Stephanie Weldon

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Stephanie

  • Castaways nickname: N/A

  • Tours Completed: 2022-Carry On Tour; 2023-Ridiculous Stunt Tour

  • Team Role/Function: N/A

  • How did you become a Castaway? While reading about cool summer things to do in Key West, I stumbled upon an article that talked about CAC. I was so impressed by the journey and mission of Castaways that I called Javi to learn more! He seemed pretty groovy and the team very laid back so I asked if they would possibly take on rouge rider from Mississippi so that I could ride and fundraise in honor of my father who we lost to cancer in early 2021. I think he rolled his eyes over the phone several times in disbelief but it was all cool in the end. The CAC Cycling crew warmly accepted me as part of the 2022 Team!

  • Why are you a Castaway? I am a Castaway because I want to honor in an epic way those who are currently fighting cancer and to remember those who have been lost to cancer. Specifically, I want to honor my father who lost his 10 year battle with prostate cancer in January 2021 and my uncle who is currently living with cancer.

  • What is your "essential gear" to be a good Castaway? Ah, that's easy.....a cheerful team spirit and a good sense of humor! You can't take yourself too seriously during or after 10 + hours of biking! Oh, and loads of snacks!

  • Conch Republic Navy Rank: Haven’t had the honor of being inducted

  • Favorite Castaways moment: N/A

  • Favorite Castaways quote: N/A

  • Tell us about your Family: My sweet family is pretty awesome....a supportive, adoring husband, Patrick, and six kids. We really are a version of the Brady Bunch. My three: Devon (26), Peyton (23) and Ian (19) and Patrick's three: Bailey (25), Alex (18), and Nicholas (16). We also have two furry Irish Wolfhound "Covid babies", Molly (2) and Max (1). Most of the extended family live in Mississippi and Louisiana. We are all pretty laid back and easy-going, go with the flow crew!

  • Where are you from? Brandon, Mississippi (originally from California)

  • Where'd you go to high school? William B. Murrah High School, Jackson, MS

  • Where'd you go to College/Grad School? Vanderbilt University (undergraduate); Baylor University (graduate)

  • Where do you work? Retired music teacher of 25 years. Currently a freelance performing artist (cello) and member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, a part-time Group Exercise fitness instructor, and head operations manager at the Weldon Household.

  • Favorite music/artists: Asking a musician to name their favorite artists is like asking a chef his favorite foods. Haha. Kinda depends on my mood but mostly I love upbeat pop and rock....oh yeah and acoustic covers....oh, and broadway hits....and yeah, classical music...oh yes, and pretty much any cover by Annapantsu, Two Cellos and Pentatonix...and....etc...etc (When riding/running I live on pandora and Spotify!! :)

  • Favorite movies/genre: RomComs and Comedy, Kids Movies, anything with magic, dragons, dueling clans, Marvel or DC.

  • Favorite books: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, Atlas of the Heart, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Atomic Habits, anything by Ryan Holiday or Malcolm Gladwell. Disclaimer: I'm an Audible/Audiobook addict! Ha!

  • Personal Fun Fact: My husband and I love to travel, eat, and run/triathlon in unique places....emphasis on the eat part! :) I have played the cello for 40 years. I was in a Nashville country music video when in college. I've run a marathon in all 50 US States. I have run on the Great Wall of China (2018) pretty darn cool! Have completed 28 Ironman events and 1 Ultraman Event (Florida). I collect art and specifically small sea turtle sculptures.

  • How have I helped carry out the CAC mission of funding cancer research and honoring those who have fought the fight? My goal is to extend awareness of the CAC mission/event, to fundraise in the Central Mississippi area, and to honor my father, uncle and as many people in my area through this ride. As I have started to share my connection with CAC to friends and family I've had some wonderful conversations. Funding cancer research will always be paramount. For me, I think connecting with families that need time to share, re-share and remember stories and memories of their loved ones is also so critical for ongoing healing. I hope to be a positive messenger of CAC as an outlet to help others "Carry On" the fight and honor the ones they've lost.