Extraordinary leader, author, humanitarian volunteer, disability advocate, award winning athlete and motivational speaker, the Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt is an inspiration to us all that anything is possible! She was born a 4-way amputee and has exemplified extraordinary leadership, dedication and excellence, for people around the world, and has been nominated twice for the Ontario Premier's Award for her international humanitarian inclusive work.
Positive attitude, perseverance and resourcefulness are just some of Tracy's attributes. Currently, her focus is being an author, international motivational speaker and facilitator. She has climbed mountains in Nepal, captained 110-foot-tall ships in the Eastern Atlantic, and won a bronze medal in alpine downhill para-skiing.
Tracy's philanthropic work is too numerous to list, but to highlight a few: Tracy has been an inclusive teacher in Uganda, Jamaica, and Mexico, and has volunteered for diversity embracing charities in Nepal, UK and North America. She has been an Accessibility Ambassador for Rick Hanson's ‘I Can’ days in schools across Ontario, Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Mentorship Program, Canadian Paralympic Committee endorser of Changing Minds Changing Lives, and Parasport Ontario’s advocate Ready, Willing and Able.
She is the winner of the 2017 Robert W. Jackson Award (Founder of the Canadian Paralympics), 2017 Ontario Premier Awards, 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award and 2018 Women of Essence Global Award Nominee. Oprah Magazine shared her story in the March 2015 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine ‘Just be you’ focus, and was the only model captured athletically in a sailboat in ‘Uncensored Life: Raw Beauty, an exhibition featuring stunning portraits of unconventional models … a reminder that beauty isn't determined by ability. In 2016, Tracy was featured as the cover girl for Thrive magazine, providing those with limb loss with a first-rate resource for living well physically, emotionally and socially... to grow and to flourish.
As a dynamic individual, Tracy's other work experiences include Government Relations Serving Customers with Disabilities as Corporate Learning and Development Consultant with Air Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart. Tracy was a board member for AODA Transportation Standards Committee, expressing if you can’t get access to the game how can you play. Before that she was Manager of Planning and Integration for the largest most successful Pan Am and Parapan Am Games ever in Toronto 2015 providing 55 presentations in the span of six months advocating excellence in sport for athletes with disabilities.
Tracy has exemplified extraordinary leadership, dedication for people with disabilities active in sport as Camp Director at Easter Seals Society, March of Dimes Canada and Outward Bound’s Access to Adventure.
As if that wasn’t enough Tracy also volunteers, impacting people with disabilities participating in sport through Toronto Accessible Sports Council, supporting scuba diving at Freedom at Depth, Adult Downhill Disabled Skiing, and the Disabled Sailing Ontario Association.
As an athlete herself, on top of sailing and skiing, she also swims weekly, canoes, kayaks, camps, scuba dives, flew a plane, jumped out of a plane, has played wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and went Bobsledding!
As you can see, Tracy is UNSTOPPABLE and not just because she was cameoed in the movie Robo Cop.
Tracy has now added "author" to her long list of amazing accomplishments, with her book "Unstoppable You: Exceed Uncertainties, Embrace Change, Earn Respect." With humor and motivation, Tracy helps you see that you can crush your obstacles and soar to the top! Her mantra is "If I Can Do It, You Can Do It! What's Your Excuse?".
We are thrilled to have Tracy Schmitt as an Ambassador for March of Dimes Canada.
