Tricia Downing started her gymnastics career at the tender age of 7. While in high school she started diving which led to a spot on the University of Vermont team where she competed before transferring to the University of Maryland. After graduating from Maryland in 1991 with a B.A in Journalism she switched her athletics focus to cycling in 1995 and enjoyed great success until 2000 when she was hit by a car during a training ride, resulting in a T-4 paralysis. Staying positive, she is not letting her injury get the best of her. Tricia completed her graduate degree in Disability Studies at Regis University with a Masters of Arts in Disability Studies. Tricia is a member of the U.S. Physically Challenged National Triathlon team and also competes in marathons. She often serves as a keynote or motivational speaker and has published her first book Cycle of Hope—A Journey from Paralysis to Possibility in 2010.