Newton's Third Law

It would be the toughest race Team Pease would tackle - The Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI. Before each training run, Brent would lace up his Newton Distance running shoes.  Following a rigorous training plan which involved 20 to 28 miles of running per week, one long aerobic run, one short strength run (usually with hills) and two “brick” bike-run workouts.

Through the rollercoaster of their journey that started all those years ago with The Kyle Pease Foundation, there were Newton running shoes to see them through the finish line – and beyond. 

Boulder, Colorado-based Newton Running Company has been KPF’s partner since 2012. Wendy Lee, the daughter of CEO Jerry Lee, recalls receiving an introductory email from Kyle and Brent. “I was so impressed with them both ... we had no idea how great of a partnership this would turn out to be.”

Co-founded by Jerry Lee in 2007, Newton Running Company’s shoes were designed to promote gait efficiency for people at all levels of the sport. Lee knows a thing or two about going the distance. He is an Ironman athlete and 15-time marathon finisher. He has maintained a regular running routine for decades and “needs his running shoes to keep up with his grandchild” as well as his real estate development business.

Wendy, who manages Newton’s international partners as well as the company’s social responsibility and human resource components, has been a runner for 25 years. Running keeps her physically and mentally healthy.

The company designs their shoes based on how a person runs naturally, putting technology in the forefoot area. “We take pride in the balance of art and science that goes into our product,” added Wendy. Not only are Newton shoes eco-friendly but they are fashion forward, introducing loud and energetic neons in their spring line and more stealth and conservative colors in their fall line. 

Through KPF and Newton’s partnership, both organizations inspire each other to push the boundaries of what is possible. “The road hasn’t been easy for either of us,” said Wendy, “but it is always worth it. Especially when you get to do it with people like Brent and Kyle.”

Mathematician and physicist Isaac Newton’s Third Law states: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” A perfect analogy describing the positive, impactful partnership between Newton Running Company and KPF, both trying to make a lasting difference. 

Blog written by Kevin Enners

Meet Jessica, The Nitty-Gritty

Whether professional or amateur, being an athlete takes grit. Crank athlete Jessica Minton has been a lifelong sports person, whether playing wheelchair basketball at the University of Alabama or cranking out mileage on her handbike equivalent to that of an ultramarathon on The Silver Comet Trail. 

If you were to ask Minton why, she would say it’s because she’s competitive. Like many athletes with disabilities, sports provide endeavors that push you out of your comfort zone – disabled or not – and therefore gives you equal opportunity to beat your inner demons. 

At 11 years old, Jessica lost her leg while battling cancer. Nevertheless, this did not diminish her competitive spirit. With her driving spirit, the young Jessica entered the arena of wheelchair sports. In college at the University of Alabama, Minton zipped up and down Foster Auditorium where she played wheelchair basketball – the same building where, 40 years earlier, Governor George Wallace gave his infamous “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” speech as he attempted to block school integration.  

“The auditorium was broken down. The lights didn’t work the best, there was glass on the floors,” Jessica reflects. “But it was the beginning of a new era at (the University of) Alabama. I wasn’t the best basketball player, but I went. I accrued debt for transferring to an out of state school. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

For a season, Minton even got the opportunity to play wheelchair volleyball, globetrotting to Amsterdam to play in an international tournament. 

“I was on the first national women’s sitting volleyball team. It was introduced in 2004 as a Paralympic sport for women. I was an alternate for Greece. So, it was kind of a trial run for Greece.” 

In 2005, Jessica met her now husband, Bryant. They had a son together, Grant. One month after they brought their son home, Jessica had a stroke. The side effects from the chemotherapy when she was young triggered congestive heart failure, creating a clot in her brain. Her “strong side” was now ineffective, and Minton had to re-learn how to eat, bathe, feed herself, talk, and write again.

“The stroke changed me,” Jessica says. “I became more of an introvert. I already was an introvert, but it just got worse.  I kind of lost my competitive drive.” 

That is until July 4, 2013, as Jessica watched Brent and Kyle Pease run The Peachtree Road Race. The fire in the former wheelchair athlete sparked again. A conversation with Brent led to a new handbike. Grit and all, Minton was back in the saddle cranking through the hilly course of the Holcomb Bridge Hustle a few months later.

 “It was the hardest 5k I’ve ever done! But I loved it!”

Meet Kyleigh, The Artist

Kyleigh Kramlich is a painter. With her augmentative communicator as the canvas and her eyes as the brush, she creates beautiful murals of living things in their natural habitat. Her muses are walkers, runners and animals roaming their territory. 

“It’s relaxing to me,” she explains. “because it lets me put on paper whatever I feel.” 

When eye-gaze technology is inaccessible, she renders her portraits the old-fashioned way. Holding the paint brush in her mouth, Kyleigh moves her head in small swirls, recreating the images in her mind, trying to arouse the emotions that she feels – usually love, a motif that flows through her colorful life. 

“Love is usually the emotion that I want to evoke,” says Kyleigh. “Love for animals, love for all kinds of different people.”

Brushstrokes of blue and black of KPF running blended into the portrait about five years ago when she went to Camp Wheel Away – the camp KPF created to expand their mission of improving lives beyond the finish. A little anxious at first, Kyleigh began to embroider running into her life. The wind streaking through her hair as Brent Pease ran with her in a race chair, Kyleigh discovered the artistry in running.  

Where we stand determines what we see. When Kramlich paints a self-portrait, she shows herself standing, walking, running. She sees herself the way she paints a self-portrait – not defined by her disability but by her capability. 

“Life was much more exciting before COVID,” Kyleigh says. Prior to COVID restrictions, Kyleigh was your typical young adult. She would go to school, volunteer at an animal shelter and, of course, compete in road races. She hung out with friends, went to the mall, and attended social gatherings organized by other nonprofits. 

Now, she logs into online classes and due to the pandemic, Kyleigh stays in her room as she completes assignments. 

“My aide and I have a separate room in a separate building to stay apart from other people, but I can still go to classes with my friends,” she explains. Among the typical Math, English and Social Studies courses, Kyleigh is particularly enthusiastic about learning a foreign language – Spanish. 

When asked if running has helped her overcome other obstacles in life, Kramlich said it boosts her confidence. “I know I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”

Interview written by Kevin Enners

Wheeling Strong for Publix

Greetings KPeasey Nation, 

We hope you have been enjoying the Spotlight Blogs featuring our volunteers, athletes, and team members.  Kevin Enners, one of our athletes and KPF employees, has been using his skills to tell these amazing stories.  Stay tuned for many more to come.  

It is hard to believe it’s February already and you know what that means… It’s time for our favorite marquee event, The Publix Atlanta Half Marathon.  Although it will look a little (or a lot) different this year, we are super excited to wheel with our friends from near and far.  

This year’s Publix Atlanta Half Marathon will take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway, just outside of the city of Atlanta.  Because of COVID restrictions and permitting, our friends at Atlanta Track Club felt this would be the best spot to race in person for the event.  We are thankful for all of their hard work and determination to make this race happen.  

Every time I think of this race, a huge smile crosses my face and my heart fills with gratitude.  This race is very special to me as the 2011 Publix was my 2nd race to ever compete as an athlete. Reflecting about this gives me goosebumps! It’s incredible for me to see how far I have come as an athlete and we have come as KPF. I am forever grateful to my brothers who ran in this race with me in 2011… as the signs said we were “Three Peases in a Pod.”  

The 2021 Publix Atlanta Half Marathon, will be a very notable race to me, my brother, and KPF. This race will officially kick off our 10 years racing together for inclusion.  What a great way to show our community what inclusion is at its purest form!  I am grateful for the amazing volunteers, support crew, parents, and most of all the athletes that have raced with us each year and who are making Year 10 possible.

I can’t wait to approach the start line in just a few weeks to “start our engines” together for inclusion.  I will be joined by over 30 other athletes, numerous volunteers, and thousands of supporters cheering us on virtually across the world.  

Here we go, KPeasey Nation… Wheeling strong for 10 year together!

Meet Chris Johnson, The Athlete, The Volunteer, The Leader

Surging out of Lake Loyd on a crisp December day competing in the Challenge Daytona triathlon, pro and amateur triathletes sprint toward their bikes. The moment his fingertips touch the ground, Chris Johnson springs up and dashes out of the water. Fastening his helmet strap under his chin, he swings a leg over his bike and merges with the throng of amateur racers.  Despite having his appendix removed only three weeks prior, Johnson placed fifth in the middle-distance event, first in the sprint. 

“I was a little disappointed in my performance in the middle-distance race,” he shared. “But I was happy I bounced back in the sprint race.”

His affable demeanor, can-do attitude, and leadership sparks bonds with practically everyone he meets – especially in the KPF family. A scholar of leadership, Chris follows the words of John Maxwell: “Everything rises and falls on leadership. He believes the fundamentals of leadership – in or outside sports, are building blocks to a team. 

Johnson’s tenure as a KPF volunteer began in 2018, with one heck of a first race – The Atlanta Publix Half-marathon. Chris completed the hilly race with push-assist volunteers Bill Wileman and Thomas Odom, and in-chair athlete Jon Crais. Joking around, talking, the three became fast friends and a strong push-assist crew. They finished the half-marathon in a little over an hour and a half – plenty of time for an everlasting fellowship to be forged. The trio still keeps in touch via social media to this very day.  

“There is no such thing as good teams or bad teams - only good leaders and bad leaders,” Johnson states. “So, any result, good or bad, is ultimately a reflection of the leaders.”

But what exactly drives Johnson to be a good leader? Simple. Taking pride in knowing he is inspiring others to challenge themselves to set goals and achieve them. “There have been several times when someone has ‘done a triathlon’ or ‘started working out.’ While there isn't really any accomplishment for me, I certainly feel the proudest in those moments.” 

Now on KPF’s Board of Directors, Chris helps guide KPF’s growth as his selflessness extends beyond the finish. But, at home, he’s just your typical dad keeping up with his kids, taking them to swim meets, cross country races, soccer games, and track and field meets. They spend family time playing board games and having fun with their cat, Stew. 

“I had no idea the impact racing with The Kyle Pease Foundation would have on me,” Chris says. “I love racing in general but racing with KPF takes the joy of racing to a new level.” 

Interview written by Kevin Enners