Tag Archives: coaches favorite moments

3-Day Coaches Salute Each Other on International Women’s Day

Coaches Jen, Tisho and Steph

Today is International Working Women’s Day, and we are so proud to have so many amazing women working for all of you on the 3-Day. Some of those women are your 3-Day coaches, who work as a team all year long to make sure you are supported and loved every step of the way, from the moment you register to the moment you finish those 60 miles – and beyond.

Now, they are also supporting and loving on each other! We asked some of our 3-Day coaches to share what they love about their fellow teammates, and their group of working women as a whole. Here’s what they had to say…

“Something I love about working with the other coaches is that no matter how many miles or time zones separate us, we are a team, and we support each other. To quote my buddy Coach Heather, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work!’”

  • Coach Carol

“They are all the most passionate, dedicated and determined group of people you could ever hope to work alongside.”

  • Coach Staci

Coaches Gayla and Liz

“I love my fellow coaches because they are all so passionate about the cause and we also really look out for each other. Each person on the team has something unique to offer and we all work together sharing ideas. Special shout out to my buddy Gayla in Dallas (above left) for supporting me these last few months as I have gotten back up to speed!”

  • Coach Aubrey

“I want to give special love to Coach Jen, who is super sweet, so calming and can always be counted on to put a positive spin on everything!

Every one of my co-coaches are always the most supportive, upbeat and helpful of people in every way.”

  • Coach Liz

“This is my first year working with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and Coach Aubrey in Seattle has made it an amazing experience! She’s been so helpful every step of the way and has shown me what an impact the 3-Day can make in the community.”

  • Coach Alex

Coaches Kiki, Tisho and Steph

“I feel so lucky to be working alongside our Twin Cities Lead Coach, Stephanie (above right). Her motivation, support, and drive are always paired with a smile, and I just can’t get enough of her positive energy!”

  • Coach Marsha

“I love the never-ending energy and compassion of my bosses, co-workers and all the 3-Day participants. It’s a #DreamJob ?”

  • Coach Gayla

Coaches Tisho and Heather

“I must give a shout out to my Local Lead Coach, Carol! We were 3-Day friends before we became working partners. Both of us are now new to our roles as coach. It feels as if we are holding hands and leveling up in the 3-Day world at the same time. She has been an amazing guide and I couldn’t be more grateful for her presence.

In general, what I love most about working with all the other 3-Day coaches is the fact that we share the same passion, we play on the same team, we work together and pour our hearts and souls into making the 3-Day the best event that it can be.”

  • Coach Christine

What do you love most about your 3-Day coaches? Do you have a special memory of when they helped you or supported you most? Tell us in the comments!

Meet Your Philadelphia 3-Day Coach

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In 2004, one of Carol’s family friends passed away from inflammatory breast cancer, only 6 months after she was diagnosed. That was a moment that changed Carol’s life, because it prompted her to sign up for the 3-Day the minute she saw a commercial for the walk. Though she wasn’t able to participate until a few years later due to pregnancy (and the awesome kids that followed), she has had the 3-Day in her life ever since that year.

Over the years she has formed lasting friendships with 3-Day participants and continued to be exposed to more people in her own life who were directly affected by breast cancer. She’s learned the importance of the event, and the work that Susan G. Komen does year-round, which led her to want to be more involved in the 3-Day. And this year, she achieved that goal when she became our new Philadelphia 3-Day coach! She is already jazzed for the fall, and to engage with all our participants in a new way.

If you haven’t met her on the 3-Day yet, get to know her now, before she helps you tackle those 60 miles in Philly.

Carol 5

What are some of your favorite 3-Day memories?

Favorite memories are so hard to choose from 12 years of events, but here goes!

  • First, the Closing Ceremony when I received a gift of earrings from a walker I did not even know. The song “Suddenly I See” became my inspiration after that, thanks to that happy memory.
  • An interaction with a very dear woman who taught me the importance of being your own best advocate. Her family continues to remind me of the goodness that exists in the world, when you shut out all the other noise.
  • Strangers becoming friends and pulling together to support one another in difficult times.

How did you find your way to the coaching job this past fall?

I found my way to the coaching job through not only my passion for the event, but my outgoing personality and can-do attitude. I was blessed with the opportunity. I have walked, I have crewed, I have volunteered, I have made myself available to the 3-Day as I will make myself available to its participants.

Carol 6

What are you most excited for the 2019 event?

The thing that I am looking forward to the most is to the opportunity to share my passion with others.  I also look forward to making new connections and hearing new stories and helping others make new lasting connections.

What do you love most about the 3-Day Crew?

They give selflessly of themselves day after day, and whether it is their first event or their 20th event, they continue to give of themselves without asking for anything in return.

What are you top training tips for walkers?

  • Training is KEY and it’s also important to find the correct shoe/sock combination. Be sure to train in all types of weather and elevation if you can.
  • It is a walk not a race, so take your time and do not forget to stretch at every opportunity.
  • Hydration is SO important. Drink a lot and encourage others to do the same.

Carol 3

If someone is nervous about doing the 3-Day for the first time, what would you say to them?

I would share with them that not only are they not alone in that emotion, but that they will never be alone on the event. On the 3-Day we are one community that unites together for a common goal. No one walks alone and no one gets left behind. You will always be supported. Do not ever be afraid to ask for help because there will always be someone there for you.

In 2019, we are asking people to #COMMIT3DAYS …What does commitment mean to you?

To commit 3 days means that you are committing to the cause. I am committing myself to do what I can so that others are successful in their goals. We can all do this together!

What are some things your 3-Dayers should know about you?

I never shy away from a challenge! And I put my all into everything I do. ? Plus, I hear I look great in pink! ?

Carol 2

Meet Your New Seattle 3-Day Coach

Now coming to the stage, your new Seattle 3-Day Coach… Aubrey Zoli!

If you haven’t yet met our new Seattle 3-Day coach, we are honored to introduce you to Aubrey. She first worked for the 3-Day as a coach in Michigan all the way back in 2004, and we are so excited to have her back on our team!

As she currently makes Seattle her home, our West Coast 3-Dayers are going to be seeing a lot more of Aubrey as she ignites new passion, enthusiasm and maybe even some song into the Seattle walk this year. She still remembers experiencing Seattle’s Closing Ceremony in Memorial Stadium back in 2007 and can’t wait to see all of you salute the end of your 60-mile journey this year as well. She will be with you every step of the way.

But before you begin walking, let’s get to know Aubrey a little better…

What made you want to be so involved in the 3-Day?

I have always been passionate about working with non-profits and was excited at the chance to be a part of something that was so life changing. That first season, inspired by the hundreds of walkers I was personally supporting, I signed up to walk in San Diego. I trained and fundraised right alongside each of them. It was so hard! But I was so glad I was able to experience the event from that perspective. It gave me a greater level of understanding and appreciation for the participants and I felt I was able to better serve them as a coach. My own mother is a breast cancer survivor and it felt great to be able to do something to honor her. Fast forward 10 years and my aunt would also be diagnosed. I am now the daughter and niece of two incredible survivors, so I have a very personal connection to the cause.

How did you find your way to the job as a 3-Day coach this fall?

After taking several years away to focus on being a musician and exploring a job in early childhood education, a friend and long-time 3-Day participant told me that they were looking for a Seattle 3-Day coach. It was perfect timing as I had been looking to get back into the world of events but always had such high expectations of what I wanted. I was excited to come back and work for this event again and reconnect with the community. I love working for the 3-Day!

What are you most excited for this year?

I am looking forward to re-engaging our community and working hard to get the 3-Day out there to as many new people as possible. I know this event means so much to so many people and I’m excited to get out into the community and talk to more people about how incredible this the 3-Day is. I’m also happy to reconnect with some of the long-time participants I haven’t seen since I left back in 2010. So much has changed, but it so many ways, it feels like picking up right where I left off.

What are some of your top training tips?

Break in your shoes! Don’t get a new pair of shoes and wear them the first time on the event. Ouch! Also, bring an extra pair of shoes (broken in as well). If it rains or your feet swell, it’s good to have a second pair. I bought one set that were my regular size and a second pair that was a wide. On day two I couldn’t get my swollen feet into my regular shoes, so I was happy to have the second pair.

Don’t wear cotton! Invest in good socks. I love the double layer kind.

Body glide is your friend. Use it. Love it.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! If you don’t walk every step of the 60 miles, it’s totally OK! I didn’t! I trained super hard and still my knee swelled up on the second day and I took a sweep van at mile 17 (it was a 22-mile day). I got to shower first, with no line, and cheer in the other walkers. There is no shame in the sweep!

What are some fundraising resources 3-Dayers have?

You have so many resources at your disposal! I have never, and I mean never, had a walker tell me they couldn’t reach their fundraising minimum when they tried. The ones who didn’t reach their minimum told me they didn’t do anything to fundraise. Money won’t magically appear in your account. You have to ask!

Your biggest resource is ME (Check me out on Facebook Live!) Use me! Ask questions. Also, use your team! Being a part of a team is a great way to brainstorm ideas. The fundraising section of the website has a slew of resources including “How to raise $2,300 in 1 Month,” “101 Fundraising Ideas” and “A Step by Step Check List.”

And now that you can set up a Facebook Fundraiser to raise money for the 3-Day, it’s made fundraising even easier. I recently had a walker reach her minimum in under a WEEK just using a Facebook Fundraiser.

In 2019, we are asking people to #COMMIT3DAYS …What does commitment mean to you?

Committing to something is to not give up – even when it’s difficult. When I commit to something, I do it fully. Sure, there may be bumps along the way, but continuing to reach that goal despite the complications is what makes the reward at the end so sweet.

What is something 3-Dayers might not know about you?

I’m in a band! I am a singer/songwriter and have been writing songs since I was 6 years old. For the past 8 years I have been a member of the soulful-American duo The Local Strangers. In 2019 we are releasing our third full length studio album and I can’t wait! Back in 2012 my band-mate and I had the privilege of coming to the 3-Day and we performed in camp. That was a fun way to blend my two worlds. ?