Contributors

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Jay Cougnet

At the age of 37, Jay began his journey in the sport of triathlon.  He always loved watching the Ironman World Championship recap shows and knew this was a dream he wanted to pursue.  At the age of 45 now, Jay competes in triathlon at all distances, completing 28 races including Kona and 70.3 World Championships.

Jay studied Civil Engineering at the University of Maryland and works at a large national construction management firm.  He earned his MBA from Loyola University, Maryland.  Jay recently acquired his USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification for triathlon and is interested in working with athletes of all types.  Analysis of data and problem solving is a specialty which gives him an attention to detail that will benefit anyone's training plan.  

Jay has been married for seventeen years and has a 14-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.  Juggling life and training is challenging but something he enjoys doing every day.

https://www.instagram.com/jaycougnet/
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Jillian Carlson

Jillian lives in the Pacific Northwest and is a single parent to her teenage daughter and pre-teen son. She works full time as the financial controller for a global investment management company.  She spends her free time training for triathlon, exploring the outdoors, and supporting her kids in their sports adventures (volleyball, track, scootering, etc).  

Jillian was introduced to triathlon in 2007 when she recruited her sisters and cousins to complete their first sprint at the Danskin Womens tri.  She had to pause competing for a decade to focus on career and babies, but returned to the sport at the encouragement of her brother-in-law in 2018 with her first 70.3 - Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene.  They both caught the bug and continue to race all distances, including officially hearing Mike Reilly call their name as an Ironman in 2022.

Http://Instagram.com/jillianmarie_81
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Matt Sommer

Matt serves as the Fitness Director at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, NC where he works with clients of all abilities, ages and fitness levels.  He earned his MS in exercise physiology from UNC Greensboro and is certified as a coach through USA Triathlon, IRONMAN University and USA Cycling. He also possesses multiple certifications through ACE, ACSM, NSCA, NASM and Precision Nutrition.

Matt is a Master Coach for TriDot Triathlon Training Systems where he has helped athletes find the podium in all distances, qualify for Ironman World Championship races, achieve All-American status, and earn the title of USAT Age-group National Champion.  

As a single dad, he enjoys helping others find balance in family, work and training. Matt is an accomplished triathlete and runner himself that regularly finds the podium in races of all distances.  He is an 8x 140.6 finisher, 20x plus 70.3 finisher and 7x Boston Marathon finisher. 


 

https://www.instagram.com/mattsommer99/