Jonathan Nakasone has always been a motivated, competitive athlete. A year ago, however, he discovered triathlons — and they have changed his life, both physically and mentally. "You would think the best part of doing a triathlon is the finish line. For me, it was everything that led up to it — the training, the dieting, the commitment," he said. "The finish line is just a gateway to the next race."

Now he seeks to motivate others and is on a path to become a personal trainer. Last weekend he took the American Council on Exercise exams for personal trainer certification.

"I don't know what I would do with myself if I couldn't exercise," he said. "Fitness brings a sense of well-being to my life. Being able to share that feeling with others is why I decided to become a personal trainer."

WORKOUTS

Sundays: Jogs about five miles
Mondays: Flag football with friends
Tuesdays: Brick workout (one-mile swim, 40-mile bike ride)
Wednesdays: Core/back workouts with stability ball
Thursdays: Brick workout, same as Tuesdays
Fridays and Saturdays: Relax

MOTIVATORS

"The dream of making it to the Ironman Championships in Kailua, Kona, and knowledge that if we want something bad enough, we will get it. It takes work before glory."

CHALLENGES

"Time. Training workouts for a half Ironman triathlon can last up to four or five hours."
Next challenge: Honu Half Ironman, June 2010. "First place in your division gets you a spot in the Kona Ironman Championships, the mecca of triathlons."

ADVICE

"The most challenging element for most people is the swim. Take a few lessons on form and get lots of practice. Also, you don't need an expensive bike. I used an old bike my neighbor had lying around in my first triathlon and got third. Just be sure to get fitted on the bike by a professional."

FINISH LINE

"I started training for my first triathlon in October 2008 without even knowing it. I was formerly a sprinter and football player in high school, and I was not used to running more than a mile. I was going through a really tough time in my life. One day, I decided to go for a run. That run turned out to be the longest run I had ever done in my life. While running, my depression was gone, and I felt alive again. It was then when I decided to sign up for my first triathlon."