Teri Griege had been a high school athlete and always enjoyed sports. She began running marathons in her forties, including Chicago, Boston and New York. Her interest in endurance events led her to triathlons, and she set her sights on the big prize: The Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Teri completed Ironman Louisville in 2008 and missed qualifying for the World Championship by just five minutes. Even more determined, she returned to training. Throughout the next year, Teri suffered minor injuries and was unusually sluggish and tired, but she attributed that to overtraining. When she completed Ironman Louisville in 2009 ten minutes slower than the prior year, she was certain something was wrong. Her suspicions were confirmed with a devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer with metastases to her liver.

Teri wasn't ready to give up and deepened her resolve to complete the Ironman World Championship. After receiving a special invitation to compete as an inspirational athlete, she trained for this grueling race while undergoing chemotherapy. Knowing she couldn't do it alone, she assembled an army of supporters, Teri's Troops, who helped her on her incredible journey.

On October 8, 2011, at age 50, Teri crossed the finish line in Kona.

Today, she brings her inspiring message --Powered by Hope-- to a variety of groups and organizations.