TSTC student balances classes and triathlon training
(WACO, Texas) – Nick Meyer is a Biomedical Equipment Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He is scheduled to graduate in spring 2023.
“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I could not really handle nursing tasks,” the Harker Heights resident said. “That is why I wanted to get into the (Biomedical Equipment Technology) program.”
Meyer also participates in triathlons and aquathlons in Texas and nationwide.
What factored into your decision to attend TSTC?
I took an online TSTC class in 2019 as I was finishing my associate degree in kinesiology at another college. I decided to come here in 2021. I absolutely love the Biomedical Equipment Technology program. It is just a lot of hands-on work, which I am good at. My spring semester internship will be at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waco.
How did you become interested in triathlons and aquathlons?
Swimming came first, which I have done competitively for 14 years. My high school swim coach decided to have a small triathlon, and after that it blew up for me. I have competed in 23 sprint races, which range from 300 to 500 meters for swimming and the bike portion ranging from 11 to 17 miles. The run ranges from 2 miles to 3.1 miles. I have done 19 Olympic races, which consist of a 1-mile swim and the bicycle portion ranging from 22 to 28 miles. The run is a 10K. I recently did my first IRONMAN 70.3 in Waco. Overall, the feeling of being at a national race is huge.
How was your experience at IRONMAN 70.3 Waco?
I like the distance. When I was getting ready for it, I knew I could physically do it. But could my stomach take it? Luckily I didn’t have any stomach issues. It was misting when I was swimming. But for the bike portion, it was a downpour. The run was actually good. It was not raining, and everything was drying up. But the sun came out, and it made it super humid. I felt all right crossing the finish line, but then my left leg locked up. The next day, walking downstairs (from my apartment) was not fun. Now I am trying to get my diet back in line. Now it is on to run training to do some half marathons and 10Ks for the rest of the year.
Why is Central Texas a great place to train?
It is very hilly. In Waco, you have Cameron Park. I can train with teammates with NVDM Coaching in Austin and sometimes in Dallas. Swimming depends on the time of year. If it is close to a race, I get one open-water swim wearing a wetsuit. But most of the time I am in the pool.
How have you managed Crohn’s disease with your athletic training and classes?
Crohn’s disease is a digestive tract and autoimmune disease. What that means is it makes my white blood cells go sky-high. I can eat anything except broccoli, cauliflower and corn. I do not eat red meat. I keep it under control with medicine. I was diagnosed when I was a freshman in high school. It is genetic but skips generations. My grandfather on my mother’s side had it also. I have also had three surgeries to remove abscesses. I believe the athletic training does keep it under control. I just feel better sometimes, and other times I am really tired.
What are your plans after graduating from TSTC?
I want to stay in Central Texas, but I just do not know where I want to work. I also want to compete someday in an Ironman competition.
Medical equipment repairers made a yearly median salary of more than $47,000 in Texas in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop website. There will be a need for more than 5,300 medical equipment repairers in the state 2030, according to the website.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology at the Harlingen and Waco campuses and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Imaging Systems Technology Specialization at the Waco campus.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
