The Kyle Pease Foundation Continues to Support Inclusion in the Workplace

The Kyle Please Foundation Hires Sixth Inclusive Employee in Partnership with Fire Protection Services.

The Kyle Pease Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of the disabled through sports, is proud to announce the hiring of their sixth member of their Inclusive Employment Program.  Employment Partner, Fire Protection Services, is proud to have Josh Porter join their team as the Office Operations & Communications Coordinator.

"The opportunity to partner with the Kyle Pease Foundation is something we feel very fortunate about, here at FPS.  Having Josh working in the office has already made a significant impact on our team.  We knew how important it was to give this a try, but we had no idea how much it would positively impact our culture. Hopefully it inspires other businesses to open their doors to employees with disabilities" - Adam Heiser of Fire Protection Services.

The Kyle Pease Foundation Inclusive Employment Program was established in 2017 when our first inclusive employee, Justin Knight, approached KPF after he raced with us. He never asked us for a grant, but for an opportunity to join the front office team and help give back to his community, inspire by our founder, Kyle Pease.

“Inclusion doesn’t just take place on the racecourse.  Inclusion is everywhere we look.  We are proud to partner with Fire Protection Services and help extend our support Beyond the Finish with some special and wonderful people,” says Brent Pease, Executive Director of The Kyle Pease Foundation. 

Currently, The Kyle Pease Foundation employs six Inclusive Employees who play a key role in our day-to-day operations at KPF. These are individuals who have a disability and through KPF, have a strong skill set that contributes to the growth, success, and ongoing support of our KPF Athletes and their families. 

Learn More by visiting www.kylepeasefoundation.org/inclusiveemploymentprogram.

About The Kyle Pease Foundation:
The Kyle Pease Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of the disabled through sports. Founded in 2011, it is focused on generating awareness of inclusion and raising funds to promote success for persons with disabilities by aiding meet their individual needs through sports. Programs include scholarships, medical or adaptive sports equipment and contributing to organizations that provide similar assistance to disabled persons. The Foundation also participates in educational campaigns to create awareness about Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. For more information, please visit www.kylepeasefoundation.org.

Beyond Limits | The Pease Brothers are Headed Back to Kona

The Pease Brothers talk about preparing for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Written By Kevin Enners

It’s about preparation -- forming good training habits, building miles, identifying strengths and weaknesses, fine-tuning nutrition needs, and building mental grit. Though they are a team, Brent and Kyle’s training is different – tailored to their own needs while complementing each other’s strengths. While important for all race events, the course at Kailua-Kona is one of the most challenging, requiring even more mental and physical tenacity from the brothers.

Brent and Kyle’s IRONMAN World Championship debut in 2018 was an amazing success. They completed the event in 14 hours 29 minutes and became the first push-assisted team of brothers, and second duo ever (behind Boston’s Dick and Rick Hoyt), to finish the event. In 2024, Brent and Kyle will return to Kona.

 All competitors at the IRONMAN World Championship are required to meet cutoff times in each leg, regardless of classification. Especially concerned with the 112-mile bike course, adjustments to the Pease’s tandem bike have made it lighter and more comfortable.

 “We are going to take two bikes with us in 2024 just so we have options and can decide based on the weather,” shared Kyle.

For Brent, training strategies have been modified to include more strength training and swimming, working towards a more efficient stroke.

“Even though the swim is the easiest part for me physically, I still need to focus on remaining calm in the kayak,” offered Kyle, “We practice with our crew dumping me in the kayak so that I can get myself above the water.” Hopefully, that won’t be a scenario these brothers encounter in the waters of Kailua Bay.

Nutrition, leading up to and during a long-distance event, cannot be ignored. If not planned well, long-distance athletes can experience burnout, commonly known as “bonking.”  Bonking is when muscles run out of fuel, your body has been depleted of energy (glycogen), and you can’t keep going.

 “It is critical for both Brent and I to stay ahead of our nutrition, and we learned this the hard way during our last IRONMAN. We did not take care of ourselves on the run, so this time we know we have got to stay on top of it and make sure that we are eating all the time,” shared Kyle.

KONA is as taxing mentally as it is physically. Acknowledging that anything can happen, from changing weather conditions to equipment breakdowns to other unforeseen circumstances, respect for the course and your teammate is paramount. As Kyle said, “I can't do this without Brent, and Brent can't do this without me.”

The mission of The Kyle Pease Foundation is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports. The vision is to create inclusion opportunities for every person with a disability. Returning to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona will continue highlighting what is possible and help grow opportunities beyond the finish for the KPF community.

“I love my brother. I love what he has given to others.” Brent affirms, “To be able to share this with him one more time is exactly why we are going back – together, as brothers.”

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The Inside Line | Featuring Zach Watson

The Inside Line | Zach Watson

In the realm of sports, triumphs are often measured not only by the number of medals won, but also by the boundless spirit and determination displayed by the athletes. Behind the scenes, however, there exists a network of individuals working tirelessly to ensure that athletes, particularly those with disabilities, are given every opportunity to shine on and off the field. At the heart of this endeavor for KPF stands the unsung hero, the Operations Manager, dedicated to supporting all our athletes.

Zach Watson was introduced to The Kyle Pease Foundation in 2022. At the time, KPF had an opening for a race coordinator, but Brent and Kyle were still vetting candidates. For then-potential-employee Zach, the 2022 Publix Half Marathon was meant to be a chance to observe and study the inner workings of KPF on race day. But when a volunteer runner was sidelined due to an illness, the twenty-something offered to fill in and push. Pivoting to logistics volunteer, Mindy Louden, Zach asked:

“By chance, how long is this race?”

“Oh,” Mindy responded. “It’s a half marathon.”

“Great,” Zach replied, concealing a certain trepidation.

Before he could even comprehend the relentless 13.1-mile grind, he was already headed for rolling hills on broken-asphalt roads of inner-city Atlanta with athlete Noah Longshore. With zero training for long-distance running under his belt, Zach would be in the hurt locker for several hours, hobbling on stiff legs for several days thereafter. However, whether he realized it at the time, Zach had exemplified KPF’s mission and demonstrated his belief in its core values. This fast-tracked him to a job as the brand-new Operations Manager for KPF.

Zach grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, with a love for sports. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, with a focus on Event and Facilities Management, then earned his graduate degree. The son of a former track star and basketball player, Zach played football and tennis while his sister shot hoops.  After school and practice, he’d hang out with his friends, one of whom had a sister with Duchesne Muscular Dystrophy. DMD is a debilitating genetic disorder that progressively deteriorates and weakens muscle cells, causing individuals to become wheelchair bound. Typically, the disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls. Zach watched his friend’s sister slowly lose her ability to actively participate in sports. Greenville, being the small town that it is, did not have alternative outlets for her.  

“I wish we had something like this ( KPF) back home,” Zach would later reflect. “A lot of things were taken away from her. I would like to get her down to Atlanta to experience one of our races.”

At work, Zach wears a lot of hats, as does everyone in the lean contingency of KPF employees. From day-to-day operational tasks of warehouse upkeep, preparing KPF’s vehicle fleet, supervising the inclusive employment program, networking with donors and supporters of KPF, to assuring race chairs are in tip-top shape, Zach diligently gets it done. After each race, Zach recaps the event with a summary that includes statistics and highlights, as well as feedback on what KPF did right and what could be done better. 

Working closely with Morgan Pappas, KPF’s Development Director, Zach demonstrates teamwork skills that contribute to the success of our small nonprofit by collaborating, communicating, and working together effectively to achieve our shared goals.

"It has been a pleasure working with Zach over the past year. He's truly been our boots on the ground and a go-getter,” Morgan stated. “He shows grit and passion for each and every KPF Athlete we're proud to serve. Zach works hard to ensure each of our athletes has the best experience possible and makes all feel welcome - from our volunteers, our athletes, our partners, the list goes on and on!" 

It goes without saying that Zach is a very motivated guy. When he is off the clock, you can find him out running, training for his first full marathon later this year. But one would be remiss to discount all the events on KPF’s race calendar. In my estimation, Zach prepares for many more miles than he realizes as he is always ready to step in and run when needed.  

 “Zach has impacted my job so much,” shares Kyle Pease, Chief Inspiration Officer. “For me, he makes it easy for me to show up to an event because everything is taken care of with such detail. He is a joy to be around professionally and personally. He’s been a big part of our team, and I’m grateful for Zach.”

Strong4Life's Super Hero Sprint | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

The Kyle Pease Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta athletes wheeled up in full force at Piedmont Park on June 3 for Children’s annual Strong4Life Superhero Sprint with spectacular team spirit, pushing beyond limits! There were over 40 participants, and we were ecstatic to greet 11 new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta volunteers.

Strong4Life | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has been a long-time supporter of KPF – their mission to treat kids so they can live happier, healthier lives – aligns with KPF’s purpose of assisting athletes with disabilities to maximize their strengths so that they can live up to their full potential.

Camp Wheel-A-Way from KPF Team Member, Natalie Gomez

Camp Experience

Every summer brings with it a sense of excitement and adventure, but this year was particularly special for me. I had the incredible opportunity to attend KPF’s Camp Wheel Away – a camp put on by The Kyle Pease Foundation – which offers a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, boating, and adaptive cycling.

From the moment I laid eyes on the magnificent horses, I knew I was about to embark on a unique journey. The camp's horseback riding program was designed to cater to all levels of experience and disabilities, making it accessible and inclusive for everyone. Whether a novice rider or an experienced equestrian, the supportive staff made sure that each of us felt comfortable and confident in the saddle.

It was awe-inspiring to witness the intelligence, grace, and strength of these magnificent creatures. A profound connection between rider and horse blossomed as we meandered around the ring, each rider getting assistance from a side-walker and leader for safety.  Not only did horseback riding provide a thrilling adventure, but it also instilled in me a sense of responsibility, patience, and empathy.

Every day, every meal, every moment was filled with laughter, excitement, and enthusiasm as we anticipated the next activity. But, in between were moments in which I felt that I could connect with new friends and tell more people about KPF, my new job, and my experience as an athlete. As we talked about racing, I showed the newcomers pictures and told them a bit about the awesome events that I’ve done and pictures from those races. My goal was not to boast, but to share the love, support, and enthusiasm of KPF, and how KPF helps athletes like me.

One of the highlights of the camp was the inclusion of adaptive cycling. This activity opened up a whole new world of possibilities for individuals with diverse abilities. Specialized equipment and skilled instructors ensured that everyone could partake in this thrilling adventure.

As with all KPF adventures, the camp's commitment to accessibility meant that individuals with mobility challenges could experience the freedom and exhilaration of cycling. I never realized how much fun a thing on three wheels, that you have to pedal and steer on your own power can be. Even though my experience as an adaptive athlete has been mainly racing in a pushchair, the adaptive cycling expedition allowed me a taste of what our incredible handbike athletes endure. Just a taste.

There was undoubtedly a buzz amongst the group – a new kind of camaraderie, a camaraderie through which I made new friends and passed on a thing or two I’ve picked up through my experience as an athlete. Hopefully, we will see a few more athletes and teammates on racecourses soon. 

As I look back on those cherished memories, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I had at this remarkable camp. The adventures I embarked on, the friendships I cultivated, and the personal growth I experienced will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is a testament to the transformative power of stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing life's adventures with an open heart and a willing spirit.

Pushing Beyond Limits, 
Natalie Gomez
Assistant Project Manager for Recruitment

Created by Kevin Enners, KPF Inclusive Employee