Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Dirito.
Hi Meg, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I attended Bucknell University and swam Division 1 swimming there. I was their 50 and 100 sprint freestyler. I set records that held for 10+ years and qualified for NCAAs and Olympic Trials. After graduating college I traveled to the Grenada, West Indies to complete my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. It was there that I surfed and scuba dived almost every day. My love for the ocean and the water started in the pool but really grew on the islands. I would also run everyday on the island seeking out the most beautiful views and cliffs. Running, swimming and surfing was my outlet while studying for veterinary medicine which was very rigorous and intense. I loved the islands and considered it my second home.
My last year in veterinary school I attended clinical rotations at NC State. It was there that I met my now husband who was an undergrad in the engineering department. We eventually married and moved many places until we ended up back North where I grew up. Together we started triathlon as a hobby and competed in a few races but that is as far as our triathlon endeavors went.
When my husband married me he knew me as a Division 1 athlete but after having kids I lost my athlete identity along the way. It took me a good 3-4 years before I decided to work out again. I found my old triathlon book sitting on the coffee table and picked it up one day remembering back to the times when we would race. I decided that it was time again to start and so I trained for a local sprint triathlon. I remember smiling the entire way because it made me so happy and I felt complete. After finishing I made the goal to race my first 70.3 distance. I completed my first 70.3 in 2019 and ended up qualifying for the world championships in France that year. I did not end up going because I knew I had a lot more to learn. I then set my goal on completing a full distance (140.6 miles). Within a year I completed my first full distance and was 1 spot away from qualifying for Kone world championships.
I was more determined than ever and by 2022 I had qualified for 6 world championships including Kona and in 2023 I took my professional racing license. I have traveled all over the USA and world competing in triathlon and open water races. I still race in the professional division and have started creating content about fitness, lifestyle and my life as an athlete. I have started racing Gravel races and have completed one of the hardest Gravel races in the world at Unbound. I will be competing my first ultra gravel distance at Gravel Worlds in August and the Oceanman World Final Championships in the Dominican Republic in the 2k and 10k distances.
Sport is my way of life, its what I love and it is who I am. I love sharing my journey with others…the highs, the lows, the failures in hopes that along the way I will inspire, motivate and show other moms that anything is possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it has not been smooth and if it were easy and smooth everyone would do it. I have learned balance, adversity, challenges and have become such a strong person from it. I have been able to show my kids what challenges look like and what commitment, drive and passion look like. Just because I am a woman and a mom does not mean I do not have goals and dreams. I would like to teach my children that anything is possible with commitment, passion and consistency.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional athlete. I race triathlon professionally around the world and throughout the USA. I specialize in long distance triathlon, Gravel racing and open water swimming. I am proud of the fact that even as a mom I am able to follow my goals and dreams and show my kids what commitment looks like all while being present for my kids. Kids learn by example and I feel I have set a great example for them to follow. What sets me apart from others is that I do not give up easily. I am determined, strong willed and committed. I feel that as a mom and a woman with a career I set the pathway for other moms showing them that anything is possible.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am also an emergency veterinarian and mom of 2 high performing athletes. I love animals, nutrition and coffee. Everyday I strive to learn and become a better version of myself. I love creating UGC content to show others my athletic journey with the highs, lows and everything in between.
My IG is @dirito21
FB Meg Dirito
Tiktok @megdirito
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dirito.merlin-site.com
- Instagram: www instagram.com/dirito21
- Facebook: www. facebook.com/megdirito
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/megdirito
