Today’s spotlight is our own magnificent land mermaid GEMMA HOLLIS! Swim coach, V+V board member, always-smiling, biggest supporter and most positive person you will ever meet!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
I was there at the first meeting in 2015, in 2016 Andi joined at Valkyrie was born – the rest, as they say, is history!
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
2011, I was living in Singapore and met some crazy people that did this sport I’d never heard of. I started to swim and run and a friend lent me a bike! That was life changing and I’ve never looked back.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
When I first started I was over weight, unfit and could not have run to the end of the street! I’d never ridden a bike beyond using it as a mode of transport growing up and in college. Mentally I was in a tough place, but I knew I needed to get in shape. We’d just moved to Singapore from Dubai where the only races I’d done involved eating and drinking. I started swimming for exercise and some Aussie girl asked “what I was training for?” It just grew from there – ask team mate Luke Mace, he was there (crazy small world). This tri group were amazing, so friendly and supportive. They were amazingly fit, and shared tales of races in Roth and Kona and it all sounded like a dream. They had friends called Macca, Belinda and Justin, Rinny and Pete Jacobs – I had no idea I was in the presence of triathlon royalty. But they were all so friendly and supportive. I loved it and it brought out a side of me that nothing ever had. So I booked a race, 70.3 Phuket was going to be the first big race after some smaller races – Dec 2011, crashed my bike and broke my collarbone! went back 2012 and completed the race. Then we moved to California, Amazing riding and running, i just fell in love with this sport more and more. Moving to The Woodlands in 2014 was a game changer. Andi was telling me all about friends that had done the Ironman that year and how amazing the atmosphere was. So I signed up! IMTX 2015 was amazing. Since arriving I was coaching with Selectri and the support of the course from other parents racing and the kids was amazing. Mum was in town so I had the best support crew ever, Mum, Mat, Team Mckinley, Luke, Yo and other tri friends from Singapore. it was just amazing. I was hooked, and had a fire inside. I wanted to get faster, I wanted to push. So I decided to see what I could be capable of. I raced short, I raced hard, and I had so much fun. I achieved things I’d never dreamed possible. My whole journey was about having fun, living in the moment, I didn’t really set big goals or dreams, it’s always about the input and seeing what my body could do. I wanted to be proud of me, my body and trying to find strength in that. After IMTX I just went on such a roll, some amazing races, breakthrough performances and found a coach in Jana who knew how to get the best out of me. In 2019 I had the most amazing season. I raced Olympic worlds for Team USA in Lausanne, went on to Nice for 70.3 worlds and rounded off the season in Cozumel back doing IM distance after 4.5 years. Finally on the beach in Cozumel, after the race, I felt like I could finally dream and strive to see what could be possible. I set my sights on IMTX 2020 and giving it everything! Then the pandemic hit, my health roller coaster went on overdrive and things changed. But, I love this sport, I’ve had so much gratitude for my health and had some amazing experiences since. Swim run, Oilman Relay, St George and Tucson training camps, IMTX, Roth and Kona in 2023! The numbers may be nowhere near where they were, but my heart is so full and I’m excited to see what’s ahead! Epic is the new goal, doing things that bring me joy and make me excited to try, whatever that may look like.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Hawaii 70.3, its amazing, I love it, and if I’m ever able to get running again this is where I’m going!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Making a career in this sport! Sharing my love and passion for this sport as a swim coach has been beyond rewarding. Working with Selectri was an amazing decision, and such a privilege. Seeing the journey of others is truly a gift. I love what I do, and I give it my all. Bringing Push Glide Kick to The Woodlands and building the pool was one of the best decisions I ever made, big risk but bigger reward.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
I love racing, I enjoy the training but racing and racing hard is something that brings me so much joy. It’s about being the best version of me I can be on the day. That motivation is very internal and I’ve definitely found my limits and beyond on a few occasions!! Since 2020 with a few health challenges I haven’t been able to race in the same way. I’ve had to find a new motivation and that’s been gratitude. Grateful to be out there, still able to get on the start line. Finding the strength to love this as much as I did before, not letting comparison steal my joy. Its worked, 2023 was epic!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
Burger and fries
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I have the best, and very patient husband, Mat. Bless him, I’ve put him through a lot on this tri ride, many medical tent incidents and dramatic finish lines. He takes it all in his stride, but we’re very much a team. I do it all with his support and blessing. He gets it! We have 2 pups, Figgy and Trifle. Back in the UK is our immediate family. We get to be the exciting Auntie and Uncle that live in America! We also have our chosen family, Team Mckinley! I met Andi in the UK working way back in 1999, and we’ve spent the last 25 years making memories!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’m a swim coach and also will now be working with Cupcke Apparel working on custom tri and bike apparel in the US. In my past life I worked in the corporate world of banking and finance, which included retail banking and then later training and development followed by compensation and benefits.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’ve had tea with the Queen! Me and a few 100 others, I went to a garden party in the palace grounds, and was also presented with an award from Prince Phillip.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
The camaraderie, the friendships and adventure since 2015 has been the best. Looking through pictures for this article just made me smile. The memories, the laughs, the experiences are amazing. Moving away has made me realize what a big part of my life this team has been. My Viking and Push Glide Kick families are missed, but never forgotten. Can’t wait to come back for IMTX…….
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Harlan Coben or Lee Child are always a good read, otherwise a colorful cover, chic lit is a great beach read!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Given the choice a good Asian restaurant is hard to beat, many a Friday night was spent in Sapporo in The Woodlands. If only we could get great fish and chips ……
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
My college room mate Sal, in Dec 2020 she had a massive stroke at 44. To say it’s been life changing is an understatement. The impact on her and her family is indescribable. Her openness to be raw, uncensored and honest is such an inspiration and keeps any of my issues firmly in perspective. Thanks Sal!
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
Who knows, knee surgery May 13th will shape the immediate athletic excitement. Outside of that they’ll be some fun for sure, UK trips for mum’s 80th and back for Christmas this year. Also enjoying living in 4 seasons, fall in Illinois was amazing last year!
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Just to say, like everything, you get out what you put in. This team has had a lot of my blood sweat and tears, but it’s beyond rewarded in return. It’s exciting to see Steve step up and give it a new lease of life. Thank you to everyone that’s in my photos on my phone, and the memories in my head …… !!!
