Michelle started gymnastics at the age of 5, and did gymnastics for 13 years. She coached gymnastics and served as an athlete representative over the span of about 12 years. She was a 1984 Olympic team member and a silver team medalist from the ‘84 Games, and followed the path to become a dietitian and to take on community projects because of her experience in sport.
“Sports nutrition information was very hard to find in the 1980’s for any sport, let alone gymnastics. I felt that my experience as an athlete would be an asset to providing this type of service. Beyond being a dietitian, I’m also currently working with our local community to help build a fully accessible playground for kids with disabilities. Having been an athlete and knowing the importance of physical activity, I think this is an extremely critical message to every community that kids with disabilities are in just as much need for physical activity and play as any child. However, they have little to no option for play that is accessible to them. This playground will help to change that, and I feel that my gymnastics experience and having been an elite athlete helps to convey the message that physical activity is a fundamental right for every child to have.”