Episode notes
🎙️ Podcast Intro:
*"Today, we’re honored to welcome an extraordinary athlete, advocate, and trailblazer—Eliaz Willis. Known to many as Liz, Eliaz is a U.S. Paralympian who competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in the 100m, 200m, and placed 6th in the 400m. But her story doesn’t stop there. After Rio, Eliaz dominated the para professional Boston Marathon scene, winning the first three titles from 2021 to 2023.
Before her Paralympic journey, Eliaz ran cross-country in college and taught elementary special education for two years. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when complications during childbirth led to the amputation of her leg. Instead of slowing down, she turned adversity into purpose—adopting a daughter from foster care, co-founding Wichita Adaptive Sports to expand parasport opportunities in Kansas, and becoming a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and intersex athletes.
Now retired from professional running at 39 due to health concerns, Eliaz continues to inspire as a coach, board member, entrepreneur, and community leader. In her free time, she’s exploring trail running, building businesses, and even serving on a campaign committee for a U.S. Representative.
Get ready for an incredible conversation about resilience, advocacy, and redefining what’s possible. This is Eliaz Willis."