Currently the team, a group of 40 women ages 22-60 from Harford County, Maryland (the eastern outskirts of Baltimore), train March through October for multisport races in the mid-east region. It is the mission of the team to empower women to take control of their health through participation in multi-sports while setting a positive example for future generations.

The team is led by mom-athlete and USAT Level I Coach Megan Kearney who started Go Mama Go, when personal training clients asked how they could prepare for their own triathlon. Kearney balances her training, motherhood (Madeline, 4, and Caiden, 2 and soon-to-be number three), home life and business. She feels it’s important that no matter how busy they are that women find the time to stay fit.  Kearney, herself, hopes to promote and facilitate women’s participation in multisports by creating a supportive, fun, women-only club. Her function as coach of the team is to develop programming during the season to help the women improve skills, endurance and speed in a safe and healthy manor.

“It is my goal to make triathlon fun. This [training for a race] should be a compliment to their busy lives. The programs I prepare help more and more women stick to the sport with less negative side effects like overtraining, injury or burnout,” says Kearney. She truly believes that women are especially susceptible to “overdoing it” so she creates programs around the women’s lives with the goal of getting the WHOLE family to the finish line healthy and happy. The team meets for coached team practices as often as four times a week, working together to overcome odds in life and challenges in training.

“It’s awesome that these moms are making time for their fitness and communicating the importance of health/wellness to their own children and to younger moms,” says Kearney.
 
Not all the women on the team are moms, but Kearney refers to the younger members as “moms in training.” “Someday, these ladies may have to balance a family, career and training with kids,” she adds. “They get a firsthand look at how to have it all.”

Growing at such a fast pace, Kearney realized the importance of putting the team in the hands of its members. Just recently, the women organized an executive committee to handle membership, events and more. President Heather Johnson, herself new to the sport and team, is a mom of two with volunteer commitments and two jobs.

“I am so honored to be a part of this team.  It has enriched my life in so many ways: better health, new friendships, and all the grit and determination that come from training for races that push you to your limits both physically and mentally,” says Johnson. “We’re very excited to welcome a few new babies to the world this spring … How cool is it that our children get to grow up with a mom who is also a triathlete? As the team grows, I look forward to the continuation of the friendships we've formed through training and racing together, and to spreading our love of triathlon to new mamas in the coming season.”

Nationally, the team is sponsored by Colavita, LaraBars, and Blue Competition Bikes. The team also had tremendous local support from various businesses. AquaCulture Swim School in Forest Hill supported the team with facilities, clinics, and open water swim arrangements. The Bicycle Connection in Forest Hill maintains the teams’ bikes and gives them significant support with gear and equipment. The Arena Club, Bikeland Jerseys/Suarez, IronClad Authentics, Maroon PR, Gianni’s Fundraising, and Kelley Creative also support the team.

“I feel honored to just help these women fulfill a dream. I simply take what they give me and they search deep within themselves to find it,” says Kearney. “Many of the women on this team have overcome extenuating circumstances in their lives. It’s just amazing to watch them dig in and rally each other to succeed. Most of all, they find a sport that they love and can pursue for a lifetime.”