A Tribute to Sandra

How Two “Yes’” Changed My Life

Sometimes saying “yes” to meeting someone new can change your life in ways you never imagined.

Years ago, a colleague and friend from DC asked if I’d meet with a friend, Sandra Jeffrey. She had just moved to Atlanta. Sandra wanted to transition into the field of international education. Without hesitation, I agreed (Yes #1). Soon after, Sandra and I had lunch and were talking about travel and our love of house music. Instant friends, she can’t get rid of me now, especially after how she beautifully forever changed my life last year. Sandra is a keeper. She is the friend who sees things in you that maybe you don’t see in yourself, and in a good way. She wants all of her people to thrive! Together we have partied, cried, laughed, done community service, danced, swam, biked, and much more to come!

When I was little, I dreamed of being a ballerina, but we couldn’t afford the classes. In high school, I joined ROTC and cried my way through boot camp. In short, I never considered myself athletic, and I certainly didn’t think I had the capacity to be. At 48, menopause was overwhelming me. I also needed a solution for my hereditary high blood pressure and the osteoporosis diagnosis from the endometriosis treatments. An intervention was needed! Working out….NOT my fav, so you can see the challenge here.

For years, I prayed for an accountability workout partner that was sustainable. Personal trainers were good, but I needed something different. Then last October, there was a get-together at my house. Sandra tried to persuade everyone at the kitchen table to join Atlanta Tri Sisters, a Black women’s triathlon group. I was intrigued. In her persuasive tone, she said, “You know how to swim, walk, and ride a bike. You should join. You’ll love it!” She made it sound easy breezy. I sometimes give in to healthy peer pressure way too easily, but this felt heaven-sent. Over 30 Black women to hold me accountable; I was both mortified and excited.

Atlanta Tri-sisters introduces the sport of Triathlon to the Black community to positively impact its health and fitness and to diversify the sport. It serves as a resource to educate Black women and their families in swimming, cycling, and running. I joined last year, November 2025, thanks to Sandra (Yes #2)!

Without Sandra’s encouragement, I would have NEVER discovered that I actually have some athleticism. I’m a pretty decent swimmer, too. Who knew?! Not me…

The photos above are my medals and 3000k yard swim cap award (December 2024-December 2025). LOL

A week after joining ATS, the peer pressure was on again! Sandra convinced me to join the Master’s Swim team at 5 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays. How I do this every week, it can only be the ancestors getting me out of bed that early! What I didn’t tell you about Sandra is that she’s an esquire and extremely persuasive. I will pretty much do whatever she says, except African dance classes (I’m not ready for a solo performance in the middle of the dance floor, no thanks!).

It feels like I am a part of another sacred sister circle since joining Atlanta Tri Sisters. Let’s be honest, there is NOTHING like sisterhood, absolutely nothing; it is instrumental to my survival. The ATS and other women I met on this journey have been life-sustaining. Sandra, Keicha, Tory, Nacole have encouraged me in ways that bring me to tears when I really think about it. And to the coaches, Melanie, Julie, Keicha, Janelle, Doug, Drellie, Illanga, are top-notch: kind, supportive, real, and all beautiful souls. Big boisterous shout out to them all with prayer hands up!

In April, Sandra and I drove to St. Petersburg, FL for the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, my first time competing in something of this scale. Hands down….. one of the scariest things I have ever done, in this decade. LOL! But one thing I learned with ATS is that someone will always be in your corner. They will support you every step of the way.

With their help, I’ve accomplished:

• Completing the St. Anthony’s Meek and Mighty Triathlon
• Winning 3 gold medals at the HBCU swim meet (where my nephew Kyrece also won 3 gold medals! See below! ) Yes, I am a gold medalist!
• Completing the 3000-yard swim challenge with Keicha in 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Doing my first open-water swim of 450 yards with Tory at the Women’s Georgia Peach Triathlon
• Running my first 5K at The RACE with Keicha, Sinead, Tiffany, and Nacole
• Participating in my first relay race with the Atlanta Track Club
• Buying my first road bike!

In the picture on the bottom far right, I had JUST learned to dive a week before the HBCU meet. Yikes!

To Sandra, I say thank you for pushing me, for the healthy peer pressure, and for your encouragement. I’m so glad we were connected many moons ago. To you, I am forever grateful. I love you dearly.

And as a result of saying yes to Sandra and to joining Atlanta Tri-Sisters, I’m reminded of these truths:

• Say yes to meeting new people.
• Have friends who push you out of your comfort zone.
• Surround yourself with friends who encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
• Try new things, you will probably learn something about yourself that will shock you!
• Be courageous and find people who support that side of you.
• There is NOTHING like sisterhood; it is life-sustaining.

Be OPEN to new things, you just never know how beautiful the experience might be! Grateful for sisterhood. Sending love to all my sister circles (I have many). Love y’all!

Resources

• Atlanta Tri Sisters
• Andrew and Walter Young YMCA – Masters Swim- Stingrays