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At first glance, Melissa Stockwell may appear to be the quintessential Mid-western All-American mom, but she is far more.
This American war hero has triumphed over personal tragedy to achieve greatness, World Champion status, and has dedicated her life to chasing remarkable accomplishments while giving back to others, particularly those who face challenges like her own.
Stockwell graduated from the University of Colorado and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. She deployed to Baghdad, Iraq where a blast from a roadside bomb struck her Humvee, causing the loss of her left leg above the knee. After enduring numerous infections and surgeries, Stockwell medically retired from the Army. She is the first female soldier to ever loose a limb in active combat and has been awarded both The Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Following her accident, sports became her road to recovery. Within four years of making that decision, Stockwell became the first Iraq war Veteran to qualify for the Paralympic games, competing in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics where she was selected to be the flag bearer for Team USA. She then turned to the sport of triathlon and went on to compete in the 2016 Paralympic games where she became a bonze medalist and again Tokyo in 2021 and is now training towards Paris 2024 in hope of her 4th Paralympics.
Outside of competing, Stockwell is a business owner co-founding Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club with her husband but is most proud to be called mom by her two beautiful children.
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