Xterra World Champion Lesley Paterson to Host Free Triathlon Camp

    SAN DIEGO, CA, July 08, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Triathlon and the adherence to a well thought-out training program can provide young vulnerable adults with a myriad of health and fitness benefits, as well as mentally empower them to overcome obstacles in life that can often seem insurmountable. Towards that end, three-time off-road triathlon world champion Lesley Paterson is holding a free four-day beginner triathlon camp for underprivileged and troubled teenagers and young adults in San Diego July 23-26 intended to show participants how the sport can add to their self-confidence and self-esteem, just as it did for her in her teenage years.

Says Paterson, "I have been an international triathlon racer since the age of 15 and triathlon helped me overcome many problems and anxieties that most teenagers go through, from fitting in to my school environment, to eating problems and social anxieties."

The program will take campers on a physical and mental journey designed to help them overcome fears and reach their full potential. All participants were selected based on applications they submitted that focused on the challenges they currently face in their lives.

According to Paterson, "The camp is aimed at young adults suffering from social or economical issues in their lives. We're using triathlon as a form of therapy. Most people think 'I could never do a triathlon.' When we show them that they can, all of a sudden they feel like many things in their lives are possible. We are hopefully going to give them some skills that they can develop through the sport, but that can be applied to all areas of their lives - such as overcoming obstacles and developing a positive attitude."

Each Braveheart Bootcamp participant will be teamed up with a more experienced triathlon mentor. The four-day camp will feature swim, bike and run training sessions, as well as talks on such subjects as nutrition, goal setting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle from industry experts. It will culminate in a short triathlon race in San Diego.

Adds Paterson, "This is something I've wanted to put together for a long time. The support, from both the local community and the corporate world, has been tremendous. I hope this is the first of many such camps over the coming years."

The Braveheart Bootcamp is sponsored by major sports equipment companies with, for example, all food provided free by local restaurants. Volunteers will be on hand as mentors, coaches and camp helpers.

Paterson has been going from strength to strength in her professional triathlon racing career in the past 18 months. In addition to winning the 2011 and 2012 Xterra off-road triathlon world championships in Maui, she also won the 2012 ITU cross-tri world championships. She has started the 2013 season in the same fashion by winning the first three Xterra regional championships in the United States, along with Xterra Philippines, and a number of professional mountain bike races, including the Whiskey 50 and a US Cup race.

Additionally, Paterson - who has her sights set on a fusion between the entertainment and health/fitness industries - recently filmed a fitness DVD aimed at endurance athletes focused on developing her legendary six-pack abs, entitled: "Six-Minute Six-Pack," which will be available in the fall.

For more info contact: 310-699-3021

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