highest-level athlete. “I really have a broad spectrum, from a beginning client to the elite level, to the one who’s had that magical comeback,” she says, referencing a client who recently completed a triathlon following a forced two-year hiatus due to cancer treatment.

Davis offers sage advice for anyone seeking inspiration, even if elite competitions aren’t on the horizon: “Pick something that you enjoy. If you’re not self-motivated, you need to get around people who are. That will give you accountability to show up. Find what gives you a lift. Then, you’re going to enjoy doing it, and you’re going to want to come back for more and not dread getting off the couch.” It all starts there. boomtriathlon.com   Deanna Murphy

Photo by Bob Stefanko