Ep 57 - An Unstoppable Drive Founded On An Unbreakable Bond: Featuring Kayleigh Williamson

Episode Promotional Partner: Kreatures of Habit Use Code: Mile40 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kreaturesofhabit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% off a one-time purchase OR the first subscription order payment. Approximately one month ago, Kayleigh Williamson crossed the finish line of the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon and if you didn't know her name before, you are unlikely to forget it anytime soon. In a video that has been viewed nearly 40 million times to date, Williamson cried as she crossed the finish line with her mother, Sandy Williamson, who ran with her during the race. Kayleigh made history as one of the first women with Down syndrome to complete the New York City Marathon. Her grit shined through every mile and her resilience amounted with every hour out on the course across all five bouroughs. On this episode we talk about her running journey and how it all got started. Sandy, her mother walks us through Kayleigh's diagnosis and how she raised Kayleigh to position herself to accomplish that which she sets out for. The love between a mother and daughter is indistinguishable and in the case of Sandy and Kayleigh, it was evident every moment of our conversation. Kayleigh loves her mother dearly and she also opens up about her grandmother, who died after an Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2021. Kayleigh ran the New York City Marathon in honor of her grandmother whom she carries in her heart everywhere she goes. Kayleigh is from Texas where she regularly competes in local and state-wide Special Olympics swimming competitions. On top of the continuous training for marathons and swim meets, Kayleigh does strength training and other physical activities which help her stay in shape and mentally prepare for her time in the pool and on the racecourse. Kayleigh has completed the Austin marathon, 21 miles of the Boston Marathon and 20 half-marathons. Kayleigh published her books "It's Cool to Be Me" in 2019 and "Letters from Heaven: Kayleigh Williamson's Story" in 2022 both of which are available on Amazon. More on Mile 40: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mile40podcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: @mile_40_podcast @bishoy_tadros Purchase Your Copy of Break Barriers OR Audacious Today - Use Code MILE40 for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bishoytadros.com⁠