Beyond Limits, One Story at a Time
There’s no single way to arrive at an IRONMAN start line. Some arrive through years of elite competition. Others, through injury, self-doubt, or moments that force a reckoning. What connects them isn’t talent or background—it’s the decision to keep going when the path forward isn’t obvious.
These four stories come from ShokzStars who found their way to endurance sport through very different doors. Their journeys span Olympic ambition, life-altering accidents, late starts, parenthood, reinvention, and quiet persistence. What they share is not a finish line, but a commitment to showing up—again and again—and letting the process change them.
Ryan Collins
For Ryan Collins, endurance sport wasn’t a pivot—it was a redefinition. When his original athletic path was taken away, he didn’t walk away from competition. He rebuilt it, on his own terms, in places where belief and resilience mattered more than raw power.
“My journey began several years ago as an Olympic hopeful, fully committed to the relentless pursuit of representing my country at the highest level of sport. That dream was abruptly interrupted by a devastating vehicular accident—one that placed me under the careful hands of surgeons rather than on the start line, competing for a spot on the team. As a result of my injuries, I was reclassified as an endurance athlete, no longer able to generate the strength and power required for the discipline I originally pursued.
Refusing to let circumstance define my limits, I chose to defy the odds. I turned to ultra-cycling and ultra-endurance events, channeling my drive into a new arena where resilience, persistence, and belief mattered most. Through this transition, I rediscovered not only my fitness but also my purpose—finding joy, fulfillment, and success in a new form of competition that reignited my passion for the impossible.
From that moment on, I never looked back. Cycling has carried me across the world, introduced me to extraordinary communities like this one, and gifted me experiences that have profoundly shaped who I am. Along the way, I made peace with the cards I was dealt. This photo captures one of my happiest moments: returning to the velodrome and breaking four world records—a promise fulfilled to myself and to the friends who stood by me during rehabilitation.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my friends and the community that continues to inspire me to persevere, stay optimistic, and always search for opportunity in adversity. Shokz has helped me find my rhythm, and I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead. My story isn’t over—it’s only just beginning.”
Sabrina Somarribas
Sabrina Somarribas didn’t grow up identifying as an athlete. Her story is one of gradual transformation—of confidence built slowly, stroke by stroke, mile by mile. What began as an experiment became a long-term commitment that reshaped not just how she trained, but how she saw herself.
“Triathlon entered my life in 2018. At the time, I never would have identified myself as an athlete. Growing up, I wasn’t involved in sports, and for much of my life I struggled with my weight and confidence. Becoming a triathlete wasn’t something I planned; it’s something that slowly changed my life from the inside out.
In 2019, I took on my first full IRONMAN. That year marked a turning point not just in my athletic journey, but in who I believed I could be. Training for that race was hard in ways I wasn’t prepared for, especially the swim. As a brand-new swimmer, it was the most mentally and physically challenging discipline for me. The water felt intimidating, isolating, and overwhelming at times.
In 2020, Shokz became part of my journey. Having them with me during swim training gave me something I didn’t realize I needed: a mental escape. The open-ear design allowed me to stay aware while also blocking out the noise, both around me and in my own head. What started as a way to get through tough workouts became something much bigger. The water became a space to reset, reflect, and build confidence stroke by stroke.
Since that first IRONMAN in 2019, I’ve completed 12 full IRONMAN races and 11 half IRONMAN races—something I never would have believed possible. Through training, my Shokz have been with me. They’ve become part of my routine, my rhythm, and my consistency. Triathlon gave me more than finish lines. It changed the trajectory of my life, helped me find confidence I didn’t know I was capable of, and eventually gave me the courage to leave my teaching career and build my own coaching business. It also transformed my community. I used to be a lone wolf, but through this sport I’ve met some of the most supportive and inspiring people.
For me, triathlon is more than a sport; it’s growth, resilience, and identity. It’s proof that you don’t have to fit the mold to belong—you just have to start. I’m grateful for the journey and excited for many more finish lines to come.”
Nick Edder
Nick Edder’s story begins far from a start line. It begins with a point where everyday life became physically and emotionally limiting. What followed wasn’t just weight loss or race results, but a complete shift in how he showed up for himself and his family.
“Imagine being a severely overweight dad taking his two young kids to the beach for the first time and not being able to play in the sand or walk the boardwalk with them. Weighing 400 pounds, with back pain so unbearable that if I tried to walk more than five minutes, I’d have to sit and rest.
That dad was me in June 2021, and it was my rock-bottom moment.
Now imagine, four years later, that same dad has lost 200 pounds, run four marathons (including Boston), more half marathons than I can count, two half IRONMAN races, a 50-mile ultra trail race, and a 140.6-mile full IRONMAN triathlon. Those same two kids watched me every step of the way—holding signs, giving hugs, offering encouragement, and being the first to put Dad’s medal around his neck after 13 hours of racing.
To say my life has done a complete 360 in less than four years would be an understatement. Running and endurance sports have completely transformed my life. I’m healthier than I was in high school (a long time ago!). Not only can I keep up with my kids, but now they have trouble keeping up with Dad. If I hadn’t found the love of triathlon and running—and lost the weight—would I even be here every day for them?
Not only do I want to continue inspiring my kids by doing hard things, but I want to show others at their own rock bottom that it is never too late. You owe it to yourself to take that first step and challenge yourself. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to walk one mile, run a 5K, a marathon, or even an IRONMAN. To be transparent with my story—the good and the struggles—and encourage just one person to take that first step toward becoming the best version of themselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re three pounds overweight or 300 pounds overweight. Change is possible. A long and healthy life is possible. As the IRONMAN slogan says, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga is up next.”
Vicky Armstrong
Not every endurance story is about chasing the biggest distance or the hardest course. For Vicky Armstrong, it’s about finding the format that fits—and embracing it fully. Her path into duathlons reflects curiosity, adaptability, and the joy of building something personal within the broader endurance world.
“While I attend triathlons, my current jam is duathlons, which are the run–bike–run option offered at most tri events. 🏃🏻♀️🚴🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️ (I’m not a great swimmer… yet 😉)
A little over six years ago, I started running, but a few injuries led me to take up cycling for some cross-training. I ended up enjoying it so much that I decided to challenge myself with a multisport race that was a mix of both my passions—running and cycling. Now, duathlons have become my favorite. I’ve completed three so far, including one virtual race that I mapped out myself.
While we can’t wear headphones during official races (with the exception of my virtual duathlon), my Shokz have been my constant companion through every training session. They’ve kept me safe, motivated, entertained, and in the zone while I logged miles on the road.
I look forward to continuing my race journey with Shokz along the way.”
Together, these stories show that IRONMAN isn’t defined by one kind of athlete or one kind of success. It’s built through repetition, adaptation, and belief over time—and that’s what these ShokzStars embody. They show that growth can come from loss, that confidence can be built later than expected, and that progress doesn’t require fitting a mold. Whether the goal is a podium, a finish line, or simply the ability to keep moving forward, each of these athletes reminds us that endurance is personal and that the journey is never really over.
