The Seattle 3-Day Coaches Talk About…The Seattle 3-Day Coaches!

They’re the helpful cheerleaders on the other end of the phone call or email when you have questions or concerns. They’re the smiling faces welcoming you and your teams at meet-ups and workshops and building up community excitement for the 3-Day. They’re the guiding hands leading the crew captains and teams to greatness. That’s right, they’re your Susan G. Komen 3-Day® coaches!

As we get ready to return to each of the seven splendid 3-Day locations, we wanted to take a few minutes to catch up with the coaches from each event. Today, the Seattle 3-Day Coaches are in the spotlight!

Since last year’s 3-Day, the Seattle team has seen some changes.

Paula, Seattle’s Participant Support Coach for the past 2 years (and a 3-Day coach since 2005), retired over the summer and has been enjoying time with her husband, kids and grandsons. She will be cheering at the San Diego 3-Day in November.
Jon, who has been the Crew & Volunteer Coordinator in Seattle since 2014 moved on to the 3-Day Event Planning team in the spring, where he has been helping plan all seven 3-Day events. Jon will be working on staff at every 2016 3-Day (except Dallas/Fort Worth, where he’ll be walking for the first time), so you can still say hi to him in Seattle next week!

So that brings us to the stars of today’s show, the current team of Seattle coaches. Let’s cozy up with Aubrey, Jen and Kathleen and see what they had to say about each other!

Aubrey (Seattle Local Events Coach)

Kathleen says, “Aubrey is super enthusiastic about her love for the 3-Day. It is obvious she wears her heart on her sleeve and wants everyone to have an amazing experience.”

Jen shared, “Aubrey is so passionate and dedicated to the cause. She has a very personal connection to the cause as her mother is a survivor. She is also a longtime participant and fundraiser, which means she really knows how to personally connect with the Seattle walkers.”

Jen (Seattle Participant Support Coach)

Prior to joining the Seattle team, Jen was the Participant Support Coach for the Philadelphia 3-Day. You can see what she shared about herself last year here.

Aubrey had this to say about Jen: “Three words (okay, four) to describe Jen are organized, forward-thinking, and effective. She has the ability to jump in with both feet and get to know participants on a personal level without much effort. It just comes naturally to Jen. Even though I haven’t worked on a 3-Day event with Jen, I had a great time doing a route drive with her back in June. It was great to connect with her face to face and get excited about our new route.”

Kathleen tells us, “Jen is super reliable and really knowledgeable. She always goes above and beyond to make our jobs easier. She jumped right into Seattle without missing a beat!”

Kathleen (Seattle Crew & Volunteer Coordinator)

This spring, we were happy to welcome back Kathleen, a former Crew Coordinator who returned to the 3-Day after spending a few years at home with her little guys. Since she hasn’t been around for any of our past “Meet the Coaches” posts, we started her off with a few get-to-know-you questions:

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer – “Fun, puzzle-piecing and ever changing with lots of smiles!”
We’re one week from the Seattle event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Kind of crazy! There are many documents that need to be filled in and prepared, and lots of phone calls and emails to be returned. This is also the time of year when the most crew changes occur.”
What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I have an identical twin sister.2) I have two awesome little boys. 3) I love spending time outdoors. I work outside as much as possible (and usually run inside when the phone rings to limit background noise)!”

And, here’s what the rest of the Seattle team had to say about working with Kathleen:

“I’d describe Kathleen as very determined! She jumped right back into things as the Crew & Volunteer Coordinator this year and has tackled a bunch of challenges with perseverance and a great sense of humor!” – Jen

“Kathleen is considerate, helpful, and positive. She is great about taking on challenges with grace and poise. She makes great connections with her crew team and you can see that they are her #1 priority. On the many conversations we’ve shared with each other, the one thing that rings clear is that Kathleen is a supportive sweetheart. We share many of the same feelings and interests, which is fun, comforting, and encouraging.” – Aubrey

Will you be on the Seattle 3-Day? Be sure to say hello to the coaches (they’re easy to spot around camp and the route in their light grey Staff shirts)!

Catching Up With the Atlanta 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 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 Seattle 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. We’ve already caught up with the Michigan and Twin Cities coaches, and the Seattle 3-Day coaches are in the spotlight this week (you can read last year’s “Meet the Seattle Coaches” here)!

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

Paula (Seattle Participant Coach) – I was heartbroken when a back injury kept me from going to the Seattle 3-Day in 2014. As I followed every Facebook post and had my little pity party that weekend, imagine my surprise when a photo of me appeared – it was “Flat Paula,” a picture of my face on a wooden handle – being a part of the entire 3-Day weekend. I was so touched that my co-workers had made sure that I was there, and loved all of the photos of Flat Me with walkers, crew and staff!

Aubrey and Jon with “Flat Paula”

Aubrey (Seattle Local Events Coach) – Getting to hug people as they crossed the finish line is something I will never forget. Every time I think about it I get choked up. Seeing all those faces showing their pride in themselves and their loved ones, and knowing that they had just achieved greatness is truly an honorable energy to be around. From the people who have crossed the finish line for the umpteenth time, I am inspired by their devotion. For the first-time walker who wasn’t sure if she could do it when she first signed up, I am proud to see her shining so brightly as she finishes, victorious. To be in this position, to get to work with all of these wonderful participants, is truly a gift that I could not put a value on, and that very few will completely understand.

Jon (Seattle Crew & Volunteer Coordinator) – The part that stands out most in my mind was walking into the Closing Ceremony arena, leading the entire Seattle 3-Day crew to their positions. It had been a long weekend but everyone was happy to be taking their final steps towards a wonderful ending. There were smiles galore and the cheers that went up when the walkers came by–unforgettable.

Fun facts about the Seattle 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 Philadelphia 3-Day coaches’ check-in later in September!)

I have lived in 8 states, including each of America’s “corner” states (Washington, California, Maine, and Florida).
I’ve never broken a bone in my body.
I won a dance contest at Howl at the Moon in Orlando against eight far inferior competitors.
I am married to “Santa.” My hubby dons his red suit one day each every year to bring joy (and donated toys) to about 600 needy kids in our community.
I’ve been a runner my whole life and this year I ran my first 50k race (that’s 31 miles)!
I am a California native and have experienced the “thrill” (aka terror!) of living near the epicenter of two BIG earthquakes!
In a recent feat of endurance, in May I drove from Seattle to Cleveland and back in 6 days.
In my experience, seeing Jared Leto from 5 feet away is even better than cupcakes, tacos, and fuzzy socks (which are all things I also love)!
“Here today, gone to Maui!” My favorite vacation spot is calling my name, and I am looking forward to spending two weeks in paradise shortly after the Seattle 3-Day.

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

Amy; 2) Eileen; 3) Stephanie; 4) Stephanie; 5) Eileen; 6) Amy; 7) Stephanie; 8) Eileen; 9) Amy