High-performing professional athletes like Lisa Bentley (BMath ’92) battle injuries, fatigue and self-doubt. But few must additionally contend with an often fatal genetic disease – cystic fibrosis – that can produce severe breathing problems and frequent infections.

Date of Birth

November 28, 1968

Nationality

Canadian

Hometown

Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

Height

5′ 4″

Weight

115 lbs

Favourite Car

Subaru Outback 2.5XT

Favourite Pets

Dogs, Fenway

Education

Bachelor of Mathematics & Computer Science

Bachelor of Education: Universiy of Waterloo, 1992

Lisa Bentley raced for 20 years as a professional triathlete. In the course of her career, she has won 11 IRONMAN races, 11 IRONMAN 70.3 races (1/2 IRONMAN), several top 5 finishes at the IRONMAN World Championships, represented Canada on multiple National Teams and at the Pan American Games and was ranked top 5 in the world for a decade. She competed at the highest level despite having Cystic Fibrosis - a genetic lung disease resulting in chronic infections and limited lung capacity. Her CF was very controllable for much of her career and ironically, Lisa saw it as a blessing, which fuelled her passion for sport and excellence. In Lisa’s words, “every time I raced, I knew that my race served a higher purpose to give families hope that their children with CF could achieve similar things in life. And sport kept my lungs healthy so it was a double blessing!”

Since she retired from professional sport, Lisa has been running marathons, doing motivational speaking, television commentary (CTV Olympic marathon running and swim coverage, CBC Triathlon coverage, Sportsnet Ironman coverage), coaching and sales and marketing work with Ironman triathlon. Lisa was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and to the Triathlon Canada Hall of Fame in 2014.

Lisa has an honors degree from the University of Waterloo in Math and Computer Science and a Bachelors of Education from the University of Western Ontario. She taught high school for 7 years prior to pursuing sport full time in 1999 and now uses those teaching skills to coach and mentor athletes in pursuit of their goals in sport.

Athletic Background

• Varsity Cross-Country Running Team, 1987-1991
• 8th at CIAU Cross-Country Championships, 1990

Skills

• Television race commentating for Outdoor Life Network’s and Sportsnet
• Motivational speaking for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other companies
• Coaching triathlon training camps / skills camps
• Proficient and dynamic public speaker
• Lecturing at nutrition and fitness seminars with audiences ranging from children to adults
• Well-developed problem solving skills related to math and computer science training

Career Information

• Taught computer science and mathematics for 6 years
• Wrote computer science curriculum for Dufferin/Peel R.C.S.S.B.
• Graduated from The University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics, Co-op Teaching Option, 1992
• Graduated from The University of Western with a Bachelor in Education, Honours, 1992
• Received Math Honours Specialist additional qualifications certificate

Interests

• Motivating others to participate in sport and fitness and to embrace a life of well-being
• Fundraising and raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis
• Guest speaking, reading, sport marketing