Vanessa L. Cook, VetMB, PhD, DACVS, DACVECC is a veterinarian by profession. As impressive as that is on its own, Vanessa is also a triathlete who didn’t begin competing until she was over the age of 40. I recently had the chance to sit down with Vanessa to learn more about what she focuses on in training and the local companies that assist her with race preparation.
STEPHANIE SHEHAN: Tell me a little bit about yourself and what led you to triathlons.
VANESSA COOK: I am a triathlete. I swim, I bike, I run. I race for Team USA in my age group and I’ve won 2 silver medals and a bronze at the age group World Championships. Results are often decided by a small percentage of time difference so every tiny advantage you can get counts. I’m 57 years young and I’m also a veterinarian, so free time is limited and I have to deal with age related issues. I started doing triathlons when I was 45, so it is never too late to find your passion.
SS: Tell me about your wellness journey and what you concentrate on when preparing for a race.
VC: I found biohacking was a way for me to be the very best that I can be. I work with local wellness companies to ensure that I am the best athlete I can be. Here are a few things that I focus on when gearing up for a race.
Bones
We often overlook the importance of our bones- that goes for men too. Our muscles cannot be stronger than our bones or they would snap them in two. We have to start with a solid foundation. But as an athlete who works out and lifts weights, my bones should be fine, right? Wrong! Two years ago, I was completely shocked to find out I had Osteopenia. This was completely unacceptable to me and I was determined to fix this problem immediately. Fortunately my coach, former pro triathlete Rebekah Keat, had been telling me for years that I needed to go to OsteoStrong to improve my bones and strength. The effect is so profound that she calls it the “best form of legal doping’ that there is. As a veterinarian I understand the physiology of bone remodeling so the science behind OsteoStrong makes sense to me. At OsteoStrong you put a supramaximal force though your bones, just once a week, in 10 mins. The results were dramatic. My knee that had been bothering me for years, to the point that I had to have a steroid injection, no longer hurts at all. My strength and speed in my races improved so much that six months after I started going to OsteoStrong I won my age group at Duathlon National Championships (run-bike-run) by FORTY EIGHT minutes, over a 5 hour race. Who doesn’t want a result like that? And all in just 10 minutes once a week- without even breaking a sweat!
Muscles
Loss of muscle as we get older is another issue I have to deal with. I lift heavy weights which helps reduce this loss, but several sessions a week is time consuming and my skeletal muscle mass was still declining while body fat was increasing. About eight months ago, I discovered Body20 in Summerlin. Here, you wear a suit that delivers electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) while you work out. The EMS suit delivers 150x more contractions than a typical gym session- in just 20 mins- and trust me, 20 mins is all you can handle! I have seen impressive results in body composition as a result, gaining several pounds of skeletal muscle mass and losing body fat, all tracked on the InBody analyzer.
One of the best things about training at Body20 is that you train one-on-one with one of their awesome personal trainers who tailors your session to what you want to focus on- be it sport specific strength, fat loss, or improved cardio. I work with Bryanth who is totally invested in improving my race performance and making me the best athlete I can be. I do 2 sessions a week which include running on the treadmill, HIIT, and strength training. A few weeks ago, I competed in the St Patrick’s Day Run Half Marathon at Lake Mead, a challenging hilly course. I could really feel the extra strength I had from running on the treadmill in the EMS suit and after 12 miles, stormed past a 40-year-old to take 3rd overall female. A personal trainer, cutting edge fitness technology and amazing results in just 20 minutes has been a gamechanger for my performance.
Recovery
When I was younger I used to ignore the importance of recovery. It turns out that all the benefits of athletic training only come when you give your body a chance to absorb the stress that you just put on it. Sitting on the sofa is one way to recover, but I don’t have time to do that, and anyway there are more effective ways to enhance recovery. Both before and right after a race you’ll find me back at Body20. But this time I’ll be lying on a bed for 20 mins having a “Restore” session. Now the EMS suit is set to a lower frequency that promotes blood circulation through your muscles to flush out the lactic acid that makes us stiff and sore after exercise. This ensures that I have flushed out all the effects of hard training prior to a race, and then afterwards removes the soreness so I can get back to training sooner.
SS: Any other modalities that you rely on?
VC: Once a week I also use red light therapy. This was originally developed by NASA to grow plants in space and heal wounds in astronauts. You may be familiar with it from the red light face masks for wrinkles, or hair regrowth helmets. But it does so much more than that. The red light boosts the mitochondria in your cells. Mitochondria are the part of your cell that generates energy and this results in increased energy production in your muscles. It also reduces inflammation and stimulates collagen production which in turn heals injuries faster. As an older athlete that pushes the limits I used to constantly have nagging injuries. But now, with using specific therapies for recovery, I am healthy and able to train at the intensity I need to, to compete at the highest level of my age group.
SS: Your accomplishments are extremely motivating. Any words of encouragement?
VC: Biohacking is not just about enhancing performance, it’s about optimizing every aspect of your body and mind so you can reach your fullest potential, regardless of age. As a 57-year-old triathlete, I’ve proven that with the right strategies, you can defy the typical boundaries of age and time. The journey isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just getting started, every step you take toward improving your bones, muscles, and recovery processes will bring you closer to achieving your personal best.
Remember, it’s never too late to start; passion and consistency are key. Embrace the process, trust in the methods that work for you, and know that every small advantage compounds into bigger, life-changing results. Keep pushing, stay curious, and never underestimate what you’re capable of. You’ve got this!
