In this special live episode of Runnah from the 2026 Falmouth Road Race Expo, I sit down with Mary MacDonald, an incredible adaptive athlete whose journey is a powerful reminder that sport can completely change the way we see ourselves and what's possible.
Mary is a 2021 National Miss Amazing, a multi-time National Youth Gold Medal winner, a para powerlifting record holder, and the 2026 Sports ’N Spokes Junior Athlete of the Year. Sports ’N Spokes recently featured Mary as its 2026 Junior Athlete of the Year, highlighting her achievements in adaptive sport.
Mary is also the 2026 Massachusetts Miss Amazing, using her platform to advocate, inspire, and show what athletes with disabilities can accomplish.
In this conversation, we talk about Mary's journey from 200+ pounds to 125 pounds through adaptive sports, the role athletics has played in her life, competing at the highest levels, setting records, and what it means to find confidence and strength through sport.
We also talk about the importance of adaptive athletics, representation, and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to discover what they're capable of.
This is one of those conversations that goes far beyond running. It's about finding your sport, finding your strength, and refusing to put a ceiling on your dreams.
Mary Massachusetts Miss Amazing:
@massachusettsmissamazing on Instagram
runnahpod@gmail.com
Instagram: @runnahpod
Have a guest suggestion, sponsorship inquiry, or your own running story to share? I'd love to hear from you!
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#Runnah #MaryMacDonald #AdaptiveAthlete #AdaptiveSports #ParaPowerlifting #MissAmazing #SportsNSpoKes #FalmouthRoadRace #FalmouthRunning #DisabilityAthlete #AdaptiveAthletics #RunningPodcast
