Today we shine the spotlight on our teammate and friend CHASE FERRELL. Warning – you are likely to be exhausted just reading his bio here – this guy does it all!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
Fall 2020. I spent several seasons doing all the local sprint races around Houston and really loved the attitudes and community of the team environment that was displayed at events I was at.
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
My first triathlon was the Olympic distance Lone Star Tri Galveston in 2009. I literally just signed up thinking this would be good cross training. I had no idea how many people were involved in the sport and how addictive it can be.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
2009 was a whirlwind of a year for me and my family so I decided to make some positive changes in my life. After topping the scales at 247 lbs, the beer league soccer, basketball and softball just weren’t cutting anymore. I chose to get a bike and start running again to get back in shape. After a few months, one of my cycling buddies mentioned he was participating in a triathlon and I thought, “I’m going to show up and beat him.” I did and that’s when I got addicted.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
I’m like the Jekyll/ Hyde for this question. I really love the opposite ends of the spectrum for different reasons.
Sprint races are probably my favorite triathlon – all out in an hour – the Cypress Sprint World Championships(which is next weekend!) is so much fun and super competitive. Best of all, you are having your favorite adult beverage by 9am!
I also really enjoy the multi-day staged races too. These have become much more popular post pandemic, but it’s not for the faint of heart. For this category, I absolutely love the Quadzilla (mountain bike, road race, gravel race and half marathon over 3 days) at the HotterNHell in Wichita Falls. I’ve gotten 4th for the past 2 years and it’s my dream to get the podium this year. This is race is sponsored by Karbach and typically has a large Houston contingent of 20 plus camping at the start and finish line. It’s a scene unlike anything else I’ve witnessed in racing.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
My biggest accomplishment so far has been finishing Ironman Texas in 2021. It was so hot and it was my 1st full distance.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
My biggest challenge is work/life balance. I have a hard time saying “no” and I have a tendency to spread myself thin at times.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
All the margaritas. All the chips and queso.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
Me and my partner Heather have a blended family with 6 kids. Heather works in HR for a telecommunications company for the last 8 years. Tegann (18) is headed to UT Austin in August and was the Texas State Runner Up in debate this year. Ollie (16) is starting her junior year at Challenge Early College and will finish high school with her associates degree. Conner (13) is starting 8th grade and he’s our theater kid. Literally the kid can drop it like it’s hot on stage. Our teammate Jordan Beakley can attest to where my son gets his dance skills from 😁. Evie (11) is starting 6th grade and she’s our entrepreneur. She’s started several small businesses already and she wants to be a lawyer. Charlie (8) is starting 3rd grade and he’s my “mini-me”. It’s crazy. Literally a carbon copy – looks like me, walks, talks and acts like me. He wants to be the next Messi. Etta (5) is starting kindergarten this year and she’s our Boss Baby.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I grew up in Sugar Land and went to Baylor. I started my career in real estate in 2005 and after a brief time taking residential REIT to the public market, I decided to go out on my own in 2016. I’ve been a real estate broker since 2012 and own and operate 2 small real estate companies. My primary focus is tenant representation in commercial estate. My secondary focus is residential investment, flips and brokerage for friends and family. I’ve worked my butt off and I’m incredibly lucky to be where I am today. The city of Houston has been too good to me.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
My dad worked as a warden at the Texas Department of Corrections in Sugar Land. We lived on the about 100 yards from the guard tower. As you can imagine, I did not grow up having birthday parties at my house lol.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I love the camaraderie and the accountability. Triathlon can be a lonely sport. It’s so much more fun racing and training with the team.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Don’t really have a favorite, but I do love the latest series from Jack Carr.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Taste of Texas or El Tiempo. Hard to pick between the two.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
My biggest inspiration is my dad. He passed away 2 years ago. He grew up dirt poor in Caldwell. He changed the lives of so many people, I’ll never be able to count. He helped dozens of hardened criminals to earn their college degree from Texas A&M while they were incarcerated. He was my best friend and biggest supporter. I think about him everyday.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
2025 is the year for 70.3 distance for me. Galveston, Hawaii and then I need to pick a fall race.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Word hard. Play hard. Let’s Go!
