From “Biggest Loser” To Triathlete
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Tara Costa to compete in Age Group Nationals, using triathlon to as a vehicle for philanthropy.
Triathletes get their start in the sport for a number of reasons — better health, bigger challenges, a sense of camaraderie. The 2011 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship field will be comprised of hundreds of athletes who all have a unique and inspiring take on the sport, like Tara Costa.
Costa proved herself a tough competitor on season seven of “The Biggest Loser,” winning eight challenges and finishing as the second runner-up. After losing more than 150 pounds by the show’s finale, Costa realized she needed to set personal goals for herself to continue her new healthy lifestyle. She decided to join a close friend who was competing in a sprint triathlon in Connecticut.
“I was hooked,” she said. “The people were competitive but overall giving and wanting to share their experiences and advice. I was inspired by the triathlon community and how they continually gave back.”
In addition to her drive to participate in multisport events, Costa says she was motivated to give something back, like fellow triathletes had done for her. In 2010, the Inspire Change Foundation was formed as a way to pass along the lessons she learned through “The Biggest Loser” and pay it forward to future generations. “Our mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging you to embrace positive changes to achieve your goals and inspire change in yourself and others,” Costa said.
Now fully immersed in an active multisport lifestyle, Costa is competing in Burlington, Vt., at her first USA Triathlon national championship, where she says she will be competing against the best of the best.
Read more: USA Triathlon