It took a difficult 50-yard walk alongside his wife, Rachel, in 2012 for Bullard-native Jonathan Johnson to realize he needed to make a huge lifestyle change.

Johnson, father to two young boys, said he hasn’t always lived a healthy lifestyle, but in the last couple of years has made changes to improve his health through participation in triathlons.

“A triathlon is something that I had always wanted to do, but never was in shape to do,” Johnson said. “Finally, I had decided one day to start preparing for one after doing some research and seeing that there was one here in Tyler put on by the East Texas Triathletes.”

Johnson had not set foot on a bike since he was a young boy, and swimming was difficult for him at first. But after beginning to change his eating habits and losing a few pounds, he participated in his first triathlon in September 2012, and fell in love with the adrenaline rush he got while competing. He continued to eat well and exercise regularly and ended up losing a total of 60 pounds, which he has kept it off.

“The weight loss was just a perk,” Johnson said. “I lost quite a bit of weight running, and after I picked up biking, I lost more weight.”

Johnson said he built up a passion for all three sports – swimming, running and biking – and joined the East Texas Triathletes organization after his first triathlon. The group annually hosts a triathlon that includes a 650-meter swim, a 12-mile bike and a 3.1-mile run.

“The triathlon has completely changed my life,” Johnson said.

He added that training has changed his perspective of food by teaching him to eat right, not to maintain a certain look or physique, but to fuel his body in order to compete well.

Johnson was elected as Vice President of the East Texas Triathletes in 2014 and this year serves as president of the more than 140-member organization.

“I took the presidency position because I like to give back to the community and felt like I could do a good job by the club,” Johnson said.

This is the eighth year for the East Texas Triathletes and Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics to partner up for the annual sprint triathlon. This year’s triathlon will be held on Sept. 12 at Lake Tyler Concession #2 on McElroy Road. To learn more about the East Texas Triathletes, the upcoming triathlon or to become a member of the East Texas Triathletes, visit www.ettriathletes.com.

Twitter: TMTMelissa

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About the Rose City Triathlon

Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics and the East Texas Triathletes annually partner to host the Rose City Triathlon – a sprint triathlon that includes a 650-meter open water swim, 12-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. This year’s race is set for Sept. 12 at Lake Tyler on Sept. 12. For information about the race, visit www.rosecitytri.com; for information about the East Texas Triathletes, visit www.ettriathletes.com.