Today, we're shining a spotlight on Julie Matte, our Athlete of the Week, who has not only conquered personal goals but also inspired others on her remarkable journey. Julie is a retired superintendent of education turned consultant, and she has a passion for triathlons that drives her to push her boundaries. Let's delve into her inspiring story.
A Life Beyond Retirement
Julie's life beyond retirement is far from the conventional image of slowing down. After a fulfilling career in education, she transitioned into consulting, where she continued to harness her skills and make a meaningful impact. But Julie's post-retirement story isn't just about her professional pursuits; it's about her personal goals, too.
Family and Athletic Ambitions
Julie's family holds a special place in her heart. With three children – Nicolas, who serves as an RCMP officer in Moncton, and Alex and Chloé, both attending Ottawa University – she has a close-knit family that supports her every endeavor. Her pursuit of triathlons was inspired by a fellow athlete, Gabi Porter (Team Triumph Coach), whose determination in Ironman races motivated Julie to embrace a new challenge.
Summer Goals: From Ironman 70.3 to the Barrelman
This summer, Julie had set her sights on the Ironman 70.3 in Tremblant as her main event. However, life often throws unexpected challenges. When the Ironman 70.3 was canceled, Julie, together with her friend Deborah, decided to make the Barrelman triathlon their new goal for the season. It was a testament to her unwavering determination.
Overcoming Challenges in Training
The path to success is rarely free of hurdles, and Julie encountered her fair share during her training. Two significant challenges loomed before her. The first was believing that she could conquer this distance at this stage in her life. The second was the grueling summer heat, which tested her resolve to train during the hottest parts of the day.
But Julie's approach to overcoming these challenges was straightforward – diligence and consistency. She followed her training plan religiously and embraced the scorching sun as just another element of her journey. Her persistence paid off.
Race Day Hurdles
Race day brought its own set of obstacles. Technical difficulties with her bike and feelings of dehydration during the last 9 kilometers of the run could have derailed her progress. However, the true spirit of an athlete is revealed in how they respond to adversity.
Julie, ever the determined triathlete, sought help from volunteers for the bike issues, and with a quick fix, she was back on track. Her resolve to complete the race was unshaken.
Pride in Preparation and Achievement
What makes Julie truly proud isn't just crossing the finish line but the journey she undertook to reach that point. The hours of preparation, unwavering dedication, and the fulfillment of her goal on race day are what she cherishes most.
Team Triumph: A Source of Encouragement
No athlete's journey is complete without a support system. For Julie, this came in the form of Team Triumph, led by Head Coach Julia Aimers and Assistant Coach Gabi Porter. Their encouragement, expertise, and fantastic training plans and advice played a pivotal role in her success. It's through this community of like-minded athletes that she learned valuable lessons and found inspiration.
In conclusion, Julie's story is a testament to the fact that age is just a number, and life's greatest accomplishments often come after retirement. Her journey from superintendent to triathlete is an inspiration to all of us, proving that with determination, perseverance, and a strong support system, you can achieve your goals at any stage in life. Julie Matte is an athlete who has shown us that the only limits are the ones we set for ourselves, and we look forward to following her continued journey of triumph.
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso
Julia is incredible, I once had a coach who told me to get good at biking and running as he couldn't do anything with my swim technique. Then I was introduced to Julia who is so patient and has an amazing ability to translate it all into a way I could understand. I knocked a minute per 100m off my open water swim times after only a handful of sessions with her. The team is also really welcoming, inclusive and most of all FUN!
Triumph is a warm and fun place for every level of triathlete. Whether you’re just getting started and learning all about triathlon or have been at it for decades, like some of us, you will find camaraderie and expertise in this group with Julia Aimers’ support and caring. She keeps up-to-date in so many areas of training, especially for women and including women’s issues whether it be nutrition or menopause. I highly recommend Team Triumph for swimming, biking, running or putting it all together in one package. There is no other place or group, I would rather be training with. So many of my close friends were met in this group.
A huge thank you to my Triathlon coach, Julia Cooper-Aimers. She took the time last week to drop off (from a distance because of COVID19 restrictions) some tri shorts I ordered along with a well-appreciated note to remind me that there will be ups and downs and that things will get better. She has gone above and beyond to support all of her athletes and our Team Triumph club, by providing almost daily strength, yoga, and spinning videos that have been uploaded to Youtube for anyone who needs a little motivation during these challenging times as well as many words of encouragement. I am grateful for her support and encouragement. ❤️
Anita Lacelle Taylor
Training with Team Triumph for 7 months (so far) made me faster and stronger while building nourishing connections with like-minded fitness nuts and shattering the expectations I had of myself. TT is a crew of inspiring people pursuing epic individual goals and encouraging each other along the way. Julia and her team have expert knowledge and provide a thoughtful evidence-based group program that works. I am privileged and thankful to have Team Triumph in my neighborhood and can't wait to get back to the pool!
Alex Bourne
I want to thank you for always putting our well-being at the forefront of your business model. You suspended face-to-face programs in a timely manner, leading the way in a fitness business world that took much too long to respond and put their members’ health and the community at risk. You « triumphed « in quickly acting to flatten the curve.
Your caring nature resulted in a series of innovative and fun virtual sessions and opened them to the community. I am missing the live interaction now that I am working for a few months but I appreciate that I can access the videos according to my schedule. Yin/yang session tonight, just what I needed.
Not to mention the check-ins, the home deliveries, the charitable events. Priceless.
Simone Rose-Oliver
