What happens when three strangers meet by chance and forge an unbreakable bond through sweat, tears, and hundreds of miles? Cindy Meyer- "The Pit Bull", Momo Beauchamp- "The Jack Russell", and Terry Clavel- "The Poodle", share their extraordinary journey of friendship and athletic achievement that began in their 50s.
Their story begins with a serendipitous meeting when Cindy's cycling group failed to show up, leading her to join Terry's training group for Ironman Canada. Later, they met Momo during a swim at La Jolla Shores, forming what would become a life-changing sisterhood. Together, they've completed an astonishing 11 full Ironman competitions – each involving a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon run.
Each woman brings her unique strength and background to their friendship. Terry, a former bodybuilding champion who won Miss San Diego in 1982 and competed in powerlifting, spent her career teaching physically handicapped students. Cindy transformed from smoker to endurance athlete after swimming with her son. Momo, the eternal optimist whom they call "the Jack Russell" (to Cindy's "pit bull"), completed Ironman Utah despite suffering hypothermia during the swim portion.
Beyond Ironman, these women have tackled extraordinary challenges together: swimming from San Pedro to Catalina Island in a midnight relay without wetsuits, cycling 638 miles from San Francisco to San Diego in seven days while raising $10,000 for charity, and conquering the infamous Tough Mudder obstacle course.
What makes their story truly special isn't just the physical feats, but how they support each other through life's challenges. When one doesn't feel like training, the others provide accountability. They've been there for each other through heart surgery, bereavement, and everything in between.
Their message is clear: life doesn't end at 50 – sometimes, that's exactly when the most exciting chapter begins. Ready to find your own "chosen family" and discover what's possible when you have the right people by your side?
