About THE T3 CHALLENGE
In 2016, Michelle Swittenberg had recently retired from a successful corporate career (at the age of 48!), and as part of her fitness routine, Michelle did a workout in her basement that she had nicknamed “the triple threat.” One day, two of her friends joined her, and eventually, Michelle being. . . well, Michelle. . .decided that they should keep a running tally of attendance, and the first Leaderboard was born. Eventually, a few other friends joined in, prizes were added, workout types were expanded, a point-system was designed . . . and with that, the very first seeds for The Triple Threat Challenge (or The T3 Challenge, as it has become to be called) were planted.
By late-2018, the Challenge was consistently attracting upwards of 30+ women each quarter that it was held -- solely through word-of-mouth. Each Challenge brought a new twist or enhancement and new technology to deal with the growing number of Challengers wanting to level-up their fitness routine. And while The Triple Threat Challenge started out as a workout Challenge, over time, it has expanded to also provide education from industry experts and meaningful support for making lifestyle changes.
The T3 Challenge strives to create a community where members support each other while challenging themselves. 80%+ of Challengers each quarter have previously competed and keep coming back for the camaraderie that the Challenge provides. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Michelle wasn't quite certain what the response would be to a Challenge, she put out the call and the response was overwhelming. The Fall 2020 Challenge was the largest Challenge to date. . .and in 2021 it has continued to grow.
In the words of past Challengers:
"I can’t believe I did it again. I tried to quit at week 2 . . .but a few of these beauties wouldn’t allow me to quit. Although I didn’t finish as strong I’m glad I stayed in the race. Thank you for having me again. You’ve really created something magical here."
T3 ladies- thank you for this thrilling journey! Each day for 4 weeks, we each brought it and pushed each other and for that reason, I started each day with a dose of awesomeness.
Thank You! Love T3! - It never fails to amp up my “game” and kick my butt! I hope that you will keep doing it- changing lives!”
Thank you Triple Threaters. You all pushed me to the limit...like when I found myself running in freezing rain on Friday afternoon and thought what the hell am I doing?? Or today when I was running up what seemed like mount everest . . . Needless to say...It's been a very inspiring and humbling four weeks. The perfect capstone to what started as a long and insurmountable journey for me a little over a year ago when I could barely walk my dog around the block without getting breathless (true story). Today, I'm 75 pounds lighter and feeling fitter than I have in a long time.
I know I am way out of the running but wanted to say thank you to you ALL for making me push myself more then I would had I not done this challenge - my body thanks you! Good luck to all those still competing at the top!
In addition to The T3 Challenge, Michelle is also the founder and CEO of BRWL Studio, a boxing and yoga studio. Founded in November 2019, the studio made some quick pivots and has kept BRWLing in spite of the pandemic. In April 2021, BRWL moved into its brand new state-of the-art studio in the Valley Arts District of Orange.
In 2016, Michelle met her goal of retiring from corporate life before the age of 50. Her 25+ year corporate career spanned large companies and two Internet start-ups. At Verizon, where she both started (at its predecessor company GTE in 1989) and ended her corporate career, Michelle held positions in the areas of product development, strategy and planning, and marketing and sales. As a Vice President at Verizon, some of Michelle's experiences included: heading sales and marketing in the Mid-Atlantic and New York regions, leading teams comprising 2500+ union and management employees, managing 150+ domestic and international sales vendors, managing expense budgets of $250M+, and driving revenue targets that exceeded $5B. Between her stints at Verizon, she was a consultant at Arthur Andersen, worked in marketing at Stride Rite and American Airlines, and worked at two Internet start-ups in the late 1990s.
Michelle has an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a BS from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. She lives in New Jersey with her husband (a UNC Tar Heel) and her son (a Syracuse Orange) -- so, March Madness is pretty much a family tradition!