Wow, 20 years? I can still remember the first magazine came off the press. Massive rolls of off white paper streamed over massive metal drums. The smell of ink wafted through the air. First yellow ink saturated the paper. Magenta followed. Images took shape once the dots of cyan hit the paper. Black completed the mesmerizing process. Thoughts, words and images were fixed.
Twenty years ago, I did not imagine my life would be steeped in SWEAT.
Perusing through more than 200 magazines brought back so many memories, not just from my life but of the Arizona sports and fitness scene and its growth. It has been amazing on both fronts. Our compliant climate draws a host of major league events and amateur to professional athletes to train in Arizona. I feel very fortunate to have met so many incredible human beings, not just athletes over the years.
In 1992 Team Motorola chose the Valley to introduce the new team to the world. I happened to be the only female among twenty-five or so male Motorola employees that got to ride with the team. An up and coming young Lance Armstrong was there. I felt like a love struck teenager when interviewing Australian Phil Anderson, the first non-European to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. I eventually got more comfortable with meeting and interviewing athletes. Most I have met have been incredibly gracious, humble and feel pretty fortunate to be doing what they love.
Though, I admit being a bit star struck when meeting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2007. That was a whole different ball game. And most recently, I was not so much star struck but nervous and in awe when meeting and doing a live Q & A with three time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington before Ironman Arizona this past November. Talking about gracious, and what an ambassador for the sport of triathlon and women in sports. Learning about her accomplishments and listening to her stories left an indelible mark and inspired me beyond belief. I know many other that had the chance to meet her and felt the same.
I am been blessed to have so many great encounters and appreciate the occasional VIP treatment being part of the media affords me. However, it is meeting the giants that walk among us that have had the greatest impact on me and my daily life. You know who I am talking about, your friends who inspire you to keep going everyday. Like my 80 year old friends still competing, the friend that lost 60 pounds or the one that is able to smile though survived major trauma. They are the people that regularly appear on the cover and inside the pages of this magazine. For word sake only, it is all the “average Joes and Janes” doing the extraordinary. That would be you, my friends − SWEAT readers. You amaze me each and everyday and have kept me in the game much longer than I could have ever imagined. I thank you for that gift and for reading and supporting SWEAT.
I am grateful for an incredible group of advertising clients. Not only are you awesome clients but great friends. I appreciate all that you do for me, SWEAT and the community. The same can be said for my writers, editors, interns, designers, distributors, printers and vendors. And of course I can’t thank my family and friends enough.
The past 20 years have been an incredible journey. To all of you, my big circle, my larger family, a very heart felt thank you.  I look forward to seeing and spending more time with you in 2011. Wishing you all the very best for you and yours in this New Year