Meet Lara Gruden | Professional Triathlete

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lara Gruden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lara, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In order to be successful in life/career, I truly believe that you have to take risks. To be at the top you have to take risks. It comes with a big responsibility and you have to feel comfortable and confident when tackling life with this mindset. I work constantly on being in tune with myself and always doing what is best for me. Your body has all the answers. The more you can listen to your body and be in tune with yourself, you will be guided properly in navigating life to get to the top.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Five years ago, someone in my life challenged me in doing a triathlon. I was very hesitant at first because I had no idea what triathlons were about and no idea how to train for one. Finally I agreed and long and behold I was hooked! Many Professionals come from childhood backgrounds of participating in triathlons or involved in programs that set them up for a triathlon career. What sets me apart from these other pros is I jumped in to this sport with no knowledge, no background, no recruitment program, and I worked my way up the chain. I hope that this can inspire people in any aspects of life. If you truly give your heart and soul to something, I strongly believe a person can accomplish anything. Is it easy? Hell no! I think the people who see what it really takes are people who have lived a similar lifestyle or people that are very close to you. On the outside, it is impossible to explain the work, dedication, and constant push needed to climb mountains. I have been very blessed to have the guidance of Evolved Athlete, that has been my constant support and guidance through this entire process. I think one of the biggest lessons I have had to learn is to stop comparing myself to other athletes and just focus on mown career. We get so caught up in comparing ourselves to where someone else is at or what someone else is doing. If you live your journey in this manner you will never succeed. Instead the most basic and most powerful approach is dedicating everything to your process and your journey. Everyone is at a different place in their career and therefore you can’t compare yourself. Once I was able to change my mindset and focus on ME, everything changed and things got easier.
I want the world to know that everything I say and everything I do I live by 100%. If I am not in alignment with a way of living life I work on that until I am and then I live by it. I want the world to know they will always get the same version of me. I don’t change for anyone and I keep to my true beliefs. I think a lot of people get caught up in pretending they live a certain way and hide behind this fake lifestyle. I do not and will not live that way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being a Professional Triathlete makes it very very difficult to have people come out to visit. But if they did come out to visit I would make some time for some fun adventures! First I love food! I always know the best food places!
We would go to a famous steakhouse called Lil Abners, a pizza place called Reily’s, and of course to some local Mexican stops. I also love to cook so would do lots of that. I love the outdoors so we would have to go hiking in Sabino Canyon and Mt. Lemmon. Go check out some beautiful sunsets at Gates Pass. If the weather is nice sometimes I enjoy on my rest days hanging out at La Paloma Country Club by the people. I am not much of a night life person but if they are visiting I would have to take them out to downtown Tucson. The atmosphere, people, and restaurants is something you must experience in Tucson.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes out to Evolved Athlete. I have been so grateful each day to work with my life coach, Brandon Thielk. I have been working with him for many years and I am proud to be the person I am today. I am so thankful for his guidance and support through life and my career in Triathlon.

Instagram: laragrudentri

Image Credits
Higgybabyphotography Paul Higgins