This Police Detective Dropped 80 Pounds. He's Now A Triathelete!

In the early part of 2005, Detective Dan Kepler discovered his current lifestyle did not help him serve and protect those around him. He is assigned to the Arson Unit in the Organized Crime Branch of the Investigations Division of the Indianapolis Police Department.

Standing at six feet one inch, Detective Kepler tipped the scales at almost 300 pounds. This former collegiate baseball player had become someone with a poor quality of life and a frightening cardiac report from his physician.

A family doctor ordered a treadmill stress test. Detective Kepler failed. A regimen of prescription drugs followed, and then another test. Again, he failed. At just 36 years old, Detective Kepler faced a frightening prognosis. As a single father of a beautiful eight year-old daughter, he knew he had to make a life-altering decision. Detective Kepler’s journey to a healthier lifestyle was both personal and professional.

The challenge seemed daunting. Determined to get back to the level of fitness he had as a college athlete, Detective Kepler sought the help of his physician, dieticians, exercise specialists, and a counselor. His personal goal? To complete a triathlon in a year. The progress was slow at first, but eventually the pounds started to fall off.

Over the last 10 months, Detective Kepler has lost a total of 80 pounds. He has competed in not one, but four, sprint triathlons. He recently completed the Mideast USAT Championship triathlon, an Olympic distance race with a 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and a 10k run. A huge feat for any athlete let alone a novice tri-athlete less than a year before, struggled to walk on a treadmill.

Detective Kepler’s next goal is the 2007 World Police and Fire Games, held in Australia in May. He will compete for a medal as a representative of the city of Indianapolis, but more importantly, the United States. Held every two years, the World Police and Fire Games offer approximately sixty sports for its exclusive participants. Approximately 10,000 athletes participate.

Best of luck, Detective Kepler! You are quite an inspiration.

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” –  Walter Bagehot.  source: http://www.in.gov/inshape/success/individual.html