On November 9, 2025, I’ll be racing in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain — a dream that’s taken years of training, discipline, and mental grit to reach. But for me, this race isn’t just about the miles. It’s about what’s happening in the mind.

I’m dedicating my race to ZGiRLS, a nonprofit that equips middle school girls with the mental tools to build confidence, navigate challenges, and stand strong in who they are. The Ironman 70.3 is as much mental as it is physical and on race day, mindset determines everything.

As the father of two girls, I want them (and all girls) to have access to these same mental skills early in life, so they can train their minds just like their muscles. That’s the world I want to live in.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

When you donate to ZGiRLS, your contribution goes directly towards empowering girls and supporting their confidence journey. ZGiRLS believes the socioeconomic status of a family should never prevent a girl from the opportunity to discover her self-worth. That's why they offer financial scholarships for girls to join their program at a 100% acceptance rate.

A gift of $129 will sponsor an entire scholarship to equip a girl with transformative, life-long skills. With nearly 80% of ZGiRLS participants on scholarship to join the program, your generosity makes a huge impact.

WHAT IS ZGiRLS?

Founded by Olympic and NCAA female athletes, ZGiRLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips middle school girls with the tools and mindset they need to be confident, centered, and courageous. The ZGiRLS Curriculum™, designed by mental health professionals and sport psychologists, focuses on serving and supporting girls who are often underserved or overlooked.

ZGiRLS has a 100% scholarship acceptance rate and never turns away a girl who needs financial support to participate. ZGiRLS is creating a world where all girls and women live with zero self-limitations (that's what the "Z" in ZGiRLS stands for).

HOW DOES ZGiRLS WORK?

ZGiRLS hosts 4-week programs that guide participants through the ZGiRLS Curriculum™, which teaches young girls how to develop a growth mindset, build self-worth, navigate challenges and learn from failures, and advocate for themselves. Every ZGiRLS Confidence Program is co-led by professional or Olympic female athletes. Each week, an athlete volunteers their time to help teach the ZGiRLS Curriculum™ and share her real-life experiences with the girls. Through ZGiRLS, girls learn skills for life-long confidence, and believe they can do anything they set their minds to!

WHY IS ZGiRLS NEEDED?

ZGiRLS tackles the critical issue of low self-confidence and self-worth among girls—a problem that recent CDC data shows is escalating into a mental health crisis. In 2021, nearly 60% of teen girls reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, double that of boys. In addition, almost 1 in 3 girls seriously contemplated suicide. A 2023 study from ROX also revealed that 57% of girls don't believe they are smart enough for their dream job, and 1 in 2 are afraid to be leaders in fear of others thinking they are bossy. This lack of confidence holds back their willingness to take risks, pursue their goals, or voice their opinions in situations where their input is essential.

You can learn more about ZGiRLS at zgirls.org

Geoff's IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships: Racing to Support Girls’ Confidence

By ZGiRLS Foundation

Geoff's IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships: Racing to Support Girls’ Confidence

Because the strongest muscles are built in the mind.