I've learned that if you want something in life, you have to put it out into the universe.
In late 2013, Karel was placed in a difficult situation. With a change in upper management at the Trek corporation, his 6-year position as the GM of two Trek concept stores in Jacksonville, FL was in jeapordy. With an exceptional boss (before all the changes), he was in a position that he would need to answer to new management - if he kept his job.
Around that time, I was was working PRN as a clinical dietitian at Baptist Medical Center Beaches and Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition was in it's second year of being an official business (LLC). In early 2013, I had mentioned to Karel about working with me to help grow the Trimarni business, but that scary ask would require a big change - leaving a secure job with a stable income.
With all the changes at Trek, it felt like the right time to take a leap of faith. Karel quit his job (which brought us to Jacksonville, FL in 2008) and began working for himself (well, technically for me since I own the Trimarni business 😉). He bought the RETUL bike fit system from his old boss and with an exceptional bike mechanic reputation in and around Jacksonville, Karel was able to hustle for a few months as I continued to work PRN (as needed) as a clinical dietitian, coach a handful of triathletes and provide local nutrition consults. Karel was still new to the sport of triathlon (his first race was in the summer of 2012) but he had been "in" the sport since we met in 2006.
With nothing keeping us in Jacksonville, FL. we started to dream about living near the mountains. After racing Ironman Lake Placid in July 2013 (pic above), we were ready to trade the beach life for mountain life.
Plus, cycling in Jacksonville was becoming extremely unsafe. While we had a great network of friends in the area, we craved something different in order to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
I had heard about Greenville, SC from a nutrition athlete that I had been working with for a few weeks.
In January 2014, we took the 5.5+ hour trip to Greenville to check out the area (for a quick 2-day stay with my nutrition athlete). It was a cold and dreary weekend but we quickly fell in love with the European vibe of the downtown. And we felt a sense of calm when we saw the mountains while enjoying our morning coffee. Greenville felt right.
Plus, we heard of Greenville from a contact at Trek Travel who had nothing but incredible things to say about the cycling community in and around Greenville. George Hincapie helped to put it on the map as he lives in Greenville (along with many other professional and up-and-coming cyclists) and also has a
beautiful botique-type hotel that caters to the cycling afficinado. You'd never guess that Greenville is a popular and growing cycling destination as we lack bike-lanes and smooth, well-paved roads. But what we have in return are countless bike-friendly country roads, endless climbs (with scenic views) and patient drivers. Of course, this all depends on where you ride but lucky for us, we have so many safe and fun riding options. It truly is a cycling playground in and around Greenville.
After our visit, we struggled for a few weeks as we really missed the Greenville vibe. By mid March, we were convinced that Greenville was the right place for us.
In April we made it official by traveling back up to Greenville to find a rental home within 24- hours of arriving.
Although it was a scary undertaking to leave all that we knew in Jacksonville, SC., it was a risk worth taking. And we left a lot. I had developed a great relationsip with the local news station for live TV segments on nutrition. I was able to do a lot of speaking events in the area and we had so many awesome friends. But with anything in life, sometimes you have to give up the good to go for the great.
Since our move in May 2014,
we haven't looked back. We have been so happy in Greenville - and never bored with our swim, bike and run options. It truly is a hidden gem in the south (Shhh...don't tell anyone!). Plus, the people are incredibly friendly. I like nice people. 😊
To showcase our incredible cycling routes, I will share a few blog posts this week, featuring some of our most challenging climbs.
If you are ever interested in visiting Greenville,
send me an email as I'd love to help you plan your trip.
Plus, we heard of Greenville from a contact at Trek Travel who had nothing but incredible things to say about the cycling community in and around Greenville. George Hincapie helped to put it on the map as he lives in Greenville (along with many other professional and up-and-coming cyclists) and also has a beautiful botique-type hotel that caters to the cycling afficinado. You'd never guess that Greenville is a popular and growing cycling destination as we lack bike-lanes and smooth, well-paved roads. But what we have in return are countless bike-friendly country roads, endless climbs (with scenic views) and patient drivers. Of course, this all depends on where you ride but lucky for us, we have so many safe and fun riding options. It truly is a cycling playground in and around Greenville.
