The Winter Olympic games have officially been underway for a week now, and there is no shortage of inspirational stories that chronicle the path that many athletes have taken to reach the greatest stage in sports. One such athlete that is garnering quite a bit of attention is snowboarder, Brenna Huckaby. While you have no doubt heard her name by now, it is likely that you are not familiar with who she is and what makes her special beyond what she can do on a snowboard. We decided to put together a few facts that would shed some light on this exceptional Paralympian who people are simply referring to as an Olympian.
1. She Was Initially a Gymnast
Before the age of 14, Brenna Huckaby was a promising, nationally ranked, gymnast, with a promising future, until she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Eventually, Brenna’s fight with cancer cost her the loss of her leg, and ultimately the loss of her career as a gymnast. It was this seemingly traumatic event that caused her to make a transitional pivot in “athletic passion” that has landed her in the Paralympics being highly favored to medal.
2. She Is the First Paraolympian to Be Featured On the Cover of Sports Illustrated
There has been an endless list of athletes that have graced the cover of SI, but Brenna is the first Paralympian to garner that coveted honor. She admits that it took a lot of mental and physical adjustments to reach the level that she is currently at, but the path that she has traveled to reach the brightest stage in the world has made her mental toughness and leads her to be an inspiration for women all over the world – despite any existing physical defects.
3. She Still Finds Purpose in Sports
Brenna reveals that while she excelled in gymnastics, life had become monotonous. Life was simply going to school, coming home and going to gymnastics training. When she was diagnosed with cancer, a huge part of her natural dynamic equation was eliminated. It was simply going to school and then go home. When she decided to take up snowboarding, it was as if she reclaimed a huge part of her identity and purpose.
4. Giving Up Was Never An Option
Brenna says that people often tell her that they could not have done what she has in battling cancer and coming back to sports to compete at such as high level, but she says that she believes that people are stronger than they realize. It is actually natural to keep going. You simply have to stop yourself from becoming distracted. Brenna simply focused on what she was passionate about and then made it happen.
5. One Passion Leads to Another
It was during the process of training as a snowboarder that Brenna met Tristan, who is her boyfriend and the father of her daughter Lilah. Tristan is also a snowboarder who finally got up enough nerve to ask Brenna out and not the two have been together for over four years. What is even more awesome is the fact that doctors had told Brenna that she would likely not be able to conceive, but in discovering a new passion, she discovered love and created life.
