Inspiring Women Spring 2018

Inspiration from France
JILL JACQUOT
Association of American Women in Europe, Paris, France
From: Ohio, USA
Lives: Near Fontainebleau, France
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I was born and bred in Ohio, and I earned a BA in
International Studies and another BA in French along the
way. My first taste of living abroad was Junior Year abroad
when I went to Tours, France.
After college I went into the Peace Corps in Niger, after
which I moved to Paris, and met my (now) husband. I
spent 2 years in Paris, 2 years in London and finally moved
to Romania to join my husband. From there we moved to
NYC, then back to Paris. After a short stint in Canada, we
have now lived in the same place, near Fontainebleau,
France, since 2009.
Having stopped working to raise my children, I recently
went back to earn a diploma in psychotherapy. I am now starting my practice as a personcentered
counselor
As a child and teen, I was primarily a springboard
diver, and I was also a lifeguard (so a little
swimming!). But after college, I basically did no
sports at all and only started running around the age
of 44. In September 2016 I became involved in the
world of Triathlon (swim, bike, run). My brother is a
triathlete (an Ironman to be exact, which entails a
3800m swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and a
marathon at the end). I figured, hey, if he can do it,
why not me?! And it would be a good way to do
more than “just” run.
My goal was to do a half ironman for my 50 th . In fact,
I hope to have it completed before I turn 51 in July
this year - I’m signed up for one in June.
I try to ensure that training doesn’t take over my life
(it is an ultra endurance sport, and many triathletes
eat, breathe and sleep triathlon during the peak
season). I swim with my team every Wednesday
night and Saturday morning, so that takes a little
time away from my family. Since I have a sporadic
schedule, I fit my biking and running in during the
day. I try to run 3 - 4 times a week and bike 2 times a
week. I also do a little strength work through crossfit.