For those of you who don't know much about my history, I was once a very reckless, self-destructive individual. Just two days after my 20th birthday I was involved in a head-on motorcycle accident with another car at 80 mph in which my left leg was severed at the scene. I fractured multiple other bones, had shards of glass lodged in my neck and I nearly bled to death. After 3 years of endless soul searching and trying to find my place in life, I was finally given the opportunity to run along side the Chicago Blade Runners after being fit with a running leg from Dare2Tri's prosthetics sponsor, Scheck and Siress. After showing very quick improvements on my running, Melissa Stockwell (Co-Founder of Dare2Tri) suggested that I race triathlons. Initially, I had no idea what that was, nor had I ever swam an entire lap in a pool, ever before, in my entire life! After taking the next two years learning about the sport, working out the kinks, and trudging through full time work and overtime school, I believe I'm finally ready to take on the world at the level I have long intended! You may be happy to know that because my energy intake and expenditure is at an all time high due to intensive training, alcohol intake is at an all time low. This season I intend on qualifying for the USA 2016 Paralympic Triathlon team but I NEED YOUR HELP GETTING THERE! I was once told that most of the time, success comes through momentum. If this is true, then at this point in my life, I feel like there is an entire tidal wave building up behind me. Come ride the wave with me to the top! Follow me on social media for both training and race updates, and DONATE only WHAT YOU CAN in efforts to help me, and others like me in achieving our goals in making it to the Paralympic Summer events of 2016 in Rio De Janiero!

**ALL donations ARE tax deductable**

The 2015 Dare2tri Elite Team Presented by Deloitte is comprised of 15 athletes who exemplify Dare2tri’s “One Inspires Many” spirit and are dedicated to reaching their full competitive potentials on national and international stages. In an effort to develop their skills and help them reach their individual goals, Dare2tri commits to providing high-level coaching and support, including: Elite Team Camp, uniforms, travel expenses, logistical support, and more.

The team returns nine paratriathlon national medalists, two national champions, two paratriathlon world champions, and a world champion silver medalist. To meet the 2015 team, visit the Elite Team page on our website. With paratriathlon experiencing its Paralympic debut in the 2016 Games, this season in particular is an exciting one as athletes are ramping up for the "Road to Rio" and vying for a spot on Team USA. 

New for Dare2tri is the 2015 Development Team, which is comprised of four athletes who are identified as talented and emerging paratriathletes. Dare2tri feels that by providing high-level coaching, mentoring, and support, we can develop these athletes’ skills and help them reach their personal goals.

As ambassadors of Dare2tri, each Elite and Development Team member commits to raising a minumim $500 and $250, respectively, to contribute to funding for team trips, uniforms, and more in pursuit of gold.