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Melissa Stockwell: 3X Paratriathlon World Champion Reveals Her Success Mantra

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

melissa stockwell

Melissa Stockwell is an American paratriathlete and former Paralympic swimmer and U.S. Army officer. A first lieutenant, she was the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. She lost her left leg when a roadside bomb exploded when she was leading a convoy in Baghdad. For her service in Iraq she was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Following her retirement from the military she works as a prosthetist and has been on the board of directors of the Wounded Warrior Project since 2005.

She subsequently became the first Iraq veteran chosen for the Paralympics. She competed in three swimming events, the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, and 400m freestyle, at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, and finished sixth, fifth, and fourth in her heats, respectively. She was the U.S. team’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies.

Turning to triathlon after the Beijing Paralympics, Stockwell was selected to represent the USA in the 2010 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Budapest. She won the Women’s TRI-2 (above knee amputee) class, then successfully defended her TRI-2 World Champion title in 2011 and 2012. She is a multiple US National Paratriathlon Champion in her classification, and was named USAT Paratriathlete of the Year in 2010 and 2011. As of January 2013 Stockwell is at the top of the ITU’s rankings in the women’s TRI-2 class. Stockwell is a Level 1 USAT Triathlon coach and co-founder of Dare2Tri, a Chicago-based triathlon club specifically for athletes with disability.

Achievements of Melissa Stockwell

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Melissa Stockwell is three times Paratriathlon World Champion. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar , President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: An aspiring young gymnast you had dreamt of the Olympics. As U.S. Army officer in a roadside bomb blast on the streets of Iraq you lost your left leg. Later you started competing as a Paralympian. You reached the pinnacle of success by winning gold in Women’s TRI-2 (above knee amputee) class 2010 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Budapest. Tell us about your journey to this spectacular success and what factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: I’ve always loved to dream big and after I lost my leg I wanted to prove to myself that it wasn’t going to stop me from doing anything I wanted to do. I was fortunate to have a large support system that believed I could do anything I put my mind too. After hearing of the US Paralympics it became a quick goal as there would be no greater honor than representing a country I defended over in Iraq on the worlds biggest athletic stage. Swimming at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 was the experience of a lifetime and soon after I turned to the sport of triathlon.

Crossing the finish line first at my first triathlon World Championship was a moment I will never forget. It was Sep 11, 2010 and I thought of all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice so I could do the things I enjoy. It was a moment of being a proud American, a proud veteran, a proud amputee and finally getting that gold medal and hearing our national anthem. It was a good day..

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You became the first Iraq veteran chosen for the Paralympics. How did you feel before and after when in 2008 Summer Paralympics, in Beijing, China, you on 17th September 2008 was the U.S. team’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: Wearing the USA uniform at the Paralympic Games and in the Beijing water cube was amazing. And while my athletic performances were not what I’d hoped I realized an important lesson in Beijing, that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. We all want the medals and we all want to win but it’s not always about winning.

At the end of the games I was nominated by by country and my team to carry the American Flag into the closing ceremonies, an honor typically reserved for someone who had done well athletically. Carrying the Flag, an object I was so passionate about, into the sold out birds nest of closing ceremonies was nothing short of incredible. I was bursting with American pride and felt so honored for the opportunity. A moment I wish I could go back and re- live over and over again.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: Since I am a triathlete my workouts are focused around swimming, biking and running. I typically do each one 3x a week and then a few strength focused sessions in there as well. It is anywhere from 12-16 hours of workouts per week.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: Nutrition is not my strong point and I have to make a conscious effort to make good choices. I always try to have some quick protein right after a hard workout and then balance the rest of the day with carbs, veggies and protein depending on how intense the workouts will be the following day. Since having my son in November and trying to loose the baby weight quickly, I am extra conscious about my meal choices.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: Well thanks! I actually do very little. I recently started using Arbonne anti- aging skin products at night. I’ve never worn a lot of makeup and I’ve never colored my hair. So just by keeping it all clean has helped it looked young and healthy.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding Paralympic competing girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in the field of competitive Paralympic events?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: Everyone starts at the grassroots level, with a local program that has adaptive sports programs. You will start there and work your way up into local races, national races and eventually international competition. Reach out to the sport specific representative at US Paralympics and they can guide you along. Most importantly, have a good support system of family and friends around you who all believe in you and want you to succeed.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are world leading competitive Paralympian, Paratriathlon World Champion, Certified Prosthetist, Triathlon Coach, Dare2tri co-founder, motivational speaker, media personality and spokesperson. How you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: It is a busy life. Even busier since November when I gave birth to my first child, a son named Dallas. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Time management is important and setting up priorities. My family and training are my two biggest priorities and they always come first.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive Paratriathlon?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: After I lost my leg I felt very lucky to be alive and to still have the use of 3 other limbs. What keeps me going are those that gave everything, their lives, so I can still enjoy the freedoms that I do. When i am racing and am having a hard time, I think of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and that keeps me going.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have co-found Dare2Tri paratriathlon club, through this you give other athletes with disabilities the chance to experience the thrill of a triathlon and realize what they are capable of. This endeavor has been dear to your heart, tell us how you have been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of your?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for a number of organizations that helped me out along the way. To be able to give back to other athletes with physical disabilities and help show them what they are capable of, is one of my greatest accomplishments. There is nothing quite like seeing an athlete with a disability that was unsure of their athlete ability get to that finish line of a triathlon. It truly is one person inspiring many.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Melissa Stockwell: I proudly live a life of sport and think everyone should do that in some way. Whether it’s playing basketball with your family, swimming with a local club, or having a goal of winning a big competition, fitness is a key component to life. Sweat once a day and just keep moving forward. Life is too short not too. Feel free to follow my progress on twitter @mstockwell01

Women Fitness Team thanks Melissa Stockwell for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.

To know more about Melissa Stockwell. Check her out at: http://melissastockwell.com

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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness

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