MARTI NANSEN
Diabetes Diagnosis Sparks Lifestyle Change
When Marti Nansen was first diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, it didn’t feel real. He tried making temporary changes, but after that didn’t work, he realized he had to change his lifestyle. The YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties was here to help him.
“I was terrified and I was kicking myself for letting my weight and diet get so out of control,” says Marti. “Especially since I’ve never really had an aversion to working out. I just lacked motivation. Diabetes became the motivation.”
A few months later, one of Marti’s friends invited him to check out the pool at the Fercho YMCA so Marti could find a workout he enjoyed. He was hooked.
Marti branched out to use the gym at the Y and even started preparing for triathlons. He earned the nickname ‘barbarian’ among his friends.
“Barbarians are all about endurance and playing through the pain. Triathlons are all about endurance as well, so it seemed like a natural fit,” says Marti. “I started referring to my training as ‘barbarian training’.”
Years of training led to him to sign up for his first Half Ironman in 2020. When the event was canceled due to the pandemic, Marti was determined to find another way.
Marti’s friend and triathlon mentor, Justin Smith, created a Half Ironman distance course in Hawley, Minnesota. “Justin asked me if it was okay if others participated and I thought that was an awesome idea,” says Marti.
BarbarianMan was born.
The event was held in August 2020 and it was Marti’s practice run for the Ironman Michigan 70.3. They even designed a trophy!
“We celebrate people who are ‘fighting a battle’,” says Marti. “That battle is whatever motivates us to spend most of a day swimming, cycling, and running on nothing but Gatorade and pretzels.” Marti’s battle is diabetes, but he knows the person who received the trophy this year was fighting an entirely different battle.
“It’s been a goal over the past few years to inspire others like me to get fit,” says Marti. “The Y is a great venue for it. Especially since it has such a great pool. I know swimming can be intimidating, but not enough people know that swimming is one of the best exercises one can do with absolutely no impact on the body. I’d love to see more emphasis placed on swim training and the Y is one of the few places that can do it!”