From Beginner to Team GB: Georgia Couzens’ Inspiring Triathlon Journey
Georgia Couzens’ path to elite sport has been anything but ordinary. Just a few years ago, she admitted she couldn’t swim properly or even consider herself athletic. Now, at 33, she’s preparing to represent Team GB at the World Triathlon Championships in Australia this October.
Her endurance journey began in 2016 when she ran the London Marathon in memory of her baby daughter, Millie, who sadly passed away only six weeks earlier. That emotional challenge sparked a new direction in her life, eventually leading her towards triathlon.
“I would have laughed if anyone had told me ten years ago I’d one day be wearing the Great Britain kit,” Georgia reflects. As a child she never saw herself as sporty, and it wasn’t until five years ago that she learned to swim confidently with her face in the water.
Now, she’ll line up in the sprint triathlon for her age group on the world stage — a powerful reminder that determination and resilience can completely reshape what we believe is possible.
A Mother’s Promise Becomes a Mission
Georgia’s life took a profound turn when her daughter, Millie, was born in 2015 with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) — a rare and devastating condition that causes skin to tear and blister from even the lightest contact. Doctors initially gave Millie just 10 weeks to live, yet her remarkable strength carried her through 17 precious months before she passed away in March 2016.
Determined to honour her daughter’s fight, Georgia committed to raising funds for DEBRA UK, the charity that supported Millie and her family. Despite having never run even a 5km race, she took on the challenge of the London Marathon and completed it in Millie’s memory.
“Those dark days will always stay with me,” Georgia shares. “But so will Millie’s courage. She faced everything with dignity and strength, and that continues to drive me forward. She was a force — and I carry that with me in everything I do.”
From Marathon Miles to the World Stage
Georgia gradually built her endurance, moving from marathons to the ultimate challenge — completing an Ironman triathlon. Those experiences laid the foundation for her biggest milestone yet: qualifying to represent Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, near Sydney.
Without financial backing, Georgia launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and even her official Team GB kit. She recalls the moment the kit arrived vividly:
“When I opened it and saw my name alongside Great Britain, it honestly felt surreal. Never in a million years did I think this would be possible.”
Her family shares that pride. Georgia’s mum, Karen Brown, described her daughter’s journey as nothing short of inspiring:
“Out of adversity, she has created something truly special. We’re all incredibly proud of her — she’s an example to everyone.”
Georgia prefers to "fly a bit under the radar" and describes herself as not naturally talented but someone who works really hard in her training.
Her event on 17 October sees her compete against more than 50 other women aged 30-34 years old, and involves a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.
She will be watched by her family, including four-year-old daughter Flossie and two-year-old son Kit.
"I think everyone around me has more faith and confidence in me than I do myself," Georgia said.
"I'm just proud to be there - to come out the other side of something that was absolutely awful, but also very rewarding - it's given us all strength we didn't know we had."
"To stand on that start line - with my family behind me - means the world."