In 2017 I spoke at Colorado Mountain College’s Commencement where I met Melissa Simpson, a young woman from Leadville, Colorado, graduating with a 4.0. Born with cerebral palsy, she has spent her life in a wheelchair, had multiple back surgeries that included a spinal fusion, and endured being regularly bullied while growing up. In the face of these physical and emotional hurdles, Melissa has embraced our No Barriers motto: “What’s Within You is Stronger than What’s in Your Way.”
Shortly after my commencement address, Melissa took the No Barriers message to heart and signed up for her first CrossFit class. This single decision shifted the course of her life towards purpose.
From Melissa: “Over the past two years, my mindset has changed for the better. I am not afraid or nervous anymore to do daily activities. Instead of asking my mom or family to assist me in daily tasks, I just complete them myself now. I complete transfers from my wheelchair to my recliner and wheel myself around the house with barely any assistance. Becoming more self-sufficient and learning to self-advocate and let people know when I’m comfortable handling something on my own has been a huge positive shift. I am also exceeding my CrossFit coach’s expectations. I’ve increased reps and my endurance. He recently said ‘I think you’re starting to enjoy challenging yourself.’ I couldn’t agree with him more.”
Melissa won a Reach Scholarship to attend the No Barriers Summit this past June in Tahoe and fully immersed herself in the three day experience. She climbed the rock wall (twice!), danced with Whitney Way Thore, sang with Mandy Harvey, hiked with friends, and rode an adaptive bike around beautiful Lake Tahoe. She later told me she had never felt more free.
Watch Melissa crank her way up the rock wall at the No Barriers Summit.
After the Summit, Melissa became determined to set a new goal: she wanted to form a team for our next No Barriers event, What’s Your Everest, a climb of A-Basin to 12,500 feet. Not only did Melissa, along with her CrossFit coach, family members, and others on her Rope Team, crank her way to the top of the mountain last Saturday, but she was one of the top fundraisers for the whole event, raising just shy of $7,000 for No Barriers!
Melissa builds strong teams around her, and it’s clear people are drawn to her kindness, passion, and motivation. I’m proud to be on her Rope Team as well. After our hike, Melissa was proud to show me her newly-acquired abilities. If you want to get pumped up, you’ve got to see this.
Check out Melissa showing me her CrossFit moves after her hike!
Keep climbing, Melissa. I can’t wait to hear about your next summit!
