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Story


Triathlete. Model. Recovering Anorexic.  

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Story


Triathlete. Model. Recovering Anorexic.  

Myles Alexander is a PRO triathlete, model, and recovering anorexic. He is the reigning NYC Elite Champion, and primarily races the LTF short-course series.  He has also raced ITU and local regional championships.  On his first race in the PRO wave he took 3rd in Arizona.

Alexander, a.k.a. “Chitriman,” (pronounced shy-try-man) is a fixture on the Chicago triathlon scene where he is known as an athlete who loves his hometown and is especially committed to its fitness community. Partnering with one of his sponsors Running Away Multisport, Alexander enjoys contributing his expertise to a communal approach to training by leading weekly group rides designed to offer seasoned racers an opportunity for recovery while simultaneously offering less experienced cyclists a challenging yet supportive context for developing their skills. 

Back in late 2009, Alexander almost died.  In the midst of a life-threatening struggle with severe anorexia, Myles discovered triathlon competition as an important part of his recovery process. This self-described "economics junkie" at Sarah Lawrence College (class of 2010) caught the eye of the then Aquatics Director, Sandra Clarke, who recognized not only a young man facing a tremendous health challenge, but someone with the discipline, determination, and drive to be a professional athlete—a triathlete, to be specific.

Clarke’s hunch was confirmed over the next two years as she watched her mentee begin to podium at, and eventually win, Midwest regional triathlon competitions. In 2012 Alexander won overall in the Midwest Regional Sprint Championship in Elkhart Lake, WI, the Purdue University Boiler Sprint Triathlon, and the Evergreen Lake Sprint Triathlon outside of Bloomington-Normal, IL. He topped off the season with a stellar performance at U.S.Nationals to earn a spot on Team USA.  2013 began in a similar fashion with overall wins at ITU San Diego while setting the ITU Fiesta Island World Record, defending his titles at Boiler Sprint, Elkhart Lake, and Evergreen.  He was the 4th fastest American at ITU Worlds in London.  

Alexander began his 2014 season by a third place overall at the Life Time Fitness South Beach Triathlon, a blazing fast 52:41min Sprint Triathlon performance for an overall win and another sub hour performance at Elkhart Lake.  He made his Elite Division debut at CapTex where, despite a competitor unzipping his wetsuit which resulted in his exiting the water 4 min behind the leaders, he was able to run himself to finish 8th.  Alexander then had another Elite Division race at Lake Zurich where he made it onto the podium in 1:50 for second place.  He recently, grabbed his Elite win at the New York City Triathlon where he broke early from the pack to race comfortably all day, cruising to the finish line without being challenged by his competitors.  Moved to the PRO ranks and took 3rd at Life Time Tempe in Arizona, and is currently gearing up for his debut at the 70.3 distance.

Alexander is excited to finish this season strong, continuing to develop and use his platform and dream of becoming a world champion to help spread his message about finding strength and joy in recovery from anorexia.  From a position of leadership in the sport, he seeks to set the example that there is no shame with this disease.  That no one need suffer in silence.  And, that there is help, hope, and a community of support that loves and cares for those battling this tragic disease!  

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Model


Myles the model.  

"As a trained photographer I'm into composition of the image.  After 4 plus years into my recovery I finally have the selfconfidence to claim my own style.  To choose clothes that really speak to what I feel in my soul.  I'm lucky to be working with companies that share my vision.  That believe in me as the world class athlete, that love my vibe as a model, and that support my message of recovery.  It's important to share that.  Especially in the fashion world."

Model


Myles the model.  

"As a trained photographer I'm into composition of the image.  After 4 plus years into my recovery I finally have the selfconfidence to claim my own style.  To choose clothes that really speak to what I feel in my soul.  I'm lucky to be working with companies that share my vision.  That believe in me as the world class athlete, that love my vibe as a model, and that support my message of recovery.  It's important to share that.  Especially in the fashion world."

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Recovering Anorexic


Recovering Anorexic 

I’m a recovering anorexic.  I stumbled into triathlon as a way to help me along this rocky road that is recovery.  I never thought that I’d actually be good at it.  But God had a different plan for me.  Yeah I love racing.   Yeah I'm going to be a World Champion.   But most importantly I want to help spread the word that life can be so so much better.  You don’t have to suffer.  You don’t have to be ashamed.  And with hard work you can live.  Finally live.

 

I‘m not a doctor.  I will be going back to school for my PsyD, but I’m not a therapist or anything like that.  But if you’re suffering and you want to chat or you want some help knowing what recovery can look like, don’t hesitate to shoot me a line!

 

I'm working on creating a race series dedicated to helping survivors and championing the strugglers!  It's in the process but I'll be posting updates as they come along.  

 

Your brother and friend in suffering, hope, and recovery,

Myles  

 

More to come: To contact me directly please e-mail: chitriman@gmail.com  (I’m the only one that checks that account). 

Recovering Anorexic


Recovering Anorexic 

I’m a recovering anorexic.  I stumbled into triathlon as a way to help me along this rocky road that is recovery.  I never thought that I’d actually be good at it.  But God had a different plan for me.  Yeah I love racing.   Yeah I'm going to be a World Champion.   But most importantly I want to help spread the word that life can be so so much better.  You don’t have to suffer.  You don’t have to be ashamed.  And with hard work you can live.  Finally live.

 

I‘m not a doctor.  I will be going back to school for my PsyD, but I’m not a therapist or anything like that.  But if you’re suffering and you want to chat or you want some help knowing what recovery can look like, don’t hesitate to shoot me a line!

 

I'm working on creating a race series dedicated to helping survivors and championing the strugglers!  It's in the process but I'll be posting updates as they come along.  

 

Your brother and friend in suffering, hope, and recovery,

Myles  

 

More to come: To contact me directly please e-mail: chitriman@gmail.com  (I’m the only one that checks that account).