Today we’d like to introduce you to Mafer Pinder.
Definitely not. It’s been anything but a smooth road. I only got into the sport in 2018 when I signed up for a half IRONMAN—after a very long period of doing absolutely nothing athletic. But from that moment, I completely fell in love with triathlon.
Unfortunately, less than a year later in 2019, I was hit by a car while riding my bike and suffered an elbow dislocation. That injury took me out of the sport for almost 8 months. The physical recovery was hard but the mental recovery was even harder. Eventually, I got back on my feet, determined to go big or go home. I signed up for a full IRONMAN in 2020.
I was committed, training hard… and then the pandemic hit. I lost my job, the race was canceled, and everything I had built came to a halt. Like so many others, I was devastated and completely demotivated. COVID hit me hard, not just physically, but emotionally and financially.
It took almost two years, but when things finally started to stabilize in 2022, I made the decision to start again. I went back to the race I had been deferred from in 2020: IRONMAN Texas. I had barely trained—just a couple of rides—and two days before the race, I made the crazy decision to go for it. I ended up being the last woman to cross the finish line. But at that moment, I told myself: Now you have to do it properly.
By then, my job and financial situation had improved, and I was finally in a position to truly commit. Since that day, I’ve been all in.
I work in the energy sector, specifically within the electrification space, where I serve as a Senior Sales Proposal Manager focused on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) solutions. My role involves leading complex technical and commercial proposals for large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support the global transition to renewable power. HVDC technology is essential for efficiently connecting renewable energy to the grid over long distances, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of a mission that’s shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, and to lead high-stakes projects under pressure, much like racing in triathlon.
Beyond the professional world, I’m part of a big and wonderful community of athletes. I do my best to motivate and inspire others to be fearless, take risks, and always keep a smile on their face. In fact, many people know me as “Lin Miedo”—a play on the Spanish phrase Sin Miedo, which means “fearless.” It’s a nickname that captures how I approach life, sport, and challenges.
Above all, I’m incredibly proud of the woman I’ve become: strong, determined, and deeply passionate about both my career and my sport. I carry that strength into everything I do, and I hope to show other women that it’s possible to lead with both heart and grit, in all areas of life.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Absolutely, I consider myself a risk-taker in every sense of the word. One of the biggest risks I ever took was moving to this country by myself, without knowing the language, and starting from scratch. It was scary, uncertain and overwhelming at times, but I built my path through being fearless and embracing every opportunity that came my way.
I’ve always seen risk as a necessary ingredient for growth. I consider myself an entrepreneur at heart. I’ve tried to build several businesses, and although none have succeeded so far, I firmly believe that failure is simply part of the process. It’s not about whether you win or lose, what matters is that you try. As I always said, if you’re not risking, you’re not really living.
That’s my approach to everything in life, including sport, work, and personal goals. I truly believe that fear holds people back more than failure ever could. As I like to say (and laugh about), if you’re afraid to die, don’t be born! Taking risks is where the magic happens.
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Image Credits
Scott Flathouse
