Trish Downing

Trish has completed over 50 triathlons from sprint to Ironman distance. She also competes in road racing and duathlon. Her latest accomplishments include placing first at the 2009 Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, MI, and becoming the 2009 Duathlon World Champion in her division.

Trish’s professional life has also been immersed in sports as she earned a master’s degree in Sport Management in 1995 and worked at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. She was the press officer for the USA Table Tennis team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and for the USA Swimming team at the 1997 World University Games in Italy.

Before becoming a professional speaker, she taught high school in the Denver Public Schools. Today, she takes people on their journeys from start to victory, motivating each person to reach his or her own finish line, just as she has reached hers.

Receiving many sports accolades including the 2003 Inspiration and the 2005 Triathlon Awards from the Sportswomen of Colorado, the 2006 Most Inspirational Athlete from the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the 2008 Courage Award from the Tempe Sports Authority, Trish has truly excelled despite her injury.

In addition to her current sports pursuits, Trish is working on a master’s degree in Disability Studies through Regis University in Denver, CO and working with the University of Colorado, Boulder Disability Services Department to develop a leadership program for students with disabilities. She is also the director for Camp Discovery, a camp for women in wheelchairs who want to explore fitness opportunities as well as create a support system of other women who have experienced mobility disorders/disabilities.