" We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

Maxine grew up the daughter of a gardener on Long Island, N.Y., and spent her high school summers mowing lawns for her dad. A self proclaimed bookworm, she spent most of her time reading, horseback riding and studying.

While studying to get her B.A. in classics at New York University, Max worked two jobs while maintaining a high G.P.A. During her senior year in college, she was cast in a couple of low-budget films, one playing the female lead in the 1997 indie hit "The Brothers McMullen," (which won the Grand Jury prize at Sundance) she followed her screen debut as the free-spirited Hope in "She's the One," opposite Cameron Diaz an Jennifer Aniston. It was around this time that she relocated from New York City to the left coast. When she arrived in California she noticed how fit all the West Coasters were and was inspired to go to the gym.

At some point working out at Gold's gym in Venice she read an article about an actress completing the Hawaii Ironman and a new goal was set. Triathlons became her inspiration for fitness. In 1999, she did her first sprint triathlon and came in 3rd in her age group. She was hooked.

After completing Ironman Hawaii in 2001 and a handful of half Ironman and olympic distances, Max took two years off and moved to Aix en Provence and Paris to pursue her M.A. in French. "Living abroad for an extended period time had always been a dream of mine but I had to have a good reason to do it."

"I've always sort of thought the more you do, the more worldly you become, you know?" Her friend and coach explains it this way: "Maxine shares some qualities that any successful triathlete shares-she is not satisfied with one, simple, easily-attainable thing. She needs to be challenged by several complicated elements all at once, and she holds a great desire for everything she pursues."

Maxine has done a total of 20 films now in addition to guest starring on CSI, Studio 60 and Justice. Her latest film is The Lost Tribe (Lionsgate) a psychological thriller that will be out this fall 2008.

Outside of acting and triathlon, Max enjoys representing companies such as Triathlete Magazine, Health, Her Sports, Competitor and Runner's World.