May Athlete Spotlight - Meet Devin Sullivan

Meet this month's Athlete Spotlight -- Devin Sullivan! Devin is the kind of athlete who pours his heart into everything he does, from balancing a full-time career in software engineering to chasing his dream of racing pro. His journey from high school track to Ironman finisher is marked by grit, purpose, and a deep love for the training process. Devin embodies what it means to stay motivated, stay grounded, and suffer faster. Check out the Q & A with Devin:

Age: 29

Occupation: Software Engineer

How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, and/or doing triathlons?

Started XC in middle school (2008-2009), and ended up transitioning from lacrosse to track in high school (2010-2014). Did 3 years of track in college, and then switched over to my colleges cycling club for one year. Continued to bike for a few years before finding Paragon with a desire to tackle an Ironman, and never stopped since.

What aspects of training and/or racing do you enjoy most?

I was highly competitive in high school track obtaining the status of All-American. I loved knowing that all the effort poured into training got results. Unfortunately, college didn’t go as well and I wasn’t as competitive anymore. But now, triathlon has given me hope. Surrounded by elite level athletes, I’ve grabbed onto the dream of going pro and I’m even more driven than I was in high school. The team has provided incredible support, whether that’s coach Mark through his ability to optimize training with me in a full work schedule, or it’s with the abundance of the community showing up to group workouts willing to push each other to the next level. So it’s really the team aspect it has such a wide range of athletes, at the end of the day everyone has a goal and seeing that is my favorite part. Watching teammates obtain goals, whether that’s PRs or ultras or 300 mile bike rides. You witness success but more importantly I get to witness the hard work behind the success.

What has been your favorite training or racing event, and why?

My first Ironman IMTX 2023, it was the biggest physical feat. I set out to accomplish it, there was no pressure to do well, just compete and finish. It both was a huge accomplishment at the time, but also sparked the fire to continue triathlon to see how far I can go. And I’ve been riding that high ever since.

What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?

The beauty of training full distance triathlon is that I can down a large cookies and cream milkshake after a long session and never feel guilty about it.

What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of?

I’m very proud of becoming an husband in May! I am ready to start a new chapter with my wife Ally! I was extremely introverted and never branched out, and I’m so happy to have found someone to share my life with. Although achieving goals is rewarding, the ability to share the journey and the result makes it all the better.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I would love to elevate my career to become even more technical in software engineering. Although I’m not sure what that looks like right now whether it’s a software architect, or just getting so good nothing seems impossible from a software standpoint point. And obviously my little side dream is to race as a pro triathlete!

What is something no one knows about you?

A select few may know this, but I’ve cried during every Ironman I raced in so far. First time was emotional because of the family support. When you’re 8hrs deep and your support system is going crazy for you, it gets emotional. The second one in Nice… I was cracked on the bike, and I was having a mental breakdown trying to figure out how I was going to do a whole marathon after getting wrecked by the mountains…

Why do you race/train?

Regardless of competing or training, the motivation is to burn stress to feel good. I go in dark places if I stay away from exercise for too long. Racing and training gives me a personal goal that gives me peace of mind. If you have a horrible day, there is only one cure, go outside and run or bike and just enjoy the outdoors. It’s a temporary break from the grind, it’s freeing.

#athletespotlight #pursuitofexcellence #sufferfaster

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