Natalie Bieule

The Backstory:
At 18 years old, Natalie Bieule was involved in a car accident that trapped her in the car, requiring the jaws of life to get her out, and lead to the amputation of her right leg below the knee. This was an obstacle for her, but it did not hold her back. She got into CrossFit and through meeting US Paralympian April Homes, she was introduced to the Paralympic sport world. She began training in discus throwing and within four months she earned a spot on the National A team in San Mateo, California. Since then she earned a gold medal at the 2014 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships and a silver medal at the 2015 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships. Bieule made her Paralympic Games debut at the 2016 Rio Games where she placed sixth.

Away from the track:
Family has always been a priority for Bieule and after graduating with a degree in psychology she became a teacher and settled down. She has two kids with her husband, Matthew, and is living the life she always dreamed of. When she isn’t competing and raising a family, she enjoys DIY projects and has continued CrossFit.

In their own words:
“My mother is a hard-working, independent woman and she never made excuses for me. When other people felt bad for me, she was like, ‘She’s OK.’ It created a toughness in me, and I really think that my fighting mode really comes from my mom.”

“I think that having that background with salsa helped, because salsa requires a lot of hip movement and foot placing, feeling the rhythm of the music. With discus, you’ve got to feel that rhythm. You’ve got to know – especially missing a leg – when to plant your foot and turn. I don’t feel that foot when I’m landing, so I’ve got to feel that rhythm and that beat, and make my own music and dance, feel that leg come down and know that I have to turn my hip. I think that’s why I love the discus so much.”

“The more you tell me I can’t, the more I try to prove you wrong.”