By Dani Wexelman He has fought terrorists in Afghanistan and competed against 300-pound linemen in the Big 12, but Nate Boyer’s toughest mission yet is helping other veterans win their most challenging battle of all. After returning home from the Middle East, the former active-duty U.S. Army Green Beret knew there would be no more fitting in. Photo: Nate [...]
David Vobora encourages Vanessa Cantu at ATF Our top five stories from October: 5. First Female Above The Knee Amputee Surfer Danielle Burt Catches Waves, Dishes Hope An ocean wave can cause two entirely different reactions. To a new swimmer, the wave can be a problem, but to a surfer, the wave can be pure pleasure. In our [...]
Vanessa Cantu working hard with ATF trainer Madi Jacob By Kim Constantinesco Millions of people every day sluggishly drag themselves to the gym just to "get through" a 30 or 60-minute workout. Reasons for stepping inside the mirror-clad, iron-filled space vary as much as iPod playlists do. However, at the root of losing weight, feeling better, gaining [...]
Photo: ATF founder David Vobora provides Vanessa Cantu with some motivation as volunteers assist. By Patti Putnicki It happens in an instant. The accident, the injury, the IED explosion—the unthinkable event that changes life as someone knows it forever. After the hospital stays and surgeries, amputations and “we did everything we could do’s,” comes rehab; the place where [...]
Photo courtesy of Robin Rothman From working two jobs just to pursue her Olympic dream, to playing quarterback in the first female football league, there were some great stories about women making sacrifices just to play the sports they love. Topping the list, however, is the story of a teen with a vision; a vision to bridge the [...]
Kelli McKandless and her volleyball team. Photo courtesy of Kelli McKandless. By Patti Putnicki It’s the era of the sports prodigy; a time when young athletes are taking the podium, winning championships and making headlines. Mo’Ne, Missy, Jordan—each seemingly emerging from the birth canal ready to compete; each supercharging their respective sports, with a legion of fans in [...]
May was a fun month for Purpose2Play. A story on P2P contributor Brittany Alvarado, a former college field hockey player who played through and overcame thyroid cancer, took the number one spot. We also got to know Ashlyn Harris of the U.S. Women's National Team much better as she aims not only to stop balls from entering the net as [...]
Photo courtesy of Momentous Institute By Patti Putnicki When you think of sports sponsorships, you probably think of a big company writing a big check in exchange for naming rights, athlete appearances and a litany of “you will-we wills” negotiated into the contract. And all of that is true. It’s one of those rare times in sports [...]
By Patti Putnicki Brian Boylan remembers the first time he met Kelly Kraft on the driving range of Oakmont Country Club in Corinth, Texas, 10 years ago. Kraft, who was 16 at the time, was hanging out, hitting balls and looking for a game with “the old guys.” “Even then, he could beat the tar out of anyone he played,” Boylan [...]
Jordan Spieth swings as Harrison Frazar talks about balance at the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson By Patti Putnicki There are great golfers, and there are great people. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you come in contact with those who are off-the-charts “both.” Such is the case of PGA Boy Wonder Jordan Spieth and down-to-earth Texas favorite and 18-year [...]