Positivity is a muscle, developed with practice and discipline. Gold medalist Paralympic swimmer and World Record Holder McKenzie Coan, who has broken 65 bones, joins the show to share with Kelly and Maria her strategies for positivity, training and success. McKenzie has Brittle Bone disease and after listening to her interview you’ll be raised up by this Champion’s gratitude and view on life! Though her bones are more breakable because of her disease, her spirit seems utterly unbreakable.

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MORE ON MCKENZIE COAN

McKenzie Coan represented the United states in both the 2012 and the 2016 Paralympic Games. At the games in Rio, McKenzie brought home three gold medals and a silver medal and set a paralympic record in the 50 freestyle. She is a current world record holder in 800 & 1500 and holds multiple American records.

McKenzie Coan was born with a connective tissue disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. She has had countless hospitalizations and surgeries, and broken 65 bones.  As a young child she started aquatherapy and soon was swimming with her brothers competitively.  She learned about the Paralympics when she was 8 years old and hasn’t looked back.  

McKenzie is currently living and training at the Olympic and Paralympic training center in Colorado Springs, preparing for the Tokyo games. She is sponsored by Adidas, NuMotion and Lending Tree.

Episode Topics and Mentions

CG Sports Network

Paralympic Games

Loyola University

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Para Athletics

BlazeSports America

Sports psychology

Legally Blonde

Law school

Chemotherapy

Kenzie Cares 

McKenzie Coan on Instagram

McKenzie Coan on Twitter

McKenzie Coan’s Paralympic profile

RISE Athlete Mentoring

Takeaways

Maria

1. Positivity is a choice and something to work for in life. It takes dedication and isn’t an inherent personality trait.
2. Have gratitude for who you are in life and what you can celebrate, no matter what limitations or challenges you face.

Kelly

1. Para athletics and paralympics run parallel to their mainstream athletic counterparts.
2. Only worry about what you can control -- and let go of everything else. 

Quote of the Week

"Even in the darkest moments, and the darkest places, you can find good in that." -- McKenzie Coan
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