Colleen Cannon is President, CEO and founder of Women’s Quest, a multisport fitness retreat providing athletic and holistic training for women worldwide. Prior to founding Women’s Quest, Colleen was a professional triathlete competing worldwide with over seventy career victories.
As one of 8 children in an active family, Colleen grew up swimming, riding horses, and competing with her siblings for food and attention. While attending college on a swimming scholarship, she unintentionally entered her first triathlon. In spite of being unprepared and taking an unorthodox approach to the competition (like completing the 50-mile cycling leg on a bike with baskets on the back and streamers on the handlebars), she finished the race in second place, launching a career on the professional triathlon circuit from 1981 to 1992. Colleen’s many victories and accomplishments include World Triathlon Champion (1984), two-time U.S. Champion (1988, 1990), the Coca-Cola Grand Prix of Triathlon (1989), U.S. National Triathlon Team Member (1990 – 1992), and top ranking triathlete of the Association of Professional Triathletes (1984, 1986, 1987).
Discovering Your Dreams: “Physical activity is one of the most powerful, and perhaps the most under-used tool for personal discovery, balance, and transformation. For me, training and racing was far more than simply grinding it out and competing — it was a chance to create harmony in all aspects of my life. I had the amazing opportunity to train with the world’s best athletes, coaches and doctors to help me gain the ‘winning edge’. As a result, I discovered that there is an athlete and winner within each of us. With clear vision and determination, we can all achieve our life’s dream.” {Colleen’s Tips From a Pro »}
In 1992, Colleen founded Women’s Quest with a group of friends and fellow triathletes. Initially focused on training for women athletes, the retreats have evolved to focus on “physical, mindful, and spirit-filled adventures” that help everyday women find balance and rekindle their passion.
“I wanted to ignite a spark and passion in people for the outdoors, their own bodies and their spirits,” says Colleen. “Regardless of your age, fitness level or athletic background, it is never too late to learn to love an active lifestyle and feel truly alive.”
Colleen’s Inspirational Quote: “What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” —Mary Oliver
I was an amputee doing tri’s at the time Colleen was competing. She was my inspiration at the time. The training and food supplements kept changing and evolving. So happy to see that she has come to the same lifestyle and healthy choices as myself. I love her comment about eating a little sunshine everyday. After all the years, Colleen, you are still my inspiration.
Like:
3
Hey Colleen,
I love your site and the beautiful work you are doing!
I lost your email address when my computer was stolen and there is no CONTACT US button on your site. Am I old and missing it or giving you useful feedback? I hate how many websites have no phone number, email and snail mail… I admit I’m old school.
Please send me your email address to peggywrenn@comcast.net
Love,
Peggy Wrenn
Like:
0
I just had the fortune of getting to know Colleen at Women’s Quest in Vermont. She was so sunny and a total inspiration to us all. What a treat.
Like:
0
I love all of the female athletes!!!!!!!!!! I also love the models you have used over the past years…they rock and I want to keep seeing more of them. They seem to be in smaller, less visable pictures. It’s great to see how they do as they age like all of us. I want to be inspired by them as they continue to stay in great shape as life goes along. The new models are all beautiful, but I would like to see a better mixture.
Like:
0
Colleen, it has been many years since my two wonderful Womens Quests (and horseback riding with you in the snowy mountains) but you are not forgotten and I am happy to see you in Athleta….after a few years of being out of shape (post baby and marriage to a non athlete) I did my first triathlon last summer! I loved the swimming and even the cycling training. Now I am working to get in shape and do a better triathlon this summer. Also hoping to return soon to a Womens Quest retreat…Toby (my son) is 6 now and should survive quite well with Dad while I am away. You are a wonderful influence. SO glad to know you….hope to see you again.
Like:
0
I work in psychiatry which is pretty serious business. I also row which I call “my therapy.”
However, going to Colorado on a Womens Quest retreat really reminded me of an even better way of relating. Its called Laughter! Remember that? In addition to amazing horse rides in the Rockies, delicious and healthy food and Colleen’s own brand of yoga/gyro, I havent laughed and had so much fun in years! I’m already signed up for the March trip to Hawaii. I wish I could bottle Colleen’s inspiration and motivation and give it to each of my patients. Who would need meds? She’s amazing!
Like:
0
Colleen, nice to see you on the Athleta site!!!!! Thanks for all that you do in the community to inspire, making opportunities easy for the many lovers of the outdoors in our state. You rock and ride!
Like:
0
We all have goals for the new year, mine is actually a continuation from July 2012. I had a few personal set backs in July. My husband lost his job and went through depression. It was extremely difficult, and often I found myself beginning to sink into depression as well. It sucks you in. Its hard to get up in the morning, its hard to be in a good mood because you have this person that you love more than anything suffering and feeling inadequate. I spend all my time, working to continue to pay the bills, trying to keep his spirits up, making sure he has everything he needs, so that he won’t get upset or set his depression off. I worry at night, try to think of things that will help. Its exhausting, during all this, I felt like I was loosing myself and needed something to make “me” feel better, something to give me a jolt in “my” spirits… I took to running. I wanted to join the gym, but was afraid of spending the money and also not having the time to go. I have never run before and it felt like a great challenge. I set goals and preregistered for some races. I downloaded the app “Ease into a 5K” to my cell phone. I ran my first 5K in August and I am working towards my first 1/2 marathon in March. My longest run to this day has been 7.25 miles. Everyday I wake up and look forward to how far I can make it. It is “my” thing, it is my personal time, when all I focus on is “Me”. My goals are just that, to make time for “me” and continue my training. To increase my speed, my endurance, and personal drive.
Like:
1
Colleen,
It has been too long since a WQ trip! Bought a new yoga mat for 2013 – BEST WISHES!
Like:
0
What I learned from Women’s Quest:
I am functioning at my best when I make the time to connect my mind, body and spirit.
With these three areas in balance I always feel more strength, creativity and gratitude.
Colleen’s Women’s Quest experience allowed me to join a world of yoga, meditation, quotes and poetry. My mind was craving these insights and they help me to be a positive person.
Women’s quest gave me an opportunity to be a kid again through learning something new…mountain biking, ropes course, hiking in high altitude, horse back riding. My body loved the excitement and challenge of these activites.Physical Fun continues to be a high priority on my to do list.
Through WQ I learned to listen to the quiet voice within me…my spirit. It holds the answers to all of my questions. All I have to do is take the precious time to listen.
Doing something new often brings my mind, body and spirit together. My annual “learn something new” this year is learning to Tap Dance. My mind is challenged by new terms and moves, my body is celebrated in the noise my feet can make, and my spirit is delighted with the music!
Colleen and staff thank you for making my life brighter than ever. I love Women’s Quest. Like I have said before, “Besides marrying my wonderful husband and having two great daughters, WQ is one of the best things I have ever done in my life!”
Deepest Gratitude.
Kim
Like:
0