Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with survivor, writer, and author Margie Allman, whose powerful memoir The Sufferfest: How Sex, Drugs and Triathlon Saved My Life chronicles an extraordinary journey of resilience, recovery, and self-discovery.

Margie’s story explores how she survived institutionalized child abuse at a controversial youth facility known as Straight, Inc., along with years of addiction, exploitation, and profound personal Trauma. Against overwhelming odds, she rebuilt her life—eventually becoming an Ironman triathlon contender and Pilates instructor, discovering physical endurance as a pathway toward healing.

She began triathlon training at age 38, using sport as a way to stabilize and manage deep trauma until a devastating turning point just before her 50th birthday, when she lost her partner of 22 years. Through it all, Margie’s journey is ultimately about learning how to be comfortable in your own skin, embrace your uniqueness, and keep moving forward when life breaks open. 

This is a raw, honest, and deeply human conversation about survival, Grief, resilience, and the long road to reclaiming your life.

🔗 More on Margie Allman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/margieallman/

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Joe Dimino Podcaster/Artist

Joe Dimino has been writing & creating in a variety of capacities since his college days at the University of Missouri-Kansas City somewhere around 1993. If you are keeping score, that would be about 29 years+. It all began at UMKCs University News as a Sports Writer & turned into a myriad of expressive avenues. Inventing poems, art, video & audio has always been in the proverbial cards.