Jun 21, 2019
Did you know that 7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members? Unfortunately, female adolescents and teens with self-esteem issues are prevalent in today’s society. But, what can you do to help? And, how can girls discover their self worth and self esteem?
In this episode of Hilary Topper On Air, Hilary interviews Theresa Roden, Founder & Executive Director of i-tri – an inclusive, community-based program that fosters self-respect, personal empowerment, self-confidence, positive body image and healthy lifestyle choices for adolescent girls.
Theresa's Background
Theresa earned an Education Degree from Stonehill College in MA. She also taught pre-school and Kindergarten at the Hampton Day School for eleven years and later created a Movement & Music Program for their pre-school. Today, she is the Founder and Executive Director of the award winning, i-tri Transformation Through Triathlon Program, which in its 10 year history has grown from 8 girls at one school to this year’s group of close to 200 girls at 10 schools on Long Island.
Theresa was inspired to create the i-tri Program after her own experience of being transformed through triathlon. She never considered herself an athlete, but at 35-years-old she decided to try and complete the Block Island Triathlon. As she began to train, she discovered so much about herself. When she crossed the finish line, she felt like a totally different person! Theresa finally liked herself and appreciated her body for its accomplishments instead of constantly criticizing it for not being a certain shape and size.
A few years later she began to think, what if she had learned all of this when she was 12 instead of 35? And, what a different experience she would have had in life. From there, i-tri was formed.
About the Interview
Theresa will discuss the importance of helping girls discover their self worth and self esteem through body positivity, empowerment, self-respect and more! Learn how i-tri was founded and its future plans for expansion. Also, hear how the program works, its unique approach and how it integrates STEM activities. Theresa will also talk more about i-tri’s 10th Anniversary, fund raising opportunities and success stories!
About i-tri
Based in Suffolk County, Long Island, i-tri is an inclusive, community-based program that fosters self-respect, personal empowerment, self-confidence, positive body image and healthy lifestyle choices for adolescent girls. Through a curriculum of physical fitness, family outreach, nutrition classes and self-esteem workshops, affirming respect, responsibility, teamwork and dedication, as well as the sport of triathlon, i-tri girls develop healthy habits and healthy attitudes, which last a lifetime. To contact Theresa or learn more about i-tri visit www.itrigirls.org.