Hi, I’m Elise Greenwald, and I’m humbly asking for your support as I pursue a dream that means the world to me.

On July 20th, I competed in an IRONMAN triathlon and achieved a major personal milestone:

4th place in my age group

34th overall in both the swim and run segments—out of all women competing, including 25 professional athletes.

As a result of this performance, I’ve been officially invited to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii—the most prestigious IRONMAN race in the world. This grueling triathlon includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon (26.2 miles), totaling 140.6 miles of relentless effort and heart.

But for me, this journey is more than just miles.

I live with a chronic illness called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), which makes preparation far more complex than simply showing up on race day. I’ll need to arrive early to acclimate to the climate and elevation, ensuring I can safely compete. That means extra costs—flights, lodging, training support, and the entrance fees that come with a race at this level.

I also recently graduated in May (hello, Sallie Mae ), and like many student-athletes, I’m currently unfunded and unsponsored.

This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime dream, and it comes with a financial challenge. My total costs will exceed $10,000, but I’m hoping to raise $6,000 through this campaign to help bridge the gap.

Whether it's $10, $100, or simply sharing this with someone who might want to help, every bit truly counts. If you’re connected to a company or brand interested in supporting an athlete, I’d proudly wear their logo on my helmet, bike, race kit, or training gear.

Your kindness, encouragement, and belief in me are what fuel my miles more than anything.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me chase this dream.

— Elise