PERSON OF INTEREST

PEOPLE

Diane Travis

Councilwoman and duathlete

INTERVIEWER: CHRIS GERBASI ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

CLERMONT CITY COUNCILWOMAN SINCE 2014. CITY COUNCILWOMAN SINCE 2014.

• Born in Chicago; settled in Orlando in 1986. • Won gold medal at 2019 national duathlon championship and silver at worlds in 65-69 age group. • Founder of Travis Realty Group.

Best part about working in real

estate? My favorite part is meeting new people, getting to know them and their families, and then helping them accomplish their goal.

How long have you competed in duathlons (runningcycling-running)?

Well, my rst World Championship was back in 1998 in St. Wendel, Germany, but I started doing duathlon races in Clermont in 1995 when Fred Sommer would put on a duathlon race series in the winter months. We were a much smaller town then, and it seemed like all my friends were trying it and it looked like fun and it was easy being local across the lake from where I lived. Then, when I started competing in other U.S. cities, I met so many new friends from across the U.S.A. and I got really hooked.

Toughest part of the city council? One of the

toughest challenges is determining what is good for the whole city and how it will impact our future. It is tough and you can’t please everyone, you just do the best you can.

Favorite post-race

meal? A large hamburger is always a favorite. It could accompany a beer or glass of wine.

Favorite athlete?

Wow, I have so many and I love all sports. Lindsay Vonn (snow skiing), Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Sarah Haskins (triathlete).

Favorite Clermont events?

Taste of South Lake and the Gran Fondo cycling event.

Three words to

describe you? Fun,

intense, happy.

Pet peeve?

Negative people.

Most prestigious

victory? I

have won the USA Nationals before, but the World Championships I have medaled in I would say are the most prestigious because of the increased competition. This year’s silver medal in the World Championships was very rewarding because getting older, it doesn’t get any easier.

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