Tricia Downing—RedefiningAble Motivational Speaker from Denver, CO

Are you winning your human race? Each of us faces hurdles, competition and challenges that seem insurmountable when we first face them. Tricia will help you learn to see these obstacles as opportunities and build the strength, endurance and courage to cross the finish line, no matter the size, distance or difficulty of the race. ** Strength. Courage. Perseverance. At thirty-one, Tricia Downing was in the best shape of her life. In the summer of 2000, Tricia, an avid cyclist, drove across the country for what amounted to eighteen races in twenty-three days. She returned from her adventure to a fresh start: a new job awaited her, and, determined to make the next summer the year she would make her mark on the world of cycling, she began a rigorous training strategy. But on September 17, 2000, Tricia Downing's life took a detour. While training on her bicycle one sunny Colorado afternoon, Tricia collides with a car that turns directly in her path, and instantly becomes paralyzed from the chest down. As a competitive road and track cyclist and lifelong athlete, losing the use of her legs is devastating on all accounts. As she re-learns to do everything from sitting straight up to navigating through her house in a wheelchair to returning to work and operating a handcycle, her grueling recovery takes her to the very core of her athletic mettle. This inner strength helps her to not only learn how to live life as a paraplegic—a label that takes time to grow accustomed to—but to have the courage to return to the competitive sport she loves and almost lost. Determined to live life on her terms, Tricia turns her misfortune into opportunity, and is now a wheelchair racer, competing regularly in triathlons around the globe. Cycle of Hope chronicles Tricia's journey from the first terrifying moments of impact with the car through rehab and her emergence as a world-class athlete. *** Tricia's programs: Win Your Human Race Discovering Your Inner Champion Wheelie Friendly *** Win Your Human Race After surviving a near-fatal cycling accident and finding herself paralyzed, Tricia Downing has emerged as a world-class physically challenged athlete. In Reaching Your Finish lines, Tricia shares the secrets to leading the pack and maximizing your potential so your team, too, can be world-class everyday. Tricia coaches audiences to: Train by creating a game plan, setting goals and understanding the steps to achievement Toe the line by increasing motivation, building self-confidence, and dealing with setbacks Triumph using positive self-talk, celebrating small victories and embracing opportunity *** Discover Your Inner Champion Tricia's presentations motivate her audiences to reach further, take smarter risks and to persevere in the face of heartache, challenge and change. She shares the importance of authenticity, passion and belief in oneself. This program not only provides inspiration, but gives practical strategies to emerge from difficulty and get back on a positive track to personal success. *** Wheelie Friendly A program for the service industry, Wheelie Friendly gives practical tips for serving customers with disabilities. Tricia uses her travel experiences to share the challenges and roadblocks of using a wheelchair for mobility and the barriers that exist for those who are differently-abled. She helps customer service team members feel comfortable and empowered when serving those with disabilities.