Shaunta-Maé Alexander: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph
Overcoming the Unseen: From California to the NYC Half Marathon
Shaunta-Maé Alexander, a 35-year-old children’s book author and aspiring actress from Sacramento, California, is not just another participant in the United Airlines NYC Half. Her journey to the start line is a testament to her unwavering resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. On Sunday, she joined over 27,000 athletes to take on the 13.1-mile course through Brooklyn and Manhattan, an accomplishment that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Alexander’s life has been defined by her battles with chronic illnesses, including Crohn’s disease, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and chronic pericarditis. Her story, however, is one of hope and transformation, as she defied the odds to reclaim her mobility, her strength, and her spirit.
A Lifetime of Struggles: From Foster Care to Paralysis
Alexander’s health challenges began when she was just 9 years old, with recurring stomach pains and difficulty keeping food down. By the time she was 12, her condition had worsened, forcing her to be hospitalized during an outing to a restaurant. “I could not get out of the car because the pain was excruciating,” she recalled. “I couldn’t stand up, I couldn’t catch my breath.” The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in high school offered some answers but brought little relief. The chronic inflammation and ulcerations in her digestive tract left her with debilitating symptoms, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloody stools. The physical toll was matched by the emotional burden, as she became the “kid with two bags” to school—one for books and another for medications, diapers, and changes of clothes. Her Crohn’s disease excluded her from normal childhood activities, isolating her and taking a profound toll on her mental health.
A New Chapter: Rediscovering Movement and Purpose
In 2019, Alexander’s life hit a breaking point. A severe Crohn’s flare-up, likely triggered by food poisoning from a fruit smoothie, landed her in the hospital for a colonoscopy. The procedure, however, brought a life-altering complication: a rare reaction to the anesthesia left her paralyzed. “I couldn’t move my arms, I couldn’t move my legs. I couldn’t speak,” she said. “I had cognitive issues. I couldn’t tell you simple things like math. If you were to ask me what five plus two is, I wasn’t able to tell you.” The road to recovery was grueling. Discharged after a month of hospitalization, she could walk with the aid of a walker, but progress was slow, and she suffered a devastating setback in 2021 when she became paralyzed from the waist down.
Finding Strength in Community: The Peloton Connection
In January 2022, Alexander found a new source of inspiration: Tunde Oyeneyin, a Peloton instructor and fitness motivator. Drawn by Oyeneyin’s charisma and the supportive Peloton community, Alexander began taking her arms and light weights classes from her wheelchair, using 3-pound weights to rebuild her strength. Weeks later, she purchased a Peloton bike and began pedaling with her hands, eventually progressing to using her legs by April. Her breakthroughs were small but meaningful, a testament to her determination. By November, her family helped her purchase a Peloton Tread, marking the beginning of her journey to walk again. “We don’t hear a lot about how patients and individuals who go from paralysis or any type of injury where they’re bedridden and not using muscles … go back to reactivating those muscles and reactivating those joints and how incredibly painful it is,” she said. Yet, she persisted, focusing on her gait, strength training, and ultimately, running.
Running Toward the Future: The Road to the NYC Half
By June 2023, Alexander had completed her first 5K, a milestone she never thought possible. Now, she stands at the threshold of an even greater challenge: her first half marathon. Guided by Tunde Oyeneyin, who will act as her guide during the race, Alexander is not only pushing her own limits but also fundraising for NYRR Team for Kids, a cause close to her heart. “They’re kids who were just like me,” she said. “The underdogs. The othered. The ones who didn’t fit in.” Her journey is a reminder that every step forward is a victory, and every mile is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience.
Leaving a Legacy: An Unstoppable Force
As Alexander prepares to cross the finish line of the NYC Half, her story reverberates far beyond the race itself. Her resilience, determination, and generosity of spirit have inspired countless individuals, including Oyeneyin, who called her “an unstoppable force” and an inspiration. “The fact that I’ve been able to play a role in how far she has come is such a huge honor,” Oyeneyin said. “I can’t wait to cheer her on through every step to that finish line.” For Alexander, the race is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of hope and human potential. Her journey is a reminder that no matter how dark the road may seem, the light at the end is worth fighting for.
