Catching Up With the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coaches

Before last year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® series, we introduced the local coaches from each Komen 3-Day. These are the staff members who support the walkers and crew members all year round, answering phone calls and emails, hosting community events, assigning crew captains and juggling dozens of other tasks to make sure that the 3-Day® participants make it to their events excited and well prepared.

Since we gave you the coaches’ full profiles last year, we’ll delight you with just a fun update before each event this year. This week, we catch up with the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day coaches (you can read last year’s “Meet the Dallas/Fort Worth Coaches” here)!

Liz, Val, Gayla

What was your favorite memory from the 2014 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day?

Liz (Dallas/Fort Worth Participant Coach) – It was all so wonderful. I loved meeting everyone who I had talked to and encouraged throughout the year. One memory that stands out was of a young man who was walking his first 3-Day and had recently lost his wife. She had always wanted to walk the 3-Day but was not able to, so he did it for her. I saw him at the finish area. It had been very hard and emotional for him. We just hugged each other while he wept.

Gayla (Dallas/Fort Worth Local Events Coach) – My favorite memory from the 2014 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day was gathering with participants before the Opening Ceremony. I made my mark as the “group-selfie queen” in 2014. Be ready for even more in 2015! I also loved seeing my daughter and my mom participate as part of the sweep crew, and seeing my other daughter walk as part of the Young Women Walking program.

Val (Dallas/Fort Worth Crew & Volunteer Coordinator) – Nothing can compare to the Thursday before the event, known as the All-Crew Kick-Off. The excitement of seeing everyone come together and reunite in preparation for an amazing weekend always gives me that extra boost of energy and love. Last year’s All-Crew Kick-Off was no exception. In fact, it was the most rewarding moment for me as I saw all my crew captains who I had worked with for the past six months gather with their crews and enter into the leadership roles they had prepared so hard for. The pride and joy in that day helped me soar through the rest of the weekend.

Fun facts about the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coaches – Can you guess which fun fact is true about which coach? (There are 3 facts about each coach; answers will be at the end of the San Diego 3-Day coaches’ check-in next month!)

I have had cats my entire life and almost all of them have had unusual names. My first cat I named BOODAY because we got her on Halloween (yes, all caps…I was three at the time). Another cat was named Snowball and one of my current cats is named Fidget.
I learned to ski in the Alps.
I’ve been a lunch lady and a crossing guard in the same year.
I am a voracious reader, many times reading up to 4 different books at a time.
I was once on the winning pig wrestling team.
From kindergarten through high school, I attended 11 different schools.
I’ve tried surfing, but I’m terrible at it.
When I was born I was extremely premature (less than 4 lbs) and I was so small could fit in my uncle’s shirt pocket.
I was in the Army and had intentions to be a Drill Sargent.

Looking for the answers from the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches’ Fun Facts post? Here they are!

1) Susan; 2) Tara; 3) Susan; 4) Susan; 5) Libby; 6) Tara; 7) Libby; 8) Tara; 9) Libby

Catching Up With the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches

Since we gave you the coaches’ full profiles last year, we’ll delight you with just a fun update before each event this year. This week, we catch up with the Atlanta 3-Day coaches (you can read last year’s “Meet the Atlanta Coaches” here)!

What was your favorite memory from the 2014 Atlanta 3-Day?

Susan (Atlanta Participant Coach) – It’s really hard to pick just one, but this stands out: I registered a gentleman early in the year last year who called in. He and I spoke forever, and I was so excited to meet him in person at one of our Training Kick-Off Events. He was walking for his wife who passed away from breast cancer. I caught him before Opening Ceremony, and told him how happy I was to see him, and how glad I was that he called me. He told me then that making that call was the hardest thing he had ever done. It was so great to see his journey right from the start, and to know the kind of impact it had on him.

Tara (Atlanta Local Events Coach) – I loved seeing so many of the walkers I had been working with all season make it across that finish line, with a hobble to their step and a smile on their face, telling me that it was indeed the most amazing weekend, like I said it would be!

Libby (Atlanta Crew & Volunteer Coordinator) – My favorite memory was watching the crew members cheer for the walkers as they entered camp. Camping indoors can be tricky, and the crew always goes out of their way to make the walkers feel special.

Fun facts about the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches – Can you guess which fun fact is true about which coach? (There are 3 facts about each coach; answers will be at the end of the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day coaches’ check-in later in October!)

There is nothing I love more than being at the beach.
I frequent Target AT LEAST once a week. I find it calming to just browse the aisles and of course the end caps to see the clearance items.
After a trip to wine country in Napa last year, I very much want to learn how to become a winemaker.
I love roller coasters but have a huge fear of falling…figure that one out!
If I didn’t have my current awesome job I have always wanted to be a radio DJ.
I am a new mom and I am experiencing how quickly your wants and needs change once you have a child. Baby clothes are just so much cuter to shop for!
I’m currently in love with all things almond. Almond butter, almond milk, chocolate covered- you name it.
I crave change and adventure and love all of the amazing places my job has taken me and the fabulous people I have met along the way.
I love shopping. And I’m pretty sure that I was the original workout wear queen. You can’t have too many sneakers!

Looking for the answers from the Philadelphia Coaches’ Fun Facts post? Here they are!

1) Melanie; 2) Joanne; 3) Jen; 4) Joanne; 5) Jen; 6) Melanie; 7) Jen; 8) Melanie; 9) Joanne

Catching Up With the Twin Cities 3-Day Coaches

Before last year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Series, we introduced the local coaches from each event city. These are the staff members who support the Komen 3-Day walkers and crew members all year round, answering phone calls and emails, hosting community events, assigning crew captains and juggling dozens of other tasks to make sure that the 3-Day® participants make it to their events excited and well prepared.

Since we gave you the coaches’ full profiles last year, we’ll delight you with just a fun update before each event this year. We checked in with the Michigan 3-Day coaches earlier this month, and today, the Twin Cities coaches—Stephanie, Eileen and Amy—are in the spotlight (you can read last year’s “Meet the Twin Cities Coaches” here)!

First Up…A New Team Member! – We’re happy to welcome new Crew & Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Schwager, to the Twin Cities 3-Day team. Amy is new to the Twin Cities event, but not new to the 3-Day, having been a staff member for many years. Since we didn’t “meet” her in last year’s blog post, here’s a little more detailed insight into Amy:

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – Magical, inspirational, and rewarding. I heart my crew!

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – My days (and some evenings) are spent doing whatever I can to support my crew captain leadership team. They are my fuel, my inspiration, and I want to do whatever I can to make their jobs easier on-event. The next couple of weeks I will send out final event documents, re-adjust crew teams based on our needs, finalize our day volunteer deployment, and finish checking off all of the pre-event items. And in just a few weeks all of our efforts will culminate on an incredible 3-Day weekend. Challenging in its distance, profound in its intensity and life changing in its scope. I am confident it is going to be empowering journey in an indescribable way!

Thanks, Amy! Now, let’s check in with Stephanie and Eileen too!

What was your favorite memory from the 2014 Twin Cities 3-Day?

Stephanie (Twin Cities Local Events Coach) – I love the spirit and energy of the 3-Day weekend. Every mile along our route is filled with stories, laughter, hope and inspiration. Everyone is so nice and genuinely cares about each other. I always enjoy standing near finish line and watching the walkers celebrate their 60 mile journey!

Eileen (Twin Cities Participant Coach) – My favorite part of the 2014 Twin Cities 3-Day was finally getting to meet all of the participants I had been working with throughout the season. It was fun putting faces to names and remembering all of the conversations throughout the year. I love getting hugs from new-found friends. I am hoping to get many more this August!

Fun Facts About the Twin Cities Coaches – Can you guess which fun fact is true about which coach? (There are 3 facts about each coach; find the answers at the end of the Seattle coach catch-up, coming next month!)

I have two delicious little boys (Brooks 7, Bryn 2) and a sweet golden retriever (Newton) who keep me smiling every minute of the day.
My new favorite TV show is Scandal. I have watched the entire first four seasons since June.
Bring me a coffee in the morning and you’re my friend for life.
I recently got re-married and have discovered the delights and craziness of a blended family–including the joy of becoming a “GRANDMA” at the young age of 45!
I love long driving vacations. We once drove 40 hours straight to San Francisco. Our favorite family vacation is a 22-hour drive to Myrtle Beach.
I am always freezing. Even living in California, you can rarely catch me without my winter wool hat on.
Besides being a 3-Day coach, my life revolves around keeping up with my three kids (ages 16, 13 and 10) and their very busy schedules. I know these days won’t last long, so I love every minute of it.
I will be staffing six 3-Day events this year, and I am looking forward to seeing many of the Twin Cities participants in other cities too. Please stop and say hi!
In college I did Semester at Sea—traveling to 14 different countries over 3 months. That experience left an imprint on my heart and I will forever love traveling and experiencing new cultures.