michelle Salt
para-olympian
lights up the npaa stage
Who is Michelle Salt?
What’s next for Michelle Salt?
I’m a farm girl from outside of leduc, Alberta. I love
speed, challenges and being told something isn’t
possible. I have a career I love as a Realtor and in
my “off time”, I train for events in Snowboarding,
Cycling and Fitness Comps. In 2011, I was in a near
fatal motorcycle accident, only a month and a half
after walking the fitness stage for the first time. I
broke numerous bones, was on life support for 7
days and in the end, lost my right leg above the
knee. My accident has allowed me to open my mind
to be a better, more driver and dedicated me. For
that, I’m grateful!
Well.. I’m going to continue snowboarding as a
National Para-athlete and compete in the Winter
games again. I recently decided I want to try and
cycle my way to the 2016 Rio Paralympics becoming
a dual sport Paralympian so my focus has shifted
from snow to the pavement and track. I would also
love to compete again so maybe November? We
shall see!
WHAT DO YOU TELL YOURSELF WHEN YOU
FEEL SCARED OR INTIMIDATED BY A GOAL?
What does that inner voice say that picks you up?
My late business partner used to always say “when
you feel the worst and you try your hardest, you gain
the most”. I tell myself that if I fail, it’s ok because at
least I tried.
WHAT DID WALKING ON THE NPAA
COMPETITION STAGE MEAN TO YOU AND
YOUR JOURNEY?
I knew from the moment I found out about my leg
I wanted to walk the stage again. Though I had
originally talked about competing within the first
year after my accident, It became obvious after I
came home from the hospital I needed to take the
time to heal and allow myself to embrace my new life
and all the challenges that came with it. It was a big
step getting back in a bikini and strutting my stuff
but throughout the process, I saw something new in
me. I saw a side that would fight through the pain
and talk my lazy side out of not going to the gym.
I found my love for working out again which I’m
very excited about! And of course, without Wendy
and Kevin and the NPAA organization, I wouldn’t
of been able to do. The amount of support was so
heartwarming.
59.