Dear Janet, You've Inspired Us

Dear Janet,

Two years ago, I read a blurb about your comeback in the OC Register while visiting my family. I had no clue that your comeback would change my life! I had been getting up at four a.m. for almost a year when we met, I would go back to bed and sleep until 9 a.m.. Then we were introduced on Twitter and my life was transformed in five tweets. I suddenly had a reason to stay up and started working out twice a day five days a week. Then when you challenged me to swim with you, I had no clue what I had been missing out on for 18 years. That workout was amazing and got me back in the pool.

 For 18 years, I put myself behind my family and you helped me make myself a priority. I am  30lbs lighter, a lot fitter and headed toward my goal. I have completed my first triathlon, been swimming with a club and  I am planning for more and maybe even trying to start competing with Masters swimming again next year.

Thank you for inspiring me, mentoring me and for just being my friend.  I truly will miss our morning texts about dragging ourselves to workout. It has been fun cheering you on and watching you try to prove the world wrong. The best part of all, I made a lifelong friend.


"Iron sharpens Iron, so one friend sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17

Along the way, so many joined in and told me how you inspired them. Then people started telling me I inspired them too. So I asked for them to share with you just how you've inspired them.

your friend, Jules

PS if you had quit before November, I wouldn't be where I am today. So thank you for staying the course and finishing strong. None of this would have happened if you hadn't!


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Dear Janet,

As a teen growing up in Oregon, I was a rising star in my local swimming community. Though I didn't swim distance freestyle, I knew how special and incredible Janet Evans accomplishments were. Even in my young years, I knew I was witnessing the greatest swimming champion of my time, and she was a woman!  Her incessantly positive persona under pressure, and her relentless drive to meet every challenge was a source of inspiration for my teenage self. So I was thrilled to meet Janet twice, once at Nationals (her parents sat in front of us) and once at a local pool in my community. Her ability to connect with the youth and teen swimmers in my community left an impression as well. 

Now, fast forward to 2011, and my 33 year old self saw a teeny article in the paper one day, proclaiming that my idol, Janet Evans, recently began swimming again and is looking to make the Olympic team--at age 40. That she was able and willing to dedicate herself to "some me time" in the mornings, allowing her to train in the pool is a lesson every person should learn. As Janet rediscovered her competitive fires, she managed to inspire me as well.  Just last week, an article was published stating that maybe those ambitious women "can't have it all" (referring to a major career and a family life). Well, in a day and age where many women are struggling to hold together a career, family, hearth and home, Janet rose to the occasion, and showed everyone, most importantly herself,  that she's still got it. Janet, thanks for the inspiration--again!


Marissa Axell, cyclist, professional fitness coach
@Axellrocks


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Dear Janet,

Before I discovered the love of triathlon, I grew up as a distance swimmer in Australia.  My pet event was the 800m.  I watched the Seol Olympics as a 10 year old with not a lot talen, knowledge or dreams.  But when I saw Janet take Gold in the 800m, all of a sudden I was inspired and I found a role model.  I wanted to go to the Olympics and I joined my first swim club.  Over the next four years I went from swimming 3 workouts a week to swimming 10.  I was still not even close to the level of Janet as I watched her take gold again in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.  This was the year I discovered triathlon, which I did to keep fit over the winter.  I still had my sights set on the Olympics.  At 16 I moved out of home to go to University where I joined an elite swim club.  I smashed myself swimming upwards of 100km weeks.  Unfortunately this took it's toll on my swim career as due to shoulder problems, so I took up triathlon where the dream to go the Olympics was still very alive, only now in a different sport.  I am 34 now and until watching the Olympic Trials in both swimming and triathlon, I would have said that the dream to go to the Olympics was just that, a dream.  But once again, Janet Evans (and a handful of other athletes like swimmer Dara Torres and triathlete Laura Bennett) has inspired me once again and given me a new perspective on the possibility of making the Olympics as she takes on athletes half their age.  So London Olympics in out, but look out Rio 2016!   Leanda R. Cave, Professional triathlete, Ironman podium finisher @leandacave ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Janet, There comes a time in each person's life when you have to take charge and decide your own destiny.  Sometimes that happens because someone encourages you.  I have been working hard to be a runner....it doesn't come easy to me, it is something I truly have to work at....on a daily basis.  It is such an inspiration to see other people working towards their goals!  It creates a bond, even if you don't actually know the person.  Thank you Janet Evans for being that person....you have inspired so many and continue to inspire me!  I love that you have fought for all you have accomplished and have helped so many other people accomplish their goals.  Thank you for helping me continue to work towards mine! Darci Stoll, member of #GOMOMMAGO, runner, teacher and mother  @dnstoll ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Janet, I have been so amazed by the women I have come to know the last couple of years! One I don't really "know" is Janet Evans. She has befriended a wonderful young lady, Julie, and thru you friendship I have been so inspired. I am a 41 y/o woman and I am in awe of your commitment to your sport! Watching your efforts tell me that I can do so much more with my self.  I am praying for you today As you go through the Olympic Trials, you are already a winner in my book, no matter the outcome! Ronda Stanger, runner, member of #GOMOMMAGO, school nurse, and mother @GoGirlPeep ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miriam Lottner ‏@mlottner @MomCycFan Swam the Sea of Galilee a few weeks ago 4 charity, inspired by Janet. Swam with her 1 time in H.S. Awesome then, awesome now!

The Kindness of the Twitter Blockheads

Tomorrow, I will do something I haven't done in 23 years. At the same time, a 25 year old dream of mine will come true all because of the kindness of a complete stranger. If you haven't learned the power of pay it forward on this blog, you hopefully will after reading this. Also, if you haven't learned the power of Twitter by reading this blog, maybe you will once again see and learn the amazing nature of that site.

I have been a New Kids on the Block fan for almost 25 years as well documented on this blog. The last time I saw them live was in September of 1990 at Dodgers Stadium with my friend Jackie. Of course, as a young girl I could only dream of meeting the band. When they reunited in 2007, I was beyond giddy ( there's a blog on that) at that time Andrea and I had become friends and discovered our common affection for Joey Mac. Sadly, Marty had just been diagnosed with Renal failure and our life was in turmoil. Andrea bought extra tickets for my cousin Rissa and I to go see the first reunion show with her and I had to turn her down. There was no way I could even travel 200 miles and leave Marty. He promised us that once he was well, we could have a zany adventure.

Last summer, Andrea once again had a opportunity to get tickets with a friend. Unfortunately, she missed out on getting me a ticket by hours. These tickets came with backstage passes too! We were heart broken. Then the day of the concert, the person who got "my" ticket backed out. Unfortunately it was only four hours before the show, I was a sweaty hot mess, had plans with Marty and couldn't make it in July 4th traffic. I sadly had to say no. We were heartbroken but determined to make it happen someday.

Last weekend, Andrea and I had another shot at meeting Joe together at the marathon. Unfortunately, he was just too sneaky and fast and we missed him. It doesn't even matter, given meeting Joe or just cheering on Andrea, I would pick Andrea time and time again. We met a wonderful blockhead Trish outside the Hard Rock Cafe. She kept telling us about this "Town Hall" the next weekend, Andrea and I were stumped as to what she was talking about. Step in Lori aka Blanco Diddy on Twitter yesterday, she is a huge source of NKOTB info and asked Andrea if she was going to the Town Hall and did she want to go? Very sweetly my SotH said, " I can't go without Julie, sorry ladies" and we highly doubted my husband would be up for this after following me to LA last weekend. Within twenty minutes, two sweet girls Andrea and Lindsey had offered to take both of us with them!

I asked Marty and he very kindly agreed to let us have this zany adventure! I was so emotional. Blown away by the kindness of these strangers. Within minutes I was flooded by replies from Blockheads all over the country. Just thinking about how far we had come? When Marty was sick and we had to say no to thing, people would tell us "Someday, you will be able to do those things. Someday it will happen." in the darkness sometimes it was hard to believe that. They were right, thanks to Debbie our donor mom and Jerry our donor, I can leave and do this. Thanks to Andrea and Lindsey, we can go. All strangers with big hearts and giving spirits. This is the second time, via the power of Twitter I have been able to do something extraordinary. That also doesn't count my Fit Tweeps who are helping me lose weight and encouraged me to do my first triathlon.

So tomorrow, not only my dream but Andrea and I's dream together will come true. This is a Q and A that New Kids are hosting for their fans. It's very intimate with around a thousand people. We are told they walk around and this is like a huge meet and greet. I just can't believe this is happening! Dreams really do come true.

I will update you with the outcome on Sunday!

Two Things I Never Thought I Would Do!

Swim with Janet Evans and put a picture of myself in a bathing suit up on this blog! Today I did both!


Last year while visiting my Dad in the OC, I read a story in the Register about Janet Evans making a comeback for the 2012 Olympics. I thought that was so cool and didn't think much more about it. Growing up in Orange County during her Olympic reign she was the hometown hero. I was a swimming for our high school and of course she was a inspiration. It was great news to hear she was going for it.


 During our Atlanta vacation in October, I told the kids the story her passing the torch to Mohammed Ali as we passed the Olympic Park. The kids didn't know who she was but I showed them a video because it was a goosebump moment in Olympic history.

Recently a twitter friend Melissa was tweeting about her love for swimming. We both are pro cycling fans and the season was over, she warned us she would be tweeting about swimming...A LOT. I said that was fine that I didn't follow swimming but used to swim myself. Then I said, " How is Janet Evans doing with her comeback?" and she promptly tweeted that I should follow her and included her twitter handle. I was floored when Janet tweeted back to us.

We had a few back and forth exchanges which led to me telling her " Us OC girls gotta stick together" and she invited me to swim with her. I told her I didn't live there anymore but maybe someday would take her up on that.

As I wrote before, she inspired me to start working out and doing something for myself. She has encouraged me and I like to encourage her. We both rise early for different reasons. Her early rising and working out has led to me working out instead of going back to bed. She is my workout buddy in the mornings!

So this weekend when I mentioned I was in So.Cal for a family function Melissa immediately tweeted Janet and I to ask if we were going to swim together. My first instinct was "NO! I am not ready for getting in a bathing suit in public." Melissa got Janet in on the tweeting and before you knew it, I agreed.

I didn't plan on swimming so I had to buy a new Speedo,borrowed towels and a backpack from my Dad. My cousins Alex and Randon swim so I borrowed a cap and googles from them. I actually was able to wear a Stanford cap that I had bought them while there for Marty's transplant.

I was nervous about the whole thing until I met Janet, she put me right at ease. I cannot tell you enough about how lovely,humble and graceful she is. It was one of those moments in life when you know that you were meant to know someone. She is my kind of gal and I just absolutely fell in love with her personality today. I think I made a new friend today.

 I had nothing to be nervous about at all! What a wonderful feeling to swim like that after 15 years of swimming for fun. It was the best workout that I have had in years. It felt so good to be in the water it was like the spark was re-ignited. Janet told me to get out whenever I wanted. I swam in the lane next to her and watched her pass me over and over. I enjoyed swimming next to her. What a great motivator! I swam for about a hour not sure the exact distance because I wasn't paying attention. Then I got out and watched her swim.

I am so glad that I listened, so thankful for this opportunity. Something I never in a million years would have thought I would do. I am actually sad I can't do it again tomorrow! I am on a mission to start a Master's club in my area now. I've been wanting to join one for years and was unable to. Then when I finally could there isn't one in the area anymore.

Today was one of those days when I realized my life is back in motion. My close friend Gaby said " You look so happy" in the picture and I told her " I am happy, I finally have my life back". Last year when everyone said this would be our year, I didn't believe them. Now you can all say " I told you so!"

I look forward to working out and meeting my goals for myself. I am also looking forward to seeing Janet accomplish her goals also. I can't wait to watch the Olympics this summer and cheer her on. Thanks Janet for being who you are and encouraging me, it really means the world to me!

How I was motivated by Twitter to get fit.

Last summer I made a decision to start a Twitter account to follow Professional Cycling. I started adding random strangers and met some really nice people right off the bat. People who told me who to follow and welcomed me to the community. I met some not so nice people but overall the experience has been positive. The impact of the experience was something I never dreamed would happen.

It has been a very interesting learning experience talking to complete strangers. I have met some wonderful people and it has been a whole new world for me. It's very diverse far different from the usual box I live in and it has been challenging.

The biggest challenge has been the motivation to get fit. Talking to Professional athletes, amateur athletes, world class triathletes makes you very fitness conscious.  I've met people who picked up a bike and started riding, losing weight and getting fit along the way. I am not a cyclist and never have claimed to be. Through this Twitter I have started riding daily. Talking to people who are fit and eat well motivates you to do the same thing. I'm even contemplating joining a group of them for RAGBRAI next summer.

This week, I had the opportunity to tweet with Olympic swimmer Janet Evans. She is 39 and making a comeback this year hoping to make the Olympic team. She gets up at 5 am to swim everyday and has motivated me with her story. I get up at 4:30 am everyday and go back to bed, I could stay up and exercise. I used to swim in HS and would love to join a Master's team but there isn't one in my area.  Last week she told me I should come swim with her, that was extremely exciting and nervewracking at the same time. I hope to be able to take her up on that offer someday.

It's definitely changed my life for the better and I am enjoying my new found motivation. I had so much on my plate until this year, I never had time for "me". I put my family and others first, now I will do the same but take time for myself. I hope to start journaling my journey on this blog and letting you know my progress.