The Envoy team at Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport (BRO) have a double agent in their midst. No, nothing nefarious. Just an outstanding Customer Service Supervisor who, when she’s not helping customers at the gate, competes regularly in obstacle course races and triathlons.
Forty-six-year-old Mitzy Flaig has been working at BRO with Envoy for 14 years, but for a little over two, she’s been competing in grueling and intense races like IronMan, Spartan and Tough Mudder.
A native of Peru, Mitzy also has two daughters – one in high school and one who recently graduated college as a valedictorian. Her husband is a chiropractor, which Mitzy said helps support all her physical “craziness.”
Let’s hear from Mitzy in this special Q&A as she discusses her passion for Envoy, her family and racing.
“No two days are ever the same”
A collection of some of the medals Mitzy has earned in her races. (Photo courtesy of Mitzy Flaig).
What is your Envoy story?
I’ve been with Envoy since they opened the station in BRO 14 years ago. Besides the Envoy BRO General Manager, I’m the only person left from the original group of employees.
I started on BRO as an Agent and moved up to Supervisor. In BRO, we’re cross-trained, so I do everything: counter, gate, ramp, all of the above.
I enjoy the interactions with customers. We tend to have locals on a daily basis, so it’s like chatting with friends during the boarding process. Of course, having the ability to travel is a big plus. The absolute best part about this job is that no two days are ever the same. Sometimes it’s very challenging, but you are always learning something new.
How did you get involved in racing and what’s your favorite part?
Mitzy running a triathlon in Texas. (Photo courtesy of Mitzy Flaig).
I started doing triathlons when the pandemic started, because before that, I was into obstacle course racing like Spartan and Tough Mudder. When gyms closed and races were cancelled, I had to find something else to do.
Biking, running and swimming weren’t restricted, so it was a happy accident. It’s been a little more than two years and I’ve done three half-Ironman races. I’m working my way to maybe one day do a full-Ironman race, but I’m not in a hurry to spend 17 hours on a race just yet.
I only do this for the fun of it, so my goal is just to finish with a smile on my face and a sense of accomplishment. Then I regret it for a couple of hours, and the next day I’m ready to register for another.
Her husband, The “Keeper”
Mitzy running a triathlon in Peru. (Photo courtesy of Mitzy Flaig).
How do you find your work/life balance?
Outside of work, I’m always running around with my youngest daughter. If I don’t have to pick her up from school, I have to take her from one practice to another. In between that, I find time to train for a couple hours. Normally, I don’t have enough time in a day!
The only reason I’m able to keep up is because my husband helps me with all of it. He’s either taking care of the house or the kids, or letting me go and do my races without conditions or restrictions.
He never complains and even enables my craziness. He built me a monkey bar in our backyard during my obstacle course phase, then he built a pool once I started doing triathlons.
What advice do you have for someone looking to join Envoy?
For anybody new, I’d tell them to just enjoy the ride. You can make a career out of it, and you get to travel and meet many people. Also, be ready to learn, because there is a lot to learn from the company, customers, colleagues and even from yourself.