Personal message

https://hero.ironman4thekidz.co.za/heroes/jaco-venter

Good day,

I am in search of sponsorship from individuals or companies in the form of monetary contribution, product endorsements or brand representation.

Please could you take a moment to read my story below “From couch potato to Triathlete”. I am seeking assistance to reach my full potential to remain an inspiration to my children, loal community & the rest of the world.I have a burning desire to attend and compete at the Ironman and World Triathlon Championships later this year as well the local Ironman races for preperation.  There is no limitations of whom we as individuals can influence & I believe that my life story can be an inspiration to anyone out there to start making a difference in their own lives as well as others.

 

From couch potato to Triathlete

It all started with my daughter when she was 8 years old when she asked me, her over weight couch potato father, “Daddy, daddy lets go cycling together”. I had to go buy a bicycle that Sunday afternoon & could not even cycle all the way back home with it, which was only 7km away - I had to push it further down the road.

Not being active at all from Primary school, where I played rugby & ran some cross country. At the age of 35 I was overweight at 105Kg, but had stopped drinking alcohol at age 30 and stopped smoking sigarretes at age 34. This new active adventure all started there where I would start cycling little loops of 10 & 20 Km every second day, until attending smaller MTB races & my kids would join in on the fun getting out to explore the outside world with me. It was a very good lifestyle change for me to be a better example to my children, while we all enjoyed being outdoors & going to new venues and exploring new places as family.

After getting some exposure from work colleages & mens groups at church, I started getting an interest in triathlons. One day I see this short triathlon in our local area – in the the Vaal. This is when I phoned my brother to challenge him that we go and try out this kind of race. None of us could swim or ever had swimming lessons, but I cycled a bit and he ran some  Park Runs at the stage. So we entered asking the race organisers if there would be sufficient life savers, if we should not make the complete swim. My father yelled that day of the race on the side of the Vaal river for us to climb out as we were going to drown. Needless to say we finished the race and came dead last from all the participants with huge smiles on our faces.

This is where the “gogga” had bit me. I started training for these events as they are so challenging to complete in and not everyone has the courage to take on a race, nevermind a triathlon event. I believe everyone is capable of accomplishing this if they have the support and right mindset. My daughter started doing these active excersises with me. She also started learning to swim, cycle & then run. I am so very proud of her! Many children have the courageand interest to take on a challenging event as a triathlon. WOW!

Unfortunately I was suffering from depression throughout all these years. I went through a divorce in 2017, where I had decided that I’m going to start doing triathlon races and supporting Ironman4theKidz charity when competing at Ironman events. I started focussing on positive things I can do through triathlons and working on my mindset to get into a healthier, mentally stable condition. Depression had hit me very harder than before late 2022 - being under financial stress and also feeling very lonely at times when my kids are not with me. On my way traveling to my last event at Ironman 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay, I  was so drained of struggling with depression. I had opened up with my coach about my struggles & this is where my life had turned around for me. I have joined his exceptional coaching team called DeBruinTrain.

Coach Gerhard has helped me tremendously in working with not only enhancing my goals for triathlon races but also my overall mindset in life. When being around my team mates again at the Ironman Nelson Mandela Bay event, it made me feel apart of something bigger again. It took one cold rainy day to have someone share the comfort of their warmth under their jacket which turned my life around. In that moment I knew I was destined for more, to support others with inspiration or just even a smile - which can change a persons day or life.

We are not always aware that people around us have a bad day or maybe hiding that they are suffering from depression. I would like to be an inspiration to others around me as well out there in the world. I love helping and encouraging everone in races and training. I love supporting my children as well as others to reach their goals and go beyond their expectations.

From attending my very first triathlon in 2016 (with my Big lil Bro) without any training or knowing how a triathlon works to now 2023 taking the Gold in my Age Category at SA Triathlon Champs 2023. Also I have qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs 2023. This journey of transformation and dedication to improve myself by living a fit active lifestyle has been amazing. Never had I thought in my life that I would be able to accomplish any of these qualifications or be able to complete in a triathlon for that matter. Visiting places across South Africa I would never have experienced & seen before. Eating healthier without over induldging myself or eating fast food takeaways.

I love how I feel in a fit state of mind & body also to dedicate time daily to training. The journey of meeting new people & making new friends along the way has made a worlds difference to myself. I just love being an inspiration to others showing that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

My focus is being a better example to my children & inspire them that they also have it within them to accomplish any goal they set for themselves.From a young age they can start with leading a better and active lifestyle, which I have missed all my years until only starting when I was 35 years old. Now that I’m 41 I have accomplished these World Championship qualifications in my age category & I would  like to attend these World Title races to push my boundaries and make my personal dreams come true!

This is me transformed from an over weight couch potato to a very happier & healthier person. Not through my own power but,with the power of the Almighty God within me. I’m gratefull for a healthy body and a sound mind God has given me. I get a chance to do this sport while inspiring the people around me as well over the world…

 

Local & World Championship Events

• Ironman 70.3 Durban, South Africa

           - 4 June 2023

Charity Link:

Ironman4theKidz

 

• Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay, South Africa

          - 19 November 2023

Charity Link:

Ironman4theKidz

 

• Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Lahti Finland

          - 27 August 2023

 

• World Triathlon Championship in Pontevedra, Spain

           - 24 September 2023

 

Contact Me

Jaco Venter

(+27) 082 747 3117 | [email protected]

 

Coach Gerhard de Bruin

https://www.debruintrain.com/

 

Instagram

https://instagram.com/jacovtown?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jaco.venter.338?mibextid=LQQJ4d

 

Strava

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10027848

 

Ironman4theKidz Charity

https://hero.ironman4thekidz.co.za/heroes/jaco-venter