TriMonster History
TriMonster began in 2003 as the brainchild of Rosayn Popham and John Sweetwood. Both were experienced with the relatively unknown sport of triathlon, yet knew very few others with a similar interest...
TriMonster was first developed by Chicagoans Rosalyn Popham and John Sweetwood during the summer of 2003, while logging long hours training for Ironman Wisconsin.
Many conversations took place while traveling between Chicago and Madison, WI on I-90. Topics often included: "was the new I-Pass a foolish purchase? Was duct tape a legal and acceptable wetsuit repair tool?" and "How could a local Tri group be well run, educational, include a wide variety of athletic backgrounds and (most importantly) be very social?
John and Rosalyn, both 15+ year experienced triathletes, also hoped the sport of triathlon could come out of the bizarre fog that many people place it in - and were, thus, intimidated by it. The perfect Tri group, they believed, would understand the balance that many people juggled between family life, working and training. This veil of initimdation needed to be lifted, primarily through addressing the sports most popular barriers to entry: learning to swim, swimming in open water, explaining the various gear and nutritional offerings, accountability to train and motivation to change their lifestyles.
Upon completing the Ironman, the two found themselves with plenty of free time on their hands. Discussion of a new, city-based Tri group moved from thoughts to lips to paper to spreadsheets. Soon, a proposal was presented to Fitness Formula Clubs - creating a unique partnership in the Chicago market.
TriMonster's first season debuted at FFC Union Station in January 2004. Their idea was solid. The demand was there. The impact was immediate!
Hourse were spent developing the perfect name for this new training group - which was to convey exactly its purpose: to breakthrough the perceived complexity of triathlon. Flying Squirrel sounded too silly. TriDemons sounded too evil. TriCheetah sounded too threatening. The list went on and on. Eventually, it just came out. TriMonster was born!
At first, the new name was hard to say. It was different. It didn't fit in with other training groups. Initially, we were nervous and fearful that we chose the wrong name. Now, years later, participants agree that our name perfectly conveys the spirit of our program. It just seems to roll off the tongue.
TriMonster's biggest asset is its participants, whose loyalty keeps this group soaring - and it shows. We are fortunate to have so many repeat members and referrels of friends and family. As is our philosophy, once a TriMonster, always a TriMonster! Our intimate sizes and social programming builds deep bonds among our triathletes.
Rosalyn and John directed the program until 2007, when John was transferred 9,000 miles from Chicago. Unable to manage the program alone, and unwilling to see TriMonster disband, Rosalyn looked for someone close to the sport of Triathlon with a social flare and team commmittment that would keep the group moving. She recruited Scott "Hootie" Hutmacher, a member of TriMonster's first season and an easy choice.
Rosalyn left TriMonster full-time in 2008 after the birth of her second son. The current face of TriMonster today is Hootie, who has expanded the group's participants, coaches and programming - all while maintaining the strong, family knit feeling that made us so popular. Head Coaches Chris Navin and Trevor Hougardy have been instrumental in developing the program's curriculum and delivery methods.
Today, TriMonster remains committed to promoting the benefits of multisport. Our goal is to bring triathlon out from the shadows of the Chicago's running world. Our coaches love triathlon. The sport has impacted each of our lives for the better, and it remains our wish to share this gift, this sport and this lifestyle with you.
TriMonster founders Rosalyn Popham and John Sweetwood have more than 40 years of combined triathlon experience!
Copyright 2010, TriMonster LLC