Amanda Olson-Schmidt

I am returning to this life-changing event as a Goddess again with a continued goal of being there for others facing their own medical setbacks.

The PAF community came along for me at the perfect time. My breast cancer journey started in June 2022 after a routine mammogram caught something suspicious. Beginning the K2R training in July 2023 as an Athena felt like a lot to take on during treatment, but I was more afraid not to give myself a chance. It wasn’t about who I used to be, and it wasn’t a competition. It was about having my best comeback. Being a part of this family during that difficult time was priceless.

As a returning Goddess, I will most enjoy supporting others accomplish and take pride in their adventurous comebacks--an achievement beyond many people's imaginations, but very possible with PAF behind their backs.

PAF’s priceless gifts to the participants:

• A five-month pre-planned training schedule

• A 30+ person cheer team to be a part of

• Always having someone available to help lift you up before/during/after the adventure

• A focus other than the setbacks

• Friendship and fitness combined

• Robyn’s chill-giving “sermons”

• Never finishing last—that’s the Reaper’s job ;)

Thank you for contributing. "Outside the harbor” is a mantra I came up with after experiencing the fulfillment of open water kayaking in the FL Keys after I trained entirely in the Oceanside harbor in 2023. Thanks to your support I’ll proudly be cheering others on who are "outside their harbor" letting go and having their best comebacks ever as well!