the rather embarrassing (to me) social media requirement - example ‘ just back from a great ride wearing my x clothing and ready for a sure in my x shower gel ‘

I thought it was already established that EMJ was triathlon's version of Cobra Kai? You don't want to be on that team. :D

I don't think that being part of a team or club and being able to express your individuality are mutually exclusive.. Yes, triathlon is a very individual sport, but always training and racing alone, with no 'community' is, well, boring. Why do you think something like zwift has taken off? yes, I'm in my garage all alone, but it gives me the sense of training and racing 'with' others and makes it more enjoyable.

yes, there is a marketing component of teams, but how does that instantly label them as a shill? I don't blame Dan for the flashing ads on every page of this site, just like I don't blame teams for their kits or social media posts. It's a two-way street, and both sides get some benefit from the relationship.

I do have my bias, as a former club president and current Wattie Ink team member, but in both instances, I've never experienced any type of exclusion that you believe teams encourage. Recently, I went out to IMAZ to cheer and support the racers, all racers. If you were racing, tell me how divided you would have felt running through the Wattie Ink / Moxie cheer section. We/they were out there motivating and supporting all racers. Same for the BSR crew that I saw, and many other teams.

Teams and clubs aren't for everyone, but to suggest that teams don't have any functional value in our sport isn't fair or accurate.

.... in high school, I had a foot in the...New Order/Depeche Mode/U2 new wave gang ....

We could start Team Tucson.

3 group swims per week, couple of rides/runs per week.
With the number of athletes we both know in the area we could get 5-7 guys capable of going <4:25 and quite a few <4:10, plus the women's side would be stacked. I mean let's face it your fiance doesn't mind being on the same team as you!

Always knew I liked you for a reason.

In any case back to the topic on team rejection....we already have the global triathlon club...why do we need anything else. By the way, I do see the function of local clubs to help create a training environment for new racers, just like we have swim clubs, ski clubs, bike clubs. At a local level, these make sense to get athletes functionally and technically competent at the sport. I've tried to do that with free group training for people without the artificial divide that a club can put up at my local level. At a learning level, the clubs have value. At an elite/cross city level, they are just exclusivity orgs.

I see no point of national scale "teams" who are only out for bragging rights, exclusivity and some source of questionable marketing (I'd rather see pros get the marketing coverage since they need the exposure). National elite-ish age group outfits water down the pro side of the sport.

I don't really like the marketing teams for our sport for ME and while I've done that stuff and enjoyed it while it made sense for me.... I stay away from that hooplah as it distracts me from my core goals/values right now. I think I could get on any team...probably even this all men's team if I wanted it enough and started my pre-application efforts at least a year in advance. Although after this post that is likely not going to be true anymore!

The competition to get on these teams is STIFF. It is like applying for a job....just because you did not get selected does not mean you were not in consideration. The job is to be a marketing tool. Unless you do some serious damage control starting now, you aren't getting picked next year either though with this post out there.
Winning your AG at Ironman brand races puts you at the top of the pile BUT...you likely don't HAVE to do that to be selected as their tool.

I think you also have a better chance to get on their team if you are already on another team so they can steal you away.
Easier to get a job when you already have one...so maybe join one of the groups where everyone gets on the "elite" team if they pay enough dues to set you up better for next year. Hash tag and market the heck out of your team. Don't sip the kool-aid. Chug it. Spike it and serve it up!

On social, you seem like you have a niche group of people that you consider your audience and it is the Slowtwitch type crowd and those who pretend to mock ST while checking it every day (no offense, I love you guys). I don't know that most folks newer to the sport (fresh blood for marketing) would feel you were "approachable" even though you ARE a genuine, intelligent, nice guy who just wants to share your knowledge. Sometimes, frequent ST posters like yourself who are not shy about expressing opinions and do not have a vanilla feel good message are intimidating to regular folks. EMJ likes to give the illusion of being "regular folks" with speed. Regular folks don't blog about running streaks every day or ruthlessly critique bike fits.

Teams that you mentioned are marketing vehicles and being a brand ambassador is to be their tool.

To what extent are you willing and able to be a tool?

Maybe not enough. If you don't have a strong desire in being a tool that becomes clear to those seeking such for their organizations.

Not everyone on that team does Ironman but you have to have another angle...which you do. If you are a human billboard you actually are in the real estate where they target. Issue I see though is that you just aren't a blank slate type personality on social. Reflect upon this: Who wants to buy a billboard that already has writing all over it? You need to be more of a frame where they can drop in and fit their message.

Looking at EMJ and the select few I know of on there reading between the lines of what they SAY it seems they want people who win races/place high and are fast BUT who don't give off the vibe of being consumed by the sport and who present close ties to their family and careers.

It seems painting a picture to your strong social media following of being a family oriented person with an extremely well balanced lifestyle who barely trains (while actually training like it is another full time job behind the curtain in order to meet the podiums/achievements required) AND has no body or facial hair is what it takes. You could fit into that mold if you want.

They are seen as non-confrontational, easy going, career and family guys who work hard (but not THAT hard) to win/place at races. Not sure I would call you confrontational but you do speak openly against the status quo which I don't see their team members doing. You also might want a clean shaven FB profile picture and maybe find some kids....like nephews or cousins to get more family type feed added to your insta stories.

The team members are also really good at sales. Say hypothetically that an athlete attends a winter tri camp in Tuscon and is trying to find a new aero bottle when theirs flew off and cracked. EMJ is the smooth guy who would follow them all around the store convincing them to buy their sponsor's products not even mentioning their relationship to it as they show off photos of their daughter. "Hypothetically." I don't picture you doing that but you could. You would likely rather use free time to be on your phone reading posts on ST arguing over if that Sionel Landers guy (name changed to protect the innocent LOL) could win both 70.3 and Kona in the same season than pushing products on a fellow AGer...umm....hypothetically. Nothing wrong either way...but what would you rather be doing?

Given how small our sport is they probably all already know each other. Like anywhere...references and connections do matter.

Did you contact every member individually who you know on that team months out and let them know you were interested in helping EMJ with their message asking them to put in a good word? Did you mention how excited you were to grow their business because you believe in their products and more so, in how much they inspire men out there that they too can achieve their potential in sport and have serious careers, while involving their beautiful families in their #blessed triathlon journey all while using the EMJ shampoo for their shiny hair? Is that sentiment GENUINE? I am guessing it would not be entirely sincere and they can often detect that.

If sights are set on a team that is not a complete match with your beliefs you may want to undergo some hypnosis prior to application season next year until you are a true believer.

Also, when they rejected you, did you send them a thank you for the opportunity note, ask why you were not considered and express interest in following the team and that you hope to be selected next year and then keep quiet about your personal feelings? Those are the kind of people who likely get on.

I think the "job" here is marketing tool. If you don't want to be a tool, don't apply for the teams.

If you are OK with being a marketing tool in return for the opportunity to share the journey with men in matching kits, and the sponsorship discount codes and perks....the GLORY and validation of being selected and promoted by their media folks...you keep on trying. If you want the "funding" and platform for your age group career and you embrace their "message" start catering your social media to be a closer fit with their marketing avatar and get to know these guys personally as well.

In my opinion...you have a lot of what it takes...but I just suspect you don't want to be a tool enough to get selected.
Members are marketing vehicles and those who join take that role seriously or they won't last a season with it.

To what extent are you willing and able to be a tool?

You also might want a clean shaven FB profile picture and maybe find some kids....like nephews or cousins to get more family type feed added to your insta stories.

The deals that make the most sense that have the most alignment, often fall by the way-side.


Welcome to the world of, "rejection and negativity".

I always find stories like this fascinating. Another common one is - they did not get the Job, via the application interview process and it's devastating to them (the applicant)

I'm thinking more people, would cope and deal with these situations better if they spent some time in Sales. Rejection. Getting said, "No" or the more polite, "No thank you", to, is a frequent daily occurrence. The reality is, in B2B Sales/Business, and that's what this sort of situation is, as well as the Job Search (although many don't think of it that way - but they really should), 80% or more of the people you approach, pitch, talk to, sell-to, interact with, really don't care about you, and what you have to offer - and it's NOT something you can change. Don't take it personally. Just move on to the next bunch of opportunities in the funnel. Because you have lots of opportunities in the funnel, right?

Haycraft, I'm not sure if I'm more upset that you applied for EMJ or got rejected........