Ab-so-lutely not!
I'm Jessie (@jes.she.can), 29 years old, and I live in Amsterdam. Sports have played a big part in my life for many years, although it all started with just a few runs and bike rides on the weekend. Until a friend asked me two years ago if I wanted to join her in a half triathlon. My first reaction? "Absolutely not!" I was fine with cycling and running, but swimming? I was once so bad that I didn't even get my B swimming diploma. Swimming front crawl in open water? Absolutely not!
Jes she can
But a few weeks later, she finally convinced me. She had a strong suspicion I'd secretly love it. And she was right. In the months that followed, I joined a swimming club and followed online training schedules for cycling and running. In June 2022, I was at the starting line of my very first half triathlon, and I've been hooked ever since! Besides triathlon, I love traveling, camping, hiking, and anything that involves being outdoors. I love being in the mountains, wild camping with a thermos of coffee at sunrise, followed by a beautiful bike ride or hike. I find that outdoor feeling in sports here in the Netherlands as well, and for me, it's the perfect way to clear my head. Especially since my father's death in 2023, sports have become not only a challenge but also an outlet.
stay healthy, get stronger, push boundaries
I work as a Software Engineer. That means a lot of hours behind a laptop and screens. That's precisely why I love exercising outdoors after a day at work. No coding, no screens, no to-dos, just cycling, running, or swimming.
Last year I finished my first full IRONMAN, and two months later I was even at the starting line of the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice. This year I'm aiming for another full distance at Challenge Almere, and IRONMAN 70.3 Luxembourg is also on the agenda. I also cycled Liège-Bastogne-Liège (260 km) this spring, because besides triathlon, I simply love beautiful long rides. My goal is to stay healthy, get stronger, keep pushing my boundaries, and above all, keep enjoying the sport. And to maintain a balance, because as much as I love triathlon, friends, terraces, festivals, and concerts are just as much a part of it for me.
Effective and fair
As a vegan athlete, it's important to me that sports nutrition is both effective and honest, and Kalkman fits that bill perfectly. No unnecessary additives, just enough sugar to get you through those long training sessions and races. And honestly: a tasty bar or gel can make all the difference in those final stretches.
Nutrition isn't called the fourth discipline of triathlon for nothing. Especially for long distances, it's crucial to replenish your energy and recover well. I've learned a tremendous amount in this area in recent years: from completely crashing because I didn't eat enough during training, to now knowing exactly what and when to eat to maintain my energy levels. Healthy, plant-based eating is my foundation, and sports nutrition provides that extra fuel during racing and training. And preferably from brands that align with my sustainable and conscious lifestyle.