1 00:00:00,210 --> 00:00:03,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a 2 00:00:03,270 --> 00:00:06,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the 3 00:00:06,690 --> 00:00:10,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformative power of running. The support of members and donors 4 00:00:10,770 --> 00:00:13,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the 5 00:00:13,980 --> 00:00:17,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: health and wellbeing of our communities through inclusive and accessible 6 00:00:17,850 --> 00:00:22,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more 7 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,409 Speaker 2: Thank you, New York. Today we're reminded of the power 9 00:00:34,409 --> 00:00:39,270 Speaker 2: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 10 00:00:39,270 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: your mark. 11 00:00:41,970 --> 00:00:45,540 Speaker 3: The first woman to finish for the second straight year 12 00:00:45,540 --> 00:00:49,139 Speaker 3: here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 13 00:00:49,139 --> 00:00:53,001 Speaker 3: Miki Gorman, and why not? 2: 29:30, the time for (inaudible) . 14 00:00:53,001 --> 00:00:56,670 Speaker 4: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes to 15 00:00:56,670 --> 00:01:00,510 Speaker 4: the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to the USA he 16 00:01:00,750 --> 00:01:04,002 Speaker 4: so proudly wears across his chest. A great day from (inaudible) . 17 00:01:10,230 --> 00:01:13,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome back to Set the Pace, the 18 00:01:13,170 --> 00:01:16,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: official podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. 19 00:01:17,069 --> 00:01:18,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm your host and the CEO of New York Road 20 00:01:18,990 --> 00:01:23,068 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, Rob Simmelkjaer, and my co- host Bec, she is still 21 00:01:23,429 --> 00:01:27,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: enjoying some quality family time at home in the UK, 22 00:01:27,389 --> 00:01:29,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: so I'm flying solo again. Becs, we miss you. We're going to 23 00:01:29,940 --> 00:01:33,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: do our best. Bec's really, she's British, so Fourth of 24 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: July, not really her thing. She's back home in the 25 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:39,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: country we broke away from on Independence Day. She'll be 26 00:01:39,690 --> 00:01:41,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: back next week. And by the way, she'll have some 27 00:01:41,849 --> 00:01:45,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: big news when she comes back. So happy Fourth of 28 00:01:45,450 --> 00:01:49,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: July week to everybody. It is, by the way, I 29 00:01:49,470 --> 00:01:52,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: always say probably my favorite holiday of the year, the 30 00:01:52,530 --> 00:01:56,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fourth of July. It's just the mid- summer, the long 31 00:01:56,070 --> 00:02:00,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: days, the beach, the barbecue. Christmas and Thanksgiving, they're all 32 00:02:00,990 --> 00:02:03,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: great, but I love the Fourth of July, so happy 33 00:02:03,179 --> 00:02:05,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fourth of July to everybody out there. Hope you're having 34 00:02:05,459 --> 00:02:10,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great, great holiday week. And remember, even though Becs 35 00:02:10,169 --> 00:02:13,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: isn't here, she's always available to answer your questions. So 36 00:02:13,770 --> 00:02:16,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: am I. A great way to reach us is to 37 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:20,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: leave a comment on Apple Podcasts with your question included, 38 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:22,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we'll be sure to answer it and give you 39 00:02:22,260 --> 00:02:25,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: a shout- out right here on the show. So check 40 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:26,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: out that space, and we hope to hear from you 41 00:02:27,330 --> 00:02:31,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: over there. Speaking of the holiday weekend, we produce a 42 00:02:31,260 --> 00:02:33,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of races at New York Road Runners, over 60 43 00:02:33,719 --> 00:02:37,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: events a year, and that means we work really hard. 44 00:02:37,860 --> 00:02:40,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: Our staff works so hard year round. A few years 45 00:02:40,529 --> 00:02:43,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: ago, a new tradition actually started at Road Runners. Thanks 46 00:02:43,590 --> 00:02:48,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: to my predecessor Kerin Hempel, who was fantastic as CEO, 47 00:02:48,660 --> 00:02:51,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: we give the whole staff off the Fourth of July 48 00:02:51,690 --> 00:02:53,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: week. It's one of the great reasons to work at 49 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners. So we're all out this week 50 00:02:56,580 --> 00:03:01,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we therefore recorded this episode right before the Pride 51 00:03:01,710 --> 00:03:04,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Race, the four miler. So that is something that happened 52 00:03:04,980 --> 00:03:07,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: after we recorded. I'm excited for that race. I'm actually 53 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:10,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to be running it myself, as I speak here 54 00:03:10,260 --> 00:03:13,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the day before. The Front Runners New York LGBTQ 55 00:03:14,460 --> 00:03:17,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pride Run, a four miler. It's been hot. We know 56 00:03:17,609 --> 00:03:19,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's going to be a hot day, but hopefully everybody 57 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:22,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: had, as you hear this, a great day in New 58 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City. And if you aren't in New York to 59 00:03:25,169 --> 00:03:26,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: see the race for yourself, you're going to have to 60 00:03:26,700 --> 00:03:29,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: wait an extra week for our wrap up. We'll talk 61 00:03:29,370 --> 00:03:32,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: about that race when we come back next week. So 62 00:03:32,669 --> 00:03:35,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: tune into our episode on July 11th to hear all 63 00:03:35,219 --> 00:03:39,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: about the Front Runners New York LGBTQ Pride Run four 64 00:03:39,150 --> 00:03:41,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: miler. And in honor of the Fourth of July, we 65 00:03:41,970 --> 00:03:45,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: just thought that it would be great to fly the 66 00:03:45,059 --> 00:03:47,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Stars and Stripes and talk about one of the most 67 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:52,709 Rob Simmelkjaer: decorated faces of team USA, Tatyana McFadden. Tatyana is the 68 00:03:52,709 --> 00:03:55,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: winner of five New York City marathons and she's a 69 00:03:55,860 --> 00:04:01,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: six time Paralympian, a 20 time Paralympic medalist, and a 20 70 00:04:01,170 --> 00:04:06,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: time world championship medalist. She's won 24 Abbott World Marathon 71 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:10,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: major races as an incredible wheelchair athlete. She's one of 72 00:04:10,889 --> 00:04:14,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: the great athletes of our time, and her story is 73 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:17,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: even better. So stay tuned, as we're so excited to 74 00:04:17,550 --> 00:04:20,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: have her on the show today and tell the incredible 75 00:04:20,250 --> 00:04:24,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: story of Tatyana McFadden. Also, my friend Meb Keflezighi will be 76 00:04:24,450 --> 00:04:27,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: here for our member moment this week with an incredibly 77 00:04:27,719 --> 00:04:31,678 Rob Simmelkjaer: inspiring member who has run more than 77 races with 78 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners. So wait till you hear his 79 00:04:34,410 --> 00:04:37,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: story, as well. And then finally today we'll have our 80 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:40,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: Meb minute. Meb's going to give us some tips on cross- 81 00:04:40,050 --> 00:04:43,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: training, so stay tuned for that. Our guest today is 82 00:04:43,740 --> 00:04:48,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tatyana McFadden, a world champion wheelchair athlete and a legend 83 00:04:48,630 --> 00:04:52,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the Paralympic sports community. Tatyana was born with spina 84 00:04:52,620 --> 00:04:56,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: bifida, but since then she's emerged as just a dominant 85 00:04:56,190 --> 00:04:59,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: force in Paralympic sports. She has won a total of 86 00:04:59,910 --> 00:05:04,949 Rob Simmelkjaer: 20 medals across multiple Paralympic Games, including eight gold medals. 87 00:05:05,010 --> 00:05:07,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Her career highlights include becoming the first athlete to win 88 00:05:07,620 --> 00:05:11,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: four major marathons in a single year and setting numerous world 89 00:05:11,670 --> 00:05:15,118 Rob Simmelkjaer: records along the way. Tatyana's dedication to the sport and to 90 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:19,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: creating a world of greater opportunity for future Paralympians has 91 00:05:19,410 --> 00:05:22,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: solidified her reputation as one of the greatest wheelchair athletes 92 00:05:23,129 --> 00:05:26,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: of her generation. Tatyana, it is so great to see 93 00:05:26,250 --> 00:05:28,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: you and to have you with us on Set the 94 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:28,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace. Welcome. 95 00:05:28,381 --> 00:05:31,920 Tatyana McFadden: Thank you. Thank you so much for having me and for 96 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:33,749 Tatyana McFadden: the wonderful introduction. 97 00:05:34,110 --> 00:05:36,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's easy to give you a wonderful introduction because you've 98 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: done a lot of wonderful things. So how are you 99 00:05:40,049 --> 00:05:43,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: feeling ahead of Paris? We are sitting here talking in 100 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:48,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: late June, another Paralympic Games coming down the pike. How 101 00:05:48,510 --> 00:05:49,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: does it feel? 102 00:05:49,740 --> 00:05:52,500 Tatyana McFadden: I am really excited for these Paralympic Games in Paris. 103 00:05:52,500 --> 00:05:55,618 Tatyana McFadden: It's going to be the first Games out of COVID. My 104 00:05:55,620 --> 00:05:58,859 Tatyana McFadden: family, my friends will be there. I'm just really looking 105 00:05:58,859 --> 00:06:01,770 Tatyana McFadden: forward to it. The crowds are going to be amazing, 106 00:06:02,219 --> 00:06:05,370 Tatyana McFadden: and that's the best, best part of the Games really. 107 00:06:06,060 --> 00:06:10,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: Is there anything about the Paris Games that you're particularly 108 00:06:10,469 --> 00:06:13,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: looking forward to? You've been to a number of these 109 00:06:13,380 --> 00:06:17,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: Games, you've had a chance to experience lots of different 110 00:06:17,339 --> 00:06:21,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: places. What about Paris and these Games is getting you excited? 111 00:06:23,190 --> 00:06:25,890 Tatyana McFadden: I think what about these Games is getting me really 112 00:06:25,890 --> 00:06:30,899 Tatyana McFadden: excited is I have the potential to make history at these Games. 113 00:06:33,719 --> 00:06:37,680 Tatyana McFadden: I am two medals away from being tied of having 114 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:43,830 Tatyana McFadden: the most medals in track, tying with Chantal Petitclerc. She is 115 00:06:43,830 --> 00:06:48,599 Tatyana McFadden: a former wheelchair racer from Canada, and she has 21 116 00:06:48,599 --> 00:06:53,490 Tatyana McFadden: Paralympic medals and I'm actually currently at 19 track medals. 117 00:06:53,490 --> 00:06:57,870 Tatyana McFadden: And so I'm really looking forward to chasing history and just being 118 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,260 Tatyana McFadden: just so happy that I've kept up with the longevity 119 00:07:01,350 --> 00:07:04,618 Tatyana McFadden: of the sport and been able to stay in it 120 00:07:04,889 --> 00:07:10,259 Tatyana McFadden: injury free. It's been tough, especially after Rio, getting diagnosed 121 00:07:10,260 --> 00:07:15,810 Tatyana McFadden: with a blood clotting disorder and kind of reinventing myself 122 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:20,280 Tatyana McFadden: and continuing my journey. So I am really feeling really 123 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,370 Tatyana McFadden: good for Paris. I've had a really good season so 124 00:07:23,370 --> 00:07:29,219 Tatyana McFadden: far, starting out in Dubai in January, and even at 125 00:07:29,219 --> 00:07:32,640 Tatyana McFadden: the Swiss series that we just had this past month. 126 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,890 Tatyana McFadden: So I think the Games are going to be really 127 00:07:34,890 --> 00:07:38,760 Tatyana McFadden: exciting, and as well as we're seeing new women come 128 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,660 Tatyana McFadden: on onto the track, especially on the sprinting side. There are 129 00:07:42,660 --> 00:07:45,329 Tatyana McFadden: a couple of new athletes that have never raced before 130 00:07:45,330 --> 00:07:48,509 Tatyana McFadden: and so that's really exciting as well. We really need 131 00:07:48,510 --> 00:07:50,550 Tatyana McFadden: female wheelchair raisers to come on up. 132 00:07:51,540 --> 00:07:55,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: You've had incredible success on the track, you've had incredible 133 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:59,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: success on the roads as well. What's the biggest difference 134 00:07:59,250 --> 00:08:02,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: for you between competing on track and on roads? 135 00:08:03,150 --> 00:08:07,080 Tatyana McFadden: I think the big difference is track, it's very quick, 136 00:08:07,170 --> 00:08:12,030 Tatyana McFadden: and the road you're going 26. 2 miles, but what I 137 00:08:12,030 --> 00:08:16,619 Tatyana McFadden: really, really enjoy about marathoning and road racing is the 138 00:08:16,620 --> 00:08:20,249 Tatyana McFadden: community. And so we're able to share our stories a 139 00:08:20,250 --> 00:08:24,570 Tatyana McFadden: lot better with the community. And there's so much power 140 00:08:24,570 --> 00:08:29,910 Tatyana McFadden: in storytelling. I can share my journey from being adopted, 141 00:08:29,910 --> 00:08:32,070 Tatyana McFadden: to coming to the US, and how I got involved 142 00:08:32,070 --> 00:08:34,920 Tatyana McFadden: with the Paralympics, but then we can also teach society 143 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:39,570 Tatyana McFadden: about what the Paralympics actually is, what wheelchair racing is, 144 00:08:39,570 --> 00:08:44,550 Tatyana McFadden: and the technologies, the technical advances that are coming in wheelchair 145 00:08:44,550 --> 00:08:48,750 Tatyana McFadden: racing and how we push our racing chairs and really 146 00:08:48,750 --> 00:08:52,200 Tatyana McFadden: just educate society on that. We don't really get to 147 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,189 Tatyana McFadden: do that so much on the Paralympic side of track. 148 00:08:56,849 --> 00:08:59,489 Tatyana McFadden: I feel like you just go in and compete. So 149 00:08:59,490 --> 00:09:02,700 Tatyana McFadden: I really felt like the road racing and marathon community 150 00:09:02,700 --> 00:09:06,540 Tatyana McFadden: really helped actually out in the track portion of the 151 00:09:06,540 --> 00:09:10,770 Tatyana McFadden: Paralympics, as well as bringing equality into our own communities 152 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:14,070 Tatyana McFadden: for people with disabilities, because as we've seen it in 153 00:09:14,070 --> 00:09:17,279 Tatyana McFadden: sports and women in sports, if we bring equality in 154 00:09:17,279 --> 00:09:21,000 Tatyana McFadden: sports, we can really help bring equality in our own communities. 155 00:09:21,809 --> 00:09:25,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: So for those who haven't really engaged in the Paralympic 156 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Games before, haven't watched, haven't been to them, let's give 157 00:09:29,610 --> 00:09:32,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little primer. So what events are you actually going 158 00:09:32,009 --> 00:09:35,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: to compete in? Which distances are you competing in, Tatyana? 159 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:38,940 Tatyana McFadden: I'm going to be competing in six events. I'm going 160 00:09:38,940 --> 00:09:42,838 Tatyana McFadden: to be competing in the 100, which I actually didn't qualify for 161 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:48,779 Tatyana McFadden: in Tokyo, the 400, the 800, the 1500, the four by one, and the marathon 162 00:09:49,469 --> 00:09:52,770 Tatyana McFadden: to kick it all off, to finish off the Paralympics. 163 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,120 Tatyana McFadden: So it'll be six crazy events, but I'm really, really 164 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:00,360 Tatyana McFadden: looking forward to it. I think each event is really 165 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:05,879 Tatyana McFadden: unique and special. And it's really hard to do all 166 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,389 Tatyana McFadden: those events. Not every athlete can do all those events. 167 00:10:09,389 --> 00:10:12,480 Tatyana McFadden: I would say there's probably three people. It would be me, 168 00:10:12,570 --> 00:10:16,770 Tatyana McFadden: Catherine, and Manuela that's been able to do from at 169 00:10:16,770 --> 00:10:19,290 Tatyana McFadden: least from the 100 all the way to the marathon 170 00:10:19,500 --> 00:10:22,981 Tatyana McFadden: and be pretty successful across the board getting- 171 00:10:22,981 --> 00:10:26,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's Catherine Debrunner and Manuela Schär. Yeah. 172 00:10:26,429 --> 00:10:31,620 Tatyana McFadden: Yes. And being able to be top three or top 173 00:10:31,620 --> 00:10:35,370 Tatyana McFadden: five in the world, which is pretty cool because we're 174 00:10:35,370 --> 00:10:42,420 Tatyana McFadden: competing against athletes who just focus on the one and the four and then athletes that just focus on the marathon. 175 00:10:42,420 --> 00:10:44,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Tatyana, I was going to ask you that because listening 176 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:47,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: to that event list, it's incredible. Congratulations. 177 00:10:47,939 --> 00:10:48,239 Tatyana McFadden: Thank you. 178 00:10:48,239 --> 00:10:51,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: You're going to do amazing things. But I'm sure a listener might 179 00:10:51,540 --> 00:10:57,299 Rob Simmelkjaer: think, wow, that would never happen in the mainstream side 180 00:10:57,300 --> 00:11:01,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: of things. The Olympic Games, that would never happen. You're 181 00:11:01,889 --> 00:11:05,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: not going to see Noah Lyles entering the marathon. So 182 00:11:05,850 --> 00:11:10,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: how difficult is it to be able to span that 183 00:11:11,220 --> 00:11:15,088 Rob Simmelkjaer: kind of distance gap, and what is it about you 184 00:11:15,090 --> 00:11:18,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: and about a couple other women you mentioned who have 185 00:11:18,389 --> 00:11:20,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: the ability to do that? What kind of, is it 186 00:11:20,460 --> 00:11:25,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: training? Is it just ability? How can somebody be that 187 00:11:25,469 --> 00:11:27,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: good at that wide range of distances? 188 00:11:27,630 --> 00:11:31,950 Tatyana McFadden: Yeah, that's a good question. Sometimes I'm like, how is it 189 00:11:31,950 --> 00:11:36,840 Tatyana McFadden: even possible? I think, one, from my history starting out 190 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,650 Tatyana McFadden: in sprinting, that's what I started out specifying in, is 191 00:11:40,650 --> 00:11:44,280 Tatyana McFadden: sprinting. So focusing on just the one, the two, and 192 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:47,040 Tatyana McFadden: the four in the beginning of my career. And I 193 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:51,000 Tatyana McFadden: didn't add on marathoning until college. And so when you 194 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:56,670 Tatyana McFadden: look at maturity of a female athlete, we get better 195 00:11:56,670 --> 00:11:59,819 Tatyana McFadden: as we get older in longer events. And the sprinting 196 00:11:59,820 --> 00:12:04,590 Tatyana McFadden: is really built really well at a younger age. And 197 00:12:04,590 --> 00:12:07,470 Tatyana McFadden: so the key thing is that as you get older to 198 00:12:07,470 --> 00:12:11,219 Tatyana McFadden: keep the whole package together. And so going into these 199 00:12:11,219 --> 00:12:15,269 Tatyana McFadden: Paralympic Games, into my thirties, we had to completely change 200 00:12:15,270 --> 00:12:19,530 Tatyana McFadden: my training. I couldn't do the training that I've done 201 00:12:19,530 --> 00:12:21,718 Tatyana McFadden: when I was in my twenties. If I want to 202 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:23,970 Tatyana McFadden: keep that quick speed, if I want to keep the 203 00:12:23,970 --> 00:12:26,789 Tatyana McFadden: hand speed up, if I want to keep the endurance and 204 00:12:26,940 --> 00:12:30,300 Tatyana McFadden: the acceleration towards the end up, I have to change 205 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:36,090 Tatyana McFadden: things. And to keep up with the elite women today 206 00:12:36,090 --> 00:12:40,290 Tatyana McFadden: and how fast they're going and just calculating the marathon 207 00:12:40,290 --> 00:12:43,500 Tatyana McFadden: times and calculating the 100 meters, what do I have 208 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:46,650 Tatyana McFadden: to do to get there? So training's been really, really 209 00:12:46,650 --> 00:12:51,569 Tatyana McFadden: unique. In the winter, I really, really, really focused on 210 00:12:52,289 --> 00:12:56,640 Tatyana McFadden: the one, four, eight, and 15 this past winter. And 211 00:12:56,640 --> 00:13:00,870 Tatyana McFadden: then I only did the London Marathon. I really, really 212 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:04,830 Tatyana McFadden: wanted to do Boston, but I had to really bring 213 00:13:04,830 --> 00:13:08,280 Tatyana McFadden: that volume up training just in time for the London Marathon. 214 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:14,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: And we see wheelchair racers like yourself doing six, seven, 215 00:13:14,130 --> 00:13:16,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: eight marathons a year back to back weeks. So that 216 00:13:16,740 --> 00:13:20,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: really was a pullback for you to only do that 217 00:13:20,220 --> 00:13:23,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: and to focus on those shorter distances. 218 00:13:23,550 --> 00:13:26,940 Tatyana McFadden: Exactly, exactly. So that's kind of the unique thing, because 219 00:13:26,940 --> 00:13:28,289 Tatyana McFadden: most of my events are going to be on the 220 00:13:28,289 --> 00:13:31,800 Tatyana McFadden: track this year. Five of my events are on the 221 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,770 Tatyana McFadden: track and one will be out on the road. So 222 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:40,139 Tatyana McFadden: it's about being smart and refocusing on where your goals 223 00:13:40,139 --> 00:13:42,840 Tatyana McFadden: are. Luckily the endurance, I built it up for so 224 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:45,329 Tatyana McFadden: many years that I can hold onto that for a little 225 00:13:45,330 --> 00:13:49,380 Tatyana McFadden: while, but sprinting can easily go and so you really 226 00:13:49,380 --> 00:13:52,800 Tatyana McFadden: have to maintain the sprinting aspect of the training. 227 00:13:53,610 --> 00:13:55,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tatyana, I want to talk a little bit about how 228 00:13:55,530 --> 00:13:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: you got here, to be where you are as a 229 00:13:59,010 --> 00:14:02,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: wheelchair athlete. I mentioned in the intro you were born 230 00:14:02,670 --> 00:14:06,358 Rob Simmelkjaer: with spina bifida. At what point in your life, in 231 00:14:06,359 --> 00:14:11,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: your childhood, did this athletic career become something that you 232 00:14:11,429 --> 00:14:13,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: thought was possible? How did this happen? What was the 233 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:15,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: first time that you raced in a wheelchair? 234 00:14:16,620 --> 00:14:19,830 Tatyana McFadden: So the first time that I raced in a wheelchair was 235 00:14:19,830 --> 00:14:22,949 Tatyana McFadden: after I was adopted at six years old. And I 236 00:14:22,949 --> 00:14:26,580 Tatyana McFadden: had several surgeries. I had about 10 surgeries growing up 237 00:14:26,580 --> 00:14:30,240 Tatyana McFadden: because my legs were atrophied behind my back and I 238 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,179 Tatyana McFadden: needed to release all the nerves and the tendons in 239 00:14:33,179 --> 00:14:35,460 Tatyana McFadden: my legs so I could sit in a wheelchair, I 240 00:14:35,460 --> 00:14:38,759 Tatyana McFadden: can lay flat in a bed, just do daily normal 241 00:14:38,759 --> 00:14:46,050 Tatyana McFadden: activities. And being always in and out of the hospital, I wasn't 242 00:14:46,050 --> 00:14:50,190 Tatyana McFadden: strong. I was really quite weak. And my parents thought, 243 00:14:51,420 --> 00:14:53,849 Tatyana McFadden: what would a normal parent do for a kid that 244 00:14:53,849 --> 00:14:56,849 Tatyana McFadden: they want to get strong and healthy and be part 245 00:14:56,849 --> 00:15:00,209 Tatyana McFadden: of their own community? Throw them into sports. And so 246 00:15:00,209 --> 00:15:02,820 Tatyana McFadden: my parents wanted to throw me into sports. So we 247 00:15:02,820 --> 00:15:05,580 Tatyana McFadden: had to do the research. We had to find out 248 00:15:05,910 --> 00:15:10,050 Tatyana McFadden: what sports programs that I could be involved with. And 249 00:15:10,050 --> 00:15:12,839 Tatyana McFadden: so we found the Bennett Blazers, the para sports club 250 00:15:13,020 --> 00:15:16,770 Tatyana McFadden: in Baltimore, and I was seven years old and I 251 00:15:16,770 --> 00:15:21,030 Tatyana McFadden: remember going and just, well, one, it was overwhelming because I 252 00:15:21,030 --> 00:15:23,880 Tatyana McFadden: was still learning English at that time. I'd only been 253 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,760 Tatyana McFadden: in the US for about a year. And so I 254 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:32,969 Tatyana McFadden: tried swimming and I tried wheelchair basketball, I tried downhill 255 00:15:32,969 --> 00:15:37,079 Tatyana McFadden: skiing, ice hockey, and finally I tried wheelchair racing and 256 00:15:37,290 --> 00:15:40,800 Tatyana McFadden: I loved it. I just really took for it. And 257 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,390 Tatyana McFadden: I don't know if it was a need for speed 258 00:15:42,390 --> 00:15:45,569 Tatyana McFadden: at such a young age, but I was like, this 259 00:15:45,570 --> 00:15:48,450 Tatyana McFadden: is so awesome. But the most important thing, Rob, was 260 00:15:48,450 --> 00:15:51,749 Tatyana McFadden: that I did several sports growing up. I didn't focus 261 00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:56,640 Tatyana McFadden: just on wheelchair racing. My parents thought, no, we want 262 00:15:56,640 --> 00:16:00,150 Tatyana McFadden: her to be diverse. We want her not to solely 263 00:16:00,150 --> 00:16:05,160 Tatyana McFadden: focus on this one sport. And I'm so thankful for 264 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:08,099 Tatyana McFadden: that because, one, I didn't get burnt out, and two, 265 00:16:08,099 --> 00:16:11,730 Tatyana McFadden: I built muscles in different areas of my body, and 266 00:16:12,150 --> 00:16:18,360 Tatyana McFadden: also learning about the different sports and the mental aspect 267 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,839 Tatyana McFadden: of it too, being so diverse in that way. And 268 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:26,280 Tatyana McFadden: it wasn't until I was finishing up eighth grade that, 269 00:16:26,490 --> 00:16:29,130 Tatyana McFadden: no, sorry, it wasn't until I was starting eighth grade 270 00:16:29,309 --> 00:16:32,700 Tatyana McFadden: where I wrote down, I remember the first day of school 271 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:36,060 Tatyana McFadden: we wrote down our academic goals and at the very 272 00:16:36,060 --> 00:16:39,120 Tatyana McFadden: bottom of it I wrote down, " I want to be an 273 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:43,259 Tatyana McFadden: Olympian," because it was around the 2004 Olympic Games in 274 00:16:43,259 --> 00:16:47,309 Tatyana McFadden: Athens. So it was all over the newspapers. It was 275 00:16:47,309 --> 00:16:49,890 Tatyana McFadden: all over the TV. We didn't have social media at the 276 00:16:50,010 --> 00:16:53,610 Tatyana McFadden: time. And the reason why I say the Olympics is 277 00:16:53,610 --> 00:16:57,510 Tatyana McFadden: because during that time the Paralympics wasn't promoted. I didn't 278 00:16:57,510 --> 00:17:00,300 Tatyana McFadden: even know it even existed. I thought, oh, the best 279 00:17:00,300 --> 00:17:04,259 Tatyana McFadden: athletes go to the Olympics. And at that time I 280 00:17:04,260 --> 00:17:08,010 Tatyana McFadden: was obsessed with wheelchair racing. I mean, I woke up 281 00:17:08,010 --> 00:17:09,869 Tatyana McFadden: in my tights and I was ready to train before 282 00:17:09,869 --> 00:17:14,280 Tatyana McFadden: school and ready to train after school. And so we 283 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,400 Tatyana McFadden: found out where trials were going to be. I was 284 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:24,450 Tatyana McFadden: 14 and a half, and I was the youngest track athlete to try 285 00:17:24,450 --> 00:17:27,689 Tatyana McFadden: out ever for track and field during that time. I 286 00:17:27,690 --> 00:17:30,300 Tatyana McFadden: didn't know what I was getting into. I had no idea. 287 00:17:30,300 --> 00:17:34,709 Tatyana McFadden: All I thought was I better get top three. And 288 00:17:34,709 --> 00:17:35,159 Tatyana McFadden: so I remember- 289 00:17:35,159 --> 00:17:37,769 Rob Simmelkjaer: Who told you it was a thing, Tatyana? How did you know 290 00:17:38,099 --> 00:17:41,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: that it was a thing? The Paralympic Games? Who was 291 00:17:41,820 --> 00:17:44,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: the first person who turned you onto that and said 292 00:17:44,340 --> 00:17:45,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: that is a possibility for you? 293 00:17:46,530 --> 00:17:49,438 Tatyana McFadden: My parents, because we did the research. We had to 294 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:54,388 Tatyana McFadden: get on the computer and find out, pretty much like 295 00:17:54,388 --> 00:17:59,759 Tatyana McFadden: Googling, is there racing for people with disabilities on the 296 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,280 Tatyana McFadden: elite level, something like that. We had to- 297 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:04,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: These were the early days of Google, by the way. 298 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:04,649 Tatyana McFadden: Yes. 299 00:18:05,609 --> 00:18:08,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: You were using like Google 1.0 when you did that. 300 00:18:09,300 --> 00:18:14,880 Tatyana McFadden: Exactly, exactly. So my parents, we were the ones that 301 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:15,090 Tatyana McFadden: did that, and being the youngest- 302 00:18:15,090 --> 00:18:21,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: So what was that first trials experience like? You get there, you're the 303 00:18:21,090 --> 00:18:22,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: youngest one. How did it go? 304 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:27,898 Tatyana McFadden: I was super nervous. A lot of people told me 305 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:29,999 Tatyana McFadden: that I wasn't going to make it because I was so 306 00:18:30,239 --> 00:18:34,739 Tatyana McFadden: young, and I thought, okay, well, I'm here. All I need 307 00:18:34,980 --> 00:18:37,440 Tatyana McFadden: to do is just be top three. I tried out 308 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:44,070 Tatyana McFadden: for the one, the two, and the four, and I 309 00:18:44,130 --> 00:18:50,129 Tatyana McFadden: managed to get top three. I shocked everyone, and I 310 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:54,418 Tatyana McFadden: was like, oh my gosh, I get to go to 311 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:58,740 Tatyana McFadden: the Paralympics. I get to compete on a world stage 312 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,490 Tatyana McFadden: like the Olympic athletes, and I was just in such 313 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:04,320 Tatyana McFadden: awe of that moment. 314 00:19:06,090 --> 00:19:08,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's a great story. There's so many things about that 315 00:19:08,849 --> 00:19:13,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: story I actually want to just dive into. The first thing 316 00:19:13,109 --> 00:19:15,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: that jumped out at me is the fact that your 317 00:19:15,990 --> 00:19:21,388 Rob Simmelkjaer: parents did make you play diverse sports, and that's such 318 00:19:21,388 --> 00:19:24,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: an issue now with kids in sports. It's a huge 319 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:30,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: issue with able- bodied athletes starting to specialize in baseball 320 00:19:30,029 --> 00:19:33,388 Rob Simmelkjaer: or in skiing. It's happening all the time, that the youth 321 00:19:33,390 --> 00:19:38,638 Rob Simmelkjaer: sports system is pushing kids in that direction. So interesting 322 00:19:38,638 --> 00:19:41,519 Rob Simmelkjaer: for me to hear that, A, your parents had that 323 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:45,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: foresight at that time to see how that would benefit 324 00:19:45,059 --> 00:19:49,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: you, but that there was also pressure probably even as 325 00:19:49,380 --> 00:19:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: a Paralympic athlete to start specializing once people saw that 326 00:19:52,500 --> 00:19:53,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: you were fast. 327 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:59,638 Tatyana McFadden: Exactly. That is also true, but being at 15, when 328 00:19:59,638 --> 00:20:02,428 Tatyana McFadden: the Paralympics was done, I was still going back to 329 00:20:02,429 --> 00:20:05,549 Tatyana McFadden: that sports program. I was just starting high school when 330 00:20:05,549 --> 00:20:09,658 Tatyana McFadden: I finished up the Paralympic Games, and so I still 331 00:20:09,660 --> 00:20:15,600 Tatyana McFadden: specialized in, I still did track, I still did field. 332 00:20:15,660 --> 00:20:19,500 Tatyana McFadden: I still did swimming. I still tried archery. I was 333 00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:22,830 Tatyana McFadden: not good at archery. And I still played ice hockey. 334 00:20:23,039 --> 00:20:25,648 Tatyana McFadden: I actually got a scholarship to go to college in 335 00:20:25,650 --> 00:20:29,820 Tatyana McFadden: basketball, not in wheelchair racing. That's a fun fact that 336 00:20:29,820 --> 00:20:32,519 Tatyana McFadden: a lot of people don't know. So I love following 337 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:37,109 Tatyana McFadden: basketball. I know the game just in and out. And 338 00:20:37,170 --> 00:20:40,350 Tatyana McFadden: so I am really happy that I was able to stay 339 00:20:40,410 --> 00:20:43,918 Tatyana McFadden: diverse and that I was constantly doing all these different 340 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:50,129 Tatyana McFadden: sports because I didn't become over- obsessed with it. And 341 00:20:50,790 --> 00:20:53,460 Tatyana McFadden: it allowed me to hang in so long. I didn't 342 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:57,178 Tatyana McFadden: get burnt out by my second Games or my third 343 00:20:57,179 --> 00:21:00,389 Tatyana McFadden: Games and be like, oh, I'm tired. My body is tired. I put 344 00:21:00,390 --> 00:21:03,060 Tatyana McFadden: so much time into this. I cut my time in 345 00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:05,670 Tatyana McFadden: half because I was doing other sports. 346 00:21:06,900 --> 00:21:09,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's amazing, and it clearly made a difference. You're just 347 00:21:09,990 --> 00:21:13,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: an athlete, obviously, and it's paying off. Okay, so I 348 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:16,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: want to go back to 2004. So you said you 349 00:21:16,230 --> 00:21:19,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: wanted to go to the Olympics, the Paralympics, you did 350 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:23,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: it. And so what was that first Paralympic Games like 351 00:21:23,550 --> 00:21:26,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: for you in Athens? It was your dream and it 352 00:21:26,490 --> 00:21:30,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: happened amazingly quickly for you, so there you are. 353 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:38,070 Tatyana McFadden: Yes. I didn't really know what to expect. I learned 354 00:21:38,070 --> 00:21:40,140 Tatyana McFadden: for the very first time about a lot of things, 355 00:21:40,140 --> 00:21:44,010 Tatyana McFadden: for being prepared to go to the warmup track, being 356 00:21:44,010 --> 00:21:50,519 Tatyana McFadden: prepared to have all your racing equipment ready, having a 357 00:21:50,580 --> 00:21:55,138 Tatyana McFadden: nighttime before race routine, the morning of race routine. I 358 00:21:55,140 --> 00:22:00,090 Tatyana McFadden: was learning that during Athens, and other athletes, other wheelchair 359 00:22:00,090 --> 00:22:03,000 Tatyana McFadden: athletes were kind of helping me, like, okay, this is 360 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,728 Tatyana McFadden: what you pack in a bag when you take to 361 00:22:05,730 --> 00:22:09,750 Tatyana McFadden: the track in case you get a flat tire, or 362 00:22:09,750 --> 00:22:12,299 Tatyana McFadden: if you need a snack, or the tools you might 363 00:22:12,300 --> 00:22:16,980 Tatyana McFadden: need to fix your own racing chair, extra uniforms, your 364 00:22:16,980 --> 00:22:22,140 Tatyana McFadden: medal stand uniforms. I was learning all that in Athens. 365 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,700 Tatyana McFadden: But what really came out of Athens for me that 366 00:22:26,700 --> 00:22:32,609 Tatyana McFadden: was I guess quite special was that I sort of 367 00:22:32,609 --> 00:22:35,490 Tatyana McFadden: found my why in sports. I know it's such a 368 00:22:35,490 --> 00:22:40,109 Tatyana McFadden: cliche to say, Rob, finding your why in sports, but 369 00:22:40,650 --> 00:22:43,379 Tatyana McFadden: when I was on that medal stand and when I 370 00:22:43,380 --> 00:22:49,138 Tatyana McFadden: looked up, I remember like it was yesterday, 20 of 371 00:22:49,138 --> 00:22:53,310 Tatyana McFadden: my family members were there, and the stadium was only 372 00:22:53,310 --> 00:22:57,150 Tatyana McFadden: filled with coaches and family members. I mean, my family 373 00:22:57,150 --> 00:23:00,600 Tatyana McFadden: cheered on for every single athlete on that starting line. 374 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:07,438 Tatyana McFadden: The stadium was empty. And I thought, okay, at 15 375 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:14,700 Tatyana McFadden: you're like, is Paralympics not important? It's like, who cares that 376 00:23:14,700 --> 00:23:19,948 Tatyana McFadden: I went? And I thought, okay. So that was the 377 00:23:19,950 --> 00:23:22,978 Tatyana McFadden: shock that I had when I won the 100 meter. And 378 00:23:22,980 --> 00:23:26,010 Tatyana McFadden: then when I got a medal in the 200, I was like, 379 00:23:26,550 --> 00:23:29,820 Tatyana McFadden: okay, what do I have to do to make this 380 00:23:29,820 --> 00:23:33,840 Tatyana McFadden: sport well known? Because here I am on the medal 381 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:37,259 Tatyana McFadden: stand again, and I'm looking up and gosh, it's hello, 382 00:23:37,259 --> 00:23:40,979 Tatyana McFadden: family. And I thought, okay, well, I'm going to promise 383 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:45,150 Tatyana McFadden: myself that I'm going to be the best athlete in 384 00:23:45,150 --> 00:23:48,660 Tatyana McFadden: the world and then I'll have a voice because I 385 00:23:48,660 --> 00:23:53,130 Tatyana McFadden: see it on TV and I see it in the news, athletes who are 386 00:23:53,130 --> 00:23:56,190 Tatyana McFadden: the best, winning races, they're the voice of the sport. 387 00:23:56,190 --> 00:24:01,080 Tatyana McFadden: And so I made that promise to myself at such 388 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:03,928 Tatyana McFadden: a young age. And because when I came back home, 389 00:24:03,930 --> 00:24:07,230 Tatyana McFadden: too, I felt like people didn't even know I was 390 00:24:07,470 --> 00:24:11,340 Tatyana McFadden: gone, competing at such a world stage. So I almost 391 00:24:11,340 --> 00:24:13,080 Tatyana McFadden: didn't want to talk about it because I was like, 392 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:16,589 Tatyana McFadden: it's really not important that I went to go compete for my country, 393 00:24:16,949 --> 00:24:20,698 Tatyana McFadden: winning a silver and bronze medal, because no one knew. 394 00:24:20,700 --> 00:24:29,400 Tatyana McFadden: They were like, " Paralympics, what's that?" And so that was 395 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:33,179 Tatyana McFadden: really tough, but I felt like it was my responsibility 396 00:24:33,179 --> 00:24:36,869 Tatyana McFadden: as an athlete starting during that time, and even now, educating 397 00:24:36,869 --> 00:24:40,170 Tatyana McFadden: society. And at 15 years old, I was like, what 398 00:24:40,170 --> 00:24:43,888 Tatyana McFadden: is that parallel? What are we missing? Why can't people 399 00:24:43,890 --> 00:24:48,690 Tatyana McFadden: understand what the Paralympics is? Is the disability a taboo? Is 400 00:24:48,690 --> 00:24:50,638 Tatyana McFadden: it a taboo in the United States? Is it a 401 00:24:50,638 --> 00:24:56,040 Tatyana McFadden: taboo globally? What questions do I need to figure out 402 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,230 Tatyana McFadden: that society is really thinking in their minds that I need 403 00:24:58,410 --> 00:25:02,520 Tatyana McFadden: to answer for them? And so that was just kind 404 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:04,260 Tatyana McFadden: of the start of the journey. 405 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:10,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so now looking, Tatyana, at where Paralympic sport is 406 00:25:10,980 --> 00:25:16,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: today versus where it was then in 2004 when you 407 00:25:16,109 --> 00:25:18,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: didn't think anybody was paying attention, how far do you 408 00:25:18,750 --> 00:25:21,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: think it's come? What do you expect in terms of 409 00:25:23,190 --> 00:25:25,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: how many people are going to be in the stands in Paris 410 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:28,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: and how much attention you're going to get, and are 411 00:25:28,529 --> 00:25:31,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: people going to know when you come home that you 412 00:25:31,020 --> 00:25:33,928 Rob Simmelkjaer: competed and won medals in Paris? 413 00:25:34,710 --> 00:25:38,820 Tatyana McFadden: It's changed so much. I mean, it really has. Just 414 00:25:38,820 --> 00:25:43,349 Tatyana McFadden: to see it, I'm like, wow, we have come such 415 00:25:43,349 --> 00:25:47,158 Tatyana McFadden: a long way. Yes, we still need, we have work 416 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:51,958 Tatyana McFadden: to do, but we've come a long way, from Athens 417 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:55,950 Tatyana McFadden: was nobody, no one in the stands really, to Beijing, 418 00:25:55,950 --> 00:26:00,300 Tatyana McFadden: having people in the stands, to the London Games paralleling 419 00:26:00,300 --> 00:26:06,090 Tatyana McFadden: it. The awesome, most greatest branding was saying OP. So 420 00:26:06,090 --> 00:26:08,790 Tatyana McFadden: they called it the Olympic and Paralympic Games. When they 421 00:26:08,790 --> 00:26:17,010 Tatyana McFadden: were branding with commercials or commentary showcasing the London Games, 422 00:26:17,010 --> 00:26:20,070 Tatyana McFadden: they always made sure they talked about the Paralympics. So 423 00:26:20,070 --> 00:26:26,310 Tatyana McFadden: people began to hear it. And then by the time 424 00:26:26,310 --> 00:26:31,260 Tatyana McFadden: that Rio happened, we had more stories out on NBC. 425 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:37,259 Tatyana McFadden: We had more social media out, telling stories of Paralympic 426 00:26:37,259 --> 00:26:41,789 Tatyana McFadden: athletes and showing a variety of sports across the Paralympic 427 00:26:41,789 --> 00:26:45,390 Tatyana McFadden: sport. What was really unique about Tokyo was that it 428 00:26:45,390 --> 00:26:49,710 Tatyana McFadden: said Tokyo 2020, with the Olympic and Paralympic logos, even 429 00:26:49,710 --> 00:26:53,790 Tatyana McFadden: on the volunteer shirts as well. So people began to 430 00:26:53,790 --> 00:26:56,219 Tatyana McFadden: not only hear it, but they began to see it 431 00:26:56,219 --> 00:27:00,780 Tatyana McFadden: as well. So that was the best. And then in 432 00:27:00,780 --> 00:27:03,869 Tatyana McFadden: Paris, they took it one step above and they started 433 00:27:03,869 --> 00:27:07,980 Tatyana McFadden: everything earlier. So they had a day of the Paralympics, 434 00:27:08,190 --> 00:27:12,809 Tatyana McFadden: they had Paralympic athletes even come in and showcasing running 435 00:27:12,809 --> 00:27:19,680 Tatyana McFadden: events. They had exhibitions for wheelchair basketball and I think 436 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:24,540 Tatyana McFadden: tennis and just showcasing different sports quite early before the 437 00:27:24,540 --> 00:27:30,090 Tatyana McFadden: Paralympics in Paris. So we're really making headway. But the 438 00:27:31,049 --> 00:27:35,279 Tatyana McFadden: best one was getting equal pay by Tokyo. I think 439 00:27:35,279 --> 00:27:38,670 Tatyana McFadden: what people really didn't understand was that we didn't receive, 440 00:27:38,700 --> 00:27:44,220 Tatyana McFadden: American athletes didn't receive equal pay until the 2020 Paralympic 441 00:27:44,220 --> 00:27:48,960 Tatyana McFadden: Games, summer athletes. The winter athletes were gifted the Games 442 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:53,490 Tatyana McFadden: before, but the summer athletes finally received that equal pay, 443 00:27:54,090 --> 00:27:57,420 Tatyana McFadden: and that was a game changer. I didn't know how 444 00:27:57,420 --> 00:28:01,830 Tatyana McFadden: long I would see that, which is crazy because it 445 00:28:01,830 --> 00:28:07,530 Tatyana McFadden: is our job and to not have equal pay, it 446 00:28:07,530 --> 00:28:11,549 Tatyana McFadden: was just unbelievable. And so we were banking on the 447 00:28:11,549 --> 00:28:17,010 Tatyana McFadden: importance of sponsorships. Other athletes were working, having sponsorships, and 448 00:28:17,010 --> 00:28:21,090 Tatyana McFadden: then training, just having all this balance just to stay 449 00:28:21,450 --> 00:28:25,559 Tatyana McFadden: afloat as an athlete. And on top of that, teaching 450 00:28:25,559 --> 00:28:29,039 Tatyana McFadden: what the sport is. And so we have come a 451 00:28:29,039 --> 00:28:32,760 Tatyana McFadden: long way, but me as a current athlete, of course, 452 00:28:33,150 --> 00:28:35,580 Tatyana McFadden: I always want more for this sport because I want 453 00:28:35,580 --> 00:28:38,880 Tatyana McFadden: to leave a legacy. I want to leave a legacy, 454 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:43,290 Tatyana McFadden: not just having the most medals won, but having equal 455 00:28:43,290 --> 00:28:47,879 Tatyana McFadden: pay and having all the sponsorships available, seeing it on 456 00:28:47,879 --> 00:28:51,090 Tatyana McFadden: TV, just waking up and being like, going down the street, " 457 00:28:51,330 --> 00:28:55,920 Tatyana McFadden: The Paralympics is tomorrow," and them being like, " Yep, I can't 458 00:28:55,920 --> 00:29:00,090 Tatyana McFadden: wait to watch so- and- so, and so- and-so, and so-and- so." 459 00:29:00,150 --> 00:29:02,849 Tatyana McFadden: So that will be a dream of mine. 460 00:29:03,689 --> 00:29:07,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: It has come a really long way. I've witnessed it. 461 00:29:07,290 --> 00:29:09,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've really seen it. I'm going to actually give a 462 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:14,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: little love to my old colleagues at NBC Sports because 463 00:29:15,150 --> 00:29:19,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the time I was there from 2011 to 2019, 464 00:29:19,740 --> 00:29:23,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: I just saw a dramatic change in the way that 465 00:29:23,279 --> 00:29:26,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was presented, the way that it was marketed, the 466 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:29,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: priority that it was given, starting to talk about the Games 467 00:29:29,940 --> 00:29:34,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: as not just two weeks, but as a four week, 468 00:29:34,139 --> 00:29:37,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: five week period that began with the opening ceremonies of 469 00:29:37,860 --> 00:29:41,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Olympic Games and ended with the closing ceremony of 470 00:29:41,129 --> 00:29:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Paralympic Games. It's really been a marked difference. And 471 00:29:46,260 --> 00:29:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: people like you are obviously a big part of the 472 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:49,801 Rob Simmelkjaer: reason why. So congratulations. 473 00:29:49,801 --> 00:29:55,140 Tatyana McFadden: Well, thank you. Well, it's the people before too. They had to 474 00:29:55,140 --> 00:29:59,069 Tatyana McFadden: do a lot of messy work just to have us 475 00:29:59,070 --> 00:30:02,190 Tatyana McFadden: even in the village, and then having transportation, so they 476 00:30:02,190 --> 00:30:05,130 Tatyana McFadden: had to do all the messy work. So I'm really 477 00:30:05,130 --> 00:30:09,030 Tatyana McFadden: thankful for all the athletes before because that was not easy. 478 00:30:09,929 --> 00:30:11,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: I want to go back to one other thing about 479 00:30:11,790 --> 00:30:15,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: your story, Tatyana, for a second, and just talk about 480 00:30:15,059 --> 00:30:20,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: your parents, because I'm really curious about this. You and I have never 481 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:22,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a conversation like this before, so I want to 482 00:30:22,620 --> 00:30:29,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: know more about your parents adopting you and the story 483 00:30:29,700 --> 00:30:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: there. How old were you and what kind of role 484 00:30:33,210 --> 00:30:35,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: they, obviously a really big role that they've played in 485 00:30:35,520 --> 00:30:38,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: your life, but how did that even come to be? 486 00:30:38,190 --> 00:30:44,729 Tatyana McFadden: Yeah, I love my parents. For the audience listening, I 487 00:30:44,730 --> 00:30:48,960 Tatyana McFadden: have two moms. Obviously we're really a big supporter of the 488 00:30:49,020 --> 00:30:55,080 Tatyana McFadden: LGBTQ community, and so I would say Pride is always 489 00:30:55,080 --> 00:30:59,760 Tatyana McFadden: every day celebrated in our house. But they're my biggest fans 490 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:03,240 Tatyana McFadden: and absolutely my biggest supporters. I mean, the day from 491 00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:06,599 Tatyana McFadden: I was adopted, they definitely saw something and they never 492 00:31:06,599 --> 00:31:10,349 Tatyana McFadden: treated me differently. If I said I wanted to do 493 00:31:10,350 --> 00:31:13,380 Tatyana McFadden: something, they said, " Okay," and then we figured it out 494 00:31:13,380 --> 00:31:17,490 Tatyana McFadden: how to do it together. And so my mom has 495 00:31:17,490 --> 00:31:24,389 Tatyana McFadden: a really, really unique story, and not only her being 496 00:31:24,389 --> 00:31:27,210 Tatyana McFadden: one of the, she was former commissioner of the United 497 00:31:27,210 --> 00:31:31,050 Tatyana McFadden: States for disability rights, and she was one of the 498 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:34,200 Tatyana McFadden: 12 authors of the ADA. So she has a very 499 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:40,440 Tatyana McFadden: interesting story in there. But my mom also, my mom 500 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:45,479 Tatyana McFadden: was paralyzed in college. She has Guillain- Barré, so you just 501 00:31:45,570 --> 00:31:49,380 Tatyana McFadden: wake up and you're all of a sudden paralyzed. So 502 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:55,410 Tatyana McFadden: she had to fight for the rights just for her 503 00:31:55,410 --> 00:32:00,179 Tatyana McFadden: to in school to have the right for testing, and 504 00:32:00,990 --> 00:32:04,230 Tatyana McFadden: they wouldn't graduate her because she had to give her 505 00:32:04,230 --> 00:32:09,150 Tatyana McFadden: exams talking and she couldn't write during that time and the 506 00:32:09,150 --> 00:32:12,870 Tatyana McFadden: professors didn't want ... So she understands the fight and she 507 00:32:12,870 --> 00:32:17,339 Tatyana McFadden: understands pushing for equality and equity for people with disabilities 508 00:32:17,340 --> 00:32:22,769 Tatyana McFadden: because she went through it herself. And my mom also 509 00:32:22,770 --> 00:32:27,840 Tatyana McFadden: ran her own adoption agency called ICA, International Children's Alliance. 510 00:32:28,110 --> 00:32:30,990 Tatyana McFadden: And so she was on a work trip in Russia 511 00:32:31,230 --> 00:32:38,069 Tatyana McFadden: during that time. And when she came into that orphanage, 512 00:32:38,610 --> 00:32:45,450 Tatyana McFadden: she went around everywhere. And when we met, I was 513 00:32:45,450 --> 00:32:50,280 Tatyana McFadden: like, oh my gosh, you just know it's meant to be. 514 00:32:50,610 --> 00:32:51,421 Rob Simmelkjaer: How old were you, Tatyana, at that point? 515 00:32:51,421 --> 00:32:51,422 Tatyana McFadden: I was six. I was six years old. 516 00:32:51,422 --> 00:32:58,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: And had you been living in the orphanage most of your life? 517 00:32:58,559 --> 00:32:58,560 Tatyana McFadden: Mm-hmm. 518 00:32:58,560 --> 00:32:58,561 Rob Simmelkjaer: How long? 519 00:32:58,561 --> 00:33:04,230 Tatyana McFadden: For the first six years. So when I was born 520 00:33:06,450 --> 00:33:09,599 Tatyana McFadden: with spina bifida, I didn't get operated on until 21 521 00:33:09,599 --> 00:33:12,720 Tatyana McFadden: days after birth, so I was in a hospital bed 522 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:17,340 Tatyana McFadden: in St. Petersburg. So it was a miracle that I survived through 523 00:33:17,340 --> 00:33:21,930 Tatyana McFadden: those conditions in itself without getting an infection and dying. 524 00:33:22,170 --> 00:33:25,440 Tatyana McFadden: If there's a higher power, it's right there. And shortly 525 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:30,090 Tatyana McFadden: after that, I was moved to orphanage number 13. And 526 00:33:30,090 --> 00:33:34,590 Tatyana McFadden: they're all numbered in St. Petersburg. They're not labeled anything 527 00:33:34,590 --> 00:33:39,660 Tatyana McFadden: specific. And during that time, my birth mom could not 528 00:33:39,690 --> 00:33:42,270 Tatyana McFadden: financially take care of me. Remember, Russia was also going 529 00:33:42,270 --> 00:33:47,430 Tatyana McFadden: through a shift in that time as well. And so 530 00:33:47,940 --> 00:33:52,080 Tatyana McFadden: yeah, I lived in the orphanage for six years without 531 00:33:52,199 --> 00:33:58,680 Tatyana McFadden: any medical treatment, no education, no doctors. You're just in an 532 00:33:58,680 --> 00:34:02,370 Tatyana McFadden: orphanage with a lot of other kids, only a few 533 00:34:02,370 --> 00:34:10,080 Tatyana McFadden: caregivers. And so yeah, when my mom came in, I 534 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:14,160 Tatyana McFadden: was like, and people constantly came through the orphanage always, 535 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:18,480 Tatyana McFadden: but they were looking for that healthy, perfect child. I 536 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:21,599 Tatyana McFadden: was not the example of a healthy, perfect child. I 537 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:27,029 Tatyana McFadden: was sick. I was anemic. My legs were atrophied behind 538 00:34:27,030 --> 00:34:30,540 Tatyana McFadden: my back. When they saw me, they're like, " Oh, there's 539 00:34:30,540 --> 00:34:34,740 Tatyana McFadden: no chance of life in her." But my mom saw 540 00:34:36,390 --> 00:34:39,300 Tatyana McFadden: there is a chance, this is my daughter. And I 541 00:34:39,300 --> 00:34:43,259 Tatyana McFadden: felt the same way when she came in. I remember her 542 00:34:43,259 --> 00:34:48,001 Tatyana McFadden: coming in with gifts and candies and we call lollipops (inaudible) 543 00:34:48,001 --> 00:34:52,440 Tatyana McFadden: . So I was grabbing all the lollipops from my 544 00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:55,080 Tatyana McFadden: mom and just started handing it out to all the 545 00:34:55,080 --> 00:35:00,060 Tatyana McFadden: kids (inaudible) , and I just knew in that moment. 546 00:35:00,599 --> 00:35:03,480 Tatyana McFadden: And so she told me in English, I didn't understand 547 00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:05,339 Tatyana McFadden: what she was saying, that she would come back and 548 00:35:05,639 --> 00:35:08,670 Tatyana McFadden: she would adopt me. She'd get all the paperwork going 549 00:35:08,670 --> 00:35:14,250 Tatyana McFadden: and started. And so that just was the beginning of 550 00:35:14,250 --> 00:35:21,239 Tatyana McFadden: my journey. But it was also, it was an unknown 551 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:26,009 Tatyana McFadden: journey for me too. I remember after I was adopted, 552 00:35:26,010 --> 00:35:27,750 Tatyana McFadden: we got into a cab and we were going to 553 00:35:27,750 --> 00:35:31,860 Tatyana McFadden: Moscow, and I was screaming because I was leaving with a 554 00:35:31,860 --> 00:35:35,309 Tatyana McFadden: random woman I didn't know. And I was very nervous and 555 00:35:35,309 --> 00:35:39,989 Tatyana McFadden: scared because my environment was the orphanage. It was not 556 00:35:39,989 --> 00:35:43,530 Tatyana McFadden: great there, but it was my environment and I was going 557 00:35:43,530 --> 00:35:48,450 Tatyana McFadden: into an unknown environment. And I remember getting to Moscow 558 00:35:48,540 --> 00:35:50,580 Tatyana McFadden: and I thought we were in the United States because 559 00:35:50,580 --> 00:35:56,760 Tatyana McFadden: everything was so bright and everything was so beautiful, and 560 00:35:56,880 --> 00:36:01,350 Tatyana McFadden: there was lots of food and just people, and I 561 00:36:01,350 --> 00:36:05,100 Tatyana McFadden: asked my mom, I was like, " America?" And she was like, " 562 00:36:05,100 --> 00:36:14,250 Tatyana McFadden: Nope, not yet." So yeah, then my journey started into 563 00:36:14,250 --> 00:36:16,650 Tatyana McFadden: the United States, and I couldn't sleep on the plane 564 00:36:16,650 --> 00:36:20,790 Tatyana McFadden: ride back, and I was going up and down the aisles walking on 565 00:36:20,790 --> 00:36:23,700 Tatyana McFadden: my hands, and my poor mom didn't sleep the entire 566 00:36:23,700 --> 00:36:27,600 Tatyana McFadden: flight. And then coming into the US, yeah, my parents, 567 00:36:28,349 --> 00:36:33,059 Tatyana McFadden: they got me into not only the sports program, but 568 00:36:33,059 --> 00:36:36,359 Tatyana McFadden: Girl Scout camp, the Girl Scouts in my own community, 569 00:36:36,629 --> 00:36:39,870 Tatyana McFadden: and I was the only person with a disability, but 570 00:36:40,170 --> 00:36:45,750 Tatyana McFadden: they're like, we're throwing her into everything and she'll pick 571 00:36:45,750 --> 00:36:49,020 Tatyana McFadden: what she will like and what she won't like. And 572 00:36:49,020 --> 00:36:53,279 Tatyana McFadden: so that's always been their attitude. They've never said, " Oh, 573 00:36:53,279 --> 00:36:56,670 Tatyana McFadden: she needs to go to a specific group," or, " She can't 574 00:36:56,670 --> 00:37:02,010 Tatyana McFadden: do this because she's in a wheelchair," or, " I'm afraid 575 00:37:02,010 --> 00:37:06,870 Tatyana McFadden: she can't get around." They've always been like, we will 576 00:37:07,170 --> 00:37:10,500 Tatyana McFadden: integrate her into society and we're going to figure it 577 00:37:10,500 --> 00:37:16,110 Tatyana McFadden: out together through that journey. So having that mental aspect 578 00:37:16,380 --> 00:37:20,370 Tatyana McFadden: was huge for me growing up because without me knowing, 579 00:37:20,370 --> 00:37:25,709 Tatyana McFadden: I had that in Russia where yes, I couldn't walk 580 00:37:26,070 --> 00:37:29,969 Tatyana McFadden: and get around that way, but I got around by 581 00:37:29,969 --> 00:37:33,420 Tatyana McFadden: scooting above the floors or walking on my hands because 582 00:37:33,570 --> 00:37:36,390 Tatyana McFadden: I wanted to be where those kids were. I wanted 583 00:37:36,390 --> 00:37:38,609 Tatyana McFadden: to go play with them. I wasn't going to be 584 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:45,000 Tatyana McFadden: left out. So my automatic inclusions kind of without me 585 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:48,989 Tatyana McFadden: knowing started there. But then my parents obviously enforced it 586 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:51,660 Tatyana McFadden: when I came into the US. 587 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:56,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: Your story is just miraculous on so many levels. It 588 00:37:56,700 --> 00:38:01,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: really is miraculous to see where you were and where 589 00:38:01,349 --> 00:38:05,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: you've come from. You must just have such a sense 590 00:38:05,460 --> 00:38:09,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: of, I don't know if it's good fortune would be 591 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:15,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: the word, or certainly gratitude for what your parents did 592 00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:19,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: for you, because from where you were, the chances of 593 00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:25,799 Rob Simmelkjaer: you being where you are were mathematically negligible. That was 594 00:38:25,799 --> 00:38:28,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: just not going to happen. And here you are. 595 00:38:29,190 --> 00:38:33,389 Tatyana McFadden: Yeah, exactly. When we say, is there a higher power, 596 00:38:33,389 --> 00:38:37,379 Tatyana McFadden: I'm like, yep. Because my chances of like everything was 597 00:38:37,379 --> 00:38:45,540 Tatyana McFadden: at a 0%, but somehow I was supposed to be 598 00:38:45,600 --> 00:38:52,260 Tatyana McFadden: on this adventure, continuing my adventure, surviving through the worst 599 00:38:52,860 --> 00:38:58,680 Tatyana McFadden: parts of my six years, making it through, surviving all of it. And 600 00:38:58,830 --> 00:39:03,660 Tatyana McFadden: here I am, being ready to make history in Paris 601 00:39:03,719 --> 00:39:09,960 Tatyana McFadden: and continuing my journey through LA. So yeah, it almost feels like 602 00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:16,500 Tatyana McFadden: a movie. It's just sometimes I'm like, oh, it does 603 00:39:16,500 --> 00:39:19,439 Tatyana McFadden: seem impossible. And I think that's what helps me. 604 00:39:19,000 --> 00:39:19,001 Rob Simmelkjaer: (inaudible) 605 00:39:19,498 --> 00:39:19,500 Tatyana McFadden: Yeah. 606 00:39:19,499 --> 00:39:22,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think it should be a movie. Honestly, I feel like 607 00:39:22,410 --> 00:39:24,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: there's a movie that needs to be done here, so 608 00:39:24,750 --> 00:39:30,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: we'll have to talk. It's unbelievable. No, it's great. And 609 00:39:31,080 --> 00:39:35,248 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm also just thinking, Tatyana, about you passing it forward 610 00:39:35,250 --> 00:39:39,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. I know that you care a lot about 611 00:39:39,150 --> 00:39:42,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: the development of Paralympic sport. I know you've been active 612 00:39:42,960 --> 00:39:46,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: in all kinds of ways. Legally, you brought a lawsuit 613 00:39:46,139 --> 00:39:49,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: against, I believe your high school at one point, which 614 00:39:49,049 --> 00:39:51,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'd love to hear you talk about, in terms of 615 00:39:51,420 --> 00:39:55,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: really pushing this sport forward. And is that your way 616 00:39:55,620 --> 00:39:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: of paying forward this unbelievable gift that you've been given? 617 00:40:01,680 --> 00:40:10,739 Tatyana McFadden: Yes. I wanted to give back because looking back in 618 00:40:10,739 --> 00:40:16,530 Tatyana McFadden: my own journey, I was given so much and I 619 00:40:16,530 --> 00:40:21,780 Tatyana McFadden: wanted to continue to pave the way, but it almost 620 00:40:21,780 --> 00:40:31,830 Tatyana McFadden: happened, it almost happened I wouldn't say accidentally, but in 621 00:40:31,830 --> 00:40:33,960 Tatyana McFadden: high school I wanted to be part of my own 622 00:40:33,960 --> 00:40:37,890 Tatyana McFadden: community. So coming home from Athens with a silver and 623 00:40:37,890 --> 00:40:44,099 Tatyana McFadden: bronze medal and having that silver and bronze around my 624 00:40:44,099 --> 00:40:47,998 Tatyana McFadden: neck, and I wanted to be part of track, and 625 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:51,089 Tatyana McFadden: it's a non- tryout sport. You just have to have 626 00:40:51,090 --> 00:40:54,000 Tatyana McFadden: good grades, you have to show up to practice, and 627 00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:56,699 Tatyana McFadden: then at the end of the year, if you're fast 628 00:40:56,700 --> 00:41:00,750 Tatyana McFadden: enough, you make it to states. And so I loved 629 00:41:00,750 --> 00:41:03,569 Tatyana McFadden: track and I wanted to meet friends in high school. 630 00:41:04,170 --> 00:41:07,410 Tatyana McFadden: I wanted to be part of my own community, and 631 00:41:07,410 --> 00:41:10,859 Tatyana McFadden: I thought this was such a great way to be 632 00:41:10,860 --> 00:41:13,620 Tatyana McFadden: part of everything and to have the best four years of 633 00:41:13,620 --> 00:41:19,229 Tatyana McFadden: my life. I had no idea what it was about 634 00:41:19,230 --> 00:41:25,289 Tatyana McFadden: to come. I always showed up to practice. And when 635 00:41:25,290 --> 00:41:28,830 Tatyana McFadden: we got ready for my very first competition in ninth 636 00:41:28,830 --> 00:41:33,870 Tatyana McFadden: grade, I was denied a uniform. I was denied the 637 00:41:33,870 --> 00:41:36,989 Tatyana McFadden: right to race alongside with others onto the track. I 638 00:41:36,989 --> 00:41:42,029 Tatyana McFadden: had to take a separate bus, and no one, only 639 00:41:42,029 --> 00:41:44,610 Tatyana McFadden: a few very close friends of mine rode on it. 640 00:41:44,820 --> 00:41:53,460 Tatyana McFadden: Everything was just so separate. And I thought, wow, this 641 00:41:53,460 --> 00:41:58,949 Tatyana McFadden: definitely feels like segregation, and it feels like I'm being segregated 642 00:41:58,949 --> 00:42:05,130 Tatyana McFadden: because I have a disability. And I thought, can I 643 00:42:05,130 --> 00:42:08,399 Tatyana McFadden: do something about this? And so I went home and 644 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:10,710 Tatyana McFadden: I talked to my mom and I thought, okay, this 645 00:42:10,710 --> 00:42:15,359 Tatyana McFadden: is what happened today. And she thought, this is not 646 00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:19,290 Tatyana McFadden: right. So she went and talked to the school system 647 00:42:19,560 --> 00:42:22,350 Tatyana McFadden: and said, " What can we do to have her more 648 00:42:22,350 --> 00:42:26,639 Tatyana McFadden: involved? Just give her a uniform. Can she run alongside of 649 00:42:26,639 --> 00:42:29,940 Tatyana McFadden: others onto the track as the only female wheelchair racer 650 00:42:30,030 --> 00:42:36,359 Tatyana McFadden: at that time?" And they said no. So after numerous 651 00:42:36,359 --> 00:42:39,840 Tatyana McFadden: calls, I mean Rob, we tried for so long, and 652 00:42:39,840 --> 00:42:43,739 Tatyana McFadden: finally we ran out of options. And the only thing 653 00:42:43,739 --> 00:42:47,219 Tatyana McFadden: it came down to was suing, and suing for no 654 00:42:47,219 --> 00:42:52,829 Tatyana McFadden: money, but for opportunity. And it was the opportunity for 655 00:42:52,859 --> 00:42:56,219 Tatyana McFadden: my whole community, for all people with disabilities in the 656 00:42:56,219 --> 00:42:58,770 Tatyana McFadden: state of Maryland to have the right to participate in 657 00:42:58,770 --> 00:43:01,680 Tatyana McFadden: high school sports. So it really wasn't about me, it 658 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:04,320 Tatyana McFadden: was about the state of Maryland and the people with 659 00:43:04,320 --> 00:43:07,830 Tatyana McFadden: disabilities in Maryland, like my sister Hannah McFadden, who would 660 00:43:07,830 --> 00:43:11,819 Tatyana McFadden: eventually go into high school and if she wanted to do 661 00:43:11,820 --> 00:43:15,810 Tatyana McFadden: track, she should have that opportunity to walk onto the 662 00:43:15,810 --> 00:43:19,440 Tatyana McFadden: team, to wear her uniform with pride, to ride the 663 00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:27,150 Tatyana McFadden: same bus as everyone, and to get out to compete 664 00:43:27,360 --> 00:43:33,510 Tatyana McFadden: at the same time as her competitors, being the only 665 00:43:33,510 --> 00:43:37,109 Tatyana McFadden: female wheelchair racer. And it was hard. It was really, 666 00:43:37,110 --> 00:43:40,649 Tatyana McFadden: really hard going through that lawsuit in high school because 667 00:43:40,950 --> 00:43:45,599 Tatyana McFadden: again, when we talked earlier about people understanding why I 668 00:43:45,599 --> 00:43:51,930 Tatyana McFadden: did it, I got so much hatred. People wrote into newspapers and 669 00:43:51,930 --> 00:43:56,099 Tatyana McFadden: magazines saying, " Tatyana McFadden should be part of her own 670 00:43:56,099 --> 00:43:59,040 Tatyana McFadden: club. There are clubs for people of her own kind. 671 00:43:59,280 --> 00:44:04,380 Tatyana McFadden: We don't understand why she wants to be involved in 672 00:44:05,100 --> 00:44:10,380 Tatyana McFadden: wheelchair racing. It should be separate." And it was so 673 00:44:10,380 --> 00:44:14,759 Tatyana McFadden: hard, and I thought, wow. So right there, people don't 674 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:19,259 Tatyana McFadden: really understand. They don't really understand disability. They don't really 675 00:44:19,259 --> 00:44:25,020 Tatyana McFadden: understand what wheelchair racing actually is and providing that education. 676 00:44:25,199 --> 00:44:29,160 Tatyana McFadden: I mean, when I showed up to track events and 677 00:44:29,160 --> 00:44:32,250 Tatyana McFadden: right when I finished, I was booed at every single 678 00:44:32,250 --> 00:44:36,719 Tatyana McFadden: track meet, booed by parents and the athletes. 679 00:44:38,040 --> 00:44:41,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's unbelievable. That's unbelievable. It is just hard to believe that someone would boo 680 00:44:42,510 --> 00:44:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: a girl in a wheelchair trying to be an athlete. 681 00:44:46,380 --> 00:44:51,300 Tatyana McFadden: Yeah, I mean, just to be an athlete, just because 682 00:44:51,300 --> 00:44:56,518 Tatyana McFadden: you're different, just because you look different, you get booed. 683 00:44:56,518 --> 00:45:05,969 Tatyana McFadden: So I came home crying a lot in high school, 684 00:45:05,969 --> 00:45:11,489 Tatyana McFadden: but I kept it strong and I kept it together because 685 00:45:12,239 --> 00:45:15,809 Tatyana McFadden: I wanted to finish that fight, and it was my 686 00:45:15,809 --> 00:45:19,469 Tatyana McFadden: choice to go through that lawsuit. It was my choice 687 00:45:19,469 --> 00:45:22,260 Tatyana McFadden: to go through the county and then the state of 688 00:45:22,260 --> 00:45:25,469 Tatyana McFadden: Maryland and then make it federal law through the Obama 689 00:45:25,469 --> 00:45:29,910 Tatyana McFadden: administration, and I wanted to make it all the way 690 00:45:30,360 --> 00:45:35,339 Tatyana McFadden: to federal because it is happening everywhere in the United States. 691 00:45:35,340 --> 00:45:41,460 Tatyana McFadden: It's not just in Maryland, looking back today. And it was 692 00:45:41,460 --> 00:45:45,150 Tatyana McFadden: the right thing to do, and that's why the law 693 00:45:45,150 --> 00:45:49,049 Tatyana McFadden: passed quickly. I mean, laws take years to pass. It 694 00:45:49,259 --> 00:45:54,059 Tatyana McFadden: passed relatively quickly in Howard County and then in the 695 00:45:54,059 --> 00:45:58,320 Tatyana McFadden: state of Maryland and then becoming federal as well. But 696 00:45:58,320 --> 00:46:02,789 Tatyana McFadden: looking back today, I get so many messages on my 697 00:46:02,790 --> 00:46:07,769 Tatyana McFadden: social media platform saying, " Thank you so much. My daughter 698 00:46:07,770 --> 00:46:13,890 Tatyana McFadden: was able to compete today at nationals in high school, 699 00:46:13,890 --> 00:46:17,399 Tatyana McFadden: and she was awarded points and she was able to 700 00:46:17,400 --> 00:46:22,559 Tatyana McFadden: race with her friends, and now she's going to college 701 00:46:22,559 --> 00:46:26,849 Tatyana McFadden: on a track scholarship and wheelchair racing really changed her 702 00:46:26,910 --> 00:46:33,989 Tatyana McFadden: life." Or another one was " Wheelchair racing changed my son's 703 00:46:33,989 --> 00:46:39,000 Tatyana McFadden: life. He really built confidence. He felt so shy, he 704 00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:42,000 Tatyana McFadden: didn't make a lot of friends because he was worried 705 00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:46,410 Tatyana McFadden: that people wouldn't accept him for his disability." So it 706 00:46:46,410 --> 00:46:51,900 Tatyana McFadden: was a lot more than just getting a national title, 707 00:46:53,040 --> 00:46:56,520 Tatyana McFadden: it's much more. So when kids join high school track, it's 708 00:46:56,520 --> 00:47:00,629 Tatyana McFadden: about being part of their own community, making friends. So 709 00:47:00,630 --> 00:47:02,580 Tatyana McFadden: that's why it's so important for me to give back, 710 00:47:02,759 --> 00:47:05,639 Tatyana McFadden: going back to the original question, through my local sports 711 00:47:05,639 --> 00:47:11,670 Tatyana McFadden: program in Baltimore, through the NYRR Kids on the Run. 712 00:47:12,300 --> 00:47:15,030 Tatyana McFadden: It's so important for me because that community, it will 713 00:47:15,030 --> 00:47:18,210 Tatyana McFadden: last them a lifetime. They will look back on it 714 00:47:18,210 --> 00:47:21,360 Tatyana McFadden: and it's going to change their course of direction by 715 00:47:21,360 --> 00:47:25,259 Tatyana McFadden: just being involved with sports. We're not saying be an 716 00:47:25,290 --> 00:47:29,580 Tatyana McFadden: Olympic and Paralympic athlete, we're just saying be part of 717 00:47:29,580 --> 00:47:34,530 Tatyana McFadden: your community. Build that confidence. You can learn many different 718 00:47:34,530 --> 00:47:37,710 Tatyana McFadden: skillsets from just being involved with sports. 719 00:47:38,790 --> 00:47:41,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: I want to thank you for mentioning New York Road 720 00:47:41,070 --> 00:47:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners' wheelchair training program, and thanks for this segue because 721 00:47:45,900 --> 00:47:48,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: I wanted to talk about it before we let you 722 00:47:48,390 --> 00:47:52,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: go, and it's just something that we are so proud 723 00:47:52,320 --> 00:47:56,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: of at New York Road Runners. Our adaptive sports program 724 00:47:56,340 --> 00:48:00,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: is incredible. I want to give a shout- out to 725 00:48:00,119 --> 00:48:04,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: Stephanie Herrick, our youth program development director, and especially to 726 00:48:04,320 --> 00:48:09,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: Arianna Moliere, who is our specialist, who really works specifically 727 00:48:09,270 --> 00:48:14,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the wheelchair racing program. And I just get so 728 00:48:14,370 --> 00:48:18,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: much joy when we have races and we have the 729 00:48:18,930 --> 00:48:21,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: wheelchair component and the kids are out there doing their 730 00:48:21,690 --> 00:48:25,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing. It's just awesome to see. What's your message to 731 00:48:25,440 --> 00:48:28,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: them? I know that you have worked with them. If 732 00:48:28,380 --> 00:48:30,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: some of them are listening to this podcast, and I 733 00:48:30,570 --> 00:48:35,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: think Arianna will make sure they do, what's the message 734 00:48:35,369 --> 00:48:38,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: to them as they start the journey that you are 735 00:48:38,400 --> 00:48:39,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: now so far along in? 736 00:48:41,160 --> 00:48:46,469 Tatyana McFadden: Well, I first want to thank NYRR for starting the wheelchair 737 00:48:46,469 --> 00:48:51,989 Tatyana McFadden: program because nothing brings me more joy than seeing the 738 00:48:51,989 --> 00:48:57,270 Tatyana McFadden: kids together. It's across all walks of life, and I 739 00:48:57,270 --> 00:49:01,230 Tatyana McFadden: love that. And I think the kids also really enjoy 740 00:49:01,230 --> 00:49:07,110 Tatyana McFadden: it together because they learn from each other. Kids with 741 00:49:07,110 --> 00:49:10,948 Tatyana McFadden: disabilities are interacting with kids with not disabilities, and they 742 00:49:11,639 --> 00:49:15,420 Tatyana McFadden: both can learn so much from each other. So as 743 00:49:15,420 --> 00:49:19,439 Tatyana McFadden: they get older, they can say, " Hey, I met someone 744 00:49:19,440 --> 00:49:24,329 Tatyana McFadden: with a disability and they're awesome. We raced together in Times Square. 745 00:49:24,330 --> 00:49:27,239 Tatyana McFadden: We did the 100 meter dash, we did the 400 746 00:49:27,239 --> 00:49:30,570 Tatyana McFadden: meter dash, and gosh, they were fast and they were 747 00:49:30,630 --> 00:49:34,230 Tatyana McFadden: really cool, and now they're my friend." And so it 748 00:49:34,230 --> 00:49:39,210 Tatyana McFadden: really teaches such a really important skill and that acceptance. 749 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:42,030 Tatyana McFadden: And so I really, really thank New York Road Runners 750 00:49:42,030 --> 00:49:46,079 Tatyana McFadden: for that. And my message is to have fun while 751 00:49:46,080 --> 00:49:50,549 Tatyana McFadden: you're out there. Life is not about what you don't 752 00:49:50,550 --> 00:49:52,469 Tatyana McFadden: have, it's what we do with the gifts that you're 753 00:49:52,469 --> 00:49:56,820 Tatyana McFadden: given. And to really enjoy every minute out there. It's 754 00:49:56,820 --> 00:50:01,830 Tatyana McFadden: not always about winning races, it's about just having fun 755 00:50:01,830 --> 00:50:05,850 Tatyana McFadden: and just really enjoying what you're doing. And maybe it's 756 00:50:05,850 --> 00:50:09,000 Tatyana McFadden: about goal setting and having that courage and taking that 757 00:50:09,000 --> 00:50:13,380 Tatyana McFadden: risk and having fun with your friends that you're doing 758 00:50:13,380 --> 00:50:13,830 Tatyana McFadden: it with. 759 00:50:15,480 --> 00:50:18,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. And I'll tell you what, Tatyana, I 760 00:50:18,090 --> 00:50:22,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: challenge anyone who is listening to this podcast to not 761 00:50:22,440 --> 00:50:24,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: want to tune in and watch you in Paris this 762 00:50:24,810 --> 00:50:29,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: summer because there's just no way you can listen to 763 00:50:29,340 --> 00:50:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: this story and not want to see how it at 764 00:50:33,210 --> 00:50:35,881 Rob Simmelkjaer: least concludes for these Olympic and Paralympic Games- 765 00:50:35,881 --> 00:50:35,882 Tatyana McFadden: Thank you. 766 00:50:35,882 --> 00:50:39,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... in Paris for you. I wish you all the 767 00:50:39,719 --> 00:50:42,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: success in Paris, but I think for me, what's amazing 768 00:50:42,780 --> 00:50:46,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: about this conversation is the medals, and I'm sure you're 769 00:50:46,500 --> 00:50:49,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to get some more and they're great, but it's 770 00:50:49,530 --> 00:50:53,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: not the real story. The real story is everything that 771 00:50:53,219 --> 00:50:54,571 Rob Simmelkjaer: got you to this point. It's amazing. 772 00:50:54,571 --> 00:50:55,081 Tatyana McFadden: Thank you. Thank you so much. 773 00:50:57,809 --> 00:51:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you for being with us. Today's member moment is 774 00:51:14,070 --> 00:51:18,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: featuring a man who has run 77 races with NYRR 775 00:51:18,930 --> 00:51:22,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: on his own personal race to better health. New York 776 00:51:22,260 --> 00:51:24,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners member Pat (inaudible) was inspired to begin 777 00:51:24,989 --> 00:51:27,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: running as a way to join his brothers and sisters 778 00:51:27,510 --> 00:51:30,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: in honoring their mother as she battled cancer. 779 00:51:30,809 --> 00:51:33,121 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. Welcome, Pat. How are you doing today? 780 00:51:33,121 --> 00:51:38,250 Pat: I'm doing fine. I've got to tell you, I'm honored to be invited just to share my 781 00:51:38,250 --> 00:51:40,560 Pat: story and my running journey. 782 00:51:41,400 --> 00:51:43,650 Meb Keflezighi: Awesome. We are so excited to have you on the 783 00:51:43,650 --> 00:51:48,270 Meb Keflezighi: podcast at The Pace. Your running became something that is 784 00:51:48,270 --> 00:51:51,479 Meb Keflezighi: special to you because of your mom's battle with cancer. 785 00:51:51,480 --> 00:51:53,070 Meb Keflezighi: Can you tell us more about that, please? 786 00:51:53,489 --> 00:51:58,230 Pat: Sure thing. What inspired me to run, and I've got 787 00:51:58,230 --> 00:52:02,700 Pat: to tell you, I hated running. Back in high school 788 00:52:02,700 --> 00:52:08,039 Pat: and college, maybe it was because of the grueling training that I 789 00:52:08,040 --> 00:52:10,919 Pat: had massive pain to running. And when I got out 790 00:52:10,920 --> 00:52:14,070 Pat: of school, I said, " I'll never run again." And because 791 00:52:14,070 --> 00:52:17,310 Pat: of that, I got so heavy. But then when my 792 00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:20,460 Pat: mom got diagnosed, well, actually, my sister Angela ran her 793 00:52:20,460 --> 00:52:25,469 Pat: first marathon for Team in Training in Disney. And I 794 00:52:25,469 --> 00:52:29,339 Pat: thought like, what the heck, man? But we went down 795 00:52:29,340 --> 00:52:32,670 Pat: to support her, and it opened up a whole new 796 00:52:32,670 --> 00:52:36,030 Pat: world of like, wow, people can actually run 26 point, 797 00:52:37,170 --> 00:52:41,429 Pat: a marathon, crazy. And then shortly thereafter, our mom got 798 00:52:41,429 --> 00:52:45,509 Pat: diagnosed with cancer and we all decided, hey, me and 799 00:52:45,509 --> 00:52:50,010 Pat: my siblings decided to run to honor our mom battling 800 00:52:50,070 --> 00:52:56,040 Pat: cancer. And I've got to tell you, 12 months later, 801 00:52:56,250 --> 00:53:02,219 Pat: she came to every race to support us. And our 802 00:53:02,219 --> 00:53:04,199 Pat: greatest gift that we could give our mom before she 803 00:53:04,199 --> 00:53:07,860 Pat: passed was to witness her four children cross the finish 804 00:53:07,860 --> 00:53:12,989 Pat: line together. And when we met up with our mom, 805 00:53:12,989 --> 00:53:17,849 Pat: we all gave our mom our medals. And 16 days 806 00:53:17,849 --> 00:53:25,860 Pat: later, our mom passed away. But that experience started our 807 00:53:25,860 --> 00:53:30,210 Pat: journey as runners as a family. My brother, too. My 808 00:53:30,210 --> 00:53:36,150 Pat: brother has multiple New York City Marathon experiences. My sister 809 00:53:36,150 --> 00:53:42,810 Pat: is a charity, actually a charity athlete manager for Team 810 00:53:42,810 --> 00:53:48,030 Pat: in Training, American Cancer Society, and where she's working at 811 00:53:48,030 --> 00:53:51,840 Pat: right now. So just by her example, she has inspired 812 00:53:51,840 --> 00:53:57,600 Pat: me and my family to maintain an active lifestyle. But 813 00:53:57,780 --> 00:53:59,940 Pat: throughout the years, my weight went up and down and 814 00:53:59,940 --> 00:54:03,001 Pat: up and down. When I wasn't running, then I got (inaudible) 815 00:54:03,001 --> 00:54:06,450 Pat: . So my health was much like the stock market. 816 00:54:06,480 --> 00:54:10,680 Pat: It went up and down, up and down. But when I was running, 817 00:54:11,880 --> 00:54:13,739 Pat: and I'm very grateful for New York Road Runners because 818 00:54:13,739 --> 00:54:18,209 Pat: it gave me the vehicle to get back on track, 819 00:54:18,209 --> 00:54:23,340 Pat: you know what I mean? But that's how it started, honestly. 820 00:54:24,390 --> 00:54:27,299 Meb Keflezighi: And a great way to honor your mom, and you 821 00:54:27,300 --> 00:54:29,489 Meb Keflezighi: got the whole family running. And to be able to 822 00:54:29,489 --> 00:54:33,179 Meb Keflezighi: just know something change your life, and I believe you lost 823 00:54:33,179 --> 00:54:36,629 Meb Keflezighi: a hundred pounds in March from 2020 to where you 824 00:54:36,629 --> 00:54:36,869 Meb Keflezighi: are now. 825 00:54:38,099 --> 00:54:44,250 Pat: Oh, that's a crazy story because what inspires me is 826 00:54:44,250 --> 00:54:49,799 Pat: people who overcome adversity. So I see other runners, like 827 00:54:49,799 --> 00:54:52,830 Pat: for instance, when I started running again, because I was 828 00:54:52,830 --> 00:54:57,180 Pat: heavy, I was in L Corral, the L Corral, right? I 829 00:54:57,180 --> 00:55:02,519 Pat: kid with my siblings, L, that means last because I'm 830 00:55:02,520 --> 00:55:06,930 Pat: slow, but hey man, I get off the couch. So 831 00:55:07,020 --> 00:55:12,449 Pat: that's cool. But what I found most inspiring was everyone 832 00:55:12,450 --> 00:55:14,640 Pat: has a story to tell. And the people in L 833 00:55:14,640 --> 00:55:19,170 Pat: Corral, these are the big, what do they call them? Clydesdales, 834 00:55:19,560 --> 00:55:24,660 Pat: Athenas, new guys that are just starting to run. And 835 00:55:24,660 --> 00:55:29,129 Pat: even the seniors, too, and their stories are so inspiring. 836 00:55:30,510 --> 00:55:32,670 Pat: I asked them, " Why are you running, man?" Because, " Well, 837 00:55:32,670 --> 00:55:34,650 Pat: I went through a divorce and this is a way 838 00:55:34,650 --> 00:55:40,710 Pat: to feel alive again." And he's talking about me. So 839 00:55:40,920 --> 00:55:44,580 Pat: these are the people I root for the most because 840 00:55:45,179 --> 00:55:48,690 Pat: I'm one of them. And along the way, so check 841 00:55:48,690 --> 00:55:52,770 Pat: this out, so March of 2020, I was running through 842 00:55:53,640 --> 00:55:59,459 Pat: Washington Heights and I was a hundred pounds plus heavier than I 843 00:55:59,460 --> 00:56:03,389 Pat: am today. And then because of my high blood pressure, 844 00:56:03,389 --> 00:56:07,710 Pat: I collapsed from a stroke and I said, " Well, I'm 845 00:56:07,710 --> 00:56:11,280 Pat: done, man. I'll never run again." You know like a kid 846 00:56:11,280 --> 00:56:13,680 Pat: touches a stove, hot stove, and says, "Oh, I'll never do that 847 00:56:13,680 --> 00:56:16,349 Pat: again." But that's not what it was. It was my 848 00:56:16,349 --> 00:56:20,520 Pat: lifestyle. And then fast forward, that's March of 2020. This is the 849 00:56:20,520 --> 00:56:25,800 Pat: year of COVID, right? Fast forward to November 2021, I 850 00:56:25,800 --> 00:56:30,480 Pat: get an email from New York Road Runners basically saying, " 851 00:56:30,660 --> 00:56:33,660 Pat: Hey Pat, you had a guaranteed entry for the New 852 00:56:33,660 --> 00:56:38,490 Pat: York City Half that they canceled." Now, they're basically saying 853 00:56:39,179 --> 00:56:42,750 Pat: either claim your entry or give it up. And here 854 00:56:42,750 --> 00:56:45,690 Pat: I am, I haven't run since the stroke. I said, " 855 00:56:47,160 --> 00:56:50,910 Pat: Well, maybe I could do it." And I didn't know. 856 00:56:50,910 --> 00:56:54,569 Pat: I said, " Let's just do it." So I trained every 857 00:56:54,570 --> 00:56:57,360 Pat: single day, every single day. I just walked and then 858 00:56:57,360 --> 00:57:00,600 Pat: walk, jog, all the way to the New York City 859 00:57:00,600 --> 00:57:04,350 Pat: Half. But along the way, I ran the same exact 860 00:57:04,980 --> 00:57:10,350 Pat: 5K in Washington Heights, and no joke, I told my siblings, " 861 00:57:11,219 --> 00:57:14,610 Pat: Hey, if I don't make it, it's nice knowing you." 862 00:57:16,830 --> 00:57:21,030 Pat: But sure enough, I did that. I was nervous, but 863 00:57:21,300 --> 00:57:23,700 Pat: I did it. And then two weeks later I did the 864 00:57:23,850 --> 00:57:27,090 Pat: New York City Half and I amazed myself. And ever 865 00:57:27,090 --> 00:57:31,770 Pat: since then, I run every single weekend because you know 866 00:57:31,770 --> 00:57:36,780 Pat: what it's like? I feel like I'm going to die, 867 00:57:36,780 --> 00:57:39,720 Pat: but at the same time, I feel the most alive because when 868 00:57:40,380 --> 00:57:44,340 Pat: I cross the finish line, I feel like I won. 869 00:57:44,550 --> 00:57:49,620 Pat: Because the reason I say that is because I beat the stroke 870 00:57:50,670 --> 00:57:51,510 Pat: and I'm willing to (inaudible) the ball, too. 871 00:57:53,400 --> 00:57:58,230 Meb Keflezighi: You have overcome so much adversity, to being close to having a stroke 872 00:57:58,230 --> 00:58:00,720 Meb Keflezighi: and then running was not your thing. You said, " I'll 873 00:58:00,720 --> 00:58:02,940 Meb Keflezighi: never run again. This is done with." But now to 874 00:58:02,940 --> 00:58:06,299 Meb Keflezighi: be able to just do marathons and to not give 875 00:58:06,300 --> 00:58:09,299 Meb Keflezighi: up on what your circumstance was, but you want to 876 00:58:09,299 --> 00:58:13,380 Meb Keflezighi: prove people wrong. And now I just heard that yesterday 877 00:58:13,380 --> 00:58:15,510 Meb Keflezighi: you got announcement (inaudible) streak, and not only just you run 878 00:58:15,930 --> 00:58:18,390 Meb Keflezighi: one marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, but you're going to go to 879 00:58:18,390 --> 00:58:22,830 Meb Keflezighi: the 2024 and 2025 with a 9+ 1. Can you tell us 880 00:58:22,830 --> 00:58:23,640 Meb Keflezighi: a little bit about that? 881 00:58:23,790 --> 00:58:30,299 Pat: Oh, that's right. Yesterday I had eight under my belt, 882 00:58:30,299 --> 00:58:33,210 Pat: and I already did my volunteer at the expo at 883 00:58:33,210 --> 00:58:35,370 Pat: the New York City Half, so I needed one more. 884 00:58:35,370 --> 00:58:38,790 Pat: So I said, " Oh, (inaudible) ." The virtual has a 9- 885 00:58:38,790 --> 00:58:41,730 Pat: 1 qualifier. So I said, " Let me get this in." 886 00:58:41,730 --> 00:58:45,269 Pat: And now I'm 9- 1 qualified for 2025. And so 887 00:58:45,270 --> 00:58:50,370 Pat: I did 9- 1 qualified for 2023, 2024. So I'm 888 00:58:50,370 --> 00:58:53,220 Pat: training for that. And then now I'm 9- 1 qualified 889 00:58:53,220 --> 00:58:58,889 Pat: for 2025, and now I'm streaking. So I'm 60, right? 890 00:58:58,889 --> 00:59:05,100 Pat: So I'm thinking to myself, what else am I going to do? I want to stay healthy because I've come to 891 00:59:05,100 --> 00:59:09,180 Pat: learn that health and fitness is not a seasonal thing. 892 00:59:09,210 --> 00:59:14,639 Pat: It's a lifestyle. It never ends. By the way, my 893 00:59:14,639 --> 00:59:20,370 Pat: sister, Angela, looking at that photo of her, it says Team in Training on 894 00:59:20,370 --> 00:59:24,720 Pat: her singular. And I was staring at training, and it's training, training. 895 00:59:25,470 --> 00:59:27,000 Pat: This is why now I'm going training for the New York 896 00:59:27,000 --> 00:59:31,410 Pat: City. But the word training, it's a double edge. There's 897 00:59:31,410 --> 00:59:34,110 Pat: two means because we're always in training, either training to 898 00:59:34,110 --> 00:59:38,130 Pat: be a couch potato, get diabetes, high blood pressure, or 899 00:59:38,130 --> 00:59:43,020 Pat: we're training to be healthy. So we're always in training. 900 00:59:43,890 --> 00:59:45,750 Pat: We just want to make it a good training. 901 00:59:46,800 --> 00:59:50,429 Meb Keflezighi: Absolutely. It's a lifestyle, something that a run is seen 902 00:59:50,429 --> 00:59:53,940 Meb Keflezighi: as a punishment, but once, what they call, my run, 903 00:59:53,940 --> 00:59:57,240 Meb Keflezighi: my sport, your punishment, or something. But at the same 904 00:59:57,240 --> 01:00:00,150 Meb Keflezighi: time, running is something that we can do one step 905 01:00:00,150 --> 01:00:02,640 Meb Keflezighi: at a time, whether it's walking or one mile, and 906 01:00:02,640 --> 01:00:06,600 Meb Keflezighi: then 5K and 10K and stepping stone to a healthier lifestyle. 907 01:00:07,500 --> 01:00:08,640 Pat: That is so true. 908 01:00:10,320 --> 01:00:12,960 Meb Keflezighi: You have an amazing story. Once a runner, always a 909 01:00:12,960 --> 01:00:16,409 Meb Keflezighi: runner. No matter how slow or how fast we come 910 01:00:16,410 --> 01:00:18,629 Meb Keflezighi: across the finish line, you have a story to tell, 911 01:00:18,629 --> 01:00:21,209 Meb Keflezighi: and we're so just grateful for you to share your story 912 01:00:21,210 --> 01:00:21,570 Meb Keflezighi: with us. 913 01:00:22,200 --> 01:00:22,530 Pat: Thank you. 914 01:00:23,010 --> 01:00:25,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pat, thank you so much for joining Meb and for being 915 01:00:25,800 --> 01:00:29,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: a member of New York Road Runners. Incredible story indeed. 916 01:00:30,000 --> 01:00:32,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: Now to the final part of our show, the Meb minutes. 917 01:00:33,330 --> 01:00:37,709 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. As the runners or other sports, cross- training is 918 01:00:37,710 --> 01:00:42,030 Meb Keflezighi: the less utilized. Cross- training is so important as running 919 01:00:42,030 --> 01:00:45,630 Meb Keflezighi: is, as recovery is. But people wait until they get 920 01:00:45,719 --> 01:00:48,119 Meb Keflezighi: injured to be able to jump into cross- training, I 921 01:00:48,120 --> 01:00:51,450 Meb Keflezighi: usually like to say prehab instead of rehab. You want 922 01:00:51,450 --> 01:00:53,789 Meb Keflezighi: to be able to just control what you can, know 923 01:00:53,789 --> 01:00:56,040 Meb Keflezighi: when the hard days are, know when the easy days 924 01:00:56,040 --> 01:01:00,570 Meb Keflezighi: are, and if you need to do cross- training, Tatyana McFadden 925 01:01:00,570 --> 01:01:04,679 Meb Keflezighi: is our guest for this podcast. Imagine being her, whether 926 01:01:04,679 --> 01:01:07,800 Meb Keflezighi: it is riding a bike or her speed or cross- 927 01:01:07,800 --> 01:01:11,760 Meb Keflezighi: training in an elliptical and things like that is very, very important. 928 01:01:12,059 --> 01:01:15,480 Meb Keflezighi: The reason is no impact or low impact, and it's 929 01:01:15,480 --> 01:01:20,340 Meb Keflezighi: a great cardiovascular training for me. Even when I was 930 01:01:20,340 --> 01:01:23,280 Meb Keflezighi: running at a high level, I always rode a bike 931 01:01:23,280 --> 01:01:25,470 Meb Keflezighi: or go on my elliptical to go to be able to just, 932 01:01:25,679 --> 01:01:28,049 Meb Keflezighi: sometimes when I was in Mammoth Lakes, it would take 933 01:01:28,049 --> 01:01:30,959 Meb Keflezighi: me 35 or 45 minutes to go up the hill, 934 01:01:30,959 --> 01:01:32,520 Meb Keflezighi: and then it takes me 10 minutes to get down. So 935 01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:35,430 Meb Keflezighi: it's fun to play speed. At the same time, just 936 01:01:35,430 --> 01:01:38,250 Meb Keflezighi: have fun, enjoy being outdoors. And if you have to 937 01:01:38,250 --> 01:01:41,220 Meb Keflezighi: do indoors, then you might have to jump into the 938 01:01:41,520 --> 01:01:45,629 Meb Keflezighi: elliptical machine or something. But for me, it is important to 939 01:01:45,630 --> 01:01:48,869 Meb Keflezighi: do cross- training as part of your training, not when you 940 01:01:48,869 --> 01:01:51,990 Meb Keflezighi: get injured but beforehand. And for some, whether you want 941 01:01:51,990 --> 01:01:56,489 Meb Keflezighi: to do swimming or elliptical or whatever that works for 942 01:01:56,490 --> 01:01:58,800 Meb Keflezighi: your favorite is great. I think it is important to 943 01:01:58,800 --> 01:02:02,280 Meb Keflezighi: be able to just have a little bit between sessions, 944 01:02:02,280 --> 01:02:04,559 Meb Keflezighi: or if you think it's going to be hot or 945 01:02:04,559 --> 01:02:06,570 Meb Keflezighi: nasty weather, it's good to jump with the cross- train. 946 01:02:06,720 --> 01:02:09,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, we've reached the finish line of another episode 947 01:02:09,000 --> 01:02:12,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Set the Pace. I want to thank Team USA's Tatyana 948 01:02:12,150 --> 01:02:15,002 Rob Simmelkjaer: McFadden, and New York Road Runners member Pat (inaudible) . 949 01:02:16,110 --> 01:02:19,559 Rob Simmelkjaer: If you like this episode, remember, subscribe, rate, leave us 950 01:02:19,559 --> 01:02:22,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: a comment, leave us a question wherever you are listening. 951 01:02:23,340 --> 01:02:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much for joining us. Enjoy the miles. 952 01:02:26,130 --> 01:02:26,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: We'll see you next week. 953 01:02:27,960 --> 01:02:31,260 Speaker 8: Did you know that incorporating strength and cross- training is 954 01:02:31,260 --> 01:02:34,140 Speaker 8: one of the most important parts of a runner's routine? 955 01:02:34,710 --> 01:02:38,099 Speaker 8: Well, the Peloton app's got you. With a collection of 956 01:02:38,099 --> 01:02:40,679 Speaker 8: workouts you can easily add to your race training regimen, 957 01:02:40,889 --> 01:02:44,820 Speaker 8: reaching each goal just got easier. Track all your movement, 958 01:02:44,850 --> 01:02:48,120 Speaker 8: from strength to yoga to running, all in one place. 959 01:02:48,720 --> 01:02:51,510 Speaker 8: The Peloton app, try it now for 30 days free, 960 01:02:51,570 --> 01:02:54,750 Speaker 8: no equipment needed. Find it in the app and Google 961 01:02:54,750 --> 01:02:59,669 Speaker 8: Play stores. New paid memberships only. Terms apply. Peloton, the 962 01:02:59,670 --> 01:03:02,610 Speaker 8: official digital fitness partner for New York Road Runners.