The University of Michigan All-American was only two years removed from the waters of the Canham Natatorium on his beloved Ann Arbor, Mich. campus when he decided to leave the world of “Corporate America” and challenge his body in ways he had never done before.

“This seems pretty interesting and it seems to be a very fun and challenging lifestyle to pursue,” reflected Potts about completing his first triathlon in June 2002.  “I just started training full time at that point, or just trying to get back into shape is more like it.”

Potts, 27, competed in several events later that summer and gained encouragement from 1996 Olympic 800m freestyle gold medalist swimmer and 2000 triathlon Olympian, Sheila Taormina, as well as from his college roommate and 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Tom Malchow.

“I ran into Sheila who I swam with on the national team and I talked with her a little about maybe getting into it as a professional.  It took some time to get things moving but in October 2002 the executive director of USA Triathlon invited me to come down to Colorado Springs so I could see if it would be a good fit for me and they could see if I would be a good fit for the team.  It was like we were both trying each other out and recruiting each other.  So that was 18 months ago and I’ve been here ever since and I’ve fallen in love with my new sport.”

While his parents currently reside in Colorado (transplanted from New Jersey), moving to Colorado Springs to practice full time at the Olympic Training Center was not as easy as it sounded.

Potts had his relationship with his girlfriend, and soon to be wife, Lisa Simes, to worry about.  She was working in Las Vegas as an acrobat for the Cirque du Soleil’s “O” show.  Simes was a gymnast at Michigan, where the two met.

“I got to see her perform almost a dozen times in Las Vegas.  I think that attachment to sports extended beyond college.  She used to be a national team member for Canada gymnastics.  She knows what it’s like to be one of the best in the world and that makes it a lot easier.”

The couple made the difficult situation work and wed in January 2004. 

In little more than a year and a half, Potts has gone from a virtual unknown in the sport to one of the top triathletes in the U.S.  His status was elevated when he placed 11th at the 2004 World Triathlon Championships and earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.

“It’s been a lifetime goal of mine to make it to the Olympics as an athlete.  When I finally did achieve that goal it was overwhelmingly emotional.  I didn’t really have a clue of what to do.  I wish Lisa and my parents were there so I could have shared it with them because I was looking around for someone to share the experience with and my reaction was just like I had won the race.”

Physically, emotionally and psychologically drained from the competition, Potts did the only thing he could think to do.

“I ended up just crawling into a corner and crying just because I was overwhelmed by the accomplishment and the fact that it’s been so many years in the works.  I paid my dues with swimming, not necessarily triathlon, but triathlon is where I am seeing the fruits of my labor.”

Now Potts has to kick his training into high gear, which is saying a lot for a guy who averages 60-70 miles of running, 30,000 meters of swimming and 200 miles of biking a week.  He understands that in Athens he is representing more than just himself. 

“For me, representing America and my family and my friends and my university and everything that has molded me into who I am as an athlete and a person today, it’s just going to be a really special experience for me in terms of what I’m representing while I’m over there competing and it definitely extends far beyond just myself.”

Potts has no immediate plans to give up the sport after the Games.  In fact, he envisions U.S. men’s triathlon to one day be as successful as U.S. women’s triathlon, with his help of course.

“The American women are first, second and third right now and I don’t see why the American men can’t follow suit.  The American women have set a high standard.  I would like to be one of the guys up there ranked among the top triathletes in the world.  I think that is going to be my next goal after the Games, to see how far I can take it and to see how good I really can be after I get a few [more] years of experience under my belt.”