Kat

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Kat thrives on the personal challenge of doing what isn't expected of her. She loves the challenge of bettering herself every time she steps on the mat or field, drives on the track, or gets in the ring. She loves to to set an example for other girls & other kids suffering from Type 1 diabetes or anhidrosis. Sports gives her a platform to talk about what's going on with her body, how she works to overcome these huge obstacles. She gets as much joy from a teammate winning as herself.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Kat says family first inspires her. She sees how hard they work to set powerful examples of a healthy lifestyle. Her mom has Autoimmune disease but is her weight training partner, Dad got certified to be a coach because the school board wouldn't let her compete without him, he attends every single practice and competition with her. Her younger sister suffers from JIA and is in a wheelchair from flare ups so she wants to compete for her. She is also inspired by Mindi O'Brian and Holly Holm

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

For the first time since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and anhidrosis. I qualified this school year for OFSAA in my weight class in wrestling. In Canada this is equivalent to going to State in the US. I could not have done it without Coach Francis and the other coaches and team mates who believed in me and used every resource to help get me there and my Dad who sacrificed every hour he had every day to be by my side, Mindi O, who got me strong and my Mom and sister my biggest fans.