Meet Michanda Myles, Our 2024 Women’s Tri Race Announcer
Michanda Myles has a message for everyone, to try and believe that triathlon is for you! Michanda is an esteemed network connector and builder. In every aspect of her work, Michanda Myles demonstrates her deep passion for social equity. Michanda holds a B.S. in Public Relations from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and an MBA from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama (Atlanta Campus). A native of Augusta, GA, Michanda now calls Washington, DC, her home, where she immerses herself in the city’s vibrant outdoor scene and leads an active personal life. She is a model, an avid triathlete, an announcer for endurance races and hosts a podcast, Tri Beginner’s Luck. In her weekly podcast, Michanda talks with coaches, professional athletes, beginner athletes, race and event directors and announcers, triathlon media and other industry leaders who share their beginner stories, and what it takes to be successful in this sport - and life. Tri Beginner’s Luck is the podcast and community you need to start and continue your love affair with the triathlon lifestyle. Read on to learn more about Michanda and how she inspires others in many ways.
“I’m a black woman who is fearfully and wonderfully made. I have the gift of speaking, which allows me to use my talent to be a race announcer and emcee at events. It allows me to speak to people and encourage them. I model. I am a musician. I am an athlete. I’m a sister. I’m a daughter. I’m a Southern girl at heart but an everyday city woman. I am a full-figure boss babe, embracing all of my curves. I’m a child of God. That’s who I am.”
How did you get involved in the sport of triathlon and being an announcer for endurance races?
In 2009 I was on my first tri-relay team. I have always loved swimming I grew up as a swimmer so I was like okay sure I can swim and when I got out and saw people in transition (now that I know it’s a transition) I was like one day I wanna do that and from that point on, I wanted to do a triathlon. I saw the benefits of how it made me feel, and I didn’t want to lose that feeling. Although I wasn’t able to do a lot of triathlons because it’s a very resource-heavy sport, I did what I could to stay active when I could only do one triathlon race a year. When I first started, I focused on finishing and then working at each distance. Now I know I can do the distances, so my focus is on particular legs that will give me a better advantage, like the bike and run portion.
I think every opportunity that I get to try is an opportunity to learn to grow. I know I’m stronger than I think I am and a race doesn’t define me, it is just a moment in time. I’ve learned to manage the circumstances to the best of my ability and to get better. My proudest achievement is that I will always try. Even if I fail, I will try again. I know we think about the awards and the accolades, but you don’t get those awards and accolades if you don’t try. Triathlon is a gift. Having the ability to move – to get out there and do something – is truly a gift.
In 2014, I did my first 70.3 distance course with Kinetic Multisport, and the announcer, who is now my mentor, Ken Berger, was randomly talking to my teammates about wanting to bring in more women and people of color. One of my teammates came to me while in the hot tub recovering and told me to talk to him. Of course, after doing a long-distance race, you don’t settle down and sleep right away. I was looking at my results and found out I placed in my division. I was like, woah, I have to go back and get my award. Ken gave me his card and I immediately sent him an email. He called me that week to see if I could come up to the SavageMan triathlon race. Since then, I have been announcing. Ken and Kinetic Multisport have been a launching pad for me. They allowed me the opportunity to be an announcer and I appreciate their stance on being inclusive and embracing diversity. I’ll always be grateful for that.
When I work as an announcer, my energy level is at 1,000. I get energy from encouraging people. As an announcer, you’re there before the start till the final finisher and awards. And the final finisher? They get the most because I know what that person could be going through, what they are experiencing and what it’s taking them to get to that finish line. I also love to dance, you can catch me doing a nice body roll. I have fun, it’s an experience and I am a pretty interesting butterfly.
About Tri Beginners Luck Podcast:
I thought about what the podcast would be about, and I thought about my journey, and I said, why don’t you tell stories about how people got started, that would encourage other people to try and to keep going. I thought about my journey of being a triathlete and an entrepreneur, where you don’t have the luxury of knowing when you’re getting paid. I often didn’t have a lot of resources.
I had the idea to work with beginners. It was risky. Everyone wants to focus on the top. But what about the people who have everyday stories? Everyone has a first-time story. So that’s how we started.
Each year, I’ve grown, and gotten more people to say yes, I’d love to be on your podcast. People have come up to me at races and said they listen to it during trainer rides. Beginners who share how they’ve raced with helmets on in the run leg, learned how to swim to do their first tri or lost weight to overcome and complete their first race. It’s all inspiring. We all have a story, and all of our stories matter. Telling stories from multiple vantage points, whether it’s a beginner or a professional – everyone has the same thread. They have a starting story, and the struggles they had in that first race – to me, that is important.
What is your motivation?
I’m powered by my faith and inspired by women overcoming and excelling. It’s an honor to be able to grace the day head-on. Just knowing that I still have work to do, people to connect with, knowing I can brighten someone’s day by just saying good morning. That’s why I continue to do what I do. Opportunities that I get to do all the things that I get to do, practicing gratitude. I love to inspire people and make them feel better than when they came.
What song or album did you listen to most in the last year?
One song I play over and over again in my workout mix is called Candyman by Zedd & Aloe Blacc & Grey. Also, Break My Soul by Beyoncé.
Who is an icon/hero/role model of yours?
I have huge admiration for Oprah Winfrey. She’s built an empire, she’s given back, she’s still doing it to this day and she’s a woman who looks like me. Also, Queen Latifah is multifaceted and multi-talented, and I deeply resonate when I see her. She is brilliant, beautiful and bossed-up in every area of her life.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I incorporate relaxation heavily. During my free time, I do things that bring me joy like going to museums and reading, primarily autobiographies and biographies. I’m also a foodie and like to cook and try different recipes.
What would be your motto?
Whenever you try beginner’s luck, you truly win. I’m a trial-by-learner type of person. A lot of times we get caught up in the, I don’t think I can. Just try. It’s just about getting out there and doing it and telling yourself what you can do. Nothing is ever easy. It goes with the saying: Prioritize the things that are important to you.
What tips/advice do you have for those new to triathlon?
I think resources, money, and accessibility can be a big hurdle for people getting into the sport. When I first started I was starting a business as well so I didn’t have the time to do multiple races in a year. I did one race a year for maybe two or three years and then at one point, I was like okay I can do two or three but it was a steady build. You can always find a place to tap into, to get better, and continue to grow. I remember in 2019 I wanted to be more of a lifelong journey so I just kept doing it and kept doing it. Once I get into something, I’m always trying to figure out how I can improve and it’s really about self discovery than anything else.
One of the biggest hurdles for beginners is the cost of the sport. the gear, entry fee, the time it takes a train, and the list of expenses often seems endless. Ask around, there’s someone who has something and they’re most likely willing to share. My first bike was a bike I borrowed from my spin coach and my second bike I paid $500 for from a teammate. Tri suits you can technically share or ask someone if they know someone who has one to use or if they know where you can get it at a low cost. I’m a budget shopper so I go on websites and I look for sales for the best deal. Buy the floor model, and negotiate the price. Ask people where they get things whether it’s a swim outlet or buying your bike from the clearance section. Get with a run club and meet people who may know where to get gently used shoes. I am very mindful of the cost because I understand that once you get to the race you got to think about housing and food. Team up with people for a hotel or an Airbnb and carpool.
Given your model status, how do you make triathlon look good?
One thing I do to make triathlon fashionable for me is put on lipstick. Lipstick is my power. I love lipstick and I think it dresses up anything. I put it on before the start of a race and during training. But the tri onesies, I really dislike them, but for my body type, it prevents the unwanted rollup and/or down during the race from a two-piece. The onesies, at times, make me feel like I am stuffed ...like sausage meat in a casing. I got curves so I am often uncomfortable, especially with the two pieces. I think how I see triathlon being beautiful is just a woman out there racing. I’m not out here judging the lines on her kit. I believe that if you feel like you look good, you’re gonna race better and you’re gonna feel better and you’re more likely to get out there.
What does YWCA Minneapolis mean to you and why did you choose to be part of the Women’s Triathlon?
Growing up, I didn’t know much about YWCA and I grew into learning about it when I moved to DC. Advancing racial justice and gender equity is so important to me. I want to work with others who have that at their core and YWCA fits that. I’m so excited to be a part of the Women’s Triathlon this year, To all racers, get ready for an amazing race, come energized and have fun. Being nervous is okay, let’s do this and create magic together. We are powerful. We are beautiful. We are courageous. We can do anything. Let’s go!