KPeasey Nation Unites

As The Kyle Pease Foundation continues to navigate these uncertain times, we are pleased to announce that the KPeasey Nation is uniting and bringing the Utah chapter under the direction of our Board of Directors and Brent Pease, KPF’s Executive Director.

Two people that have longed been moved by the courage of others, Joe & Michelle have inspired us with their courage.  They came to us as volunteers and then, upon leaving Atlanta they became stewards of our mission, for our first "chapter" outside of our hometown.  They helped bring some amazing families into our KPF family and they continue to invest so much of their time and energy into our mission.  We are incredibly thankful to call on them as friends, and we are excited at the future of continuing to serve our mission together.  As our KPF family & support team grows in Atlanta we want to be able to serve our dear friends in Utah well, and with that we are excited to bring us all under the same roof.

Thank you Joe & Michelle for helping create impact long past the finish line. 
Together WE Wheel

Words from Michelle Guttenplan:
Joe and I met Brent many years ago while looking for a triathlon coach. Joe specifically felt like Brent was the right choice after seeing him race with Kyle. Joe's initial inspiration for competing in triathlon came from seeing the Hoyts, so he figured this was meant to be. Being a former special education teacher, speech pathologist and having my own family members with a disability, I was intrigued by the Kyle Pease foundation and loved the mission. I knew from experience that the options my Aunt (who had cognitive and visual deficits) had to participate in sports were few and far between. 

In the beginning Joe and I wanted to help via racing and requesting donations, we had not yet gained the experience of racing with an in chair athlete. When we moved to Utah, we wanted to stay connected, but weren't sure how since we were now 2,000 miles away. At that time Kyle and Brent had made connections with several families in Utah that were already racing. It seemed like this would be a great opportunity to begin a Utah chapter with a group of individuals who had similar interests. During our few years in operation in Utah, we have met and connected with some of the most wonderful people.At first,it was about inclusive sports and racing, but quickly turned into an extended family, both in Georgia and Utah. For me personally: I love the KPF mission because it makes me feel connected to my Aunt. She has influenced so many decisions in my life just by being herself. I initially went to school to be a special education teacher because of her, then became a speech pathologist for similar reasons. My Aunt was the type of person who never met a stranger. She loved people and everyone loved her in return. Kyle's personality and ability to make an instant friend reminds me so much of her. Growing up, I would attend her bowling league and sometimes serve as her partner. This was a fond memory of mine and reminds me  of what KPF provides not only individuals with disabilities, but their family members.When Joe and I moved to Utah, we were provided the opportunity to start the Utah chapter. Joe and I were really excited. I run, but didn't feel I was strong enough to participate helping athletes. This was a chance for me to give back outside of racing (Joe was racing with athletes). Getting to know all the Utah athletes and families has been amazing. Seeing a random group of people become friends while promoting inclusion is not just a bonus, it is so much of what makes the Kyle Pease Foundation amazing. It's one of those things that is hard to put into words. You almost have to experience it to understand. As a volunteer, KPF has provided me new friendships, a sense or purpose and the general joy you gain by helping others. 

State of The Kyle Pease Foundation - COVID19

These are interesting times for us all.  Local businesses, large businesses and non-profits like us. We've seen our own inboxes and we know that many are already in need.  We think about this in terms of racing, what we all experience when we are out on course together.  There are moments for us all when we aren't sure if we can keep going, if we want to keep going or why we should even keep going.  Then someone offers an encouraging word, a cheer from afar or the energy is just felt from somewhere else.

One of our favorite moments from the Ironman World Championship occurred far after we had crossed the finish line.  It was after we were home and we started hearing stories of how people saw us finish.  Some stayed up until 3:30 in the morning when we crossed the finish line on the eastern seaboard.  Some set alarms and others just slept and woke up to see what social media had to offer.  Whatever it was we felt that energy, truly felt it.  Late in the run were some of the darkest moments we've had in racing.  We both wanted to quit...we both weren't sure if we could keep going or what it was all for.  It goes beyond that, the suffering was worth it, the moments we struggled made the finish line that much better.  Coming home to hear how people digested those moments were some of the special moments that we got to relive again.

So as we all figure out our new normal, know that we at KPF are in a good spot today.  We are incredibly thankful to our generous donors and our leadership which have us in a position to continue on until we can race again.  So we aren't deep on the run course right now looking for your energy, but others are.  We really miss racing, we really miss the social interaction, and yes we even miss suffering on the back end of 140.6 miles of racing.  There are some though that need our energy, need YOUR energy.  So we encourage you as you stay home and spend a little less on going out, or that latte you got every Friday, to spend a little more on those in need.  Perhaps it's the local food bank or another non profit.  Perhaps it's the non profit you haven't even thought of.  Just imagine them being towards the end of their race and how positive that energy will feel when they see that small gift from you.

The energy we felt from everyone cheering from afar is something we have learned from many of our past races.  It's important, it matters, it makes those steps a tad easier.  Think about how you can make someone else's steps a little bit easier during these troubling times.

We are proud to call on your support, thankful for all you've allowed us to do and we look forward to doing it all again...soon! Together WE Wheel....AGAIN.