Carla Simon Inspires Others as a Special Olympics Wisconsin Health Messenger
Carla Simon is a Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete from Manitowoc, Wis. In 2023, while living in Arizona, she struggled with her weight and faced the tragic loss of her mother. As someone with autism, Carla sought an outlet during this difficult time and turned to running. What began as a form of therapy soon blossomed into a passion.
Carla’s journey is truly inspiring. After experiencing such profound loss, she found solace in running. Each stride not only improved her physical health but also honored her mother’s memory, and gave Carla strength to keep going.
Carla has been involved in Special Olympics since her early 20s, which has played a vital role in her development. Through Special Olympics Wisconsin, Carla found a supportive community and opportunities to challenge herself and grow. While participating in track and swimming, she sought new challenges and joined a running club. Mentors from the club helped her with training and paced her during her first half marathon, sparking her enthusiasm for the sport.
“There is a thing called the ‘runner’s high,’ where you don’t get tired; you get energized,” Carla said. “You just want to keep running and can’t wait for your next run. With my autism, there are days when I just don’t want to be around people, so I run.”
What started as a coping mechanism has now become her passion. Since beginning her running journey, Carla has completed more than 100 half-marathons (13.1 miles), 36 full marathons (26.2 miles), and the world-famous Boston Marathon.
Her dedication extends beyond racing. As an Athlete Health Messenger for Special Olympics Wisconsin, Carla actively engages with her community on social media, sharing her story to motivate others. “I want to show that no matter the challenges you face, you can achieve your dreams,” she says.
“Carla, whether on the running course or in her leadership journey, is a fierce competitor,” Special Olympics Wisconsin Vice President of Unified Leadership Jeanne Hrovat said. “She brings her discipline and focus to her leadership role and encourages other athletes to use the skills they learn through sport in roles such as public speaker, committee member, and health advocate.”
Running a marathon is a feat most people never accomplish, but after achieving significant success in running, Carla sought her next challenge and found it in triathlons. These races combine swimming, biking, and running and come in various distances, making the triathlon one of the most demanding challenges in sports. Carla started with shorter-distance triathlons but set her sights on the ultimate challenge: the Ironman. The Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim (in open water), a 112-mile bike course, and concludes with a full 26.2-mile marathon—back-to-back-to-back.
In November 2023, Carla entered and completed Ironman Arizona, qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France. At the World Championship, she was one of only three participants with intellectual disabilities. Although she and her coach had to stop 45 miles into the bike portion of the race, they were not alone; nearly 20% of athletes who started the race did not finish. Carla kept the experience in perspective: “I was brave in the attempt.”
Looking ahead, Carla is excited for her next challenge, confident that she will return even stronger than before. Whether it’s training for another Ironman or advocating for fellow athletes, her journey embodies the spirit of resilience. As she puts it, “What doesn’t challenge you, doesn’t change you.”
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