This article was produced in partnership with MitoQ . Triathlons demand an immense amount of time, grit , and dedication, so it may seem odd to hear someone say they’re an “accidental triathlete.” But that’s how Max Fennell ’s hero’s journey goes. He turned a blunder into a blessing when, in 2011, two weeks before tryouts began for a semi-professional soccer team, he sprained his MCL. For the everyman, it’s inconvenient at best, but for a serious athlete, it’s career-ending at worst. Unsure of his next step, Fennell met Brian Sullivan while working in a coffee shop. He encouraged Fennell to participate in a local tri, now the Tri Rock Philadelphia, loaning him his old Elite Bicycles tri bike. Fennell placed 7th in the event and Sullivan became his mentor, grooming him to podium in four of his six races, one of which was an age group win, in his first season. In 2014, Fennell’s fourth season, he qualified for his pro card and became the first Black professional triathlete. Since th