Women Who Win: Lisa D'Agostino
July 11, 2018
The D10's Women Who Win series, brought you in collaboration with ADAY, spotlights some of the incredible female athletes who take to The D10's playing field each year.
Meet Lisa D'Agostino of Merrill Lynch.
I can remember when it all started for me. There I was, sitting at my kitchen counter, laptop fired up, wearing sweaty gym clothes, blindly eating ice cream, thoroughly googling everything that was ever written on Laura Placentra, the defending (and, eventually, three-time) D10 NYC champ. To me, she wasn’t the top women's competitor, she was the competitor.
It was 2015 on a Friday night, right after I finished my ceremonial end-of-the-work-week training session at Equinox. I had just learned about The D10 from a board member, who had commented on my gym-rat dedication, and was clearly in recruiting mode. He mentioned that they really needed more women to get involved to raise the bar not just in the name of fitness, but for the amazing cause of pediatric cancer research.
After two weeks of obsessively researching Laura’s stats and reading every article on The D10, I convinced myself that if I worked hard enough, I could raise the minimum (even though $3,000 seemed impossible), and I could win (LOL). I thought if I could channel my high school track & field skills and do one pull-up a day for, like, 7 months, I could get there.
Looking back, I laugh thinking about how I actually pumped myself up enough to think I could beat Wonder Woman. Before The D10, I wouldn’t have necessarily described myself as competitive. But somehow I was convinced that I could do it. After a few clicks online to set my goals, there was no turning back!
Three years later, I can confidently say that Laura, my initial inspiration (and archenemy), is now one of my good friends. I can also say that there was NO WAY IN HELL I ever came close to even touching her numbers in the events! As I started my initial training that year, I remember the harsh realization that pull-ups are way harder than I thought, and that 8am track practices on cold March mornings are brutal. Reality set in.
But once I knew I was only competing against myself, it was more rewarding than I could have believed. When I reflect on my mindset during my first D10 experience, I think about how far I’ve come in actually believing in myself and having pride in my results. That first year, I was maybe second from last – but I didn’t waste one second caring about where I placed. The only thing I knew was that I just had one of the most fun and exciting days of my life. Throughout the process, I gained muscle, perspective and new best friends. I couldn’t ask for a better experience.
The most important goal – fundraising – is one that I’m proud to say I’ve surpassed all three years I’ve done The D10. The amazing people in my life – coworkers, friends and family – are what helped me raise the bar. My mother is a breast cancer survivor, and I know the devastation and struggle that cancer can bring.
I’m honored to have such a brave mom and have tried to channel her strength over the last few years during training and competition. The things that The D10 combines are some of the very best things: athleticism, community, inspiration...and most importantly, purpose.
Lisa will take the field for her fourth consecutive D10 NYC in 2019. Will you be there? Click here to register today.