TJ Bryan is a career educator, an author and a runner who continues to run well into her seventies. TJ is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After TJ retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64 years old at the time–hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances. At 78, she has completed 53 races. Even more impressive are her ten marathons and qualifying for the Boston Marathon on eight of these marathons.
Dealing with injuries and how they tried to derail her running.
TJ speaks about her most memorable races.
What’s on TJ’s bucket list?
What motivates TJ to run, and some of her fears.
Some wise words from TJ.
Guest Bio
Born on August 21, 1945, T. J. Bryan is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After T. J. retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64 years old at the time–hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances.
From 2009 to 2019, T. J. completed 53 races. Regularly, she won age-group awards irrespective of the distances—in 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, half marathons, and marathons. Of her races, ten were marathons—eight of which she ran fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon. This marathon is one of the most prestigious 26.2-mile races in the world because competitors must qualify by running fast times in earlier marathons and must be accepted before they may register.
Initially, T. J. planned to run in the Boston Marathon only once. She changed her mind and registered five times. She ran the race three times. Injury prevented her from competing in the April 2013 and October 2021 versions of the race. T. J. has written about running in two books. In Saving Myself: A Running Memoir, she captures her running journey. The memoir is available through Amazon. Readers praise this book, citing its honesty and its inspirational qualities. In her five-star novel titled Black Girl in Red, White, and Blue America, T. J. devotes several chapters to her main character’s late-life running experiences; these sections are based on her own adventures.
Before retiring and becoming a runner, T. J. served as a professor, academic administrator, and university chancellor. Her academic credentials include bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in English language and literature.
Connect with TJ Bryan
Send TJ Bryan an email through tjanebryan@gmail.comand at authortjbryan@gmail.com.
TJ Bryan is a career educator, an author and a runner who continues to run well into her seventies. TJ is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After TJ retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64 years old at the time–hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances. At 78, she has completed 53 races. Even more impressive are her ten marathons and qualifying for the Boston Marathon on eight of these marathons.
Dealing with injuries and how they tried to derail her running.
TJ speaks about her most memorable races.
What’s on TJ’s bucket list?
What motivates TJ to run, and some of her fears.
Some wise words from TJ.
Guest Bio
Born on August 21, 1945, T. J. Bryan is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After T. J. retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64years old at the time–hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances.
From 2009 to 2019, T. J. completed 53 races. Regularly, she won age-group awards irrespective of the distances—in 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, half marathons, and marathons. Of her races, ten were marathons—eight of which she ran fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon. This marathon is one of the most prestigious 26.2-mile races in the world because competitors must qualify by running fast times in earlier marathons and must be accepted before they may register.
Initially, T. J. planned to run in the Boston Marathon only once. She changed her mind and registered five times. She ran the race three times. Injury prevented her from competing in the April 2013 and October 2021 versions of the race. T. J. has written about running in two books. In Saving Myself: A Running Memoir, she captures her running journey. The memoir is available through Amazon. Readers praise this book, citing its honesty and its inspirational qualities. In her five-star novel titled Black Girl in Red, White, and Blue America, T. J. devotes several chapters to her main character’s late-life running experiences; these sections are based on her own adventures.
Before retiring and becoming a runner, T. J. served as a professor, academic administrator, and university chancellor. Her academic credentials include bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in English language and literature.
Connect with TJ Bryan
Send TJ Bryan an email through tjanebryan@gmail.com and at authortjbryan@gmail.com.
Bernard Lyles is the founder and director of Tri-Masters Chicago and is better known in the sporting community as the ambassador of the sport of triathlons. He has been instrumental in inspiring hundreds of African Americans into triathlons over the last three decades.
Bernard founded Tri-Masters Chicago in 1990 and began a program to train youth in fitness through triathlons in 1992 dubbed the Tri-Masters Sports Initiative training over 2800 youths at the time of this interview. He also had a hand in the foundation of Team Dream in 1987 aimed at training women of color in triathlons.
Today we look at the ambassador’s journey in triathlons, through his coaching career and what legacy he hopes to leave behind. We dive into the triumphs of seeing his students thrive and the challenges of getting funding for his organization.
Episode Highlights:
A brief overview of Bernard’s illustrious career.
Losing his job, and using running as a coping mechanism for the resulting depression.
The first marathon and reminiscing on the marathons of the 80’s and 90’s.
Running 40 marathons, some of the most memorable.
From marathons to triathlons and getting leptospirosis.
Starting Tri-Masters Chicago and some success stories.
Obstacles keeping the black community from Triathlons
The challenge of funding the Tri-Masters program.
What legacy does Bernard want to leave behind.
Guest Bio
Program Founder and Executive Director, Tri-Masters Chicago Bernard Lyles is known internationally as an ambassador of the sport of Triathlon. Bernard has been instrumental in hundreds of African Americans taking up the sport of Triathlon.
His passion for the sport of Triathlon and his interest in teaching the sport to African-American youth athletes led him to found Tri-Masters Chicago in 1990 and Tri-Masters Sports Initiative Programs a youth program focused on promoting fitness through Triathlon training in 1992. Now into year #31 (2022) Tri-Masters Sports Initiative Programs have trained over 2800 youth in physical fitness and competition of the sport of Triathlon.
In 1998 Bernard co-founded Team Dream, an adult organization that introduces women of color to the sport of Triathlon. The most recent initiative developed and coached by Bernard is a learn to swim in open water group named “Seals Team”. Created in 2020 to keep team members active during the Covid-19 pandemic Seals Team members learn the fundamentals of open water swimming, safety and advanced training needed to compete in open water competitions including Triathlons.
Bernard has years of experience in the health and fitness industry as a personal trainer working for establishments such as Hyde Park Athletic Club, Bally Total Fitness and L A Fitness. Bernard also served as the Intramural and Recreation Coordinator for Chicago State University.
His formal education background includes an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Automotive Technology from Kennedy King College, and Bachelor of Arts in Health Physical Education & Recreation from Chicago State University.
As a First Choice Fitness Leader (an at-risk youth fitness intervention training program sponsored by the Chicago Department of Public Health) Bernard is an active member of the community volunteering numerous hours with youth organizations throughout the city for over three decades. These organizations include Chicago Public Schools, Inner Visions Youth Mentoring Program, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and the Chicago South Swim Club.
Bernard is also associated with several professional associations and teams.
USA Triathlon Association.
US Lifeguard Association.
Professional Association of Diving Instructors. (PADI).
Major Taylor Cycle Club Chicago.
Men Run Deez Streets / Running Chicago
Bernard Lyles’ sports and recreation accomplishments include:
First Amateur to appear on the cover of American TRI – a worldwide publication in 2002.
Competing in and completing over 200 Triathlons from sprint distance to the Ironman.
An accomplished Triathlete and Marathon runner Bernard Lyles was invited to and competed in Triathlon’s premiere event consisting of a 2.4- mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run, the IronMan World.
Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 3, 1998. (15:01:42) IronMan Wisconsin 2002 (14:36:26).
Completing 40 Marathons, including 9 Boston Marathons: Personal Record is 2:54:21(Chicago 1985).
Power Bar Elite Team Member in 1997.
1998-2000 Saucony Sports Team Member.
Invitation and participation in the 1995 Dave Scott Triathlon TrainingClinic, Vail Colorado.
USA Triathlon Certified Race Director 2009.
President of the Rainbow Road Runners Club 1984 – 1993.
Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor.
PADI Certified Rescue Diver.
AWARDS
2016 President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Community Leadership Award
Person of the Year in 1993- Windy City Sports Magazine
The Jamaican Consulate’s Leadership Award for Commitment to Excellence (promoting youth sports in Jamaica)
Chicago Marathon 2016 “Pat Rhodes Award” for Volunteer Excellence
2001 International Olympic Committee Diploma (for remarkable contribution, as a Volunteer, to the development of sport and Olympics and to the promotion of friendship and solidarity among people).
Numerous Features on TV, magazine, books, social and newspaper media
Numerous Peer Awards, Running Club, Cycling Club and Community -Awards
I was unfortunate to learn that my friend and fellow triathlete, Darrell Freeman Sr. had passed on the evening of June 28 2022. This episode was very difficult for me to record with all the memories of the Algae Dancer flooding me. I only ever met him twice but we kept in touch on social media and we were arranging for me to host him on this podcast when I received the bad news.
Darrel was the first person in his family to graduate from college and somehow he became a self-made millionaire, a pilot, and a two-term chair of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
After achieving a GPA of 1.234, he transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and ultimately graduated with a master’s. Armed with his wife’s $2,000 credit card, he built an IT business from a closet to eventually sell it for twenty million dollars. He has invested and mentored in many other companies and hosted an airborne podcast named Cockpit Conversations.
In triathlons, I knew him as a member of the Tennessee crew so called because they always travel as a pack. He has completed 10 full Ironman races and used sports as an analogy to life. He believed that business is about perseverance just as it is with completing an Iron Man Race.
Episode Highlights:
First meeting Darrell at Ironman Chattanooga.
Second meeting at Ironman Ohio and the Algae Dancer.
Keeping up with Darrel on social media
A look at Darrel, the man and how he came to be.
Some wise words from Darrel himself.
Fare thee well Darrel, we miss you
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Zsa Zsa Porter is an exceptional friend, an avid runner, a member of Black Girls Run, and a vegan restaurant owner. Her mission is to encourage women, young girls who dream big, her story reminds us that anything is possible.
Zsa-Zsa has made it her life’s work to impact her community which has led her from the financial services industry to opening the Exposed Vegan Restaurant. Through the restaurant, she has created some of the best plant-based cuisines proving that a vegan diet can, not only be very delicious but also fuel the highest fitness performance levels.
We discuss in-depth her journey from a troubled youth, through struggles with weight gain and into life as a triathlete and the role of her family and friends in the journey.
Episode Highlights:
How Zsa-Zsa got her name and the fearless mentality behind it.
Jump back in history to her school days and becoming a swimmer.
Injury on a bicycle and lessons learnt from the experience.
Time to start running after a long hiatus.
Zsa-Zsa enrolls herself and her husband for a race she isn’t prepared for.
Her daughter and friends get her through some tough races.
Full distance iron-man.
Let’s open a vegan restaurant.
Some challenges Zsa-Zsa has endured.
Guest Bio:
Zsa-Zsa Porter went from someone held
down by personal insecurities and weight gain to becoming an avid runner,
triathlete, and restaurateur. Zsa-Zsa is on a mission to encourage women and young girls to dream big and reach for the stars.
Zsa-Zsa’s story reminds us that Anything is Possible. She is always willing to share her failures and lessons learned. It’s this burning desire to positively impact her community that led her to open Exposed Vegan Restaurant. As a restaurateur, Zsa-Zsa created a West Charlotte hotspot, serving fresh and nourishing plant-based cuisine. From smoothies to bowls loaded with sweet potatoes, and even cookies she’s exposing how delicious vegan food can be when done correctly.
Her goal is to show how a well-planned vegan diet can fuel the highest performance fitness levels while reducing risks of injury and chronic diseases.
Zsa-Zsa leverages her unique experiences as an African American female entrepreneur, restaurant owner, digital executive, and Ironman triathlete to motivate and activate her community. She is also a proud military spouse and mother of 3 children, she truly understands the importance of balancing family and life.
