I GUIDED FOR A PARATRIATHLETE-racing with a blind athlete at the Paratriathlon National Champs

The day after her wins at the USA Triathlon Legacy Tri in Long Beach, Jenna acted as a guide for triathlete Lizzie during the Paratriathlon National Championships. Lizzie is visually-impaired, and in paratriathlon, VI-athletes compete with a guide acting as their eyes during the race. Without any prior experience and only an interest in getting into guiding, Jenna practiced the day before (right after her race) with Lizzie and US Paralympic triathlete Amy Dixon, learning how to mount and pilot a tandem bike and running through the transition setup. Lizzie put all her trust in Jenna as a first-timer, but it was a race to remember.
And thanks to Dare2Tri for making this weekend possible for Jenna and Lizzie-can’t wait for the next one! If you’re interested in learning more about Dare2Tri or how to become more involved with the Paratriathlon community, check out dare2tri.org
Shout out to @USA Triathlon and @Aero Media for some of the awesome footage!
PARTNERS that made this video possible:
- Sailfish Wetsuits: use code FREESTYLETRI for 20% off at us.sailfish.com (USA only)
- Tread Labs: bit.ly/3sPr9KB code: FREESTYLETRI for 10% off
And if you liked this video + our channel, please support our journey by joining us on Patreon: / freestyletri
Our triathlon coach + team: Working Triathlete - mention "Freestyle Tri" to get started with a free consultation and no-charge setup
www.workingtri...
/ working.triathlete
Our PT: Ultrahealth Physical Therapy - San Francisco, CA - mention “Freestyle Tri” for 20% off your functional assessment screening
ultrahealth.org
/ ultrahealthpt
PARTNERS
Sailfish Wetsuits: use code FREESTYLETRI for 20% off at us.sailfish.com (USA)
FINIS Swim: www.finisswim.com code: FREESTYLETRI for 20% off
Hungryroot: bit.ly/36l5CRH code: Freestyle Tri for 40% off your first delivery, plus your choice of a free gift for life
VIIA Hemp: bit.ly/3DKp9p6 code: JM15 for 15% off
Whoop: join.whoop.com... for your first month free
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Momentous: momentous.sjv.i... code: FREESTYLETRI15 for 15% off
8 Sleep: eight-sleep.io... code FREESTYLE for $100 off
ABOUT US
We’re Jenna Haufler and Miguel Mattox-
With humble roots as college swimmers, we’ve worked hard to become two of the country’s leading age-group triathletes, and are now on a mission to become professional athletes while still having fun along the way. We swim-bike-run together, eat together, sleep together, and make videos together for our own (and hopefully your) enjoyment.
Throughout our documented journey, watch how a couple of ambitious 20-something-year-olds work towards their life goals in a disciplined yet untraditional, not-so-serious manner.
We live for adventure and hope to inspire our viewers and subscribers to seek out the same.
Follow us:
Freestyle Tri: / freestyletri
Freestyle Tri on Strava: / strava
Jenna's Instagram: / jennahaufler
Miguel's Instagram: / miguelmattox

[@frankvisser4617]

This is absolutely so wholesome. When you turned the screen black, I was like: "hell no I could do this." So much respect for VI'ed people and their mental strength to push on through their goals.

[@colleenpakkianathan3151]

Jenna! I already think the world of you and your athleticism, your attitude, you and Miguel’s channel and work ethic - but man. This. Tears. What an amazing way to use your Tri talent!

[@martyf.8088]

That was one of the greatest videos. Doing this makes me respect you even more. Congrats Lizzy!!! 🏆

[@randistrunk6329]

Thanks for guiding and for highlighting paratriathlon. As a blind triathlete, we couldn’t do it without you. You’ve got yourself a new subscriber. Also, thanks for shouting out Dare2Tri, they’re such a fantastic organization.

[@hurryhrd]

That was so cool to be part of this experience. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@Jdwmaguire]

This is brilliant, I worked with a DeafBlind people before and I know exactly how hard it can be... to do it in a Triathlon takes a lot of guts. Fair play Jenna and Lizzie you were a champ! Good vibes all around :)

[@berilpolat971]

It was nice to meet you guys at the race and thank you so much for agreeing to switch bikes with Irwin and I! You ladies did an awesome job 💪🏻 First time guiding is a BIG task and it requires a lot more trust, patience and communication than one thinks. Congratulations to Lizzie and I hope to see you both at the next paratriathlon race! ☺️ and Miguel, get over that nervousness and get to guiding!!

[@safrica96]

What an incredible experience! I had tears in my eyes watching it!

[@nathang2783]

Congrats to both of you ! You gotta love the positivity of this one 👍 Great idea to to let us with only the audio during the race Miguel !

[@alexandragoeringer1713]

This was such an incredible experience to witness. Thank you for capturing this - I know I learned a lot and am feeling particularly inspired! That switch to audio only was incredibly powerful. Go Jenna & Lizzy!!

[@willietatum5116]

Triathlon is known as selfish sport. Your uploads defy the norm. You share the grit with a smile and giving of your time and energy to elevate Lizzy is an invaluable contribution to the sport. I love your body of work and I’m inspired.

[@linamora5819]

Wow Jenna! Thank you so much for guiding Lizzie! What an inspiration. Incredible when the screen was black and thinking how much Lizzie is trusting you. Thanks for the vid guys. Keep up the good work.

[@triholl]

I was there, for the swim, by Miguel. He said "Jenna is waving at the drone" I said "NO way!" Well, he was RIGHT!!! So fun to see the para athletes/guides. This was another terrific video. It shows all the information needed to make the triathlon work well. Amy, she's great at explaining the process. Congrats!!!

[@KelsAndJay]

YEEEEEEEE LIZZIE!! That was awesome to watch. Nice going Jenna and great job at capturing such a cool moment in sport Miguel

[@Tez8747]

Wish I could give more than one thumbs-up 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@steeleronfire7030]

Wow! What an amazing experience for both Jemna and Lizzie! I got goosebumps when the screen faded ro black and we were listening to the narration.

[@annybear3]

Would Lizzie be down for a follow-up interview? Would love to hear more about her goals/plans for future - half with Jenna? Also then we need a training series !

[@meatflaps1]

fantastic work both of you! Inspiring!

[@katharinaweigel7299]

This was awesome to watch! Thanks for taking us along! What a wonderful experience on both sides.

[@rufinosison1]

Thank you for what you guys do. Aside from completing a full ironman as my goal. Im adding this to my bucket list. Thank you guys for inspiring me.

[@podoric]

I'm Alison a guide to a blind athlec. It's an amazing experience. Congats

[@jeffreysnyder6339]

This was awesome!! Incredibly inspiring all around. Bravo 👏

[@patrickweil3748]

Awesome Video Miguel, especially the part with the black screen is a pretty impressive idea! And shoutout to Jenna for doing the guidance. Everyone should enjoy traithlon and you helped a person doing so! Overall great job you two!

[@scboulder1985]

Jenna, That was very NOBLE of you. To put aside your race schedule to help an impaired athlete to complete a goal or dream! That deserves a, HOOORAH!

[@sebastianaustein6522]

Nice idea to let us have a "glimpse" at Lizzie's point of "view". Respect to Lizzie. Trusting someone you don't know very well with your health and safety while doing a demanding sport with parts of it in a potential life threatening surrounding (water) and not giving up on the fun life can give you just because you're blind makes me so happy. Lizzie! Lizzie! Lizzie!

[@heidiluongo4311]

Huge respect for both you ladies. Very moving and beautiful

[@brotherofalex]

This was a very cool perspective, guys. I run with a local VI runner and have run races with him a few times, and it is an exciting and rewarding challenge. Taking it to triathlon-and with only half a day's practice!-is a whole other level. Really neat to see. Lizzy was incredible. Well done to you all.

[@stuart4801]

Fantastic video! Well done to Lizzy and Jenna. I hope Jenna gets the chance in the future to guide her again!

[@cmidkiss]

Love your videos! What camera do you use? Combo? Go pro, IPhone??

[@cristiansan]

Inspiring, thinking to do the same somethime, thanks for the experience

[@droptineranchandlake]

That was an incredible video! To be visually impaired and compete in a tri is nothing short of amazing! Well done Lizzy and Jenna!

[@timschroepfer2385]

Amazing, thank you soo much for this!! Way to go Lizzie & Jenna 🙂

[@patrickfruge4244]

This world is so much better for having yall in it. God bless yall

[@allenvilleendurance]

What an awesome and amazing thing!!! From helping guide to the fact she crushed the course that she couldn’t see! Awesome to show how the steps of helping guide are done also.

[@olyjackson3060]

Awesome job, very inspiring all around

[@dominikwiesheu6144]

That was truly inspiring and very heartwarming 😊

[@mission140.6]

That was so moving! Definitely an inspiration!

[@marij7153]

Love this.. you are an amazing soul Jenna and good job to both of you

[@williamfoster3180]

That was absolutely wonderful🥰

[@leslie7922]

Only heartless bots could dislike this video

[@troycollett8540]

I think we all want to see more content and events of Jenna and Lizzie

[@sonapilarova102]

Your videos are the best 😌 and this one is very kind and it made my Sunday 👌

[@arttumarttinen5408]

I love you for doing this, that's all.

[@1023Endurance]

Id have to imagine this is as rewarding as anything in the sport- including an Ironman finish

[@TkONe22]

such a nice thing to do. Great souls, both of you.

[@bwhite13]

This is 100% the best video you two have made! Loved it

[@DanielPaysTheMortgage]

GF and I were crying by the end, beautiful video!

[@DJONKO93]

Who's cutting the onions over here

[@christopherwebb6465]

Best content Ive seen on KZbin!!!

[@jaychu3850]

You guys rock… this for me was your best video

[@paigesettar2543]

I LOVED THIS!! Lizzie is so cool and patient teaching you how to be her eyes for a really hard race - AND PLACING!? YES LADIES!

[@paigesettar2543]

Also hearing the excitement and joy in both their voices during the black screen moments was amazing, it helped seeing people like myself really understand how important good communication is to tackle something so technical and physical!

[@willishuang3660]

You guys are the best!!!

[@a2n-]

Very interesting and very cool experience !

[@imasurfer2]

y'all are amazing!

[@lazarostzioras4883]

your best video

[@NickGoldston]

No I’m not crying

[@angelowillis7274]

This is awesome 👏

[@troycollett8540]

This was amazing

[@uptonpark55]

You guys rock.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

So amazing!

[@justinmyers9221]

Amazing.

[@JesseRitchey]

Beautiful

[@andreamecenero01_]

Love that

[@chrisb7999]

❤❤❤. So goooood!

[@jeaniekim9951]

Way to go Lizzy! You’re an awesome athlete! So strong! Would love to cheer you on in your future races! Thank you Jenna & Miguel for encapsulating the spirit of tri. Jenna, excellent job in guiding your athlete to show her resilience. Superb! Miguel, your creativity in this video was simply amazing - music, all shots, and sewing them all together. It was all goodness. ✌️🫶🙌

[@MarceloG..]

WOW, if anyone needs inspiration... this is the video to watch. Great job Lizzy and Jenna. The black screen... what a powerful way to give a message, that was brilliant. So much respect for para-athletes! Thanks for this video, seriously!

[@jadeevans4372]

So much respect for this aswell as the filming going dark made me quite emotional!! Absolutely incredible amazing job everyone 👏👏👏

[@heatherhafen6803]

You are so incredibly inspiring. Emotional to watch. You both were smiling the whole time. Lizzy is amazing. Jenna you are a true athlete to help with both of your goals. Love all 3 channels. Jenna and Miguel you both do amazing content and are so inspiring. Amazing job 👏 🙌 👌 👍 ❤️

[@erincastell]

This is so amazing. To see how much Lizzy trusted you in the race is so inspiring. Loved how open you were to listening and receiving feedback, what a humbling experience! Great job!

[@aimeeclarke2087]

You are an amazing human being Jenna and should be proud of yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone and helping Lizzie chase her dreams.

[@toddkearney6464]

This was a great video. The message is so much stronger than triathlon. Thank you Jenna and Miguel. Thanks for the happy tears.

[@timobrien256]

Thanks for taking us thru the details…..very informative!

[@themediocretriathlete]

And this is why I love this channel...you guys are awesome and such a positive influence on the sport!

[@yoloswaggins4427]

Insane - thanks for the "visualisation" and speaking of the problems that you have to solve in these situations. Really a great insight - much love from bavaria

[@MegaMissPrincess93]

This is the best video you have made to date. Just amazing insight and I had no idea this was an opportunity to support athletes. Not only just being a cool thing to get involved in. Well done guys thanks for sharing

[@noahsshow8153]

Lizzie is a true inspiration! So courageous and brave to take on a triathlon. Huge congratulations to you both!

[@volunteerabroad-vy3ti]

Thanks for the insights. You two are incredible.

[@timkotze5041]

Absolutely amazing video - loved it so so much!

[@Viktoria-7]

Heartwarming and beautiful! You both are awesome!

[@ceciliabidwell1809]

This was the best video ever!! Congrats Lizzie and Jenna!!

[@Dannsandiego]

Well done Jenna and Lizzie! So good of Jenna to share her skill and passion for the sport.

[@davemcginnis1568]

Hats off to Jenna and Lizzie, very inspiring.

[@Meat4389]

I absolutely love this and need to get involved next year

[@adamlazaryev3135]

that is absolutely amazing !

[@Daniele_Irish]

Thank you for inspiring us all

[@BabaDeyTri]

Awesome for doing this!!!

[@ligoriot44]

😍👋👋👋

[@Paul-M21]

This was so cool to watch. Congrats Jenna & Lizzie!