As seen on the Facebook Group, "Humans of Triathlon"

Jorge Garate and Andrea Campos are two special Purple Patch athletes from Lima, Peru. They've been a part of the team for several years and loyally continue to place their trust in the Purple Patch Methodologies through the Squad. 

Everyone has a story that led them to this wonderful sport of triathlon and Andrea is no exception. Here, in her words, is her journey. 

"In June 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 28, at the time, and the diagnosis was exactly one week after my engagement with my now-husband. It was the worst experience of my life; 7 surgeries, chemo, systemic treatment that continues until today, and very hard mental struggles. I was worried of - firstly, not making it; and secondly - of making it but living a really limited life because of all of the secondary effects.

My husband started training for his first IM 70.3 some months after we got married in 2015. He always told me after his training sessions: you could do this, you could be a triathlete. And I thought he was either joking or trying to make me feel good in some way. He raced his first IM 70.3 on April 2017, and the race magic just caught me, deep! So after his first IM 70.3, I decided to give it a try. As a cancer survivor with a close-to-none athletic background, I thought there was a low probability I would make it. But I kept imagining crossing that finish line. On April 22nd, 2017, I completed my first IM 70.3. It was epic, I kept remembering all of what I had been through and wanted to stop, kneel down and pray in gratitude for being able to rise like that after falling. For me, completing that race was rising in the most beautiful and amazing way I could’ve ever imagined when I was lying in a hospital bed receiving chemo. Last month, I completed my second IM 70.3 distance, it was a local race. I felt just as grateful and exhilarated. I can’t stop enjoying the challenge because I’m profoundly grateful for being able to do it after everything I’ve been through.

I have a dream of celebrating my 5 years remission on the finish line of IM 70.3 Santa Cruz California on September 2019. Hopefully, that dream will come true! Triathlon has given me more than I ever dreamed. It’s the antithesis of cancer. I feel so alive and free!" ~ Andrea Campos