Episode 662: Amanda McGrory: Four-Time Paralympian on Building Visibility in the Sport and Saying Yes to What is Next

Four-time Paralympian and seven-time medalist Amanda McGrory joins the podcast for a long-awaited conversation. Amanda competed at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021 Paralympic Games, once held the world record in the 5,000 meters, has raced over 100 marathons, and has won major races including the New York City Marathon, London Marathon, and Grandma’s Marathon, with additional podium finishes in Boston.

Now retired from elite competition, Amanda has built an impressive second career as an on-air analyst for major marathons and championships, including coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lindsey and Amanda talk through her journey into wheelchair racing, the Paralympic moments that meant the most to her, and what it’s been like stepping into the media side of the sport and covering races live on camera.

Amanda also shares her role as Team USA Archivist and Collection Curator, offering insight into how she’s stayed deeply connected to the sport she helped shape. From early memories of discovering adaptive sports, to racing tactics and strategy, to reinvention after setbacks, this conversation highlights Amanda’s impact as both an athlete and a visible leader in Paralympic sport today.

Topics Covered:

• Discovering wheelchair racing and adaptive sport at a young age

• Competing in four Paralympic Games (2008–2021)

• Holding the world record in the 5,000 meters

• Winning major marathons and racing over 100 total marathons

• Transitioning from elite athlete to broadcast analyst

• Covering major marathons, the Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games on live TV

• Becoming Team USA Archivist and Collection Curator

• Representation and visibility in Paralympic sport

• Wheelchair racing tactics, speed, and strategy

• Track racing vs marathon racing in a wheelchair

• The emotional highs and lows of Paralympic competition

• Reinventing training, mindset, and approach after setbacks

• Knowing when it was time to retire from elite competition

• Staying active after retirement without training like a professional

• Growth of Paralympic media coverage and fan engagement

• The role of technology and equipment in wheelchair racing

• Equity challenges in access to top-tier racing chairs

• Balancing social media, storytelling, and personal boundaries

• Saying yes to opportunities and trusting the process

Media Recommendations:

Books

• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

• Harry Potter series

TV Shows

• Taskmaster

• Loot

• Severance

• Shrinking

• Ted Lasso

Support Our Sponsors:

Aletheia Run lets you see what your body is actually doing with every step by using a lightweight sensor that creates a unique force portrait of your movement. It gives personalized feedback, targeted drills, and science-backed insights to improve performance and help prevent injuries, bringing the running lab right to your everyday training.

CURE Hydration — No added sugar or dyes; electrolyte mix for adults and kids; non-GMO; FSA/HSA eligible. Use ANOTHER for 15% off at curehydration.com/another.

Rocket Money — If you’ve ever looked at your bank statement and thought, why am I still paying for this, Rocket Money makes it so much easier to clean that up. It helps you find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, keeps an eye on your spending across accounts, and can even help you lower bills so you can grow your savings. I signed up for the premium level recently and it pulled out things I genuinely did not realize I was still paying for. Save yourself the monthly leaks and check it out at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

Donna Marathon Weekend — Jacksonville, FL, February 1–2, 2025. Supports breast cancer research and families impacted by diagnosis. Register at breastcancermarathon.com and use LINDSEY10 for $10 off.