Meg Dirito: Triumphs as a professional Triathlete, mom and ER Veterinarian
A Professional triathlete, part time ER veterinarian and mom of two rockstars.
Let's rewind....
I was born in southern PA with ballet shoes on my feet. I ditched them shortly after for grips, gymnastics leotards and tight buns with hairspray. I spent my childhood in the gym flipping and twisting until my heart was content. Outside of the gym I spent my days climbing trees, making hay forts in the barn and taking care of our many animals.
During my 9th grade, I decided to switch from gymnastics to other sports such as field hockey, pole vaulting, and swimming. I spent my high school years exploring options to determine which sport I would pursue in college. I was talented in all three sports and was recruited for each, but I chose swimming because it was my first love.
I attended Bucknell University, where I excelled in swimming, setting pool meets, and league records in the 50 and 100 freestyle. I qualified for the NCAA and Olympic trials and was named the Margaret Grunow Award winner. I was inducted into the Bucknell Sports Hall of Fame a few years later.
After having two children, I stopped working out and lost touch with my athletic self. However, one day, I decided to sign up for my first local triathlon and began training from a triathlon book, which reignited my passion for sports. I eventually signed up for my first 70.3 and 140.6 and turned to Tridot to guide me on my journey towards becoming an endurance athlete.
My first 70.3 race was at Eagleman, where I earned a spot at the World Championships in France. However, I declined the offer as I still didn't have a good grip on what I was doing. A few months later, I participated in my first full Ironman race at IM Chattanooga and secured 4th place, but I missed my Kona slot by just one place.
The next year, I focused on figuring out how to race a 70.3 and traveled to Utah to compete at the 70.3 World Championships. In 2022, I spent the year perfecting my 140.6 and earned my spot at the Kona World Championships in Hawaii. I finished the year by winning the IM Indian Wells 70.3 in California and obtaining my professional triathlon license.
That's my story in a nutshell. Although I love triathlons, there's more to me than just that. I work part-time as an ER veterinarian and full-time as a triathlon coach, and I'm a wife to another rockstar Kona qualifier, and a full-time mom to two swimming superstars. I love animals and traveling to new places. I'm an open book. I find peace and tranquility in the water, where it all started. My story continues, but for now, that's where I end.
Remember, life is a journey, and if you fall in love with that journey, you will be in love forever.
"Work hard in silence Let your success be the noise""
GRIND. HUSTLE. EXECUTE.