ThumbsUp International

07/23/2026

We are thrilled to be a part of Easterseals South Florida’s Family Success Fair happening tomorrow from 9 AM to 12:00/Noon! ThumbsUp International welcomes ALL ages, ALL abilities, and ALL interests to participate in our events. We hope to see you there!

07/02/2026

On Sunday, June 21, we broke a new record for ThumbsUp International: 3 abled/disabled trio teams to participate in the 305 Miami Triathlon on Key Biscayne. Over the past few months, our athletes trained with Erinne Guthrie from Full Circle Coaching, to compete and reach the finish line successfully! Not only did they all reach it successfully, they all placed TOP in their categories!


Anthony Armas, Joaquin Morales, Richard Gomez- 1:46⁩ Sprint Triathlon Adaptive Team with Team Thumbs Up 👍 “First Place” Podium

Alex G⁩utierrez, Ivanna Fajardo, and Neysha Miranda - 1:56:15 Sprint Triathlon Adaptive Athlete with Team Thumbs Up 👍 “Second Place” Podium

Arturo Mancilla, Angel “Nono” Avendano, Binyamin Sussman- 1:56:15 Sprint Male Adaptive Team Thumbs Up 👍 2nd in age group team

The choreographic intricacies of the triathlon are a science and an art that must be studied, practiced, and the precision of its timing mastered. No matter if it is your first or your hundredth Tri.

Our remarkable photographer Julio Mendez captured these moments beautifully!

(Read more in comments!)

06/21/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY! 🤩

ThumbsUp International has THREE duo teams in this race.- the first time we have this large a group, I believe!!
WELCOME A*L*L !!!

We are growing - “step by step, TOGETHER WE CAN!”👍🏻👍🏽

06/10/2026

On Thursday, June 4th, 2026 – Kerry Gruson, Co-Founder/Co-Chair was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation from 2025-2026 President, Christian Hernandez, from the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. It was the Rotary Club’s official change of command marking the end of their Rotary year. Throughout the evening, the Club acknowledged hand-selected luminaries in the community who are making an impact by following Rotary International’s mission “to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders” & motto “Service Above Self”. Rotary International & ThumbsUp International are in close alignment!

Our good friend & ThumbsUp International board member, Eva Ritvo, also was honored this evening for her outstanding leadership of Bold Beauty Project.

With Christian at the helm, The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove was awarded “ Club of the Year” for the first time in its existence by Rotary International’s District 6990 Governor Pete Pecci.

Hellooo to my dear friend of 20+ years, Connie Crowther! It was wonderful seeing you again and remembering our underwater adventures! (insider joke)

A huge thank you to Julio Mendez, our beloved photographer/documentarian for capturing these gorgeous photos!

A never-ending thank you to Clara Alarcon & Remberto Ramirez for all their support!

& last, but surely not for least, a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support ThumbsUp International!

06/01/2026

ThumbsUp International, a nonprofit, unites people of all capabilities and ages to meet athletic challenges. Together, we redefine our impossibles .

05/26/2026

In the first photo, you can see Full Circle Triathlon Training head coach Erinne Guthrie on the right, with ThumbsUp International newest duo triathletes, Angel “Nono” Avedaño in the middle & Arturo Mancilla on the left.

Thumbs up to this triathlon swim practice early Saturday am (5/09/26) on Key Biscayne. It’s Nono’s very first triathlon and Arturo’s first duo team effort. Erinne has years of experience (and many inspirational stories) with ThumbsUp International’s athletes, helping, guiding, leading us through our triathlon adventures.

And a HUGE thank you to Remberto Ramirez for ALL his help!

BIG TH❌⭕️ also to ALL others who have been involved and will be involved in many different ways!

This was the first practice of the 2026 triathlon season for these ThumbsUp International team members. We have three teams entered in Integrity MultiSport’s Mack Cycle June 21 Sprint triathlon. WHAT A THRILL FOR EVERY BODY!!

We are so grateful to Integrity Multisports for sponsoring our efforts.

The purpose of ThumbsUp International is to foster a bonding of teams towards an acceptance of your own and others’ different possibilities – for a cooperative community, nation and world grounded in peaceful communication.

Changes are possible and welcome.

Be sure to stay tuned! More stories and photos of fun to come S⭕️⭕️NEST !!!

05/18/2026

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, ThumbsUp International was out in force again, soaking up the beautiful Coral Gables scene and even better, the company. There is nothing like the energy of race day—the cheers, sun on our bodies, wind in our faces, with the crucial reminder that we are stronger together, all ways.

Huge thank you to the organizers

Congrats and th❌🅾️❌ to everyone on our team – Holly, Joaquin, Clara & Kerry! And to everyone who encourage us along the 5K route!

We left our hearts on the course and came away with even more fantabulous memories. Until the next one …SOONEST ?! 👍🏻😍🤩

04/30/2026

Join me tomorrow to celebrate the Bold Beauty Project’s acceptance at the highly prestigious Biennale. There will be a selection of portraits of past Bold Beauty exhibitions including mine.
ThumbsUp International’s responsibilities and views are possible & Bold Beauty Project’s vision aligns so well with ours. We look forward to a successful evening with old and new friends.

04/19/2026

Supwrgrats AND TY to the Bold Beauty leadership for this tremendous accomplishment. Your tireless efforts have paid off and turned what was a dream of years into a reality: an opportunity to change/expand our definition of beauty - and hopefully that definition changes, if not for every body - then for a large number of us . It could well be a history making shift!

Bold Beauty Project Announces Exhibition at Palazzo Mora Venice, Italy. European Cultural Centre - Italy Biennale Contemporary Art "Personal Structures" 2026 DISABILITY becomes BEAUTY becomes ART becomes CHANGE - PR13137913

03/17/2026

Such an honor to find a place among these beautiful change makers!

This is such a positive, meaningful event - a time for every Body to reViEW long-held concepts…
We are certain to find many old and make many new friends there !!

Please mark your calendar AND attend.