A year ago this time, Malibu resident Lesley DeHaas was a couch potato. But by working out two hours a day and changing her eating habits, she shed 40 pounds, and convinced friend and co-worker Judy Kim to join her in the great adventure of participating in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.
DeHaas decided to get into shape after becoming concerned that her health might be in jeopardy if she continued her bad habits, and sought a support program to help her realize her dreams. She wanted to keep up with her six-year-old daughter, Shaley DeHaas-O’Briant, improve her self-image and benefit others by her actions.
The answer was enrolling in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, the world’s largest endurance sports training program.
After gathering with her fellow athletes from around the country on Zuma Beach to swim a half-mile, ride her bike for 18 miles and then run four miles, she and Kim are planning on participating in two more triathlons in the months ahead. When she’s not training, she can be found pursuing her other hobby, showing and breeding English Bulldogs. She has seven.