Six Years ago I was asked to work with a talented athlete who’d lost her leg to cancer, recovered and was interested in multisport.   She’d just won the USA Para Triathlon National Championships so the staff at USA Triathlon felt that we might work well together.  She dreamed of pursuing world class success + my coaching focus on elite and Olympic development + we lived in the same town = a natural fit. At least that’s how it all started.

Admittedly, her training was my first deep dive into para athlete development.  All previous athletes I’d coached were able-bodied. Given my passion, education, and experience in biomechanics, I felt confident I could work with her.  In short order there was a reality check. My confidence was naive and very presumptive.  The learning curve was about to go vertical – for many years.

Working with Kelly has been a fantastic journey of discovery, resource development, problem solving, relationship building, trust, emotion, and gratitude.

• Discovery: Of ourselves, limitations, my coaching curiosities, and our ability to improve performance together.
• Resource development: I see myself as the hub of her performance wheel. It is not necessarily my job to know all, be all, or understand all. It is my job to put together and support those who can.
• Relationship Building: Together but also with others. In our time there have been so many amazing professionals who’ve supported our journey.  Honestly, we’ve needed resources I didn’t know could be needed.
• Trust:  This.
  I am constantly humbled by the faith Kelly places in my guidance.  First and foremost we are a team and I always honor and validate Kelly’s input. She is intuitive, expressive, communicative, and mindful of her abilities. That combination empowers me to research; often taking a deep dive into novel direction for her performance development.
• Emotion: In the game of sport, the highs are higher and the lows are lower. We’ve experienced this in abundance; winning, losing, injury, frustration, joy, hope, and so.many.more.
• Gratitude: This is the one word to summarize our entire journey together – all of it.

During our time, Kelly’s athletic performance is well documented. She’s worked so dang hard to achieve her world #1 ranking and I couldn’t be more proud of all she’s accomplished.

However, for me, all of those accomplishments live in the shadow of Kelly as a person. I’ve grown to admire a compassionate, heartfelt, kind, and very brave person. To know Kelly is to know her quick wit, infectious smile and keen intellect.
For everyone, She readily accepts opportunities to inspire success; speaking with passion and profound belief in personal empowerment. Her story and sincerity reflect honest leadership without reservation.
She is highly respected as a fierce competitor, teammate and workout partner.
Her friendships are cherished treasures. All embraced with the integrity of a guardian and nurtured with her a supportive and sincere voice.
Those closest to her heart are met with unconditional love and adoration; protected with the strength of a true warrior.

In summation, Kelly is a champion who exemplifies the very best qualities on and off the field of play.  So. Dang. Awesome.

No matter what happens at the finish line in Paris, I see Kelly as absolute Gold. However, we all know she won’t rest with that word. She will give everything she’s got to have the hardware to match. #DoEpicShit

Read Here for more about Kelly’s story leading to Paris
Read Here for even more and her lead up to Tokyo Paralympic Games
Kelly was highlighted by the History Channel.  She, among others were highlighted in a feature for veterans day called Salute to Service. It aired Nov 11, 2021. Filming this for Kelly, I and the crew is such a small space was certainly a memory.
This is an interview with a true hero– Thank you Kelly for your service