• Triathlete Magazine – July 2007 “XTERRA Eco Team Intro Article/Mother of Xterra”
• Xterra National T.V. Show 2006 Airing/USA Championships – Feature Athlete
• Hungarian National Bike Magazine – August 2005 – Feature Athlete
• iParenting Magazine – May 2005 “Mother of the Month”
• Xterra National T.V. Show 2004 Airing/USA Championship Television Story
• Triathlete Magazine – May 2004 XTERRA Zone Article – “Around the World”
• More Magazine April 2004 – Feature Story: “Adventure Twins”
• CBS and OLN Story of “XTERRA Champions” 2003, 2004 – Feature Athlete
• RSN Talk Show Guest (Resort Sports Network), September 2003
• “Ms. Fitness Magazine” Contributor – Feature Story, October 2003
• “Ms. Fitness Magazine” Contributor – Feature Story, January 2003
• CD Magazine Feature Stories: “Xterraplanet.com” and “Offroadtriathlon.com”
• “San Francisco Chronicle” Sunday Living Section – Feature Story, February 10, 2002
• “Claremont Resort and Spa Magazine” – Feature Story, August 2002
• “City Sports Magazine Radio” – Guest with Host Bob Babbitt, June–September 2002

The Power of Exercise is a way of life, a whole-approach to quality existence. It easily resolves issues of low energy and feeling overwhelmed, overworked, overtired and unfulfilled. The transformative qualities of exercise provide higher productivity and a stronger state of body, mind and spirit. Exercise also inspires people to find joy and freedom in movement, trust one’s own body and realize untapped personal potential.

Barbara Edelston Peterson’s mission through The Power of Exercise is to encourage the exploration and discovery of how each individual enjoys moving his/her body, manages the appropriate time(s) to do it, practices follow-through and is ultimately fueled to better perform in all other aspects of life. The Power of Exercise becomes ‘magical’ when we: choose it, engage it, live it, love it, breathe it, and are transformed by it.

The hardest part of exercising is saying yes. Finding a way to answer the question, “Can I fit it into my schedule?” with the reply, “Yes, I can’t go without it!” is at the heart of The Power of Exercise Project: the book series, the motivational speaking, and the coaching. The true value of regular exercise comes with experiencing dedication, elevated energy, and deep fulfillment. The Power of Exercise is alive with hope, and also makes the world a better place to live!

“Be moved. Be healthy. Be happy.”

• Seek wisdom from Nature.
• Live in truth.
• Give more than you take.
• Love deeply.
• Say thank you.
• Begin again.
  

• Graduating in 1984 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, Barbara utilizes her degree to help people the world over find their inner strength and serenity, with a focus on the benefits of exercising. She practices sports psychology, acts as a motivational speaker, and is the author of multiple books relating to health and well-being.
• With a first place title in the XTERRA World Championships for 2011 while in her fifties, Barbara continually proves that being fit and happy is achievable and accessible for anyone. She lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband and two school-aged daughters. She has written more on this topic in her blog entry called “Personal Best.”

Continuing on with activities at the post race awards dinner, I found myself to be quite entertained by some of the emotions and celebrations, by many of the racers who paid visit to the podium atop the stage. As they started presenting winners, beginning from the oldest first and unto the youngest, I couldn’t help but marvel at the athletic achievements regarding many of the older competitors, that they had put forth during the race. I was just in awe of the overall times some of them had put in, on the very same course that I had competed on. Incredibly amazing. When they moved to announce the winners in the 55-59 age division, I was completely blown away at the news that a good personal friend, had claimed the division title this year. Barbara Peterson of Berkeley, California, has been in this same spot before, as a matter of fact, she has been the recipient of being a world champion five times before. Certainly no stranger to winning. This 2011 win though was different, different in so may ways I thought.

Sitting at my table, I watched as Barbara exalted in emotional bliss at her own victory. It was a special one after all, with events leading up to this moment, warranting such celebratory release. Watching her from afar, I felt that even she knew it herself. She had come a long way. You see, this same time just a year ago, Barbara was facing an uncertain future in regards to pursuing her love for athletics. An unfortunate accident suffered in the home environment, had left Barbara with bilateral calcaneus heel fractures. Basically she broke both her heels in layman’s terms. The timing of this injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time. More than three quarters of the way through the 2010 season, and ready to depart for Switzerland, this incident brought about close to any and all hopes of continuing on not only for the rest of the season, but perhaps any further and future athletic participation in general. Thing’s were not sounding good amongst the xterra community, as word spread regarding medical opinions that hopes of returning to any form of strenuous sporting activity, most likely would not happen due to the injuries suffered. Truly a crushing blow felt by many.

Thank goodness that deep inside every single xterra athlete, you’ll find the underlying belief and overall determination, to never give up. Never! Despite all the obstacles faced, no matter how big or how small, one never gives up. That’s what makes them all so special!

I thought to myself as I sat back and watched Barbara bask in this newly experienced and crowning personal moment, how this specific one, world championship title number # 6, had to be the most prized one of them all. I thought about how against medical belief, and insurmountable odds, how one special individual would defy all likelihood. Maybe it was just me surmising what you had gone through, maybe it was me realizing entirely the path you must have traveled not only physically, but emotionally as well in getting to this point. I was a mixture of many emotions myself as I stood up in the back of the room, cheering the loudest for you above any other competitor that night. I was so proud of you.

Savor this victory my good friend. Never forget what it took you to get back to this point, never forget how inspirational your grit and determination is to countless others, let alone myself. Build upon this and there is nothing that won’t be within your reach.

~ I’d like to thank the ever-so amazing, and Mr. wonderful himself, Trey Garman, from Xterra, for the usage of photos. Thanks dude!

Posted by
RICHARD COSTELLO
on 11/06/2011

But life can change in seconds. Lightning strikes, you win the lottery, you fall in love. It happened one afternoon in my kitchen – nothing X-rated (unless you count the initial) – just a lively conversation with my sister that led to an unexpected tingling sensation, a mounting curiosity, and an overwhelming desire as she described a new triathlon called XTERRA. Knowing my passion for mountain biking, and our mutual love of athletic challenge, she felt it would be perfect for me. This sister, my identical twin, is an endurance athlete known for her Ironman triathlon conquests and long-distance running. She assured me that this off-road triathlon would be doable; it attracts only those who swim open water, ride extreme terrain, and run trails and soft sandy beaches.

Much as I might have told myself that motherhood was all I wanted, I never stopped being a romantic adventurer, someone to whom passion is as important as water, air, or food. I am a student of self-discovery, an advocate of learning from nature, a zealot for the active life. I tell my daughters and others, “Find your passion, and take the first step!” Listening to my sister, my breathing accelerated, my heart rate doubled, my inner world began to spin with primal desire to take the first step toward this wild sport. I lusted for details, I wanted to see it, hear it, taste it, smell it! I needed dates, locations, photos. I burned to try it as soon as possible.

I plunged into the physical, training for hours, days and weeks to prepare for my first attempt at this exotic challenge. My husband and daughters, our extended family and friends, our dog, the neighbors, the mailman and UPS driver, even the teachers at school watched in fascination as I fell madly in love with XTERRA. Everywhere, I found new energy to push myself athletically without losing an ounce of momentum for family or work. I rose at five each morning to swim, and returned punctually at seven for an equally important commitment: serving breakfast, lunch production, the kiss-my-husband-goodbye-before-work, and the carpool to school. At noon, I tore out of my office to run as far as I could within the bounds of a one-hour lunch break. I repeated the magic words “whatever it takes” to keep myself up to this irresistible quest that now lived inside me, alongside my intense love for family.

My husband showed signs of frustration with my divided attention, yet he was busy running his company, pursuing his own love of cycling and skiing, and finding quality time for his attentive daughters, whose new interest in ‘dad’ had ballooned.

The process of getting into shape had little to do with romance, or bliss, or glamour. Rather it was bumpy and rugged, possibly more than the upcoming event. Yet I couldn’t get enough. Distance trail running prompted stomach cramps while my legs delighted in the exploration of extreme terrain. Steep climbs and long descents on the mountain bike caused hip, back and neck pain but I cherished the natural scenery and overwhelming feeling of exhilaration. Open water swimming invigorated me deeply, regardless of the choking sensation from the tight-fitting wetsuit.

Moms are experts at perseverance, endurance, and manifesting positive energy in all conditions. My daughters liked my highs after long workouts. My husband admired my directed ambition, and out of it he found a new passion – surfing the Internet just to study XTERRA course maps around the world. With only a week to go, he excitedly announced that this local course appeared to be the toughest of all.

On race day, I gave myself fully to the 1.5 kilometer frigid swim in the Pacific Ocean, the 35k mountain bike course through redwood groves and steep coastal terrain, and the final 12k beach run to the finish line. I finished in second place for Masters women, well-cheered and greeted by my family, my best friend (who traveled from New York City to San Francisco for the occasion), and others in the crowd. I was proud on the podium, and fortified by the complex challenge and the feeling of accomplishment.

As I stepped down, an official extended a firm handshake and an orange slip of paper. Back at the car, we all stared into my hands. I was holding an invitation to the World Championships in Maui! But I felt complete. It was time to turn my attention back home.

A friend knocked on our front door a week later. A race car driver, he gave me the requisite high-five and tight hug of congratulations, then looked at me straight in the eye, his face a little too close to mine. He had come with a purpose: “If I have to take you by the hand and escort you to the plane, you are going to Maui!” And so the journey continued. I was further seduced, slightly fearful of where this love affair was going, yet excited by the positive momentum of life’s expansiveness.

My husband and I packed bikes and bags and boarded an island-bound flight for our first world-class excursion. We joined hundreds of ultra-fit competitors and an equal number of spectators from around the world. We met celebrity athletes in droves, and together we listened to race reports on tides, sharks, heat, and hydration. My heart pounded uncontrollably, all beneath Haleakala, the island’s sacred mountain that in just three days would test everyone’s superhuman power. Extreme stamina was at the core of this sport, what related all of us to this scene, and what connected the dots in my new life.

Maui far exceeded our expectations. I made it to the podium again, and as might be expected, I was even more in love with this sport. My thoughts both day and night shifted between the technical elements of a mountain bike course and ocean swimming, and my daughters’ worlds of school, horses, gymnastics, and skiing. Blood and oxygen now flowed rapidly throughout my lean body, life had all new forces.

For the next several years, I traveled the world solo, often waiting outside our house in the dark for my 3:00 a.m. shuttle to an international flight. The drivers came to know the petite woman from Berkeley, with her heavy bags and large bike box, heading resolutely overseas. My independence and courage surprised me. I’ve been told love transcends fear.

The Chinese philosopher Lau-Tzu said it best: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” That first step in my kitchen led me to ten years of XTERRA, riding a wave of fire and passion throughout my forties and fifties. Training and competition took me to multiple U.S., European, and World champion titles, ambassador status, a leadership role in environmental activism, and sponsorships with the world’s top sport, health, and wellness companies. I was crowned Ms. XTERRA one year, and soon after, in a leading sports magazine, I saw my name next to the words “Mother of XTERRA.” By now, I was thriving less on “the good life” and more on being good in life.

Our family grew very close over these years, in healthy and positive ways. My daughters understood my passionate ways and never doubted my love for them. They assured me no one starved during my lengthy absences, or suffocated from over-zealous kveling! We found health, balance, and oneness in our shared love of sport and respect for hard work.

I watched my husband’s energy rise higher than ever before, from the rewards of pro-active giving and living. He intensified his cycling routine during his lunch hour to be energized for everything and everyone in his life. At night, he cooked dinner for us, and afterwards went straight to the garage to tune skis for our daughters, who had developed into serious ski racers. I fell even more in love with him throughout this time, a champion of patience, unconditional acceptance, and family devotion. And I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that today each of our daughters is a champion athlete: the older is a collegiate all-American skier, and the other is the youngest member of the U.S. Ski Team. Passion and love are infectious!

But another of those instantaneous life changes was in store. Attempting to get one last item from high in my closet the night before leaving to compete in Europe, I lost my footing and fell, breaking both heels. I never made it out the front door to catch the shuttle, or to the XTERRA start line which was by now metaphoric for my winning path in life.

Immediately, I knew the universe had other plans for me, and that it was time to transition – not from swimming to biking, or biking to running – but to a whole other world beyond sport. Limited to kneepads and a wheelchair, I found myself reviewing the qualities I most admired about motherhood for inspiration and motivation. I stayed positive, and adopted a simple but powerful mantra, “yes I can,” and felt something happen, another new step.

Training the body trains the mind, a powerful process that reinforces focus, strength, and stamina for all aspects of life. Someday, I will return to swim-bike-run, but for now walking is winning. Each new step illuminates uncharted terrain with extraordinary possibilities, and invitations for my kind of compassion, and extreme endurance.

My family leaned in close to me at the dinner table when I recently announced there’s another title I desire: “It’s time I become a champion of humanity—are you guys ready to coach me?” Each smiled from ear to ear while my youngest daughter put her arm around me, offering the sweetest words of encouragement: “Mom, we know you can do it, and we know you’ll do whatever it takes——your best!”