Danelle Umstead: Elite Guest Trainer

At the age of 13, Danelle was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition where the retina progressively degenerates eventually causing blindness. She has no central vision and is losing her peripheral sight as well. 

Danelle’s father first introduced her to adaptive skiing promising to be her eyes on the slopes. At the time, Danelle was at a horrible place in her life – having just lost her mom, sight, and essentially her will to live. She was hesitant to ski, feeling as if blind people couldn’t do anything. But from the moment she felt the rush of the mountain air against her face and the snow underneath her skis, she was hooked. 

Skiing not only gave Danelle her life back, it also led to meeting her husband Rob while skiing in New Mexico. Little did they know he would become her coach and guide leading them into careers as a dynamic alpine skiing team. 

In 2010, Danelle and Rob made history at the Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games as the first husband and wife visually impaired ski race team to compete for Team USA earning Bronze Medals. They also won the Bronze Medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics and competed at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics. Currently Danelle is training to represent Team USA once again on the world stage in Italy in 2026. 

In March 2021, Danelle launched her charitable organization, Sisters in Sports Foundation, whose mission is to empower a community of girls and women with disabilities through the love and involvement of sports. 

If you’re looking for the strength, fortitude, and grit to overcome any obstacle, then don’t miss this most inspiring and exceptional Elite Guest Trainer. 

To learn more about Danelle you can find her at danelleumstead.com or follow her on Instagram.

“I’ve come to look at the hardships and my pain as the gifts of my life that have shaped me into the woman and competitor I am today.”

— Danelle Umstead