I’m Ilana F. Kearns—life coach, IRONMAN finisher, Boston Marathon qualifier, mom of two boys, and a woman who has had to rebuild her life more than once.
At 47, I crossed the finish line of a full IRONMAN: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run—all completed in 13 hours and 56 minutes.
I qualified for and ran the 2024 Boston Marathon.
But the real endurance race began long before I ever toed a start line.
I’m BRCA1 positive. I’ve lost family members—and even my beloved oncologist—to cancer. After watching the disease take people I loved, I made the bold decision to take preventative action.
I underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and removed both my ovaries and uterus.
In just 24 hours, I was launched into full surgical menopause.
I also live with Hashimoto’s disease.
And yet—I’ve become one hell of an athlete. Not because I was born with it, but because I chose it. I didn’t grow up as an athlete. I started all of this in my 40s.
I’ve raised a son with autism and two boys with dyslexia. I’ve sat through IEPs, therapy sessions, and sleepless nights—while silently navigating my own hormonal chaos, grief, identity loss, and medical gaslighting.
Because here’s the truth:
Mainstream medicine couldn’t help me when I needed it most.
Gut health, systemic inflammation, the root causes of chronic symptoms—these were never discussed.
I was offered prescriptions and told “it’s just part of getting older.” But I refused to accept that.
So I became my own health advocate. I rebuilt from the inside out—physically, emotionally, spiritually.
I’ve faced burnout, left roles that no longer aligned, and walked away from labels that boxed me in.
I’ve even been hit by a car—and came back stronger.
I don’t just coach endurance.
I live it.
Through every setback, I’ve rebuilt—fiercely, deliberately, and unapologetically.
And now, I help others do the same.
Whether you're facing physical limitations, emotional exhaustion, or searching for what’s next—I’m here to walk (or run) beside you.
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