Here’s our interview with Jen Rulon, Midlife Transformation Coach, 15-time Ironman triathlete, author, and speaker, about her rules for success.

Jen has spent more than two decades studying human performance, mindset, and the psychology of long-term change. Her journey began with a spark of inspiration watching the Ironman World Championship as a teenager, eventually driving her to complete her first Ironman in 2002 and, years later, qualify for and race on the legendary Kona course.

Background of Jen Rulon

Jen Rulon’s athletic career became a proving ground for mental toughness, consistency, identity transformation, and the deep mindset principles she would later bring to her clients.

After retiring from Ironman racing and relocating to Costa Rica, Jen transitioned her lifelong passion for movement into a mission to help midlife women rebuild their strength, metabolism, and confidence. Through her Rise Strong coaching program, she designs customized training, nutrition support, and mindset frameworks that honor the unique physical and emotional needs of women in their 40s and 50s. Her approach blends functional fitness, lifestyle redesign, and deep inner work. She helps women reclaim their energy and rediscover who they are beyond roles, responsibilities, and survival mode.

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Jen Rulon Questions and Discussions

Here’s a bullet-point summary of the questions and discussions from our interview with Jen Rulon:

1. Jen Rulon’s Introduction & Background

• Inspired at age 18 watching the 1989 Ironman World Championship — the Mark Allen vs. Dave Scott showdown.
• Seeing Paula Newby-Fraser compete on the same course as the men sparked: “If she can do it, I can do it.”
• Shared her dream with her WWII-veteran grandfather, who replied, “When you go, I’ll go with you”, a moment that became her lifelong anchor.
• Never viewed herself as a traditional athlete in high school, despite years of softball, cheerleading, and sports involvement.

2. The 28-Year Journey to Kona

• Completed first Ironman in 2002 at Ironman Wisconsin.
• Over 15 Ironmans later, finally qualified for Kona nearly 28 years after declaring the goal.
• Emotional finish on Ali’i Drive, looked at her mom, heard Mike Riley announce “Jen Rulon, you ARE an Ironman,” and dedicated the moment to her grandfather.
• Butterflies became a spiritual symbol from her grandfather after his passing — appearing at key moments of doubt and becoming her race-day anchor.

3. Athlete to Coach & Identity Evolution

• Began coaching in 2001. Triathlon, run, and cycling coaching both online and in-person.
• Ironman lifestyle built her foundation of grit, discipline, and identity-based habits.
• Realized she lived deeply in her “masculine” for years; achievement-driven, A-type, structure-heavy.
• Transitioned post-Ironman into a more integrated feminine strength; grounded presence, intuition, and compassion.

4. Support System & Personal Transformation

• Ex-husband provided crucial partnership. They trained and raced as a powerful athletic duo.
• Mom attended multiple Ironman events worldwide to support her journey.
• Family, friends, and race-day crowds became emotional fuel. It’s Jen’s reminder that accomplishment is never solo.
• Anchors during training and racing included family signs, Ms. Pac-Man visualization, and meaningful causes she carried mile by mile.

5. Midlife Transformation Coaching

• Works with women in their 40s and 50s navigating reinvention, hormonal changes, divorce, loss, parenthood shifts, and life resets.
• Jen Rulon helps women rebuild identity through embodied practices, not perfectionism.
• Understands from lived experience: miscarriage, divorce, family loss, aging transitions.

6. Four Foundational Pillars for Women

• Movement — Strength training, walking, Zumba, beach-cruiser riding. Building confidence through physical empowerment.
• Metabolism — Simple, sustainable nutrition, choosing foods intentionally, and rebalancing energy.
• Meaning — Finding a deeper internal “why” beyond aesthetics or external approval.
• Mindset — Journaling, meditation, and mental reps that reshape self-worth and resilience.

7. Rise Strong & Rise with the Tides

• Rise Strong: A personalized, high-touch 1:1 coaching program with weekly calls, custom workouts, nutritional guidance, and deep mindset support.
• Tailored to home gyms, boutique gyms, or global gym environments. Built around real life.
• Rise with the Tides Retreat: A December women’s retreat in Costa Rica.
  • Villa in Sámara, chef-prepared meals, yoga, gym sessions, journaling circles.
  • Closing ceremony and meal at Jen’s hilltop container home with stunning river views.

8. Jen Rulon’s Rules for Success

• Confidence comes from showing up for yourself.
• Your why must be deeper than aesthetics. It must anchor your soul.
• Consistency isn’t motivation. It’s identity.
• The universe conspires in your favor when you commit to your calling.
• Movement shapes mindset more than mindset shapes movement.

Jen Rulon’s work now extends globally through her coaching, writing, speaking, and her immersive “Rise with the Tides” retreat in Costa Rica. She teaches that midlife is not the beginning of decline but the beginning of reinvention. It’s a powerful chapter where women can step into their fullest identity with strength, joy, and purpose. With her signature blend of athletic grit, feminine wisdom, and heartfelt storytelling, Jen empowers women to redefine success through movement, mindset, and meaning.

~Joseph

💡 Quote of the Episode:

“You don’t find confidence, you build it. One rep, one walk, one brave choice at a time. Your body remembers every moment you show up for yourself.” – Jen Rulon