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Greetings! For those of you who do not know me, I am Beth Blake, the incoming President of the National Board. This is my second term as President, and I have served in various positions on the National Board since its creation in January of 2019. My home Chapter is Charlotte and my Athlete year was 2017. Needless to say, I love this organization. I have grown in so many ways, mentally and physically, improved myself in all aspects of my life (including my business!), and received so many gifts from TIFL. I have learned a lot about helping other women achieve their goals through this organization and reap its many benefits.
I also love being a Mentor. Being able to work with other women and help them achieve their goals, no matter how big or small, is very rewarding to me. I have always said that helping at a training session is the best mental health care I have found for myself.
One experience in particular was very meaningful for me. One night, there was a need for Mentors at swim training, and while I do not usually mentor swim training, I volunteered. I was working with an Athlete who had never learned how to swim. She was working very hard, but at one point she became emotional. When I asked her what was wrong, she replied that she was afraid. I responded, "Afraid of what?" She stopped, took a breath, and then told me she was afraid of failing. I was stunned. I was also humbled that she trusted me enough to tell me her fear. I assured her that I and the other Mentors would not let her fail, that we would make sure that she completed the swim portion of her triathlon. That experience reminded me what mentoring is all about.
All Chapters have now completed their seasons for 2026, and at this time I want to extend a very big “Thank You!” to the Chapter boards and to each and every Mentor. Without your commitment and time, we would not be able to achieve such heights.
And now I would like to make a call for leadership. We need more committed leaders and Mentors. We have seen that each of our Chapters has been experiencing a downturn in seasoned Mentor involvement. While many Chapters' boards are made up of brand-new Mentors (and I applaud their passion and enthusiasm!), the experience of more seasoned Mentors is invaluable to our Chapter boards and to the organization as a whole. I encourage every Mentor, new and seasoned, to step up and become more involved with their Chapter, become a leader in their Chapter, and help the younger Mentors become leaders.
The National Board is also in need of members. Currently, we have only four members on our board. Our wonderful Treasurer, Janet Bracey, will be stepping down at the end of the year, leaving us with only three members. Applications to join the National Board are now open. No special skills are required in order to apply to be on the National Board, and the time commitment is spread over a year rather than a season, so is very manageable. All you need is a love for this organization and commitment to help.
Finally, I understand that there are past and present members who cannot give a time commitment to this organization. However, you can still support us. I would encourage you to support the Chapters and the National Board with financial donations or sponsorship. We have all received transformative gifts from our participation in this organization, an organization which runs on volunteers. Without our volunteers there would be no trainings, no mocks, no transitions clinics, and no organization. I challenge you to find your joy in giving back and in paying it forward.
I appreciate all of the gifts I have been given and I will continue to pay it forward and continue the mission of Tri It For Life as we move into the exciting 2027 season.
Beth Blake
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