Ironman Competitor Jen Temperley Inspires Women Navigating Their 40s, 50s and Beyond
Embracing vitality.
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CategoryLife Outside, Outdoor Adventure
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Written byTanya Monaghan
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Photographed byRettig + Co
With a remarkable list of accomplishments and a profound dedication to rewriting the narrative around aging, Jennifer Temperley is on a mission to help women embrace all stages of life with confidence and vitality. For the past 20 years she has lived in the South Bay, a community she loves and finds warm and inviting.
“People are passionate about an active, healthful way of life—that makes living here special,” Jen says. “The South Bay inspires living your best life, making it the ideal place for raising a family and promoting the wellness principles that are close to my heart.”
Jen can often be seen running through the streets of Manhattan Beach at a pace that seems unfathomable to maintain for more than 100 meters, let alone miles on end. Jen is a “phenom” athlete and a fierce competitor who hasn’t allowed negativity about aging to creep into her mindset. Fitness has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“I was fully committed to gymnastics and swimming as a kid—driven by a competitive streak that constantly pushed my limits,” she shares. “I was so determined that I’d sleep in the splits to improve my flexibility and even went to bed in my swimsuit so I wasn’t late to swim practice. Being active is a fundamental part of who I am!”
Jen’s accomplishments in endurance sports are nothing short of impressive. Having qualified for the prestigious Kona Ironman World Championship in 2023, she conquered the grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run with unwavering determination. This was yet another highlight in a career filled with outstanding achievements, including eight appearances at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and multiple podium finishes in various races around the globe.
Despite all that, Jen says that her greatest personal accomplishment is that at 50 years old, she recently beat the time she set at age 40. “It boils down to a decade of consistent care for my body—not pushing it to its limits day in and day out but listening to it,” she explains. “Over the years, my mindset has shifted significantly—I have prioritized how I fuel my body and made strength training a key component of my routine, not just an add-on. Moving away from strict dietary restrictions to fueling properly during and after long workouts has been a game changer—learning to let go of the guilt for missed workouts and instead tuning in to my body’s needs, specifically rest and recovery.”
“People are passionate about an active, healthful way of life—that makes living here special,” Jen says. “The South Bay inspires living your best life, making it the ideal place for raising a family and promoting the wellness principles that are close to my heart.”
Jen can often be seen running through the streets of Manhattan Beach at a pace that seems unfathomable to maintain for more than 100 meters, let alone miles on end. Jen is a “phenom” athlete and a fierce competitor who hasn’t allowed negativity about aging to creep into her mindset. Fitness has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“I was fully committed to gymnastics and swimming as a kid—driven by a competitive streak that constantly pushed my limits,” she shares. “I was so determined that I’d sleep in the splits to improve my flexibility and even went to bed in my swimsuit so I wasn’t late to swim practice. Being active is a fundamental part of who I am!”
Jen’s accomplishments in endurance sports are nothing short of impressive. Having qualified for the prestigious Kona Ironman World Championship in 2023, she conquered the grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run with unwavering determination. This was yet another highlight in a career filled with outstanding achievements, including eight appearances at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and multiple podium finishes in various races around the globe.
Despite all that, Jen says that her greatest personal accomplishment is that at 50 years old, she recently beat the time she set at age 40. “It boils down to a decade of consistent care for my body—not pushing it to its limits day in and day out but listening to it,” she explains. “Over the years, my mindset has shifted significantly—I have prioritized how I fuel my body and made strength training a key component of my routine, not just an add-on. Moving away from strict dietary restrictions to fueling properly during and after long workouts has been a game changer—learning to let go of the guilt for missed workouts and instead tuning in to my body’s needs, specifically rest and recovery.”
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