ABOUT HILARY TOPPER
Hi, I’m Hilary JM Topper, but you can call me Hilary.
When I was younger, I practically failed gym. I hated exercise, and I especially didn’t want to run track. I was one of those kids who always got picked last on the team. This discouraged me from any athletic activities for years following high school.
Growing up, I was always thin. I could eat anything without gaining an ounce, weighing just 98 pounds when I graduated. But over the years, especially after getting pregnant in my 30s, I struggled with gaining and losing weight.
In my late 40s, I decided to start running. I don’t remember exactly why I started. I used to have dreams about running, but I had never tried it. Now, I’m a triathlete and a certified coach.
My Endurance Journey
When I was 49, I geared up for my first half-marathon. I trained for months and kept getting injured. When race weekend finally arrived, I got sick and ended up not running. I was incredibly disappointed, but I refused to give up. A few months later, I ran the NYC Half Marathon with my husband, Brian. I will never forget running through the streets of Times Square with the neon lights, feeling like the world was in my hands!
After running several more half marathons, I decided to try out a triathlon. I signed up for the Captiva Tri in Florida, had the most incredible experience, and finished strong. Two weeks later, I did the Montauk Sprint. Since then, I have participated in dozens of triathlons.
Because of my deep love for the sport, I rented out Citi Field and hosted the NY TRI EXPO ’16, welcoming 2,000 athletes and nearly 70 exhibitors. Later, I started a virtual international triathlon team and a running-and-walking group called WeREndurance.
Coaching
At the end of 2019, I decided I wanted to help others achieve their fitness goals. After extensive training and exams, I became a fully certified coach. Today, my credentials include:
- USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
- ESCI Certified Coach
- RRCA Running Coach Level 1
- USMS Swim Coach, Level 3
- Adult Learn to Swim Certified Coach
- WOWSA Open Water Coach
Blogger & Podcaster
In addition to training and coaching, I love to blog! My site, ATriathletesDiary.com, shares my endurance journey to hopefully inspire yours. It has been named a top-10 triathlon blog in the country and a top-75 blog in the world, reaching a milestone of 50,000 unique visitors a month.
My lifestyle blog, HilaryTopper.com, welcomes more than 50,000 unique visitors a month. I also host a radio podcast, Hilary Topper On Air, where I interview amazing people who have done incredible things in business and endurance sports.
Author
Writing is a major part of my life. I have written several books, spanning both my professional background and my fitness journey:
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Social Media but were afraid to ask…
- Branding in a Digital World
- From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete, A Portrait of a Non-Athletic Triathlete
- Unlocking the Triathlon: The Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon
I also have a new book coming out by the end of the year that focuses on open water swimming!
Professional Life & Teaching
For many years, my day job was serving as the CEO of HJMT Public Relations Inc., an award-winning agency I founded in 1992. While I no longer run the firm, my passion for business and communication remains strong.
One of my greatest joys is mentoring others in the classroom. I have been an adjunct professor at Hofstra University for nearly 12 years. I also teach at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where my courses include Social Media Marketing, Influencer Relations, and the Social Impact of Social Media.
I look forward to sharing my running, swimming, and cycling experiences with you. Let’s build a community together and share our stories. If there’s something you would like me to address, please let me know.
Thanks for reading!
— Hilary
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