Racing for Her Life: The Amazing Story of Ironman World Champion and All-American Sara Fix

Living a life in full is a conversation you always wanted to have with that person who gave an amazing TED Talk or the author of one of your favorite books, or that inspirational Olympian you always wanted to know more about. It's graduate level conversations with those making a difference in the world and in the lives of others. This show brings you new ideas and approaches so that you can live a life in full. I'm your host, Dr. Chris Stout and I hope you enjoy this episode. This episode is brought to you by the nonprofit I founded, the center for Global Initiatives. The center is an all volunteer organization so there are no salaries and thus all tax deductible donations can go to the work. While our key country partner is in Tanzania, our work is global and generally focused in the areas of education and healthcare. We also help others to get their nonprofits started or augment others project based initiatives. It's our goal to open source humanitarian intervention and to help make it easier for others to do more good in the world. We are proud to have been ranked a great nonprofit every year since 2011 and to have achieved a Platinum level rating by Guidestar Links. In this episode's show, notes will take you to published articles on our outcomes, a number of helpful tools, and downloadable resources which are all free always. Please Visit us at CenterForGlobalInitiatives.org and be sure to watch our video at Patreon.com DrChrisStout to learn more. Thanks. Welcome to another episode of Living a Life in Full. I'm your host, Dr. Chris Stout. Imagine excelling in the endurance event of being a mother of three. Then add to it getting into triathlons in your 30s and competing in more than two dozen Ironman distance races and quickly ascending to the top of the triathlon world, racing in numerous events around the globe and earning multiple invitations to compete at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, considered the super bowl of American or pardon me, of Ironman triathlons, and then finishing at an impressive seventh on several occasions and earning an all American top 10 ranking. Add to all that becoming an entrepreneur and founder of a triathlon club that mentors and trains aspiring athletes. There is such a person and her name is Sarah Fix. In an unimaginable twist to the story of Sarah's life, while in the open water swim of her 28th Ironman as a warm up for Kona and the unthinkable happened, she started to drown and had to be rescued. She wasn't quite feeling herself that day, which as all athletes know can happen from time to time during heavy training and competition. But she couldn't get back into her groove and that led to having some tests run that uncovered the tumors and she was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. In today's episode, we will have a return visit with Sarah who is a remarkable endurance athlete on entrepreneur and cancer survivor and who I am proud to call a dear friend. In Sarah's journey, it's a testament to resilience, determination and the power of the human spirit. Her dedication to coaching and community has made a significant impact on countless individuals. After a grueling 12 hour surgery, months of chemotherapy and other treatments, Sarah made a decision. She refused to let an illness define her. And that shift brought her back into training. And in late 2022, Sarah defied the odds, completing and placing in the Florida Ironman, all while still battling cancer. Her strengths and positivity through her diagnosis and treatment have inspired many and she continues to advocate for health awareness and self advocacy. We're going to do a deep dive into Sarah's incredible story, including the highs and lows of her athletic career, her entrepreneurial ventures, and her unwavering spiritual in the face of adversity. Welcome back to the show, Sarah. It's good to have you back on.

Oh, thanks. That's a nice intro.

Well, sure, yeah. I remember back in the day we, I think, gosh, I think it was maybe the beat the bird turkey trots. Is that maybe how we first got together or what not? Is that it? Yeah. And you were, you were so generous. I just, I have to start with a shout out. You were so generous. My son was triathlon curious and really didn't have the proper bike or the equipment for it. He's really kind of a runner guy and continues today. But you're very generous with a bit of training and loaning of bikes and wetsuits. And he did his first half iron triathlon way back in 2018. And all of that is just really with the tip of the hat. And thanks to you, Sarah.

Yeah, I remember when you came into our Westmont store.

Yeah.

To pick up your packets. That's where it all started.

That's right. Yeah, that's right. So maybe for starters, in context, could you take us all back to the beginning of your athletic journey and maybe share a bit of your background?

Well, again, I started triathlon pretty much because the person I was dating at the time was a triathlete and I went and watched his Olympic distance race in Chicago and he was just my boyfriend at that time. And at that race, he had qualified for Kona and asked if I would like to go watch the world championships in Hawaii. This is back in 19. Let me think. It would be like 97, maybe. So back then you could do Olympic distance racing. If you won overall or something, you could get to Hawaii. Now to get to Hawaii, you have to do an Ironman race. But the world was a little bit different back then. But I went and watched the Kona race, and I was just, like, enamored with it immediately. I couldn't. I could not wrap my head around how someone swims two and a half miles, bikes 112, and then runs a marathon. And it was so hot that day. And, you know, you're racing with the best of the best. It was the world championships, and back then it was such a prestigious event. And. Yeah, I just. I don't know, I thought it was incredible. And I was. I had been running marathons not well, but I loved running marathons. Okay. And so I kind of. We came home from that trip and we. I said, would you teach me to swim? And one thing led to another and I started dabbling in the sport. And not soon, pretty soon after one, we got engaged and married. But I also got really competitive with it and went on to half Ironmans. And then the following year, I did two full of Ironmans.

Wow.

Yeah. And then that was. That was the beginning of the end. It just never stopped. I just loved it so much.

Wow. So really kind of no aquatic experience, but you're running marathons and then kind of your starters was the half iron and then to full Ironman distances. Were you still running marathons in between or just as training?

It's funny, after I did run a couple, like, kind of early on, I think my last one was the Las Vegas in 1999, I think it was. That was my last full marathon. And then I just put marathons into my race.

Yeah, I know. It's sort of funny when I talk to athletes like you that, you know, kind of just as, you know, ultras and whatever, you know, people like, you know, just what would be the goal for some people is like training for you, you know, so we used to have a T shirt because, you know, know, I think, you know, like, both. Both my kids ran cross and it used to. They either I. Or they had T shirts that said something like, your sports punishment is my sports. You know, is my sport, you know, kind of thing, you know, because when football players are getting trouble, oh, go run laps. You know, kind of a Thing. So that's, that's pretty cool. Was there any kind of challenge to that, like, you know, psychologically or physically, like to say, you know, like you, you, you teed up saying like, oh my gosh, this is amazing that people could do this when you were there at Kona. But then what's the trans from being amazed to it to actually, you know, tippy toeing and saying, hey, I think I can handle this. What's that like psychologically and physically and training wise, what was it like for you?

Well, I think now, I mean one, I've been on several podcasts, so and I think something that resonates even when I hear back a podcast. I think there was something about the sport, which is what I said when Mike Riley asked me this question. It feels like home, like for me, the training and the racing, it feels so comfortable. It's like where I belong. And so I think it was just for some reason was an easy fit. And I think also I'm one of those people that I'm happier in motion. And I didn't understand that about myself. I didn't understand that I actually have this like immense amount of energy and if it doesn't get used properly, it goes, it's not healthy.

Yeah.

So it was like the perfect sport for me. And so it, you know, so it kind of worked. And yes. Were there difficulties? 100%. Because not only could I didn't I not really know how to swim, I'm not a naturally good swimmer and it's difficult for me.

Yeah.

And so I had to overcome those hurdles and obviously, you know, learning to cycle and getting better at cycling is difficult, but again, it was sort of that mindset that the more I was able to exert myself like that, the better I felt.

Yeah.

So for someone when people go on a two hour bike ride and they are think it's miserable or so difficult and I, I 100% understand and am empathetic to that. But for me personally, I feel recharged by that, like not a bike and let me ride as long as I want and then I'm so happy.

That's good.

You know what? Yes. There's difficulties in learning to sport and difficulties in learning the, you know, physicality of it and the biomechanics of it. But as far as like how it made me feel emotionally and all of that, I just weighed itself out. I mean I never really, I never really, I, I never really doubted it. I just loved.

I get it. I remember when I was starting to dabble with ultra distances that I had done an organized ultra. It was back in Chicago. It was along the shoreline. So it was kind of a nice one. It's called the. I think it still exists, the Chicago 50 50. You could do a 50K or a 50 mile. And as a beginner, I did the 50K and you know, it was great. It was a great beginners. If anybody's interested in it in Chicago, I would highly recommend it because it's flat as a flitter. So that was beneficial. But the other aspect of it, when I started doing longer distances and unsupported, I sort of had this mindset of not I have to run today or I have to race today. It was I get to run today. Yeah. And it's just. I know what you mean. It's sort of hard to kind of articulate that. That feeling. But it's, it's, it's. It's very, you know, it's a very fulfilling, satisfying. You know, like you said, you're kind of like getting in your groove. And I think for you too, maybe certainly more so than myself. But it seems like you also kind of have found tribe in the sense of, you know, what you did with endure it and now continuing to coach and things like that too. So you also have a. And as I mentioned in the intro, kind of this community that is part of being a triathlete and a coach. How did that come about? Like maybe step us through to like the origin story of endure it and all those other. Because you really kind of marshaled your interests and your abilities and your skills into not just, you know, being a triathlete, but then you were a coach and then you're a business owner and an entrepreneur and you were recognized by Chicago as, you know, being a top woman female entrepreneur and stuff. So how did that come about too on top of training and raising three kids?

So David. So David and I. So his name is David. And that was the person that I married. And we opened a triathlon shop in Naperville in 2005. And it was strictly at that point, triathlon was really, really hitting its stride. And there weren't specific, there were bike shops, but we decided to do a bike shop or more. He decided he was kind of the brainchild of the idea of doing a bike shop that was specific to triathlon and road cycling. So those were the only kind of bikes we sold. And then we sold everything that went with the bike. He was a like all American swimmer. He swam in Arizona. He was a great swimmer. So he had a flume pool in the back where he could do swim evaluations and give swim tips. And then we had a, you know, a pro bike shop so we could do all the mechanical work on bikes. And then slowly he thought, you know, maybe we should add some computrainers in here to do some indoor training, because it was a pretty big facility, and that was fine. I think we started with maybe five or six computrainers. And then he, you know, he progressed. He. Then he said, oh, well, let's do another shop and let's do more computrainers. Oh, let's do a lifestyle store. So he was kind of just kind of going in a lot of different directions. And by, remember then we had that horrible recession.

Yeah.

In 2008. 9. And he had done this in a short amount of time. And all of a sudden we were sitting on inventory and locations and rents, and it was. We were way. We had stretched beyond what we could afford at that time with what was happening with the economics in our country. So we said, you know what? You go back to work, you go get a regular job, get a steady income, and I'll figure this out. And what I did was I hired these gentlemen that spent about a week with me, and we did the retail store. We went. We did the training, we did, you know, the retail, the triathlon retail. We did the bike sales. I mean, we. They spent every day with me, watching me and how I integrated myself into the business. And they said, oh, yeah, you have about, you know, 12 umbrellas here. You have a beginning of a club. You train people, you coach people. You have a basic retail shop with clothing. I mean, we had it all. And. But we need to know that, like, this is too fragmented. So where do you feel the happiest? Because you really could do one of all these things. And at that point, I knew. I knew in my heart I felt so happy and so fulfilled trying to give that gift of find your finish line to somebody else. Because that feeling of finishing something, whether it's a 5K, 10K marathon, whatever it was, and the training, even finishing CompuTrainer workouts like that spoke to me, and that made me feel so fulfilled. And that was it. That was. That was all they needed to hear. They said, wrapped up, shut it down. You. Now we need to. This is. If this is what you're going to do now, we have to just get it to this and this. And I became. I had. I became a coach and got all the coaching certifications, and we developed the computrainer program more.

We.

I locked in contracts with swimming pools so we could do swim lessons and swim team practice. We started run clubs and that was the beginning. And then we titled ourselves the Endurance Tri Club. And that was really what, what I did. I mean that was. We closed the retail shops and anything soft goods like the things that you saw when you went in the Naperville store, like the jerseys and things like that, we still had them, but we made everything club focused so everything had our logo on it and everything was, you know, it was value added for the athlete.

Yeah, that's great. What great consultants too. To be able to winnow it down to then something that really is your passion, you know. And then, I mean that just, that's extraordinary because I think a lot of times people might come in focused on spreadsheets and you know, the economics. But what a, you know, what a perfect fit for you then to be able to continue just like you were saying about that space where you are you. To then be able to, you know, monetize it in a business is just, you know, that's. That's heaven on earth. That's awesome.

Yep. And even our races, like of course I loved, you know, Beat the bird or the two person 10k, those started as little club events, you know, just so it was an activity on Thanksgiving that our athletes could bring their family to a 5K or that you could get a teammate and run, you know, 10k on the track, alternating 4 hundreds and. But that was just started as something for our club that turned into events that also, you know, as you know, were philanthropic. So it was all derived from that little thing of just wanting a club and to take care of athletes and, and give athletes the gift of finding their finish line.

I love that and I love, I'm gonna use that in my write ups of finding your finish line. That's poetic. I still have a couple of my Beat the Bird T shirts too. So those were fun times. I mean, I was talking to somebody the other day that back in the day, like when I was little, I got a few years on you, Sarah, so I don't know if it had been the same for you, but you really couldn't do athletic activities with your parents. I mean, there weren't, you know, you didn't, you know, maybe there was, you know, like there's little league stuff, softballs and baseball or you know, little league whatevers, but they weren't with your parents out there. But having runs and races and you know, having a healthy kind of, you know, outlet or training together with a, with a parent or, you know, whatever is just wonderful. And then you added the extra, you know, oomph to it with doing it with a charitable, you know, perspective to it as well. And I just, I love those kinds of things where they can be familial, they can be multi generational, they can be aspirational. You fit it into also being, you know, probably like fun training runs, you know, that your, your athletes could do with their friends and family that were, you know, home from, you know, Thanksgiving break or whatever. I just, I love those kinds of combinations and stacking of things. And you did it so in such a fun, you know, fun kind of way. I remember, I remember the trail. I remember what shoes I was wearing on I think the last time we did it. So that they're very, very fun and very memorable. A couple of cold ones, but just really, really well done. So well, in the midst of all this too, how is it with, you know, having raised, you know, three, three kids? I mean, how, how does, you know, I started off with the endurance aspect of being a mother of three, but then sprinkling in entrepreneurship and, you know, kids and all the things that, you know, I'm sure that they were up to at that in their young ages and young years. You know, you just. Are you a super scheduler or how. Step us through that.

I guess with the kids, I mean, I think with the job, you know, obviously there was. I woke up every morning at, you know, 4:30 and we were open by 5:00am but that first, that first round of business was typically done by eight because we would run two CompuTrainer classes in all the locations every morning. And I typically would take one of the locations, obviously, or I would be doing run club. So I would. Could be back home in time to get them like out the door for school. And then they would go to school and remember, I really, really stuck my foot into Endure was probably around 2009, so Andrew was 5.

Okay.

And by 2011 is when, you know, I was really a hundred percent, you know, just running the show, so. And at that point he's in second grade, so they were all in school. So.

Okay.

But I think, regardless, besides that, I think David, you know, was very involved as a father and I. Another thing, honestly, I know this sounds weird, but I, when I hear, I have listened as we were talking about podcasts before we turned on about, you know, you listen to these women talk about motherhood and childbirth and you know, all this stuff that's so difficult and I do not know what it was but for me, having kids and raising my kids was not. I don't. It's like they matched with me again. It sounds weird, but we were just, I don't know, it just was something magical. Like they would come to endure it and they were part of endure it and I was part of their life. I would go to their sports and watch their activities and I was really, you know, connected to their friends and so much so that their friends now have me coaching them for triathlon. So those little friends that were coming to and racing or watching me race and going to our races or our club races and thought it was so fascinating now are in their 20s and I'm becoming their coach.

That is so cool.

Oh my gosh. And you know, we've had. Have some of it on my social media from recently. You know, a handful of Charlie's friends this year I coached to Ironman and it's just been such an. Just really. And Libby's friends for running and it's just, I don't know, we, we just, we shared in it. And I think one thing I noticed with a lot of athletes, they're like, oh, the triathlon is my life and my family life is my family life. Like my kids would never come to one of my Ironmans or half Ironmans. And I'm like, no, you got it all wrong. Because then it's everything that you're doing that's taking you outside of the home for this is something that they're not part of. Yeah, you want to share that with them whether they, maybe they go on a bike ride with you while you run or they, you want them to understand the process. You want your child to see this part of you. You know, this gives you grit, this gives you, you know, a leg to stand on. Now you don't have to tell your kid to lace up and go to practice. They see you practicing, right. You're a role model. You don't need to speak anymore. You know, and it was the role modeling and I think, I mean it wasn't always easy and it wasn't always like, oh, everybody just threw on their tennis shoes and we went on family run.

Sure, sure.

But it's like there was a mutual respect that happened with my kids and I. And, and yeah, I mean it wasn't always, you know, obviously I made mistakes and. But I would say another thing, why my life was. Which may sound really tunnel vision, but it was my job and my customers and my children I did not have an outside social life. I didn't need to go to bars, I didn't need to go to black tie events. I didn't. I wasn't a big drinker. I. My thing, my thing was I wanted to be home with my kids when I wasn't working. And I was the mom that was at home on the weekends. I mean, obviously, because I had to be up at 5 o' clock in the morning. It was just. It all sort of fit. It just fit.

Yeah, I totally get it. And it's such, you know, it's kind of like, to that same point of, you know, like, being able to have sports and activities that your kids can, you know, be a part of and watch you. And then, you know, like, just the best thing about parenting is trying to be a good role model, you know, and here you go. And now you've got the evidence, you know, 10, 15 years later that, you know, that they're doing it and that you even have the very cool opportunity to, you know, coach some of those, you know, people that used to be those little kids that, you know, are watching or participating or kind of seeing what was going on. And I think the other, you know, another part of that chemistry, Sarah, is also being an inspiration to people, too. And I think, you know, I had Colin o' Brady on the show a couple of times, you know, and he's quite the tribe triathlete and does all sorts of other amazing things. But I think also being, you know, a mother, being a woman, being a mother of three and being able to, you know, manage all these other kinds of things as well as, you know, an entrepreneur just all kind of, I think, speaks to, you know, like, being a great role model in a variety of different kinds of ways. And now, you know, to be at this phase in your life, to see that, you know, that those, all those seeds that were planted are taking root and blossoming. So I, I tip my hat to you. You know, one of the other things, your experience at Kona is legendary. So maybe this is a good segue because I know that in doing some of my other background on you and whatnot, I saw, I forget what the date was. 2000 something, but you were like, crossing the finish line, you know, holding your kids and that cool kind of thing. So your experience, experiences at Kona is really legendary. Can you maybe take us back to the first Kona for you? What was it like? And, and maybe what kind of trajectory did that experience set for you for future triathlons or how did it influence your competing or your coaching. Tell us about that.

Okay. Well, I would have to say now that I'm looking back at 58 years old and all the friends I've made through triathlon from the beginning when I started with David, there's almost no. Even my coaches and people I've had in my life, there's almost no one that's had the longevity that I know of that had did ironman for over 20 years and I would still be doing it. And I am. As I. As you said, I did do an Ironman after my diagnosis and after my surgery and I have even done, I think, four half Ironmans and I would like to try again. My kids get a little concerned, more so than even my doctors about this passion of mine and trying to fit an Ironman into, you know, the body with stage four cancer. But it's something that gives me a lot of joy. But having said that, that I do look back and I go, geez, I really have been doing Iron Man a really long time.

It snuck up on you.

I know. It's so crazy. But yeah. So my first two Ironmans were in 1999, before my kids were born. So I met David as we went over and I. I finally decided I'm going to do Iron Man. I did Ironman Canada, and I had signed up for Ironman Florida in case something at Iron Man Canada didn't. Didn't go well. I was just nervous, like, oh, what if this is harder than I thought or. And I finished Ironman Canada and I was 11th in my age group and I finished in 11, 20 or something. And I thought, you know what? I want to do Florida. And it was, I don't know, a couple months later, eight weeks later or something. And David's like, well, if you think you can do it. And I had a coach at the time, and he's like, let's do it. So I did it. And then after that, and at this point, David and I are now married. I thought, you know what? I better. I now have done two Ironmans. I loved both of them, but I should have a baby. And that was November. It was Iron Man Florida. And Livy came in August of 2000. So nine months later, Libby came and I was like, wow, I really love having babies. This is great. Three months later, I was pregnant with Charlie. I don't know, there's like a theme here. And so I had Libby and Charlie about a year apart. And then I thought, okay, it's time for me to go back to Iron Man. So I did my third Ironman with these two infants and it was Iron Man Wisconsin in 2002 and I qualified for Kona.

Jeepers Sarah. Gosh. I was, I was, what's your training secret? Have babies.

I think I was like second in my age group. I was 15th female overall. And it was the inaugural Ironman Wisconsin, those two little, two little critters with me. And so then I, so I thought, well what should I do? Because Kona, this was the first qualifying race of the year for that. So Kona would be, you know, 11 months later. So it was the first race of the year for, to qualify. And I said to David, well I don't know like what should I do? And he's like well I don't know, you know because I really at this point wanted to have another baby. But I thought I'll never qualify for Hawaii again. Like that would just be impossible and I should do it, you know, while I got the chance. So I decided to go to Hawaii. So Livy and Charlie, that's the picture you saw that was 2003 in Hawaii and Charlie was, Charlie was like just about a year at that point and Libby was just about two years. And the worst part about the, well it was fine. But David thought this is a great day. You don't, they don't let you do this anymore. But I was still, I'd add, you know, it was an 11 hour day boiling hot and I'm on the final stretch and I'm so still got about a quarter mile to go or a little bit more. And as you know in that picture you can see Charlie is a tub.

Yeah.

David like hands both kids over the gate to me and like go ahead and run. That's what I always think to myself. I'm like, yeah, you know, I, you know, if you can finish an iron man, oh you know what? She could, she could carry two babies for another half mile and to the end she'll be fine.

Yeah. Add a live ruck to the last quarter. Quarter miles.

Oh my God. It was like, I was like oh my God, I'm gonna die here. But I crossed the finish line and then that was that. And then obviously right away I said okay, then it's time for number three. So Andrew came in 2004 and then after that it's just been the kids and you know, obviously endure it and Ironman so that, well and I, and I went through a lot of years where I, I did race Ironman and half Ironmans and I didn't Qualify.

Sure, sure.

Well, I had some great times and some not so, but I think I did seven. I think I did six or seven konas.

Gosh. Yeah. That's unbelievable, Sarah. And I think back to that picture, if memory serves. I'm gonna, if I can. I think I've got it filed someplace. I am. I'll put it in LinkedIn so people can see it as well. But you look fresh as a daisy, if memory serves. I mean, you got a big smile on your face and you're holding. It's looked like a. Holy cow, you know, is this a set up shots? And everyone knows now this is for real and this is how this happened. But you looked awesome. So that was very, very cool. And I want to fact check myself here on a couple of things. So am I correct that in 2018, you at 52 were in the top 10 female overall and age group winner by 10 minutes? Is that right?

Yes. Ironman, Florida was. It was not. I mean, it wasn't my fastest time, but I was, I had a top 10. I was 10th female overall, I believe with the playing field and everybody. And I was first in my age group and it was, I had it by a really big. That was one of my, I think one of my biggest accomplishments. And then I think as far as race finishes, and that was a really tough race for me. That was not one that just came easily at all. Like, I remember that run being. They moved us to Haines City and the run was very, I mean, lots and lots of turns and. But I ended up doing really well at that race. And I think there was another one. I went a 10. Wait, where did I go? 10? Something like 10:04. I. I know my bike split was five hours. I rode 20, almost 23 miles per hour for five hours.

Jeez.

At eight, I think I was 51.

Wow. Wow.

Yeah. Well, and I wasn't slowing down.

Yeah, yeah. And. And you beat whoever was behind you by 10 minutes. I mean, it's like that was not. That was not neck and neck in that event. So.

Brava.

Brava. So I just think that's awesome. And I kind of want to shift. I want to be sensitive to your health privacy. So feel free only to share what you feel comfortable to share publicly. Sarah. But perhaps you could walk us through your medical journey. Having the issue in the water that I talked about in the intro and then getting tested and then the diagnosis and then your treatment. Could you share how the news of the diagnosis, you know, how you heard about it. What, what that process was like, well,

first of all, I. My biggest message to anybody that's listening or anybody that's interested is if you have things going on. So as you can probably tell by my personality, I'm not one to, like, make up excuses or want to find problems or want to, you know, kind of sit in a bad space.

Right.

We do, unfortunately get messages that things aren't right. And when you get those, you should probably pay attention. So my cancer is a slow growing cancer. And I had had little signs along the way for probably longer than I realized. For instance, I was. I was getting a lot of fractures. Well, I do have bone cancer, so it's like there's lots of little signs. That's just one example that show. That kind of show that there was something going on.

And wouldn't you just think that I'm over training or, oh, this is.

I would just be like, oh, that's just. I. Yeah, right.

Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, I fell over and my hip. My pelvis cracked or, oh, my pubic bone cracked. Oh, that's just too much saddle time. Or, oh, I fell because Webster pulled me.

Yeah.

You know, it's like I'd always have a reason and I would ignore it and I would be like, training and keep on going right on through it. So pay attention no matter if you're an athlete or not an athlete. And I think more and more you hear and hear that lots of people have cancer. And so be deliberate and be your own advocate. And I've really learned you've got to be your own advocate when you are not. Well, that's my biggest thing I can share with anybody. Now. You don't want to be a hypochondriac, too, because that's a whole nother family.

Right, Right. Yeah.

Exhausting. You will exhaust yourself there. Okay. But really, I jumped in the water. I was at Augusta in Georgia, and I didn't feel myself and I felt weird and I felt some sort of pressure on my belly. That's the only thing I really felt weird. And I felt like I had some red rashing around my neck. And thankfully one of my clients was there with me and she was racing. And she's a doctor. She's actually. She's a breast cancer surgeon. And which helped. So it was almost like a little angel was there with me. And I guess I jumped in the water and I don't really know exactly what happened, but apparently I asphyxiated on water, which is what I. I was probably drowning and I sucked in.

Right.

And get that. So there was a whole situation that happened there. They pulled me out, got me in the ambulance, you know, got. Got me back to a normal state. And after that, they said, you know, we don't want you to go home. We want to keep monitoring you. And then it was like, well, you know, act, actually. You can go home. And Eric, who was our manager of endurance, was there with the. The mobile. We had a mobile bike thing. And he was there, and he. So he said, well, I'll drive her back home instead of flying. So I drove me back home and immediately had to go get everything checked. Every doctor I saw, they. No one could figure anything out. They said, she's fine. I don't know. Maybe it was an allergy reaction. Who knows? And so then about, I don't know, a week later, my belly. I was having. I. Which I had always had this. I thought I had always had acid reflux. I would take, you know, Pepcid, ac. My mom had had acid reflux. So I just figured that was just part of my DNA. And it felt like that, but it got more extreme and more extreme and more extreme. And I was, like, basically paralyzed. And by the end of the day, evening, I was so uncomfortable. And at this point, I'm divorced. I don't. I'm living alone, but with Andrew, he's in his senior year of high school. And. Yeah. And I said, you got to take me to the emergency room. And they. He took me to the emergency room. And pretty quickly I was rushed into emergency care. And they were. They had the things that. My nose. I was going septic. I was back. So really, ultimately, what it was was there were so many tumors in my digestive tract, etcetera, that food was never going down properly. So I was always backing up. And that's what that acid reflux was.

Wow.

So they. But that when going septic, they still couldn't figure out why it was happening. And I was at Hinsdale Hospital, I think, for eight days. I think it was test after test after test. Finally, they sent me home. Maybe it was a week. Then they sent me home, and they were watching me and doing all this stuff, and they. They're like, we want to do another test on you. We're going to readmit you. They were, like, giving me a break, and I got readmit, like, two days later. And I said one thing. I go, well, if you press on my belly, my face will turn red. And the guy said. The radiologist said. And then they did another round of testing, and he Just came back in and very, like, nonchalant. Was like, well, I think you have cancer.

Wow.

And I was like, what? And I. And you know, you do have this vision of like a cancer diagnosis of people, you know, getting a whole team together and you'd walk in and it'd be all, you know, I. I just would think everybody would be in mass. And white coat.

Right. All somber and serious and. Yeah, yeah.

No, he was just like, yeah, I think you might have cancer. I was like, wait.

Just sort of an off the cuff, offhand. Oh, by the way. Oh, my gosh, Sarah.

That. I think I didn't even know how to take it.

Yeah. Yeah.

But then I knew, like, if I do have cancer, obviously I'm not staying at Hinsdale Hospital. So they wrote, you know, for me to go to Northwestern. Went to Northwestern. They figured out what cancer I had. And then luckily, because Northwestern was our big sponsor of our club, which was. Was awesome. And we had so many Northwestern doctors at Endurance. I had friends that were like, we will find you great care.

Wow.

And you're like, we don't. We'll look anywhere. You know, it doesn't have to be Northwestern. Well, it just happens that Dr. Benson is like the number one neuroendocrine doctor or oncologist in the country.

Wow.

And he's a big, you know, research. And so he was right there and he became my doctor. And almost. Then we do have the team. Then it's. You have the meetings and then they come up with the plan. And then that's when I had my 12 hour surgery where they basically took out a bunch of my insides and cleaned out a bunch of my. It's called debunking all my tumors. And I lost, like, you know, my gallbladder and all my women parts. And they, you know, cleared it all out. And then I have been on treatment ever since, and I'll continue on treatment and be monitored for the rest of my life.

Wow.

And there's no, you know, people. I'm really open about it because, you know, I don't know what else. How else to be. But there's. There's no, you know, you, like, once you get a diagnosis of any sort, you have to sort of just be managing yourself, paying attention to yourself and making sure that you're getting the care that you need.

Right. Yeah. That advocacy doesn't stop with diagnosis, you know?

No.

Well, and I appreciate you saying that, Sarah. I mean, it's, you know, the illness, the cancer doesn't define you by any stretch. Or any means. But I think the. The visibility that you have as an athlete and as a coach and, you know, as a entrepreneur and then just as a strong individual, I think helps people in their struggle as well too. I mean, it's sort of in a. In a, I don't know, halo effect kind of way or whatever that, you know, I mean, you. There was such good karma around the fact of Northwestern being a sponsor and all that. I mean, just that, you know, that this is an opportunity, I would suspect, and not to sound too woo woo about it, but the fact of other people maybe hearing this show and other shows that you've been on to then take those steps to. Oh, that weird little thing that I was trying to ignore, maybe I now need to go get that checked out because I heard this amazing triathlete had this experience and I think your reach and your life and your story will continue on to help a variety of people and make a difference in the world as well too. So being an advocate for. For these kinds of things for yourself and in a sense now, you know, visibility for others. How. How did you share the news with. With your family and with your kids?

Let's see. I think because again, because it was so. The way it was posed to me. I'm trying to think. I get, you know, I guess I didn't, I didn't let it get okay internally. I know I was in a lot of pain. I know it was sad and I like, if I let myself feel that right now I can. I remember feeling like so afraid and scared and that kind of thing.

Sure.

But I think because they made it so technical and just sort of like everybody has it. Like people have cancer, like just move along. You couldn't just like sit in that.

Yeah.

So I think I was. Gave me the ability when I was speaking to my kids or to other people to be a little bit more like I didn't have to have some kind of weird breakdown and. And get really sad. So I think I was strong when I can. I think I even sent you that picture which when you had asked about pictures of triathlon or whatever. And I found this picture of me. I flew to Alabama and I surprised Livy and I brought in these donuts and I woke her up in bed and you know, she thought I was there to like do a run weekend with her. And unfortunately I was there to tell her that I had cancer. But like, it sucked. But at the same time, you know, it was. I don't think, I don't think I showed Fear.

And then. Wow.

Because they were strong. They were really strong, like in handling it.

Yeah. And look who their mother is, you

know, so they were really. Yeah. So then. And then after that, you know, obviously I told the boys and there wasn't much to be done until my surgery and they all came in for that and. Yeah, and they were there and they've been there, you know, every step of the way. I mean, they are, they are, they are my rocks.

Yeah. Yeah. 100. That's, that's the reciprocity of good parenthood and being, you know, who you were being there for them for, you know, their childhood and now in their adulthood. I know this story and I'm just going to tee it up for you because I want you to share it on this show. But you have a very unusual clinical treatment training program post operatively. So you had this just unbelievable 12 hour surgery and then what were you up to with Charlie about six months after that?

Oh, so yeah, that is so crazy. So I. Oh, well, this could really kind of like sum up my personality. So I kept saying to the doctor, you know, I just want you to know I planned the ski trip for my family in January. So I was, I was beat the bird of that year, which was 2001. Beat the bird. So my surgery was like about, I don't know, 10 days before, nine days before on that Thanksgiving, they, I got out and got to go home and you guys were all racing and I didn't get to go to the race obviously, but then, but then it was Christmas, so I was doing all my resting and then I wanted to do the ski trip. So I had asked him, you know, at some point, are you going to, you know, let me go skiing and whatever. So he's finally, when we're getting close to the end of December, he said, you know what, actually, I think you can go on that ski trip. You're doing so well. And then when I got home, he's like, okay, how did it go? How did the ski trip go? The travel? And I said, oh, it's great. I skied every day. And he goes, no, Sarah, I said, you could go on. So that, that sort of like that really made me realize that I just live in my own little bubble. So I thought, you know, I better be, be more careful. But I. Your story. So then we get through January, we keep on going and you know, I'm doing well and I'm healing and my goal is to do a half iron man and an iron man again. So I'm you know, I'm back to my training. I'm back to my running.

Wow.

I have a great coach who's very patient and, and really great guy helping me through it. But something comes up. Charlie is now going to ride his bike across America for charity for people with special needs. So he was going to ride every day with his fraternity brothers. There was like 23 of them. And then in the evenings they would do something with these kids and he would also raise money. And I said, well, I would love to do this with you. I mean, I don't think I could obviously do the whole thing, but could I do part of it with you? And he's like, oh, mom, that would be so awesome. So I met him and I rode for five days and rode 500 miles in the month of June.

That is so awesome, Sarah. That just. I just love that. Oh, my gosh.

But again, that was another experience, which, I mean, I feel so blessed because I got to know Charlie's fraternity brothers so well. So when, you know, I have friends and they're like, oh, I'm not really that close to my kids friends or I don't. And I'm like, I feel so lucky because. Because of that experience. Yeah, I got to know those boys so well. And it was, it was so great. And the best part about it is now Andrew, who's not as Charlie and I have a really, you know, I don't know. Charlie tolerates me, let's just say where Andrew a little more.

He's.

Andrew's a little more reserved, but because Charlie was like, yeah, mom, that was great. Now Andrew's gonna ride his bike across America. And I was like, well, what do you think? Could. Would you want me to go with you? And he's like, absolutely, mom, I get to do it with Andrew. So I'm really excited.

Oh, that's so good. Yeah, that is. I mean, it's just the whole fact of like, you know, a parent or mom or whatever riding with their, you know, kids on something like this or their fraternity brothers and just, you know, it just, you know, probably the biggest challenge for the fraternity brothers was keeping up with you and not having their jaws dragging, you know, so that is so cool.

So it was so fun.

So on the. My continuing with my fact checking here, then you like 12 months. I don't know if it's 12 months post op or 12 months after ram or whatever. You finished your first 7.3 distance.

Okay, so let's see. I can tell you exactly when it was. So my. I Came home on Thanksgiving of 21. So in 20. So December of 22. So exactly a year later I did my first half Ironman and the first coach I ever had did it with me. Ron Dorneck. Yeah. So sweet. He came and then my, my other coach, my present day coach, Ryan Giuliano, he was there and I was second in my age group.

I'm glad you said that because I did not find that in my research.

Yes. And my daughter Olivia was there with me. So. And then I was like, you know, that was great. And we knew Ryan and I knew that we were doing that as the beginning of, to get to Ironman. So then I did Puerto Rico and I was, I think I won my age group there which was in like February, maybe ish Puerto Rico, February, that would be 23. And then I did Tulsa in two months later in 23. So like May of 23 I did Tulsa which was the full. And I actually did, I would finish fifth. It was the slowest race I've ever had. I went at like a 12:01 or something and I did get a spot to Hawaii, which I did not take.

Gosh, Sarah, geez Louise, that is just amazing. And so how was it? I mean, you're in the midst of treatment, you're in the midst of training, you're in the midst of travel. So I can't help but think that training felt different in these than they did 10 years prior. I mean, not just age, but I mean circumstance. What tell us, step us through that.

I think that, I think there must have been because now it's, it's strange. I, I think when you. Something like this happens, I believe you go into a place where you're like, you think you can get through it and you can get over it. Like most people, let's say they get diagnosed with cancer and then they know, they go through their treatments and then they know they're going to be on the other side of it. And I think, I thought that's for me. So I think I was so focused on getting to the other side. I've never really put this into words because this is a kind of a new thing that's happened, that there's a, there's a momentum behind you. You know, it was like, if I can get through this race and do this and then do Ironman, then I'm healed. Then it's like I am on the other side. I beat it. But then I got through it and got on the other side and it was like, wait, you're on the other side. But guess what? You still have cancer. And then it's like it really started to set in. If you. I know that sounds insane, but it's because I don't have cancer that can be taken away. I will have cancer for the rest of my life. So there is no momentum. I'm not in a sprint. I literally am in an ironman. I have got to deal with this for the rest of my life. So I think in that first go around it was like I could shift my brain to think. Go as hard and as fast as you can and once you get over this, you're going to be. That's the proof it's gone. And so that again, like I just said, that's not the case. But now I'm in a new phase and I kind of. I thought about this, I don't know, maybe a month ago. I think of women as they get older. Let's say they start getting gray hair. So they get highlights and then they get it dyed and it's like they're working so hard to like cover up their age with like. Because their gray hair for some reason is making them feel that they're getting old. So they want to keep hiding it and hiding it and hiding it. And then all of a sudden one day they go, wait a second, I have gray hair. Like, I've arrived. I'm old. I'm older than I was 10 years ago and I have gray hair and who cares? I'm sort of at. I feel like I'm finally at a place where like my fight for like trying to think to myself that I'm over, this is over, I've arrived. I now understand I have cancer for the rest of my life. So no Ironman's going to take it away. No running as fast as I can, no adding on half Ironmans, nothing is going to take away my cancer. I'm not going to get to the other side. This is where I am. And I think that was. That came to me like again, pretty, pretty recently.

Yeah. Is there. Go ahead.

I'm in a new space of where again I have, you know, I'm not running from anything. I'm running because running makes me happy. I'm running and training because I'm happier in motion. But on the other hand, I also need to remember that there is a cancer inside my body that is pulling at me and exhausting me and trying me more than if I didn't have cancer. And I have to live in that space. I'm not going to be able to run away from that.

Yeah.

So I mean I've had this whole new. And I, it sort of got really thrown in my face in just a couple of weeks ago because I did try and go and do a half, another half Ironman and I was, I had a, I left the course in an ambulance. Oh, Sarah. Wow. Yeah. And you know, it's just the wake up call that I'm just not. This is not gonna be as easy as it once was.

Yeah. Do you have a peace with that?

I do. And I think that's where I came up with the white hair. Yeah, I think I just, it's like, you know what you have white hair or you know, it's like I think I just realized that this is where I am. And I mean I think at our age people are getting these sort of like ends, these sort of messages all the time. Whether it's white hair, whether it's a little bit of forgetfulness that they might be thinking they have dementia or you know, arthritis in their bones or maybe, you know, whatever it is. I mean, I think, you know, knock on wood, my, all my joints and all my bones, I can go out today and run 13 miles and not even feel like I ran. So yeah, you know, I'm, I'm doing well there. It's just that internally I think when you're fighting a cancer and fighting a disease, it is, it is, it's tough.

Yeah.

And you never know where it's pushing.

Right.

You never know where those tumors are pushing on you.

Do you feel your athleticism has helped with your, you know, level of being able to cope with the illness?

You know, this is something that I originally said and this is really what I feel. I feel that Ironman came into my life and now everybody that said, oh, I wonder if she's nuts. Like how could she do so many. What's wrong with her? Why does she keep, you know, training and racing like this? Da da, da. Well, guess what? It turned me into the person that I am. And the person that I am is came from that, learning how to train my brain and that you don't stop until someone tells you. And that, you know, I mean literally I trained my brain to be so strong by all of these events and all this training. And I think once I decided, even in my battling this disease, I did the same thing. I made the switch from. I was so sad and I was so scared and I made that switch my brain. And I said, no, you're going to treat this like a training day just for the rest of your life. And it just, I think it gave me a. A certain sense of strength. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's like I, my, my brain got really tough and it's helped me get through the way I've gotten through.

I totally understand that. I totally get it. Gosh, Sarah, I'm sorry to hear about that last racing event. So, so, I mean, the, the positive, the goods of that is that, you know, the staying in motion and all that not only is part of who you are, the fabric of Sarah Fix, but then also your ability to share, your ability to give back, your ability to role model. I mean, you continue to train and to compete and to coach. I mean, all of those are the kinds of things that are kind of the reciprocity of giving and participating and being a part of things that I think also, you know, help you not to be, you know, corny, but to live your life in full, you know. And one of the great reasons of having you be on the show. Are there any pieces of advice or anything that you would give back to the triathlon and training or just any kind of athletic endeavor for people wanting to, you know, to maybe get off the couch or maybe to up their game or, you know, kind of with your coach hat on, or even just confronting personal challenges or health challenges. What, what thoughts or advice might you share here that might be helpful for people in any of those kinds of situations?

I guess, you know, when I think back about my coaching style, you know, I was, I feel as though when I was coaching all the competitioner in the run club and I was tough and I would say, you know, like, you know, If you make a decision to be somewhere, if you make a decision to do something, then you do have to make that brain shift and say, you know what? Like, you have to give yourself an expectation and you have to or expect something of yourself. And I think, you know, one of the things I say is never let yourself off the hook. You know, if you make that commitment, don't let yourself off the hook. Believe in yourself enough.

Yeah.

To keep, to, to show up. And if you show up, give it your best. And guess what happens when that happens? You just get better. And I'm not saying that everybody has to be a pro triathlete. I'm talking about, you know, if you're showing up because you want to lose a few pounds or you're showing up because you want to take a minute off your marathon time or whatever it is, it's no goal is less or more than the other. But it's, I really think that you do yourself a disservice when you make excuses and you, you, you know, you talk yourself out of things. So I think it's that mental ability to, you know, if I'm going to make this commitment, I'm going to show up and then I'm going to always put my best foot forward because, you know, the excuses and all of that are just boring, you know, if you're.

Yeah.

So it's like making that mind shift. So that would be my thing, you know. And I, any athlete I coached for years heard all of my little mantras and all the things that helped me move forward and one foot in front of the other and, you know, all those kind of things. So. But as far as I think, you know, again, whether it's illness, you know, when someone asked me and I, you know what, well, did you do this yourself or did someone help you do this? And it's like, well, I had support in that my kids love me and I have some friends that love me and I know that and I feel that. But you know, deep down I did this myself. Like, I knew this is my diagnosis. I have to get my, you know, I've never had one person take me to treatment. I've never, I go to all my appointments alone. This is my journey. And I have to pull on my big, big girl pants every day and say, I'm off. I'm doing this, I'm getting through this. I got this. So, you know, it's like you can't let, same thing. You can't let somebody do your marathon training for you. You have to do your marathon training, your cancer diagnosis and getting through your cancer. If you're waiting for everybody else to take care of you through that. I mean, maybe if it's a six month thing, it might be easier to depend on people, but when it's your, the rest of your life, you better learn how to handle it on your own.

Right?

So I think, you know, it's just, I guess it's just people taking real ownership for them, for themselves and stop looking around it and wanting to blame and want everybody else to.

I don't know, I think that's good advice. I mean, like, you know, to not take yourself off the hook and when you make a commitment to stick to your commitment, and I think that's certainly obvious in athletics and competition and even just showing up for training. But then also I think that generalizes to other aspects of Our lives, the relationships we have or the responsibilities we have or be it parenting or business or kind of, you name it. So I think that advice scales beyond athleticism.

Right. And that's what I say to friends. If someone asks you to do something, just say yes. Just say yes and then make it happen. You know, it's it. And you hear now so much it's like, oh, that's going to cause me anxiety. That's going to cause me stress. That's going to cause it's like, well, that's life. Life is stress. Life is anxiety that gets you out of bed in the morning. Y so go get it.

Yeah, go get it.

Like don't let it beat you up. Just take that step forward and go after it.

Yeah. And I think you definitely come from a space there of having the bona fides to be able to say that full throatedly. So, you know, we've covered a lot of territory and kind of some reminiscences and kind of what's going on. But is there anything that we've missed or anything that you like to add before we start to wrap up?

Well, can you think of anything?

You hit my highlights and you verified my facts that they were correct and then you added a few more like I had no idea about Tulsa or Puerto Rico. So that just adds to my awe, Sarah. So thank you for that. So for listeners that are interested to learn more about you, to connect coaching availability and things like that, what are some of the best ways to do that? We'll put that in the show notes.

Well, you can always get me on email. Sarah J. Fix. It's s a r a j fixotmail.com and I'm on Instagram and I'm on Facebook. I think I'm Fix Underscore Sarah and I'm Sarah Fix Coaching. So there's still an endurance page that'll link you to me but endure it is obviously closed. So the, the bike stores.

Gotcha.

I've closed that. That's something we missed out on. But yeah, once with my diagnosis we slowly closed the stores and I kept doing some events and I'm do my online coaching but I, I no longer have the Brick and mor order.

Gotcha. And hey are you doing, are you still doing something with go brewing?

Well actually go brewing and I did that two person 10k this past summer but my dogs are snoring. Not putting everybody else's sleep. But I actually have just, I've recently moved to California so I'm sort of out of that hole sleep space of doing any. I will. I won't put on any races this summer and I won't, you know, be coaching in Illinois this summer.

Gotcha. But you're available to people potentially, if there's a good fit for virtual coaching, things like that?

Oh yeah. Online coaching. Yep. Anybody can reach out. Yep. I still do online.

Good training. PE Sah and I were talking before we hit record that a lot of times we'll listen to podcast while we're training. So if that's happening to listeners right now, I'll have all this in the show notes so they'll appear on our website so in on LinkedIn. So. Well gosh, Sarah, thank you so much for taking the time. It's just been too long for us to reconnect like this and I've just really, really enjoyed catching up with you, my friend.

Oh, thanks for having me. I'm so glad we got a chance to talk.

And me too. It's been a. It's been a pleasure. Okay, As a reminder, listeners can read a summary of this episode and access links to the show notes via my LinkedIn Top Voice Companion article, along with past gifts as well. I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I have, and I hope it will help you in your journey to living your life in full. Until next time, Living a Life in Full is a production of Stout Media, a subsidiary of Gordian Knot, LLC. Assistant Producer Gracie Wong Music Dan O' Brien Executive Producer and Host, Dr. Chris Stout to learn more, stop by our website elifeinfull for show notes and please recommend us to your friends and subscribe on your favorite platform. And as for the obligatory disclaimer, this podcast is for general information uses only and does not constitute the practice of psychology, medicine, nutrition or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical or psychological advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I take conflicts of interest seriously. For all of my disclosures as well as show notes, please see livingalifeinfull.org podcast and my LinkedIn profile. Thanks. And until next time,