Tag Archives: coach

Meet Your Twin Cities 3-Day Coaches

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The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up fast, and our coaches can’t wait to welcome all the walkers to their hometown! Some of the Twin Cities coaches and staff have been with the 3-Day for a while, but there are also some new faces. It’s the perfect time to get to know your coaches better!

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A new addition this year is Coach Dana Dalpra, who is joining the Twin Cities 3-Day team after spending the last six years living in Hawaii (lucky lady!).

Coach Stephanie says her “kind heart, her willingness to help everyone and her go get ‘em attitude” all make Dana a great part of the coaching team.

A big heart is common among all three ladies, with Coach Kiki Setterlund saying, “I love the care and compassion my colleagues have for, not only the big picture of ending breast cancer, but for each and every one of our participants. I participate in many different events for non-profits locally. I haven’t received the care and attention like my colleagues provide our participants. Truly.”

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Dana echoes that, and is happy to join in the cause!

“I love my team! I don’t think we’ve had a call where we aren’t laughing. Their sense of humor is everything. […] Stephanie, Kiki and Eileen are so informed and organized that it’s helped me to dive right in with confidence. Additionally, I work very closely with the other 3-Day coaches across the country. Because of all of them, I feel supported which leads to the success of the Twin Cities 3-Day this year. It’s definitely a supportive, welcoming group effort.”

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That is, in part, because of their history with the 3-Day cause. Coach Kiki used to be the Race Director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Madison, WI, while Dana coached the 3-Day in Tampa Bay, FL for five years before her big move to Hawaii. Even Stephanie’s family has gotten involved, including her daughter who has served on the Twin Cities 3-Day Youth Corps.

In addition to their love for the 3-Day, both Stephanie and Dana have a passion for Italy, and list it on the top of their “must-visit” travel lists. All the coaches also love food! From a lavender glazed lemon donut (Dana) to “anything fried and on a stick” (Minnesota native Kiki), even salad (Stephanie)!

donuts and Emma

They also have some interesting past lives!

When she was young, Stephanie was a speed skater in Wisconsin, and trained at the same facility as future speed skating Olympians! Dana used to be a marine biologist, working at a range of zoos and aquariums, and Kiki was a Vocal Performance major in college who still has Eminem on her walking playlist of pump-up jams!

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However, before they can take any time off for an Italian vacation or hold an Eminem dance party, they are working hard to have the Twin Cities 3-Day all ready for their walkers! Stay tuned for more fun memories and exciting plans from the coaches next week on the blog, and be sure to follow along with them on Facebook too!

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Note: Coach Stephanie and Coach Dana won’t be present throughout the entire event at the 3-Day this year due to personal circumstances, but they will both be making an appearance to cheer on all of the Twin Cities walkers.

 

 

Meet the 3-Day Team: Gayla Cruikshank, Dallas/Fort Worth Coach

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You have seen her on the 3-Day Facebook Live videos, our Instagram feed, and those from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day know her face well, but it’s time to really get to know Dallas/Fort Worth Local Events Coach Gayla Cruikshank.

She loves celebrating Taco Tuesday, spending time with her family (including husband of 28 years!), and is a constant supporter of all things 3-Day. This began more than a decade ago in 2005 when she first walked the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. Since then, she has been hooked.

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“Since 2005, I was either a walker or a volunteer crew member at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day, and started volunteering during the training season more and more. I loved the people who staffed the event, as well as the participants I walked with and helped all season as a volunteer and training walk leader. I craved to be a part of the organization at any level.”

Then, in 2013, she became a full-time member of the 3-Day staff, and now gets to work in the “powerful, inspiring, love-filled” 3-Day environment every day. This includes holding Get Started Meetings, leading training walks, working with walkers to help them reach their training and fundraising goals, as well as being a full-time cheerleader for anyone who needs her help.

This spirit especially comes in handy when recruiting and encouraging first-time walkers.

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“I encourage people to join the 3-Day by motivating them to try something that they’ve probably never done before. Fundraising for a cause that’s saving lives, training with passionate people driven to end breast cancer, hearing survivor stories and the thanks they share for your commitment—it all empowers a person to take on something bigger than themselves. It’s inspiring and life-changing.”

She also explains that, though the task can seem daunting at first, fundraising and training for the 3-Day isn’t something to be worried about, thanks to the help provided by team members like her.

“The coaches will share how to raise funds in a way that works with that individual’s personality. Whether you’re shy or outgoing, we have so many successful fundraising ideas that will surprise and encourage you to reach your goals sooner rather than later.

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“We also provide a gradual training schedule and you can walk as much or as little as you want. We have sweep vans to give you a lift on the route to a pit stop if you’re tired or even done for the day. Others say they can’t raise the money because they don’t know enough people to donate $2,300. You never know who will donate to you until you ASK. We have over 100 different ways to fundraise that have been tried and are successful. Coaches can also introduce you to a team that’s ready to welcome solo walkers and help reach those fundraising goals.”

All your hard work becomes worth it on event, where Gayla says she loves the community experience.

“You meet people, listen to their stories, eat with them, sleep in the neighboring tent, cry with them, laugh with them and build a bond that can literally last a lifetime.”

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Those bonds extend beyond the 3-Day walkers, and into the whole community, which Gayla says is one of the things she’s most excited about this year.

“I’m looking forward to a whole lot more community involvement along the sidewalks this year, as well as our new Closing Ceremony site. I’m asking everyone to mention the 3-Day to businesses and friends in hopes to get every sidewalk covered with spectators cheering on the walkers all three days until we enter the Participant Finishing Area in downtown Dallas!”

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Go Gayla, go! If Gayla has motivated you to get out there and start training right now, she also has you covered on your walks! She shared some of her favorite work-out songs with us, as well as her top spots along the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day route.

Dance as you walk to:

walker stalkers while Darcy and I crewed

Keep an eye out for these Gayla-approved spots along the way though!

Meet the 3-Day Team: Karen Odell, Atlanta Coach

We are lucky to work with some of the best in our 3-Day family. From coaches to volunteer coordinators to event planners, we are always working to make your sixty miles the best they can be! With that in mind, we are highlighting some of our amazing team members each month, so you can get to know the people working to help you every day.

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Our 3-Day rock star of the month is Karen Odell, a new coach for our Atlanta 3-Day. She will be out and about in the community, working with our amazing participants to help bring new walkers and more awareness to the Atlanta 3?Day this year.

Karen has just re-joined the 3-Day team working with a lung cancer non-profit, and she is very happy to be settled in with the Atlanta 3-Day team.

“I love the nature trails along the river. We have several miles of hiking that take you along beautiful hilly stretches and lead to lovely views of the Chattahoochee River!”

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The trails are perfect for 3-Day training for Atlanta natives, and walkers from all cities should keep an eye out for Karen on the event.

“I am looking forward to reconnecting with participants and volunteers who I haven’t seen in a few years. It is wonderful to see how many are still engaged with the event!”

That includes Karen herself, who became involved with the 3-Day after realizing she had a true passion for cancer research fundraising. She then turned that passion into her daily work, and now focuses her work “to drive registrations to the best of my ability, to connect and communicate with participants on a personal level and to ensure that the event experience is of the highest standard.”

Have a question or a concern? Don’t worry! Karen says the 3-Day is “easier than you expect,” and encourages first-time walkers, potential walkers, and even veterans to reach out to her.

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“We are available to coach and mentor you through the journey and have the tools to make sure you succeed. I think when we have the opportunity to meet face-to-face and introduce new participants to our seasoned veterans, they are put at ease and realize this event is something they can do!”

That support also helps participants to create their own experience as they trek those 60 miles.

“The 3-Day is unique for each participant because everyone comes to it with a different perspective and world view. When they arrive on event, all the training and hard work culminate in an experience that unfolds as uniquely their own. Although the experience is shared with many, each person creates their own personal journey.”

Want to know more about Karen’s journey? Offer her a trip to Greece or some seriously good seafood, and she just might tell you! These are a few of the Southern girl’s favorite things, along with tunes by Florence and the Machine, The Eurhythmics, Paul Simon and Prince.

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Plus, if she ever needs a new career, she could always be a chef or an actress! She earned a culinary degree, and was also an extra on Saturday Night Live before joining the 3-Day team. So, when you see her on the Atlanta 3-Day, feel free to tell her a joke or share a recipe, as well as asking any of your questions about the 3-Day.

See you in Atlanta!