Adina O'Neill
Triathlon Coach & Fitness MotivatorHelping you discover the best version of YOU!
Hi, I’m Adina!
I am happily married to my husband – “ma perle rare” -who I met while living in France. We have 2 fantastic children who make us proud and crazy on a daily basis. I love music, travel and all kinds of adventures, especially crazy physical challenges. I live everyday creating the best version of myself and can’t wait to help you do the same.
My Story
Here’s how it all started…I was the poster child for the saying “you can’t outtrain your fork.” I had been overweight all of my adult life, but always very active. Food was my friend, my comfort. I figured if I kept exercising, it wouldn’t matter if my nutrition was off. I was so wrong.
When I gained 15 pounds training for my first marathon I knew I needed a change. I put my trust in a fellow runner and invested in an online fitness and nutrition program that was guaranteed to get me the results I was looking for. After 3 short weeks, I lost 10 pounds, was feeling stronger and wasn’t feeling deprived. I knew this was a lifestyle that I could sustain long term and help me reach my goal of becoming an Ironman finisher.
I was hooked. I started sharing my journey. My friends and family started telling me that I was inspiring them to work on their own fitness. It motivated me even more. At the same time I was feeling less fulfilled in my teaching job. I regretted not having enough time and energy to give to my own children. I felt like I lost myself and decided to follow my passion for fitness. I became an entrepreneur on a mission to help other regular people learn about triathlon, gain confidence, find balance with food, fitness and family and achieve their biggest goals.
My Values & Beliefs
Family First starts with Me First
I grew up in a loving family and for me, there is nothing more important. BUT – I take care of ME first. When I feel good about myself, I am able to offer the best ME possible to those that I love. I strive to set an example of kindness and positivity that my children can emulate. You will be amazed to see how putting yourself first benefits everyone around you.
Keep it REAL
I do not do fake. I don’t play games. I will always be true to myself and say what’s on my mind. I’m a regular person. I have good days and bad and I am not shy to share them all. I believe that mutual communication is key to any relationship. I’d much rather hear how it is than hear nothing at all.
Integrity
I am a horrible liar. Even the little white lies you sometimes have to tell your kids to protect them do not roll off my tongue easily. I believe that honesty is the only way to run a business. I choose what is right over what is easy or popular. I am here to help you to the best of my ability in your best interest.
Anything is Possible
It all started when my friend, Red invited me to run a 5K with her. I tried to get out of it because I didn’t run and she told me I could walk. I like to walk, so I registered. And then I decided that if I was going to the race, I should at least make an effort to run. Having no running experience at all, I turned to my brother, Mike for advice.
Thanks to Red and Mike, that one race started a chain of events that would lead me to the biggest finish line of my life. It wasn’t all rainbows and smiles. I fought back with each new distance they suggested. The excuses were endless: I don’t want to run for a whole hour. I don’t know anything about road cycling. I can’t possibly run after I swim and bike.
And Red and Mike just kept suggesting, encouraging and supporting me. They never gave up on me and eventually I learned to do the same. I worked my way from 5Ks to a full marathon and completed several sprint, olympic and half distance triathlons.
When I finally decided to register for a full Ironman (that’s a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run), my mantra was “Believe it. Achieve it.” I wasn’t the fastest or strongest. I didn’t have the best gear. But I finally believed in myself and nothing was going to stop me from crossing that finish line. Through the early and long trainings and even when I had to decline invites for a night out, I just imagined hearing my name called as I crossed the finish line.
I trained hard for 9 months and on August 18, 2018 after over 15 hours on the course, I heard the words I had been dreaming of: “Adina O’Neill, you are an Ironman.”
My Approach
The one quality that got me where I am today personally and professionally is that I NEVER GIVE UP. I may not be the fastest, the strongest, or the smartest, but when I set a goal, I will not quit until I get there. Every path includes some unexpected twists and turns, but if you keep moving forward you can cross any finish line.
When we work together I will never give up on you, either. Whether you are training for your first triathlon or pushing yourself to a new distance, I will be your partner to reach your goal. I will be working right along side of you and as long as you show up, so will I.
Triathlon, Fitness & Nutrition
I have been completing triathlons since 2013, finishing many sprint, olympic and 70.3 distance races before completing Ironman Mont Tremblant in 2018. I began coaching endurance athletes in 2019 and am an Ironman Certified Coach.
I started my health and fitness career as a Zumba instructor and Fitness Motivator. I am a certified Master Coach for 2 nutrition programs. I have helped over 200 women achieve their health and fitness goals.
Business Experience
I have an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from The University of Hartford and am a CPA. I worked in a variety of auditing, accounting and finance positions for about 10 years in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Paris, France.
I became an entrepreneur in 2016, growing a health & fitness coaching business. I opened my triathlon business in 2019 and created a French teaching business in 2020.
Education
I have a Masters in Elementary Education from UMASS Boston. I taught 2nd grade in a French Immersion program for 10 years where I got to share my love for learning and foreign language nurturing young minds.
After leaving the classroom, I continued with private tutoring as well as virtual group support in French.
I opened my own online school in 2019 offering courses for new and emerging Triathletes and general fitness.