Passing The Torch
Passing The Torch is a podcast that explores the inspiring stories and insights from people across all walks of life. It's main focus is on leadership, inspiration, mentoring, resilience and willpower. This aim empowers listeners to take control of their lives and pass on their knowledge, wisdom and experience to others. The podcast covers topics such as how to be a successful leader, how to stay motivated when times are tough, how to mentor and be mentored, and how to cultivate resilience and willpower. It also features guests from different backgrounds and experiences, who share their stories, insights and advice. Past guests have included family, friends, mentors, mentees, best selling authors, top writers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, tv personalities, top ranking military officials, titans of industry, and people with an amazing story to tell. With Passing The Torch, listeners can gain a better understanding of how to lead, inspire and empower themselves and others.
Passing The Torch
Ep. 9: Melissa Stockwell-Choose Your Own Story
Melissa Stockwell-Choose Your Own Story
Freedom comes at a price. War is known to cause physical wounds. Something that might be slightly overlooked are other wounds. For example, emotional, mental and other forms of invisible wounds.
In 2004, Melissa lost her left leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq, and her life was forever changed. After being medically retired from the Army in April 2005 with a Purple Heart and bronze star, all the hard work began. She found support with her Chicago-based paratriathlon club, Dare2Tri. Melissa is the first American woman to lose a limb in active combat and also competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
Since 2008, her primary focus has been firmly placed on the sport of Paratriathlon. Melissa has competed all around the world and has stood on top of many podiums, and is a three times World Champion. In 2016, Paratriathlon made its debut at the Paralympic Games and Melissa raced her way to bronze as part of a USA team and in 2017 Melissa went on to secure a silver medal at the Sarasota ITU Paratriathlon World Cup.
Melissa has not let anything stop her and continues to inspire others. Since 2004, Melissa has become a War Veteran · 3x World Champion - 2x Paralympian · Bronze Medalist · Triathlon Coach · Dare2tri Co-Founder · Motivational Speaker - First female amputee of Iraq - Mother · Patriot.
Show Notes:
- Balancing family life (0:54)
- Speaking at CIA Headquarters (03:35)
- Life before the military (04:38)
- Why Melissa chose Army over any other service (05:40)
- Her reaction to 9/11 (06:00)
- Fateful day in her life- 13 April 2004 (06:55)
- Why she felt lucky when arriving to Walter Reed (10:40)
- Defining the word perspective (11:50)
- What society can do to help heal invisible wounds (13:48)
- Starting life after 2004 (16:54)
- Turing personal tragedy into triumph (17:20)
- Perception about Paralympians (21:39)
- Awkward questions Melissa receives about her leg and funny stories (23:23)
- Movie title about her life (27:05)
Links:
Connect with the Passing the Torch podcast:
---> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passingthetorchwithmartinfoster/
---> SUBSCRIBE on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/passing-the-torch/id1338122884?mt=2
Connect with Melissa Stockwell:
Website: http://melissastockwell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MStockwell01/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstockwell01/?hl=en
Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin
More Amazing Stories:
Episode 28: Purple Heart Recipient CMSgt Ben Seekell – Your Capacity is Limitless
Episode 31: Todd Henry – Choose To Be Brave
Episode 35: Brook Cupps – Shaping Leaders On and Off The Court
Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You Insecure