Athlete Carla McNearny shares her lifestyle choices, journey with Special Olympics
Carla McNearney with the medal she won in the 2017 Special Olympics.
While many athletes battle for first place in traditional sporting events, those who compete in the 2018 Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games have fought battles for much more than titles.
Carla McNearny, an ovarian cancer survivor and Mount Pleasant resident, will be competing in three events at the May 31-June 2 competition at Central Michigan University.
A Special Olympian for more than 30 years, McNearny is a woman in her 60s who is familiar to local residents for walking everywhere she goes. As a cancer survivor and global ambassador for the Special Olympics, she continues to achieve more than just the title of an athlete every day.
During this year's summer games, she will compete in the 100-meter walk, softball throw and the standing line jump. Although, McNearny said her favorite event in the Special Olympics has always been bowling.
McNearny's journey with the Special Olympics has spanned longer than just the summer games. She said her involvement started in Lansing during high school, where she first competed. After moving from Lansing to Mount Pleasant in her adult years, she said her involvement with the Olympics has drastically increased.
Not only is McNearny a participant in the games, but is also a global ambassador for the Special Olympics. She has traveled in-state to spread the message to others about her journey, the benefits of competing and how many people she is able to connect with through the program.
With her cancer now 15 years in remission, McNearny said that she feels incredibly lucky to be where she is today.
"I like to meet new people," McNearny said. "Meeting people has to be my favorite part of it."
McNearny said her ability to partake in the athletic events is due to her healthy lifestyle. Her diet full of fruits and vegetables, as well as regular exercise, is what she believes will assist her in the games. Her diet before the games always consists of a healthy breakfast. She loves eating at the residence halls at CMU when she stays overnight, and prefers to eat bananas in the morning.
"I'd say I walk about six or seven miles a day," McNearny said. "I walk a lot and have a lot of people helping me eat better."
