As a First Lieutenant, Melissa made history as the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat during her deployment to Iraq in 2004. Despite this harrowing experience, she was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star and made a promise to herself to not let losing a leg slow her down.

Four years later, Melissa made history once again as the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games, competing in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics where she was selected as the flag bearer for Team USA. She then transitioned to triathlon and went on to become a bronze medalist at the 2016 Paralympic Games and compete again in Tokyo 2021. Currently, she is training towards Paris 2024 in the hopes of competing in her fourth Paralympics.

Melissa is also a business owner and co-founder of Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club with her husband. But what she is most proud of is being a mom to her two children, Dallas and Millie. Melissa is a true patriot, and we are honored to have her on our show.

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Website: https://www.melissastockwell.com/programs-1