About Me
I lost my left arm above the elbow in a farm accident at the age of seven. Soon after the accident, I was introduced to the War Amps of Canada and their CHAMP Program. They opened up a world of possibilities following my amputation, helping me become comfortable with who I was. Later, I became a Junior Counselor, using my experiences living with an amputation to show younger Champs that they can achieve whatever they dream. While the accident was initially a significant shock, it did not deter me from pursuing my love for sports and competition. I embraced the power of sports to explore and demonstrate my abilities, not my disability.
Being naturally competitive, I took to sports at a very young age. I began skiing in the backyard when I was about five years old. My interest turned toward Biathlon after watching the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. A couple of years later, I found an opportunity to try the sport for the first time. I experienced the thrill of shooting for the first time and soon got hooked on hitting targets. Before long, I was on the local Army Cadet Biathlon team. I had great success with that team, which included my younger brother. Together, we set record results at Nationals and became the first team from PEI to medal at Nationals. I started competing using a prosthetic arm while racing against able-bodied competitors. Two seasons later, in January 2007, I was at the start line of my first international competition, an IPC World Cup, in Vuokatti, Finland. I have always described my career as snowballing from there.
2010 - Vancouver
Just over three years after that first World Cup, I was a Paralympian competing at home in Whistler during my first Paralympic Winter Games. It was overwhelming to take it all in at the time. Having that initial experience at home in a safe environment helped greatly and would benefit me later. As much as I wanted to earn a medal there, I wasn't ready. That was my greatest lesson from Vancouver. Observing how the veteran athletes focused, trained, and performed at the Paralympics was very different from anything I had seen before. Flying home from those Games, I reflected and decided that this was what I wanted to pursue! I wanted to be one of the best in my sport! The intent was clear, and the goal was only four years away.
2014 - Sochi
The next four years were incredible as I learned to become one of the best skiers in the
world. Before Vancouver, I had one podium finish in a biathlon; the first year after, I finished
off the podium only once on the World Cup. I matured as an athlete during those four years
leading up to Sochi. For example, in 2013, I earned my first three World Championship
medals, including my first World title. Therefore, I entered the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games
as the reigning World Cup Biathlon Champion and the World Champion in the Biathlon
Sprint. At my second Paralympic Games, I earned my first medal, a silver in the Biathlon
Sprint, a first for Canada. The important lesson from Sochi was that the tiniest detail makes
the difference between gold and silver. I was only 0.7 seconds away from winning the gold
medal. I also earned a bronze medal before leaving Sochi. I had medals in my hand, but I
couldn't help but feel hungry for more.
After the Games, I volunteered with the Canadian organization SchoolBox. That spring, I
traveled as a member of the non-profit group to Nicaragua to help build a school for a
community ravaged by landslides. Giving back to the community has always been a special
part of what I do. After my accident, I witnessed firsthand the power and impact a
community can have as they rallied to support me. I always wanted to give back in gratitude
for that support. Helping out or volunteering through sports was an easy way to contribute.
Volunteers are the backbone of sport. I found that I could make the biggest impact through
the pride I saw from the community regarding my results. One of their own was among the
best in the world, hailing from a tiny community in the smallest province. I know every day, and for every race, that a community stands behind me, whether it's my hometown community, the community of PEI, or the greater community of Canada. That is whom I strive to work hard for.
2018 - PyeongChang
Driven for the next four years to be 0.7 seconds faster, I became more comfortable with performance and embraced it. I was becoming the skier I had dreamt of when flying home from the 2010 Games. I headed towards the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games as a man on a mission, aiming to execute the best race plan possible each time I stepped up to the start line. I had a very successful 2017 Para-Nordic World Championships in Finsterau, Germany, earning five medals: three in biathlon and two in cross-country, but that was only the beginning. I would take that one step further in PyeongChang, earning six Paralympic medals, a Canadian record for medals won at a single Games, including my first Paralympic title in the Biathlon Individual and Canada's first and best Paralympic Cross Country Relay result with a silver. It was an indescribable nine days in Korea!
2022 - Beijing
Getting to Beijing for my fourth Paralympic Winter Games was a greater challenge
than any previous Games. A global pandemic disrupted everything I considered
normal. It was a truly unique approach to the Games, requiring me to adapt seemingly
every aspect of training, competition, rest, and recovery. Nothing about these Games
was ideal; there was constant adaptation and shifting of focus. I take great pride in my
ability to concentrate on my preparation in the years leading up to the Games and to
arrive in Beijing ready to perform. While there, I earned four medals, including my
second Paralympic title and another Cross Country Relay medal, this time bronze.
After a successful Beijing Games, I couldn't help but wonder if I was capable of more.
Like my feelings after leaving Sochi, I am hungry to see how far I can go.
2026 - Milano-Cortina
Milano-Cortina marked my fifth Paralympic Winter Games, and each Games has its own unique characteristics, challenges, beauty, and experiences. I earned the Para Biathlon World Cup Overall title for four consecutive seasons, including one season where I was undefeated throughout the World Cup and at the World Championships. Going into the Games, I was considered one of the top contenders. Although I was successful, earning a Silver and a Bronze medal, which brought my career total to 14 Paralympic medals, I still felt I was only close to reaching my true potential. There were moments when I felt immense pride in my performances, even though they didn't always end with me standing on the podium. That experience in Italy was something special that I will carry forward.
What's Next?
I am continuing to explore the limits that I don't believe I've fully reached yet. What could still be achieved? For now, answering that question is an exciting part of my journey. My current focus is on the unique opportunity presented by the upcoming 2026-27 season, which features separate World Championships in Cross Country and Biathlon. My short-term goal is to build towards success and performance at both of these events. Beyond that...
