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

Hi Shannon, what do you think about risk?

For over 25 years, I’ve coached thousands of men and women, from CEO’s to stay-at-home mom’s of six, to achieve their fitness goals. I’ve coached them to complete Ironman triathlons, pass the police academy physical fitness tests, and to hike across Camino de Santiago. And here is what I know to be true: in order to feel the highest level of personal pride & fulfillment, you must overcome adversity, fear, and/or self-doubt. That only happens when you acknowledge the risk of failure but you consciously decide to try anyway. Because the only real failure in life is the failure to start.

Since early childhood, I have been a risk-taker. I was the girl that refused to have training wheels. Instead, I learned to ride my bike by going mach 10 down the dirt hills in the neighborhood, crashing into the nearest bush to break my fall. And I fell alot. Like alot alot. But I got up every time, dusted myself off, and literally got “back in the saddle” again and again. Why didn’t I give up? Because deep down, I wanted to prove I could do it. Not to prove it to others, but to myself.

I continued this pattern of courage-to-confidence throughout my life. I graduated high school and moved 3000 miles away to go to a ginormous university where I knew not-a-soul. I started doing Ironman triathlons in the era where women only made up 20% of the competitors and I qualified for the World Championships 3X. I divorced my abusive husband after 8 years of marriage because I knew I could rebuild with only the clothes on my back. I left the corporate fitness world to start not just one, but two businesses to physically and mentally empower others.

And here’s my secret to helping clients achieve success: I teach them to power-up their mindsets in order to build confidence. We do this by turning thoughts into actions. Those actions cultivate competence, and over time, competence evolves into confidence. In other words, we focus on capability, not ability.

My clients learn that the body follows the mind. When you believe it’s possible, even if it seems super scary, you are truly limitless when you choose to be.


What should our readers know about your business?
The essential component to my fitness coaching that sets me apart from others is that I prioritize strengthening your mindset in order to strengthen your body. That mindset isn’t the cliche “just do it” mentality, but rather, developing self-awareness about the positive and negative thoughts that control our actions. I teach clients to change their self-limiting beliefs and tap into their limitless potential.

Clients trust me because I have trained men & women for over 25 years to achieve their best physical & mental fitness. I’ve also lived it. As a 17X Ironman triathlete and world champion age-group competitor, my superpower was not being genetically gifted. Far from it. My superpower was that I focused on what I could do, not on what others were doing. I tapped into my inner strength, unshakable determination, and resilience to do the best I could do. And that is what it’s all about … believing you can.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OOOH! I love this question!

As a fitness guru, I would take them to Sabino Canyon to do the Blackett’s Trail & Phoneline hike. Panoramic views of Tucson and the full experience of hiking in our truly awesome city.

Dinner would be at the original El Charro in downtown Tucson and then take a walk through Old Town.

The next day, I would take them to the Colossal Caves to do the underground tour. So unique and super cool! Stop at one of Tucson’s famous farmers markets on the way home for homemade tortillas and salsa.

I love the outdoor patio at Contigo Latin Kitchen. Fabulous food, gorgeous views, great service… it has it all!

Love the Tucson mural bike tour. We’d definitely need to make time for that and then get some yummy Mexican food, a local food truck and a coffee stop at one of the local shops.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow – this is a LONG list of people!

My mom is the number one person I credit with helping me evolve into the woman I am today. Growing up, my mom was my cheerleader, my role model, and my support system. It took me until well into my 30’s to fully appreciate how strong my mother really was, and still is. Now I understand that her acts of courage were extraordinary, even though she has never given herself the credit she deserves. It’s an era of women that just “did what they had to do”. but the truth is, she chose to make bold, brave decisions. To take risks to do what she believed in. That ripple effect of badassery is changing history… I mean herstory… for us all.

Website: www.achievemultisport.com

Instagram: @achievemultisport

Linkedin: Shannon Paterson

Facebook: @achievemultisport

Other: I have 2 businesses, ACHIEVE Multisport Coaching & Personal Training for people that want to train for race specific goals and/or personal training as well as Live Your Truth Women for women who want personal or small group training focused on their unique needs as a 40+ women. Here are the links for that: www.liveyourtruthwomen.com @liveyourtruthwomen (for both IG and FB)

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