It’s in me, it’s in us… this “DREAM BIG” syndrome. And honestly, I don’t know how to live any different. I married a dreamer, in fact, it’s one of the many reasons I did marry him. And it’s why we are both self employed! LOL!
But dreaming has to start somewhere, somewhere within. It takes courage and a really good companion (friend, relative, spouse) to keep it ALIVE!
Today I wanted to share with you how us CRAZY COTTERS got to this place.. this yo-yo life of DREAMing BIG.
It’s the Kiwi’s turn to share his story and how it all began. I hope it brings you encouragement to pursue those DREAMS! (hey, Corny Cotter had to slip in somewhere)
How I became a Professional Triathlete and Why I Chase this Dream- via James Cotter
(aka Kiwi Cotter)
I have always loved sports, but I never would have imagined I would be chasing a dream of being a professional triathlete, yet alone winning a few.
![top 3 vineman[6]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/top-3-vineman6.jpg)
I started playing rugby at Ilam primary school several years ago. Loved the games, and I loved the team environment. We were a pretty scrappy bunch too. What we lacked in size we gained in hard work and pushed till the end. Once I moved up to intermediate school, what Americans call high school, I quickly learnt I was not big enough or strong enough to be of use to the Rugby team. Rugby boys are huge and bloody fast and after taking a few hits, I decided I was going to a new sport.
I started playing basketball for a while after rugby. Our team was so good in our division that they moved us up two years. All the sudden we were horrible. We went from a team of guys to a bunch of individuals all trying to be stars just so someone could have some glory. It was after this season that I went to Hawaii on vacation to visit my Dad. From then on my whole lifestyle changed.
My Dad had been based in Kailua-Kona for some time now. He had always been a runner and stayed in shape year round, which always impressed me. Not to mention He was a 747 captain!
My dad had started to dabble in triathlons and I decided I would join him a bit, well at least try the swimming part. I joined the swim squad under the infamous, Steve Borowski there in Kailua-Kona. Each time I would visit Hawaii (three times a year), I would swim daily for 2-3 weeks, depending on length of vacation. Of course your fitness comes right after about 2 weeks, and once I wasn’t leaving last in the lane at masters, it was time to go home, back to New Zealand.
Then in 1998 our vacation aligned itself with the Ironman world champs. I was able to watch Peter Reid take his first Ironman title. It was pretty amazing and deep down I really wanted to try to finish a race of such massive distance.
In 2000 I ended up moving over to Hawaii to live with my Dad. He had signed us both up for a half Ironman in 3 months. Race day came and I ended up racing 4:47 for my first half, which ended up qualifying for Ironman Kona. My first tri and I had a Kona slot. My first Tri and I wanted more!
In 2000 and 2001 I raced Ironman Kona as the youngest competitor and I have been hooked ever since. In 2006 I took my pro card and have been chasing a long and frustrating dream through injuries and setbacks trying to get to the top again. But I haven’t given up yet! This is my last year to give it a go. No injuries, smart training, and my Sherpa Wife by my side. Dreaming big isn’t easy, but it’s worth the chase to find out where it takes you in life.
Where did your DREAM BIG story begin? What are you chasing?
[Tweet “My Triathlon Story via @LCCotter @cotterjp #triathlon #dreamBIG #fitfluential”]
Cheers,
LC & JC
- Twitter-@LCCotter
- Instagram –LCCotter
- Pinterest– LCCotter
- Email- [email protected]
- Bloglovin-Cotter Crunch
- Feed burner –Subscribe Here
Hi
Dreaming with eyes wide open is the best form of “Dreaming”. It is this process which exactly motivates us to go out and try (eventually achieve too) those very dreams. Thanks for sharing this. It was inspiring as well as confirmation on the “Dreaming” that I too do.
Cool story; thanks for sharing it. Is there a season to triathalon racing or is this a year round sport? Just wondering how you can maintain such a grueling sport for an extended period of time. Best of luck to you….
Since the age of 5, I played the drums. I was very good, but never had the courage to try to make it my career. That is one of my only regrets in life, that I didn’t “take a shot”. I wish I had and I commend you for doing just that. Congrats and good luck this year.
I am always a big dreamer, my husband views the world differently so mostly thinks I am mental! Haha. Love that you two work together to achieve your goals. What’s the Kiwi’s next goal after tri’s? If he has a wonderful season will this still be his last year?
well, i think he’d keep on coaching. and maybe we’d move back to NZ> we shall see! hope you are well friend
Dream BIG Cotters! It’s the only way to live, right? I love you two! You are both incredible inspirations. Thank you for sharing this! xoxo
and we love you and tony!! dreamin big!!!
p.s.
How’s your hand?!!! can i do anything for you?!! miss you
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BEHIND THE SCENES!!!
Wish I could get my hubby to write a blog post!
He is going to try again for Kona this year at Chattanooga… for Kona 2015 when we could leave the babies behind and enjoy ourselves!
oh he should!! and how did i not know he was pro?! gosh, i feel like a bad blogger friend. BEst of luck to him!!!
Such a great story! Thanks for sharing!
Is the Kiwi’s brother still single? LOL! Keep dreaming BIG…both of YOU! It will happen and y’all know I support and love you 100%. XOXO
he is still single in search of a sugar mama! LOL!
Love hearing the Kiwi’s story! Good for both of you for chasing your dreams. It takes courage and dedication. I changed my life and career almost 15 years ago at age 40 to pursue my love of fitness and to teach it to other people. Not quite as exciting as professional athlete, but it sure felt like a huge (and ultimately successful) leap into the unknown.
that’s not boring, that’s amazing and I’m so glad you did because i now “know” you. you continue to inspire me daily!
Loved this. Praying for a great season for you both!!!!
I love that you are chasing it! To be honest, I did & it has not worked out for me. I think I am hanging it up for now… if I make it to 70, maybe I will try again. 😉
maybe you don’t think it did, but i know good has come from it and you continue to inspire us more than you ever will know!
Yay I’ve always wanted to know the Kiwi’s story!! I love Kona, I used to run on part of the ironman course when I stayed there!!
What a fun and inspiring read! It’s always neat to get a sneak peek into how someone else is pursuing their dreams and loving life!
I agree. It’s all about their journey and where they’ve come from!
I love this so much. Love hearing more of James’ story. The two of you most definitely inspire ME to pursue my dreams!
Love this! So inspiring. I love stories of people dreaming big and making it happen.
LOVE this and am so glad you convinced James to write this, I LOVE hearing his perspective and seeing the passion and excitement ooze through. I am excited for this race season for you BOTH and you are always in my prayers.
Awesome story!
The chain of events always fascinates me – if one link was different, he may never have gone to Hawaii, and you may never have met! By dreaming big and taking the path he has, he has achieved his success to date – keep it up!
(And I’m sure the hokey pokey ice cream helped!)
yes yes! it’s all about the path!!
Huge love for this. Thanks for sharing your inspirational story.
<3 <3
I LOVED reading this!!! So very cool to hear the why behind the dream!!!
I hope this is the big year for you – can’t wait to see all of that training and dreaming pay off!
So much inspiration, and so much love for you both. I adore the notion of dreaming big. I’ve been a dreamer ever since I was a tiny little thing, and I made the mistake of silencing that part of myself when I was in school and going with the safe route instead of the one that my heart wanted. Insert several miserable years and nervous breakdowns. I learned my lesson, though, and I’m finally back on the path where I should be — following my heart. Sorry for getting all corny on ya 😉
you know i approve 100000% with the corniness!
Yay!! I loved this post! Thank you “Kiwi Cotter”! James, your story is inspiring and I can’t wait to see where God will lead you two as you continue to work hard, train wisely, and win those triathlons!
I married a dreamer too! I love how my husband encourages me to think outside the box and DREAM BIG! A bit frustrating at times…haha, but oh, so good!
ain’t that the truth! amen amen
What an amazing and inspirational post! I have so many dreams. I would love to quit my job and become a healthy living coach, personal trainer and writer. I’m just trying to figure out how to make it happen.
it will happen! one day at a time!
This reminds me so much of my husband. He turned pro in golf at age 17 and ever since, he’s been in that “this is my last year to try to make it work” phase. He’s so amazing to watch, I just love it.
how did i not know this?! You sherpa wife you!! keep at it and tell him we support him 10000%
Love reading the back story of professional athletes. Thanks for posting:)
Dream big always and continue after them! Each year Dan and I say, this is it, this is when everything is going to fall into place. When it doesn’t we don’t give up but just keep pushing saying, okay fine… this year, it’s going to happen!
It’s that constant drive and confidence that has us dreamers going places!
Good luck Team Cotter!
Wow! this is inspiring. I love hearing the back story of professional athletes. Great job and good luck this year.
Love. You are both so inspiring.
This is such a fabulous post- thanks for sharing! I’ve always love to hear the story behind the athlete- what made them who they are today and push to be the best and to live the life of a pro.
Crazy he qualified for Kona as the youngest competitor in the first tri he did!
I hope this year is the year of an amazing comeback! You guys both deserve it!
Wow – that really gave me chills.You guys inspire me with your drive and attitudes, while staying humble and happy together. I loved hearing how it all began. Thank you for sharing!!
Loved reading this! You’re both a MASSIVE inspiration! I can’t help but have a bit of the same dream although being a fair bit older in getting started (Just turned 28) I’m not sure how realistic it is… but then I guess if it was realistic it wouldn’t be a dream! 😉 Keep at it you two! This is the year for you both! 🙂
I loved reading this story!! Hawaii must be amazing.
I was a Flight Attendant for B 747!! LOVE this machine!!
I adore you both for dreaming big and keeping up with working for what you love. My insporations!!
AH! what an incredible story (of which i had no idea about – youngest ironman competitor in 2000 and 2001!?!). so glad to have an amazingly inspirational coach. he helps me dream big 🙂
helps you dream big when he’s on top of things, right? LOL!
I love this! I think it’s very cool when dreams come true and even cooler to read about how others have achieved their dreams–definitely inspiring!
Loved reading of your story – God’s hand is covering you and your marriage. It’s tough being self-employed, but it’s such a blessing to look back on your journey and see how you were tried and how you’ve overcome!
Love the Earl Nightingale quote – such truth!
The big dream for my husband and I is to continue to impact and take over our city with natural health care! As a chiropractic health center we are so blessed to share God’s laws of health & healing and the testimonials we have in just 27 months (of being open) are amazing (patients losing 50+ pounds, getting off of anti-depressant and other medications, running 1/2 marathons after being sedentary, walking without canes they’ve had over 2 years, etc., etc.!) It’s challenging working together but it’s made us a stronger couple, more understanding, and so thankful we’ve been given this role in helping others.
Love this! While I’ll never be a pro athlete, I completely relate to the spirit of being a dreamer … it’s gotten me everywhere I’ve been so far in life. Of course, sometimes the dreams don’t come true, but even then, I notice that after the disappointment, I’ve learned so much through the journey that maybe what was meant to be ended up happening after all :).
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing your story James. And thank you BOTH for being such incredible inspirations.
Seriously? The youngest Kona competitor? What a cool fact that we never knew! I loved reading about this journey. Keep at it–you are such a talent and have the support of one heck of a sherpa wife (but you already know that!)
This is very inspiring! Keep at it and have faith!
Love the Kiwi’s passion and that he was inspired by his studly dad! So far I don’t seem to be much of an inspiration to my kids, except for the 11 year old that is out to beat me in arm wrestling, lol
Reading the Compount Effect now to focus on big returns from little steps and taking the time to focus on my PASSION – such a great reminder!
What an awesome story and a faithful journey! Thanks for sharing. Sending you guys BIG love!
I’ve always been apprehensive about dreaming big for fear of failure. I recognized this a few years a go and made a conscious decision to have dreams but it is still something I need to to be reminded of occasionally. This post was that perfect reminder!
yes, fear holds us back. Keep going for it Sarah! and great to hear from you!
i suppose my dream big story is my little baby william 🙂 🙂 but fitness wise, it was running a sub-two hour half marathon which i’ve done several times now! 🙂
dreams do come true!
Wow! What a great and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. It’s great to see someone achieving their dream.
Great story!!! I love dreaming big! 🙂
I’m so inspired reading this! I love hearing the whole story behind the dream, and to see you both reaching for it.. you’re right, you never know what will happen if you don’t go for it and dream big. Best of luck in the upcoming season!
Really inspiring! Love this story and its a great reminder to keep on dreaming!
always need that reminder. yes!
This is so cool to read – I love hearing the “rest of the story.” Having a passion make life so much more fun.
Loved reading this inspiring post! We have to have dreams in life to get anything out of it, and good for him for pursuing it. I always enjoy finding out how people start 🙂
You guys are awesome!!! I love hearing your story! Such a great reminder to follow your dreams and chase after the things you love!
Great post! I love reading about how people find a dream and chase it!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
LOVED reading this today – it came at a very good time and thank you for the inspiration! 🙂
Great story! Keep dreaming, both of you. 🙂
thank you friend, for always supporting!
Love this story! My husband was the same in a lot of ways. He started playing soccer when he was younger and then once he stopped playing he started running. He ran his first marathon and has been HOOKED ever since!
oh i knew your husband could relate. Would love to read his story! p.s. congrats to him on Boston! bummer about the stomach issues. those are the worst
ahhhhhh such an inspiring post 😀 thank you sooooo much for sharing 😀 i am currently chasing the dream of opening up my own business.
Absolutely loved reading the background on the Kiwi.
Although, pretty sure a hefty consumption of vegemite played an important role. A very important one.
yes, and beans on toast and white fish patties (when they could afford it), and pavlova. I made white fish once while i was in NZ. Do you all eat it?
oh and hokey pokey ice cream, which he still yearns for each day! ha
Doh!! I mean white bait patties #braindead
I was so excited to read this when the title popped up in my feed, sooo cool! It’s always so interesting to learn the backstory to what drives people to their dreams/goals. Keep rocking it James! (and Lindsay too!)
Love this! My husband always says one of the reasons he loves me is because I dream big. No matter how crazy it might seem at the time 🙂