Find Your Finish Line with Mike Reilly

Chris Nikic joins me on episode 14 of Find Your Finish Line and we have a bit of fun together talking about training, racing, and life. Chris is a 21-year old with Down Syndrome and all the associated disabilities - but he doesn't let any of that stop him from achieving great things. He's an IRONMAN finisher, public speaker, and author of a Children's Book. Listen in to Chris's inspiring story.

Learn more about Chris here: https://chrisnikic.com/

Kristin is both the founder and creative vision behind the women's endurance apparel brand, Betty Designs. As an amateur triathlete for almost 20 years, Kristin took off to Kona in 2010 with a backpack of 25 cycling jerseys (the first official Betty design) and a dream—build an edgy brand for passionate and stylish women in endurance sports. In 2020 celebrating 10 years, Betty Designs has become synonymous with playful patterns, bold wordplay, and original collaborations with top endurance brands, elite athletes, and celebrities. Over the last decade, Betty Designs changed the trajectory of women's triathlon + cycling clothing, empowering badass women worldwide.

Listen in to hear Kristin's full story right here on Find Your Finish Line!

Subscribe to Follow Kristin and Betty Designs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bettydesigns/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bettydesigns
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettydesignssickgear/
Website: https://www.bettydesigns.com/pages/about-us

Roderick Sewell is an athlete, motivational speaker, and the first bilateral above-the-knee amputee to finish the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona on prosthetic legs. 

Roderick takes us through his incredible journey from having his legs amputated at the age of two, being homeless, and struggling to find his way in life. Then, at the age of eight, Roderick met the organization that would undoubtedly change his life in the Challenges Athletes Foundation (CAF).

CAF provided Roderick with the tools and support to pursue a career as an athlete in a way he never imagined. Roderick used those tools to his fullest potential and still is today...Listen in to hear the full interview above.

Follow Roderick:

https://www.instagram.com/rsewell92/

https://www.rodericksewell.com/

Listen or watch here:

https://mikereilly.net/podcast/rodericksewell-ep12/

Ben O'Donnell joins the show to share his challenging journey from COVID life support to IRONMAN finish line. After contracting COVID, Ben was rushed into the hospital and spent a total of 26 days receiving different treatments aimed at helping him beat an aggressive bout of COVID.

After being given a 50/50 chance at living, Ben miraculously beat his COVID illness and left the hospital with a renewed view of life. Ben's new focus shifted to improving his health through sport and helping non-profit organizations raise money and awareness for charitable causes. Ben also found a finish line in 2021 - listen in to hear his whole story.

Subscribe to Follow Ben
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.odonnell.370

Mike Ergo served as a Marine rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines from 2001-2005 and deployed to Iraq twice. After flying home from Iraq and being honorably discharged, Mike's real struggles began. Mike found himself anxious, confused, angry, grief-stricken, and out of place. He turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with his unprocessed trauma, but this led him even further down the path of destruction.
In July of 2012, his unhealthy decisions and excessive use of substances led him to hit rock bottom.

Mike knew he needed to make significant changes, and step by step, he began the journey to reclaim his life, health, and relationships.
Through meditation and endurance sports, he found comfort in discomfort. But, most importantly, he found a new purpose. That purpose is to serve veterans transitioning from battlefield to civilian life and inspire anyone to dream big.

Listen to Mike's incredible story.

Follow Mike:

https://transitionsfromwar.com

Facebook

Contact: militarytransitionStories@gmail.com

In episode nine of Find Your Finish Line, Mike Reilly invites a special guest to react to segments of a previous show with professional triathlete Lionel Sanders. Mike's guest is none other than six-time IRONMAN World Champion Mark Allen. Mark Allen is widely recognized in triathlon as a world champion competitor, coach, and ambassador for the sport. In addition, mark operates Mark Allen Coaching, a global online triathlon coaching business that helps triathletes improve their mental and physical performance on race day.

Mike and Mark provide unique commentary on Lionel's competitive outlook, negative addiction, the mental aspect of 'second-place syndrome, and much more. The wisdom and perspective in this show will undoubtedly inspire you on your journey in sport and life. 

Follow Mark Allen

Website: https://markallencoaching.com

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women in Technology and a two-time author, Rhonda Vetere is an active leader — whether she’s spearheading corporate initiatives worldwide, competing in another IRONMAN 70.3 mile triathlon, or mentoring students & athletes globally in STEM through sports.

Rhonda has been recognized for her leadership and influence, notably as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council in 2019 and 2020, and Stevie Award for Excellence in Transforming Business (competing with over 1500 CIOs and CTOs) in 2017. In 2021, she was one of The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, Top 20 Businesswomen Leading the Charge, and 2021 Top CIO/CTO by the Tech Inclusion Conference

Rhonda shares her unique story and how the lessons she learned have helped her both personally and professionally. Rhonda details some of the principles that guide her actions and how we can use those principles to fuel growth in our own lives.

Follow Rhonda:

Website: https://www.rhondavetere.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhondamvetere/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhondavetereh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondavetere

Read her book: https://www.gritandgrindbook.com/

Craig (CROWIE) Alexander is an Australian triathlete, a three-time IRONMAN Triathlon World Champion, two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, and course record holder at the IRONMAN world championship. In addition, Craig is an ambassador for the sport of triathlon, a triathlon coach, husband, and father of the three. 

Listen in as Craig takes us through his triathlon journey, overcoming challenges like transitioning from a soccer player with no endurance sports experience to becoming an IRONMAN world champion. 

Follow Craig:

Website: http://alexander.sansego.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowiealexander/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrowieCraigAlexander

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrowieAlexander

Sika is an IRONMAN finisher in 2019 (Kona - 11:35), and 8-time 70.3, first in 2016. Sika has a degree in Economics at Tufts University, and in May of 2021, she became the first African American Female to gain her pro card in triathlon. 

Sika details her competitive background as a marathoner, challenges with the swim, training while having a full-time job, and commitment to creating diversity and awareness.

Sika is passionate about increasing diversity within the sport of triathlon, so she spends time sharing her story with students all across the country at colleges and universities. Way to go, Sika - your actions and words are an inspiration to all of us!

Follow Sika:

Website: https://www.sikahenry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sikahenry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sika.henry

Lionel is a four-time IRONMAN Champion and 27-time IRONMAN 70.3 Champion. He has won the ITU Long Course World Championship and has finished 2nd at the Ironman World Championship. Lionel takes us into the depths of his journey from beating insecurity, alcohol and drug addiction, and rising above challenges to become a fiercely competitive professional triathlete. Lionel's story is powerful, raw, and an inspiration for all of us. 

Subscribe to Follow Lionel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsanderstri/

Website: https://www.lsanderstri.com/

Listen to more episodes at: https://mikereilly.net/podcast/