How It All Started: Sarah Segrest’s Journey of Discipline, Representation, and Heart

From the moment she laced up her first pair of running shoes, Sarah Segrest has been guided by a mix of discipline, passion, and heart. Born in Vietnam and adopted into the United States, Sarah grew up with a natural competitive streak and a curiosity for movement. Sports quickly became more than play. They were her proving ground. Endurance, both mental and physical, fascinated her. When she found triathlon, Sarah Segrest knew she was on a journey. She realized that she discovered not just a sport, but a calling.

“Originally, I signed up for a Half Ironman without any triathlon training and without having ever completed a triathlon,” Sarah said. “I just knew I wanted something that would challenge me.” What followed was a crash course in multisport. Before lining up at the Half Ironman, she raced two sprint triathlons. Those early stepping stones revealed both the difficulty and the joy of triathlon.

The Work Behind the Finish Line

What makes Sarah’s journey stand out isn’t just her talent, but her consistency and work ethic. She’s the athlete who shows up early, stays late, and puts in the invisible hours that no one sees. Whether hammering intervals on the trainer, grinding through long solo runs, or sneaking in recovery between training blocks, Sarah is relentless in her pursuit of progress. This commitment is evident throughout Sarah Segrest’s triathlon journey.

Her approach is never about perfection. “I’m not chasing medals—I’m chasing growth,” she said. Each finish line, no matter the distance, is a checkpoint in a much larger journey. That mindset keeps her grounded, even as she climbs toward higher-level national and international races.

Building Community Through Inclusion

But Sarah’s story extends far beyond her training log. She’s become a recognizable face in the triathlon community, not just because of her racing, but because of her leadership and authenticity. By incorporating inclusion, Sarah Segrest’s triathlon journey has become more than just a personal achievement; it connects her to the broader community.

“The triathlon community has helped me and been there for me in so many ways,” she said. “I want to share this with others and help support those getting into the sport.”

Her passion for inclusivity is rooted in her own lived experience. As a Vietnamese-born American adoptee, Sarah sees the lack of Asian and Pacific Islander representation in endurance sports and wants to change that. “To me, inclusivity means more API representation,” she explained. “I use my platform to speak up about being born in Vietnam and adopted. I want to help inspire people in my community to try a triathlon. Sharing stories is how we create a more inclusive environment.”

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Racing With Purpose

Looking ahead, Sarah has her eyes on higher-level competition. The opportunity isn’t just about pushing her limits. This is about opening doors for others. Her continued dedication showcases Sarah Segrest in the midst of her ongoing triathlon journey.

“Racing at higher-level events for me means I get to share my story with more people,” she said. “I want to give people someone they can resonate with and look up to. As a child, I looked up to people who looked like me. Now, I want to be that for someone else.”

Her goals extend beyond podiums and race results. Sarah dreams of building community-driven athletic events, platforms where inclusivity and authenticity are celebrated just as much as performance.

Showing Up Fully

Every swim stroke, bike pedal, and run stride is part of Sarah’s bigger vision: a sport that’s open, diverse, and welcoming. Triathlon, for her, is a lifestyle rooted in resilience and connection.

“As athletes, we don’t just show up for ourselves,” Sarah said. “We show up for the people watching, for those who are thinking about trying, and for the ones who need to see that they belong here too.”

With every race she lines up for, Sarah Segrest is proving that triathlon isn’t only about endurance, it is a journey about representation, impact, and the courage to show up fully.

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