Doug Qian (He/him)

I took my first step into this world in 2019. I wanted to do something that felt insanely hard, and running the Pittsburgh marathon was the hardest thing I could think of at the time. I'm glad ultramarathons were not on the radar. Training was hard. I did it mostly solo and ramping up from not running at all to peak week really burnt me out. But nevertheless, by the end of it I was in love with running. The miles were hard, but the physical & mental growth I was seeing in myself made it so worth it.

Fast forward a few years - I moved to SF and continued a small running habit (~10 miles/week). I also picked up biking to get around the city, and of course that turned into a Hawk Hill PR obsession. But in the back of my mind I started thinking more and more about a dream I've had since middle school - a full Ironman.

I joined GGTC in early 2024 to take a shot at that dream and to rebuild my personal life outside of work. I loved being a founder and pouring my heart into the work, but I also yearned for something to challenge me outside of work. But learning my lesson from the marathon, I didn't want to burn out. I wanted this to become a lifestyle. So with that, I signed up for SDP and the Lake San Antonio olympic distance triathlon.

GGTC is an amazing community. It's a super unique blend of people who are extremely kind & warm but also absolute monsters who you'd describe as animals. I used to feel huge imposter syndrome being in this club, but people here have been nothing but welcoming and supportive.

The best way I can summarize the club is this – if you want to do crazy things in life, find a community of people who are regularly doing crazy things. That sets the new norm in your life, and over time achieving what felt impossible will feel effortless. That plus we also have a blast while doing it 🤙

Nick Crispie (He/Him)

Hey Golden Gate! I'm a California native who grew up always looking for ways to spend time outside, even if sports wasn't something that came naturally to me. I ran cross-country in High School, used biking mostly just to get around, and learned to swim so far as I wouldn't drown. When I moved back to the Bay Area after grad school, I fell in love with cycling, logging long hours crisscrossing the coastal mountains chasing long climbs and longer descents.

Given that I was only one sport away, triathlons were something that I wanted to do at some point, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. After recovering from an injury and looking for new challenge at the beginning of 2024, I joined GGTC as a way to have that support and people to train with. Immediately after attending a Wednesday track, spring training weekend, and getting over my fear of swimming at a Tam High master's practice, I felt at home with such an amazing and friendly group of people.

Since that initial experience, my time with the club has been an incredible blur of continually expanding my comfort zone: triathlons, trail ultras, and more. I've made some amazing friends and forged even better memories, so I'm super excited to give back and share that with all of you as an Ambassador for 2026!

When I'm not doing fun triathlon things, I'm usually on my next outdoor experience, travel adventure, or outlet for type 2 fun. Lately that's involved hiking and mountaineering trips in California and beyond, skiing in Tahoe, and exploring other countries and cultures. It's extra special if the activity involves good food and great friends - let me know about your next adventure!

Sara Gregg (she/her)

I joined GGTC in 2023 for community and to cross-train for running. Cycling and swimming for fitness were totally new to me. I've since participated in nearly every GGTC training program and I look forward to a focus on cycling in 2026.

Outside of the club, I volunteer with a meditation group, stare at birds, and bake like it's an art not a science. (Also, if you cross-country ski, there are not enough of us in this world, please come speak to me so we can plan the revolution.)

I'm here to answer all the questions you think might be dumb, because I was a beginner not too long ago myself!

Krishna Rao (He/him)

I am Krishna. And I am living in peak happiness right now. I love the city and its access to outdoors. Exercising and spending time with club members gives me lots and lots of positive energy and I am grateful for finding this community. Although I love working out, I don't enjoy racing much. The logistics is too much for my small brain. My preferred workouts are long and slow for all three sports. I don't track my workouts. I measure my workouts by the amount of joy they give me. And I have been hitting PRs by that measure every week!

Alex Linden (he/him)

Hello everyone! I've been a proud member of GGTC since the summer of 2019, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the A-Team again to help make this incredible club even better.

My triathlon journey began back in high school when I wrote "Complete an Ironman" on a bucket list. I started chasing that dream in 2017 by signing up for Santa Cruz 70.3. Little did I know that triathlon would become such a huge part of my life and, let's be honest, my entire personality! Over the years, I've gone from just trying to finish races to setting aggressive time goals—and I've learned a lot along the way, including how not to under-fuel a full-distance Ironman.

GGTC has been a game-changer for me, helping me grow as an athlete and connect with so many amazing people. As an ambassador, I'm here to support everyone, no matter their personal goals—whether you're striving to win the race or just to finish it. I also try to keep in mind that we're all here to have fun and enjoy the journey, because at the end of the day, that's what makes this sport so rewarding.

Outside of triathlon, I love backpacking, camping, savoring great coffee, and hanging out with my dog. I can't wait to continue contributing to this incredible community as an ambassador!

Aaron Walz (He / Him / His)

Hi, I'm Aaron! I joined GGTC in the fall of 2019 after falling in love with open water swimming and realizing I didn't have to train alone. I first spotted the club logo in Marin (during my first triathlon), joined an AP perimeter swim (my first one) and track workout, and was instantly hooked.

Since then, GGTC has become a huge part of my life, through training programs, friendships, and finish lines. What started as a single sprint triathlon has grown into many events of all lengths, including 70.3 Half Ironmans, two six-mile Bridge to Bridge swims, and a full Ironman.

Club highlights for me include Training Weekend in the redwoods, countless track nights followed by Kezar beers, and leading the winter sunset swims at Aquatic Park with my fellow polar bears. I've been an Ambassador since 2022 and also served a year on the board, helping foster the same community spirit that inspired me when I started.

Outside of triathlon, I captain and play on tennis teams (my first sport), am a member of SERC, and am coached by Megan Tobin (TMT). Professionally, I'm the Audio Director for a video game company; I compose music and design sound for a living (beep bop boop!).

Blake Olson (He/him)

Howdy! I'm Blake and I grew up just outside of beautiful Denver, Colorado. My background is mainly in swimming and I swam competitively for about 10 years.

My Triathlon journey began in 2024 after a 4-year hiatus from swimming. I decided to jump back in the water but quickly realized I wanted a new type of event to train for. In March 2024 I purchased my first ever road bike and I remember being so overwhelmed by the amount of things I needed to learn. 3 months later I completed my first century and 3 months after that I finished my first Olympic triathlon in Santa Cruz after training as a part of the Short (Speed) Distance Program. In 2025 I completed my first 70.3 in St. George, Utah along with the Lake Tahoe Olympic triathlon, and ran it back with the Santa Cruz Olympic triathlon as well.

Outside of doing crazy things like swimming in the bay, I work in structural engineering making sure buildings don't fall down here in the Bay Area.

GGTC is such an amazing community and I can't wait to meet, train, and cheer you all on this year!! I'm also excited to hopefully make swimming more approachable (even fun perhaps).

Sofia Staehly (she/her)

Hello! Originally from outside of Boston, I grew up playing soccer and ice hockey as well as skiing occasionally. When I got to the University of Wisconsin in 2018, I stumbled across the triathlon team booth at the club fair and added my name to the mailing list. A week later, I was in the pool! I had little background in any of the three sports and thoroughly enjoyed learning and growing as an athlete while making new friends. I particularly loved how running and biking helped me to explore a city that was new to me.

While living in Bend, Oregon after graduation, a friend of a friend mentioned GGTC and when I moved down to SF a year later, I joined almost immediately. Being a part of an active community again has been such a treat! More importantly, I'm grateful for the people I've met and the connectedness this team has brought me in a city far from home. I'm especially fond of Wednesday track workouts and have recently started exploring trails, so I'm eager to run more of them with the team. As ambassador, I'm looking forward to connecting with new and seasoned members as well as making sure athletes of all levels feel well supported! Here's to a fantastic 2026 with GGTC :)

Aimee Dewante (She/Her)

I was born and raised near Sacramento where I swam competitively, biked leisurely, and ran only from my inner demons. I moved to Chicago in 2010 where my tri-curiosity was piqued by the incredibly alluring Lake Shore Path; biking along the lake seemed obvious, but I surprised myself by waking up one day wanting to join the hordes of runners I saw every day. This is when I discovered "runners high" and never looked back.

I moved to San Francisco in 2021 with just my trusty steel steed. I decided pretty quickly I needed friends, a pandemic-friendly hobby, and probably a lighter bike. GGTC has given me all that (ok so I bought my own bike) and more. This club is full of the most ridiculous and generous people I have ever met and I love that I'm now part of it.

In 2026 I'm excited to do Wildflower! I also plan to be the loudest and most obnoxious cheerleader at as many events as I can, including track night.

Ryan Pedersen (he/him)

Hey y'all! I'm Ryan, a Bay Area native who joined GGTC in early 2025. Never in my wildest dreams would I think that I would be doing triathlons. Growing up, I was very much a land animal with small range—I rarely ran farther than the length of a football field, and my most bike rides were down to the creek to hit "sick jumps" (read: tiny dirt bumps).

I thought my life peaked when I was 11 and my Little League team won our district. Life couldn't get any better than playing a game with friends and getting nachos afterward (foreshadowing for my current affinity for group rides and treats). But beyond that, and for as long as I can remember, I just wanted to be as strong as possible and lift heavy things. That paired well with the fact that I went on to play football in college. After graduating, though, I lost a bit of the sense of community that I'd enjoyed so much from team sports.

Finally, after some years away from SF, in 2024 I moved back and found myself picking up biking and researching "what do people wear in lap pools". Fast forward to 2025, when I joined GGTC and even got a wetsuit to use in Aquatic Park, becoming both a land and sea animal. I also got back the sense of community I'd been missing. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful, and I love having this shared interest that has since pseudo-consumed my life—in the best way.

I wanted to be an Ambassador to welcome people into the club—especially the land creatures out there quietly wondering things like: What's a base pace again? Do I actually need a wetsuit? What even is Zone 2? And why does everyone talk about carbs like they're a family member?

Outside of triathlons, you can find me reading pretty much everything—romantasy, history, biographies, wildlife, mysteries—you name it. I'm also into snowboarding, scuba diving, karaoke, trivia, strength training, and searching for yet another race to sign up for. Hit me up to talk about anything!

Tamara Kohler (she / her)

Hi I'm Tamara! I joined GGTC in 2024 shortly after moving to San Francisco. I grew up in London and swam a lot growing up. I took up running during COVID when there weren't many other exercise options. I've never been much of a cyclist, but I have loved joining the GGTC group rides and getting to explore the amazing nature surrounding San Francisco by bike. Since joining GGTC I've done the Women Tri Together programme which was a great experience and completed a sprint and olympic triathlon, I'll be attempting my first 70.3 in a couple of weeks!

I'm looking forward to being on the ambassador team and helping other members reach their goals this year!

Joana Folgado (She/her)

Olá! Originally from Lisbon, Portugal, and with an exotic background (at least compared to all these incredibly accomplished folks) of decades of couch sitting, I moved to SF a little over a year ago. My main goals then were to put down roots, adopt a more active lifestyle, find community, and enjoy the beautiful nature of NorCal.

I couldn't believe my luck when, through GGTC, I was able to do all of that and more! Over the last year, GGTC has been a lot more than a Triathlon club for me, it has been a place of community and self growth. On the one hand, yes, i've learned how to swim, how to ride clipless, and how to run faster and further, but at the same time, by virtue of now being part of a community of driven, ambitious, limitless, disciplined, and supportive people, I've also learned so much about these values, and how to employ them not just in sports, but in others areas of life.

Focusing more on the sports side of things, within a year with the club, I went from couch to racing with WTT, and went on so many bike adventures. I'm still very much a triathlon newbie, and will continue to be for many years… maybe forever, so my journey continues. Now, as an ambassador, I'm so excited to be part of this group that will support you along your journey, do it with you, and cheer you on, whatever your starting point is.

Find me mostly on the bike, on a chill run, or on a slow lane at Tam :)

Meggie Martin (She/her)

Hey all! I'm originally from SoCal, fell in love with San Francisco when I first moved here after graduating from Davis. Life took me away from the city several times but I just kept moving back…permanently now since 2019.

I first got interested in triathlons when 2 of my best friends decided to sign up for a full Ironman and would not shut up about it! I was in med school at the time so no way I could train then, but I thought "Hey maybe when I have more time I could do a triathlon!" Fast forward to 2021 and did my first Oly at Bass Lake. Thought it would be more fun to train with a group so found my way to GGTC in 2022. Now 3 rounds of WTT and 2 rounds of LDP later I'm excited to be one of your new ambassadors!

When not doing tri stuff you'll probably find me on a mountain somewhere skiing, hiking or backpacking…. Or swimming with the fishes at the Cal Academy where I volunteer as a scuba diver!

Garner McJannett (He/Him)

Hailing from the Great White North, (Toronto, Canada) I moved to the bay in 2022, found GGTC in 2023 and it was one of the best ways to meet people and explore a new city. I started out as a runner in Toronto but found Triathlon and fell in love with the 3 sports, well maybe love/hate with swimming. San Francisco has such great cycling routes to explore, and the fact that we can ride most of the year doesn't hurt either. I've taken on a few Marathons, Olympic tri's, Escape from Alcatraz, five 70.3's and made the jump to a Full Ironman at IMCA in 2025, having an absolute blast thanks to the Long Distance Program. I love having a race on the calendar to focus on and really appreciate the club for the community and accountability. No bike ride is complete for me without a coffee stop and I'm always on the hunt for new cafe spots and restaurants in different neighborhoods so let me know your faves!

Ali Hoffer (She/Her)

Hi everyone! I joined GGTC in July of 2024 as part of the Women Tri Together (WTT) program and it quickly became one of my favorite communities in the city.

Everyone in my life tells me I'm crazy for doing triathlons, but I always respond "I'm here for a good time and a long time." All jokes aside, I do love the variety of triathlon and knowing that on any given day I can get a great workout in running, biking, or swimming. My approach to the sport is "I'm here for a good time and a long time." I like to push the pace and intensity when the body is feeling good, but have no ego scaling it back when I'm not feeling up for it. I want everyone who joins the club to feel comfortable going at their own pace, and know that your best doesn't look the same every day. I simply like getting out there, moving the body, and having a good time.

When I'm not running, riding, or swimming you can find me dabbling in pickleball or at a sports bar cheering on any and every Bay Area team.

Amanda Stansell (She/her)

Hi Everyone! I first got into triathlon when I joined the club tri team at UCSB and then took a long break before joining GGTC in 2022. I was originally influenced by my dad to get into tri, and we still try to do relays together! I'm SO glad I joined GGTC! I've met so many wonderful people and it's motivated me to do amazing things like swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the bay bridge, and hopefully do a marathon next year! WTT was a great intro to the club and I'm excited to be an ambassador to help more people experience the awesomeness of GGTC. You'll rarely see me on the bike outside, but I love convincing people to try open water swimming and having fun chats on runs. I recently went on an open water swim vacation so ask me all about that too!

Jason Ma (He/Him)

Hi, I'm Jason! I come from a swimming and water polo background, but stepped away from both to focus on school. In 2018, I wanted to stay active and found triathlon as a way to keep swimming competitively. My first race was absolute chaos: I had barely slept, my handlebars broke midway so I had to lean to steer, my gears started grinding, and my friend's wheel rolled off their bike when they stopped to help me. Despite all of that, I had a blast and I've been hooked ever since.

In 2024, I decided to focus on chasing a life goal of completing a full Ironman. I started getting more involved with GGTC, and I joined both Spring and Summer LDP to build up my endurance. While my swimming fitness was still there, my running and cycling were lacking, and I faced a lot of tough moments during training. The camaraderie and support from both LDP groups really helped me push through those early struggles, and I'm truly grateful. I wouldn't have finished Ironman California without them.

This year, I'm excited to join the Ambassador group so I can give back to a community that's given me so much. I'm especially looking forward to helping more beginners get deeper into the sport and help athletes of all types push themselves to new PRs.

Melena Mendive (she/her)

Growing up in an athletic family, I quickly learned that traditional sports were not for me when the only points I scored in my first basketball league were for the wrong team. Any athleticism I hopefully inherited would need to be channeled towards activities that didn't require hand/eye coordination - luckily, something clicked for me in swim lessons and I fell into year-round competitive swimming almost accidentally. In middle school, I started running cross-country, and was impressed by how well the two sports complimented each other. After years and years of ignoring my running and swimming coaches telling me I should try triathlon, a very long swimming hiatus, a few half marathons and one full, and a pandemic Peloton purchase, I finally decided that I was hopefully coordinated enough to figure out this bike thing!

I started swimming again in December 2022, and it's hard to spend any time at a pool in SF and not hear about GGTC. After looking into the club, I found the Women Tri Together program and was sold from the first info session. Since then I've done the program twice, captained once, joined the long distance program, completed two Olympic, three 70.3 races, and my first full distance Ironman last year. Needless to say, I caught the bug!

Above all, this club has given me an incredible community filled with the best people. I'm so excited to be an ambassador in 2026 and help others get started in their triathlon journey and catch the bug too!

Cyrus Forbes (he/him)

I grew up in Marin County, spent some time in Chicago, and then moved back to San Francisco in 2017. I found my love for cycling during the pandemic and a couple years later I joined GGTC to take part in the century program. I was quickly hooked and within a year, I found myself bitten by the trail running bug. These days you can usually find me on the trails, with the occasional weekend ride through Marin. I also love backpacking and playing board games. If anyone is looking to do a long hike in the Sierras or spend 14 hours playing Twilight Imperium, let me know!

Hafid (He/Him)

I got into triathlon after realizing I needed to learn how to swim as an adult—and what better motivation than signing up for a triathlon? After forcing myself to learn to swim, avoiding my bike, and running once a week, I realized there had to be a more fun way to train. That's when I joined GGTC. I went through SDP and LDP, learned so much about training, and found an amazing community along the way. I'm excited to be an ambassador and happy to help with any questions!