Athlete Ambassadors
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Kate Evans Arnold
Kate moved to Alaska to further her experience in glacier travel, mountaineering and mountain running. She has since raced in many Alaskan races including six ½ marathons and her first full Marathon in 2014. She has also competed in her first 100mile century ride and her first Ironman in New Zealand in 2015. Kate has recently become an Ironman Certified Coach, Cycling instructor and Personal Trainer for Active Body Downtown Gym. She loves the Outdoors, being motivated by others and working hard to become the best athlete she can be.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active life?
Train Hard or Go HomeWho/what inspires you?
My Husband as well as reading/ watching documentaries of mountaineering, climbing or people completing amazing feats with the human body.When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?
Hiking, Biking, Mountaineering, Backcountry Snowboarding, Kayaking, Ice Climbing, Backpacking, Traveling, Cooking, PhotographySocial Media:
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Mari Troshynski
Mari began training for her first half marathon in 2014. She didn't believe she could run more than four miles, and was shocked and pleased to discover that not only could she run 13, but she even enjoyed it. Her love of the sport was accelerated when she adopted her sled dog Hooch, who is an amazing running partner, as well as a five-time Iditarod Veteran. Hooch and Mari are actually currently working towards mushing in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race (along with 15 other canine friends!) in 2017. As part of her training for Iditarod, Mari has committed to running 1,000 miles on her own two feet in races and training in 2016. This will include the Big Wildlife 50k.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active life?"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great." - Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own
Who/what inspires you?I'm inspired by my partner Roman and my dog Hooch, both of whom are much better at running, and both of whom keep dragging me out for another mile.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?Mushing sled dogs, boxing, hiking, watching Netflix, reading, and writing.Social Media -
Andrea Hambach
Andrea has always been active, playing a lot of team sports through childhood and into college. Once she moved to Alaska, she started running because she didn't have time for anything else- she worked busy, long hours at her job and trying to organize joining any team sports was just too difficult. She moved to Willow, and with a good friend, they started running together, setting bigger and bigger goals for their selves until they both finished their first Marathon and training for the Little SU 50K. Around that time, she met and started dating, her now husband Dave. Given his running resume, the rest was history- from a marathon to the Little Su 50K. Then on to the Resurrection Pass 50-miler and after that they finished the Susitna 100 in 2011. For a few years, Dave and Andrea had joked about signing up for the Iditarod Trail Invitational. In 2012 they decided to go for it and finished in under 9 days. Interspersed among all those races were 5Ks, half-marathons and other marathons. Since then their lives changed, for the better, with the birth of Miles, their now 2 year old son. They take him everywhere with them in a sled or a jogging stroller. It's been hard getting back into shape, she said, after having a baby, but workouts are more fun with him along. The next big goal- Susitna 100 2016!
What is your go-to mantra for living an active life?"We are all half crazy, and all at least half alright." Josh Ritter, Me and Jiggs
I think this became a common thought in my head somewhere between training for the marathon and 50K.
Who/what inspires you?Dave is certainly my biggest inspiration- always supportive and positive and just watching what he can accomplish makes anything seem possible. I'm also inspired by people who overcome big obstacles just to get to the starting line, whether it is weight loss, addiction, post-baby, chronic disease or childhood difficulties
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?reading and making pottery -
Anne Thomas PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CPED, CSCS
Anne’s journey to Palmer covers several continents. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she completed a BA in Biology in Indiana and then a BSc in Physical Therapy in Aberdeen, Scotland. Since completing her physical therapy degree she has become a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, completed an orthopedic residency program through the Ola Grimsby Institute and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Pedorthist. When not in the clinic, Anne enjoys outdoors adventures with her husband and two boys. She is also the owner of Active Soles Performance Footwear, Active Body Downtown Gym and Body In Balance Physical Therapy
What is your go-to mantra for living an active life?Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.Who/what inspires you?My family, the potential of the human mind, body and spirit and my three legged dog RingoWhen you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?Adventuring with my husband and children, learning to play the violin and reading -
Sarah Palenske
Sarah was born and raised in AK. As a young adult she struggled with her weight and balancing work and life. She grew up watching IRONMAN on TV and was always so in awe of the athletes and never thought she could compete in a triathlon. Her sister convinced her to do the Gold Nugget Triathlon and she was hooked. She immediately decided to do an IRONMAN 70.3. Since then, she has fallen in love with the sport, strength training and supporting others on their fitness journey.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:"A.M.F.S.-Always, Moving, Forward, Slowly. No one is going to let you drown out there, so just keep going and you've got this." I always think of what a fellow competitior said to me, A.M.F.S. We all have those days we want to give up completely. No one who loves me ever let's me drown, and if I always keep going, keep trying and put one foot in front of the next than its better than no progress at all, and its all progress to whatever end goal we're working towards.
Who/What insprires you?People who have overcome adversity. Veterans who go through battles we will never know, who have sacrificed it all for our country and still come home and do a triathlon on one leg! Now that is an inspiration! The people who have been knocked down by life. But true grit and determination still gets them to the start line.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?I Iove my time with my family right now. Our two little girls and my hubby are my world. But I absolutely love trail running, mountain biking and snowboarding. I am a beach fanatic, the ocean is my hearts second home. In my heart of hearts, its not a good time until I've gotten so tired that I've bitten it on my mountain bike and come home dirty!
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Niall Linden
Niall grew up in Belfast, in the occupied area of Ireland. He started running at about the age of 11(mostly from the authorities), he ran for Northern Ireland as a juvenile in both track and XC but moved more into middle distance track as he got older. He won the Irish University Championships twice over 800m and represented Ireland over the same distance having placed 5th in the Irish National Senior Championships. Niall sustained a very bad ankle injury which forced him to recover for a long time however, during those years he organised many running events and had achieved many accolades for those specific events. Amongst many other things, he now uses his knowledge and ability to write websites to give something back to the running community and to get back to more structured training. Niall now lives in Palmer and feels lucky that he entered into a sport full community where the desire and ability to run up and down a mountain is revered, not ridiculed, as it is in Ireland. He hopes to be able to give something to the running community and if he can help one person stay fit and injury free he feels all his time has been worth it.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:Better to have and not need, than to need and not have. (This applies to having fun in Alaska and being prepared for its elements)
Who/What insprires you?By nature I am quite competitive. My first triathlon was inspired by a $10 bet, and promptly spent 100 dollars on training nutrition. I am inspired by Kenyan runner or other lanky runners, Steve Cram and Wilson Kipketer were inspirations growing up and the stories my coach (also my dad) told me of Alberto Juantorena winning olympic gold over 800m after multiple foot surgeries running less than 30 miles a week kept me inspired during injuries.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?Reading, spending quality time with my friends E. Bay and Amma Zon. Also like trying to learn to ski (all types, downhill, skate, AT and even biathlon) and ice climb are big on my list of hobbies. -
Ben Marvin
Ben was born in Fort Collins, CO. He got his B.S. in Biochemistry at Colorado State University where he met his beautiful wife, Christy. He then went on to get his M.D. at the University of Colorado Health Sciences center. Following that he did his residency in anesthesiology in Rochester, MN at the Mayo Clinic. He now practices anesthesia at Matanuska Regional Medical Center. Ben and Christy have three boys.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:Christy and I have been blessed with three amazing boys, and given the task to raise them without them completely destroying our house :) To that end we believe a tired boy is a healthy, happy and well-behaved boy. Each morning we start by asking ourselves, “how will we wear them all out today?” I also know personally and professionally how important exercise is to mental and physical health. Our creator made us with strong muscles and fantastic hearts for one reason: to use them! We get outside every chance we have. It makes us happy, makes our minds and bodies strong, and brings closer to our Lord as we revel in His creation.Who/What insprires you?ChristyWhen you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?Our hobbies ARE training: hiking, skiing, hunting, backpacking. I tell the boys all the time, “there are few things in life worth doing that are easy!” If it involves hard work we relish the chance to attack a challenge. -
Christy Marvin
Christy was born and raised in Glennallen, Ak. She got her B.S. in Animal Science at Colorado State University where she met her husband, and love of her life, Ben Marvin. She and Ben moved back to Alaska in 2011. They have three boys. Christy and Ben are passionate about the outdoors and spending time as a family. She and her boys feel most at home when they are out on an adventure in God’s awesome creation.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:Leave the motors at home whenever possible. : ) Enjoy the time that you have because each day is a gift from God.Who/What insprires you?No one, I mean NO ONE wins a race, breaks a record, or has success in running all on their own. In every race, every record, every win, there is a long trail of support that brought them there. For me, that trail includes God, my family, and my friends. It is through Jesus Christ that I find my true strength and inspiration. Strength to be my very best and accept nothing less.When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?I love taking adventures with my boys. We love to run, hike, ski, bike, hunt, fish, camp, backpack, etc. In my spare time I love to cook and bake. Oh, and racing! Did I mention the Marvin’s all love to race!!!! -
Monica Milbradt
After watching her husband complete in several Ironman competitions around North America, Monica decided to stop being a spectator and to join him. June will be her first competitive endurance event. She is training for the Ironman 70.3 in Boulder, CO. With both her children now in college, she feels she has the time it will take to properly prepare
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:Be positive, patient and persistentWho/What insprires you?My husband and all he has accomplished. Seeing others in action and learning their stories. each has something, someone or an event that propelled them to want to achieve more.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?I love to hang out with my family, cook, try new foods, travel and learn. -
Ed Milbradt
Ed grew up in Portland Oregon playing almost every sport he could possibly get into. Ed was never a great athlete, he just enjoyed the game. After graduating, he joined the Air Force and was soon jumping out of airplanes and helicopters as a Combat Controller. He married his high school sweetheart. She had captured his heart at the tender age of 13 and has had him chasing her around the house like a teenager for the last 28 years. He left the military in 1987 and has been with the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller for the last 27 years. Triathlon came many years later in Ed's life than what it should have. Had he known then what he knows now, he would have started a lot sooner. With many Ironman 70.3’s under his belt, he decided to tackle the 140.6 this year in Cozumel. Ed is amazed by the human body and it’s ability to overcome the intense training we put ourselves through. He enjoys inspiring others into his newfound sport, and looks forward to coaching others to succeed in their own journey toward fitness, be it an Ironman or a 5K.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:Create a life you do not need a vacation from
Who/What insprires you?I am inspired by older age group triathletes who race and still have a desire to win, not just complete the race.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?When I am not training for an Ironman, I can be found in the woods hunting or on a boat fishing. As of lately, I spend very little doing either. Im pretty obsessive over my training. -
Sam Wolff
Sam's journey began when his brother Michael brought in a flyer that was about a competitive wrestling team that Sam was not even going to join but wanted to motivate his brother Wesley to help him get into more active things, so they both signed up. Comp. season did not start for another month but Sam was really into it, so Sam joined the Middle School team the next day. As a Freshman in High School Sam knew if he wanted to be competitive he needed to push himself to his limit and past it. He spent hour after hour and day after day in the mat room. He wanted to be the best out there in what he was doing and knew what it took to achieve his goal. His sophomore year wrestling comp. Sam was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down and he thought that his dream was over however, Physical Therapist Anne Thomas helped Sam make it back to full strength and when he could walk again he was in his wrestling shoes, pushing himself to his limits and past. He is now a 4A Alaska State Champion as a Junior and working hard to repeat as a Senior.
What is your go-to mantra for living an active lifestyle:If you put 100% into everything you do, you can accomplish anything
Who/What insprires you?My biggest inspiration in life is the coach that taught me everything i know, Alan Bartelli.
When you are not training what are your other favorite hobbies?Hockey, Football, Baseball, Soccer, snow boarding, snow machining, hunting, fishing, inner tubing and boogie boarding with a boat on the lake, grilling, and hanging out with my friends on my rare free time.