From Surviving to Competing for Team Canada
In 2017, a traumatic brain injury from domestic violence and cycling accident changed everything. For the next six years, basic movement, chronic migraines, and PTSD made every single day a struggle, changing my life from living to surviving.
I had to ask myself: What’s possible? I refused to think that after six years, survival mode was the only existence I could live in. That question led me to triathlon. What if, despite my disabilities, I could swim, bike and run? What if I could reclaim my life?
I started small and terrified, but I found my strength again. In 2023, after 8 months of training from no fitness, dealing with vertigo in the pool, panic attacks on the bike, and triggering PTSD episodes while running, I won bronze at Nationals. At the end of last season I ranked 6th in Canada and 48th in the world in Aquabike.
On June 29th 2025 I’m competing at World Championships as a member of Triathlon Team Canada.
What began as a healing journey has become a competitive passion. I started by wanting to be able to finish a walk around the block again. Never did I think I would have become an elite athlete! I am living proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
But to write the next chapter, I need your help! Competing at the elite level comes with real costs:
Triathlon equipment (Professional Bike, Team Canada uniforms and gear, upgraded pro equipment)
Travel, accommodations, food and race fees
Training, coaching, and performance testing
Nutrition and medical support—especially for managing migraines and brain injury flare-ups during training and before/after races
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to the start line.
Your support isn’t just about sport—it’s about resilience, healing, and believing that even after trauma, you can thrive, compete, and win.
I hope you’ll help me show the world the power of turning surviving to living.
Alaina Viau
@alainaviau | #RoadToWorlds
