Episode 92: Meg Fisher Paralympic Gold & GRIT

December 3, 2020
Megan Fisher is a Multiple Medal Winner in cycling at both the London and Rio Paralympics and is a ten-time World Champion. She became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2006, specializing in Sports Medicine, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from the University of Montana in the same year. In 2014, she earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Washington’s School of Medicine. Meg also has credentials as both a USA Cycling Level 3 Coach and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

But Meg’s road to success has not been easy. In 2002, she was involved in a tragic rollover car accident that stole the life of her best friend and resulted in the amputation of her left leg. Also, due to the accident, she sustained a significant brain injury and underwent brain surgery, spending a week in a coma on a ventilator.

From Meg: I feel lucky that my innately optimistic and gritty personality enables me to see beyond statements like those. I gathered a team of people around me early after my injuries that included medical professionals; physical therapists, athletic trainers, prosthetists, and doctors. As my physical abilities advanced my support team evolved into include strength and conditioning coaches, cycling coaches, and nutritionists. My prosthetists will forever and always be permanent members of my team as I can not stand, walk, run, nor bike without a comfortable fitting prosthesis.

Meg’s life’s work has been to help others unlock the potential in their bodies and develop resilience so that the stresses of time and age are less diminishing. Sports can be an avenue for personal growth, exploration, a way to develop a healthier lifestyle, and join an active community. Additionally, sports can be a path toward gaining strength, endurance, flexibility, and reliance that can enable someone to withstand the rigors of life’s daily activities and the constant stresses of gravity.

Meg’s website
Under The Big Sky: A Certain Grit
Meg on IG
The Great Influenza
Check out all our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at hearhersports.com/books
The Range of Motion Project
Premier Gravel Race Changes it’s Name to Unbound Gravel by Riley Missel, Bicycling Magazine 10-30-20
GNC Rides the Dirty Kanza (now called Gravel Unbound).

Related episodes: Cycling with Diabetes, Paralympic Sailing, Skydiving